March 25th, 2012

Opening Prayer:

• OM Sahanaa vavatu

Stotras:

• Karaagre Vasathe Lakshmi

• Saraswathi Namasthubyam

• Gurur Brahma

• Vakratunda Mahaakaaya

Geetha Chanting: Geetha Chapter XII - Sixth

Quiet Time Activity: Bhajan and Shell Dropping

Story: "Little foot steps upon the water" 

Craft/Activity:  Connect the Dots - Bear

Comments:

Today we had Usha and Anushka helping the class. We started with Sahana Vavathu and Meera aunty's beautiful, soothing song. Kids were paying real attention to the song. Then we did stotras, we started with Vakrathunda Mahakaya and the kids recognized the picture of the corresponding deity quite readily.  We then said Saraswathi namasthubhyam. Then we recited Guru Brahma.  After that, we  said Brahmarpanam and how the body is God we we cannot give it junk food. 

The class chanted Shlokas 1 through 6 together. It was really nice to know that the kids can recite up to sixth sholka very well.  

The story today was from the North American Plains Indians and was about  'Dont forget the animals, take care of them and they will take care of you' or the concept of 'Sarvabhutha hiterathaha'.  Then the kids did  connect the dots, and it was the bear. The children clearly 'get it' now and they readily got the Bear Picture and a couple of kids the mentioned that they liked the hearts because Mother bear was so good (Big Thank you to Anushka!). 

Then we played the “dropping of shells game”. They were really focused despite the noises and whispering. A majority of them came up with the correct count!! 

We ended our class with Poornamada. See you all next week.

NOTE TO PARENTS:

-  Note to parents: Please sign up for volunteering in the class. Sign-up are available with any of the Pre-K teachers. Please ask for it while dropping off/ Picking up your kids for class. I have added the link for Volunteer LIST and Backup LIST for your reference.

- Practise Geeta with your kids. Have them LISTEN to the shlokas (at least 1 through 3) everyday. Listening is just as important as memorizing.

- Please do take the kids to bathroom before they are dropped off. As you know, in this age group one raises the hand, the entire class wants to go to bathroom.

Sevikas:Nanda, Meera, Jacqueline. We had 3 Parent Volunteers