June 6, 2021 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

Hari Om Parents,

 

This is the summary of activities that were conducted during the PM session on June 6th.

 

1) We started with opening prayers-Om Sahana Vahvatu prayer. Chance to do the opening prayers and concluding pledge is given to every child on rotational basis.

 

2) Two bed time stories were narrated by Pragnesh, one about Jackal and the other based off Gita.

 

3) Kahoot was played.

 

4) Children were given a chance to perform and show their individual talents (It was kind of a spontaneous mini talent show!!). Since this was the last class we wanted to make it a fun class.

 

We wished kids all the best and bid them goodbye!

 

Thanks to all the parents for encouraging their children to join Bal vihar.

 

Hari Om and Pranaam.

 

Roopa and Pragnesh. 

May 23, 2021 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

Hari Om Parents,

 

This is the summary of activities that were conducted during the PM session on May 23rd.

 

1) We started with opening prayers-Om Sahana Vahvatu prayer. Chance to do the opening prayers and concluding pledge is given to every child on rotational basis.

 

2) Pragnesh narrated the story from the Krishna Krishna book.-The story was about Sudarshana.

 

3) Clip about archeological excavations in Dwarka city was shown to the children.

 

4) Bed time story about Tibet monk and how we should always help others was narrated.

 

5) We played the Kahoot game based off 24 gurus.

6. Clip from Krishna Krishna movie was shown.

7- Kahoot game was played.

We concluded with Aarti and Chinmaya missions pledge.

 

Pranaam!

Roopa and Pragnesh.

 

May 16, 2021 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

Class conducted on 05/16.

Hari Om Parents,

 

This is the summary of activities that were conducted during the PM session, last Sunday.

 

1) We started with opening prayers-Om Sahana Vahvatu prayer. Chance to do the opening prayers and concluding pledge is given to every child on rotational basis.

 

2) Pragnesh narrated the story from the Krishna Krishna book.

- Krishna's Hiding from the Gopis -

When Krishna suddenly disappeared from the company of the gopis, they began to search for Him in every place. After not finding Him anywhere, they became afraid and almost mad after Him. They were simply thinking of the pastimes of Krishna in great love and affection. Being absorbed in thought, they experienced loss of memory, and with dampened eyes they began to see the very pastimes of Krishna, His beautiful talks with them, His embracing, kissing and other activities. Being so attracted to Krishna, they began to imitate His dancing, His walking and smiling, as if they themselves were Krishna. Due to Krishna's absence, they all became crazy; each one of them began to tell the others that she was Krishna Soon they all began to assemble together and chant Krishna's name very loudly, and they moved from one part of the forest to another searching for Him.

Actually, Krishna is all-pervasive; He is in the sky, and He is in the forest; He is within the heart, and He is always everywhere.

How can I be seeking Krishna when I am doing routine things and the things I like to do? The way is by chanting prayers sincerely and with right attitude help us draw ourselves closer to Krishna.

 

3) Review of annual day presentation prepared and recorded by the children was shown to them for feedback.

 

4) Govind strotram was chanted.

5) We played the Kahoot game.

6) Clip from Krishna movie was shown to the children.

We concluded with Chinmaya missions pledge.

 

Pranaam!

Roopa and Pragnesh.

May 9, 2021 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

Hari Om parents,

Summary of class conducted on 5/9/2021.

Phadhuka pooja was conducted at the temple with children participating from home over the zoom.

Ashtoranamavali was done by grade 5 students and all children were asked to repeat namavali and do pooja at their own home.

This was followed by presentations from grade 1, grade 2 and grade 8.

We concluded with pleade led by grade 8 students.

Pranaam!

Roopa and Pragnesh.

 

May 2, 2021 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

Hari Om Parents,

 

Below is the summary of class conducted on 05/02/2021.

  

1)     We started with opening prayers-Om Sahana Vahvatu prayer.

 

2)     Bhagwatam story from Krishna Krishna book was narrated by Pragnesh.

 

3)     Krishnastakam was chanted individually by children.

  

4)     Meaning and significance of Namaste was explained by Roopaji:                                                                

 

Derived from the Sanskrit language, Namaste is formed by joining two words, namas and te. 'Namas' means 'bow', 'adorations', 'obeisance' and 'salutation'; and 'te' means 'to you'. Therefore, the literal meaning of Namaste is 'bowing to you'. when you say Namaste to someone, it implies 'I bow to the divine in you'. This gesture is also associated with the brow chakra, i.e. the mind center or the third eye. Therefore, when you meet someone in person, you do not just meet a physical being, but you meet their mind too. And then when you say Namaste by bowing your head and joining your hands, the gesture implies 'may our minds meet'. This is a great way of expressing your love, respect and friendship to the person whom you meet.

  

5)     Clip from Krishna movie was shown.

 

6)     Bed time story about Buddha and the widow was narrated by Pragnesh. The moral of the story was we all are mortal and death is part of life. We are eternal soul " Sat Chit Ananada Atma" and it's only the body which dies and not the soul.

    

7)     Kahoot game was played.

 

8)     We concluded with aarti and pledge.

 

Pranaam!

Roopa and Pragnesh.

Apr 25, 2021 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

Hari Om Parents,

 

Activities conducted on 04/25/2021 included Bhagwatam story from Krishna Krishna book, Kahoot game and presentation by 3^rd and 6^th graders.

 

Bal Vihar class proceeded in the following order.

 

1)     We started with opening prayers-Om Sahana Vahvatu prayer.

 

2)     Kahoot game was played.

 

3)     Bhagwatam story from Krishna Krishna book was narrated by Pragnesh.

 

Every year people of Vraj used to worship Lord Indra, for the Good rain and the vegetation. So this year also all the people were busy in the arrangements for worship.

Krishna questioned his father, Nanda, why they are doing so? His father explained that this is done every year to please Lord Indra so that he continued to grace the people of Vraj by providing timely rain.

Little Krishna was not convinced with this answer; he said that we should worship Govardhan Hill and not Indra. He explained that Govardhan Hill helps to gather the clouds for the rain. It gives us lots of vegetation and medicinal herbs. It gives grass to our cattle and cleans our air.

Nanda and all the villagers agreed to Krishna and started worshipping Govardhan Hill.

When Lord Indra found that the villagers were worshipping Govardhan Hill instead of him, he got very furious and decided to punish them.

He sends a terrible rainstorm to flood the Vraj village.

The people and the cattle got frightened. Lord Krishna asked them not to worry and took them to Govardhan Hill. He then lifted the hill on his little finger and gave shelter to all the people and cattle.

The storm continued for many days, but all the people were safe under the huge umbrella-like Govardhan Hill.  Lord Indra was shocked to see how a young boy can lift a mountain. He called back all the devastating clouds.

He went to Krishna with folded hand and asked for forgiveness. His false pride was shattered. Lord Krishna forgave him.

Now the storm was stopped and the sky was clear, all the villagers were happy to have Krishna.

 

4)     Why do we light the lamp, it's significance and meaning was explained by Roopaji.

 

5)     Children and parents then joined another zoom session for presentation and skit by 3^rd and 6th graders.  

 

Pranaam!

Roopa and Pragnesh.

 

Apr 18, 2021 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

Hari Om Parents,

 

Activities conducted on 04/18/2021 included Bhagwatam story from Krishna Krishna book, bed time story, Kahoot, video clip from Krishna movie, chanting and lesson from 24 gurus book.

 

Bal Vihar class proceeded in the following order.

 

1) We started with opening prayers-Om Sahana Vahvatu prayer.

 

2) Bedtime story about two kings in ancient India and how bullying is a negative virtue was narrated by Pragnesh.

 

3) Video clip from animated Krishna movie was played.

 

4) Kahoot was played-Theme was significant places in Mahabharata.

 

5) Riddle was given to children based on 24 gurus book. This week the story was about butterfly and what could be learnt from it. The moral of the story was "What you think is what you become".

 

6) Govinda Damodaram strotram was recited by them.

 

7) Krishnastakam was chanted by children.

 

8) We concluded with Aarti and pledge.

Apr 11, 2021 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

Hari Om Parents,
 
Activities on class conducted 04/11/2021 included Bhagwatam story from Krishna Krishna book, Bed time story, game, chanting and lesson/activity from 24 gurus book.
 
Bal Vihar class proceeded in the following order.
 
1) We started with opening prayers-Om Sahana Vahvatu prayer.

2) Pragnesh narrated the story from the Krishna Krishna book.

3) Video clip about white dancing peacock from Pragnesh's visit to Krishna temple in West Virginia was shown.

4) Children did krishnastakam chanting.

5) Kahoot was played based on 24 Gurus book.

6) Riddle was asked -I am not ugly. People are petrified by me. Earth is my home but nobody wants to be near me.
I am snake.

7) Word and sentence activity. Matrix and decoding the message was played.

8) Bedtime story about Akbar and Birbal & what anger can do to us was narrated by Pragnesh.

9) We concluded with aarti and pledge.

Pranaam!
Roopa and Pragnesh.

Mar 21, 2021 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

March 21st class summary.

Hari Om Parents,

 

Activities this week included Bhagwatam story from Krishna Krishna book,bed time story, game, chanting and lesson/activity from 24 gurus book.

 

Bal Vihar class proceeded in the following order.

 

1) We started with opening prayers-Om Sahana Vahvatu prayer.

 

2) Pragnesh narrated story from the Krishna Krishna book.

 

3) Roopaji conducted an interactive activity with the kids based on 24 teachers books. This week the guru was arrow maker and how we can learn power of concentration for him. Examples about Newton was given. Story about Swami Vivekananda was narrated.

 

4) Game about concentration was played. Children had to look at the picture for few minutes about Krishna and then jot down as many items they saw without looking at the picture.

 

5) Bed time story about king and the priest was told by Pragnesh. The moral of the story was everything happens for the good.

 

6) We discussed about upcoming about annual day presentation preparation.

 

7) We concluded with Aarti and Chinmaya missions pledge.

 

Pranaam!

Roopa and Pragnesh.

Mar 14, 2021 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

 March 14th class summary.

Hari Om Parents,

 

Activities included Bhagwatam story from Krishna Krishna book, riddles, bed time story, Kahoot, chanting and lesson/activity from 24 gurus book.

 

Bal Vihar class proceeded in the following order.

 

1) We started with opening prayers-Om Sahana Vahvatu prayer.

 

2) Had discussion with children about annual presentation and what was required to prepare for it.

 

3) Pragnesh narrated the story from the Krishna Krishna book.

 

4) Bed time story about three friends was told by Pragnesh. The moral of the story was how to be humble and not have superiority complex.

5) Govind strotram was chanted.

6) Verses from Krishnastakam were chanted by the children. 

 

7) We played the Kahoot game based on types of vehicles that Hindu gods use.

 

8) Roopaji conducted an interactive activity with the kids based on 24 teachers books. Two riddles were given to the kids. Two stories were narrated based on what could be learnt from a small child and also what could be learnt from bangles. We then did activity with the kids about negative power of distraction and positive power of concentration.

 

 

9) We concluded with Aarti and Chinmaya missions pledge.

 

Pranaam!

Roopa and Pragnesh.

 

 

Mar 7, 2021 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

March 7th PM Bal Vihar class

 

Hari Om Parents,

 

Activities this week included Bhagwatam story from Krishna Krishna book, riddle, film clip from Krishna movie, bed time story about morality, Kahoot, chanting and lesson from 24 gurus book.

 

Bal Vihar class proceeded in the following order.

 

1) We started with opening prayers-Om Sahana Vahvatu prayer.

2) Govind strotram was chanted.

3) Verses from Krisnastam were chanted by the children. 

 

4) Pragnesh narrated the story from the Krishna Krishna book.

 

5) Bed time story about two friends was told by Pragnesh. The moral of the story was about honesty.

 

6) We played the Kahoot game based on 24 teachers book and its characters.

 

7) Roopaji conducted an interactive activity with the kids based on 24 teachers books. Riddle was given to the kids to identity a particular bird from which we can learn. Clues were given and a story was narrated.  

 

8) Movie clip was played from Krishna movie about Brahmaji's encounter with Lord Vishnus who is in the form of baby Krishna.

 

9) We concluded with Aarti and Chinmaya missions pledge.

 

Pranaam!

Roopa and Pragnesh.