We had fun today, identifying various Indian spices and grains from the samples brought in by Ram uncle.
Friday, November 20, 2015
November 15th
We had fun today, identifying various Indian spices and grains from the samples brought in by Ram uncle.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
November 1, 2015
Today we had a discussion about Temples in India. We practiced additional stanzas of the Tapovan Shloka. We wrapped with a game that reinforced some of the material that was covered in the first part of the class.
Saturday, October 31, 2015
October 11, 2015
Today, we discussed the geography of the Indian Continent as well as identify the locations of major cities.
Then we discussed some facts about the India flag; for example the Ashoka Chakra.
Then we discussed some facts about the India flag; for example the Ashoka Chakra.
October 25, 2015
Sunday, October 4, 2015
October 4th, Back to Balvihar Dharmam Class Handout
Chinmaya Balavihar @ BBNJ, Dharmam (6th Grade) Class 2015-2016
Our Goal
Discover, learn and share the history of Indian Civilization, Culture, Religions, Languages, Music, Dance, Business, etc. We hope to have some fun with our topics; using open, facilitated discussions. We will encourage students to share their thoughts and views on the topics covered, their own family’s Indian heritage and their topically relevant anecdotal stories.
Class Text Books: Awakening Indians to India, Shlokathon, We will, We Must.
Teachers
- Ram Alleppey, Raj Sugathan, Smita Wagh
email: bbnjdharmam@gmail.com
Typical Balavihar session
- Opening Prayer
- Curriculum Topic (s) for the day
- Practice Sholkas, Gita Chanting
- Quiet Time
- Snack Time
- Open Discussion
- Closing Prayer
Note 1: Sholkas assigned to the Dharmam class this year: Gita Dhyanam, Tapovana Stothram
Note 2: Yoga class will be scheduled once per Month.
Expectations
- Show respect for teachers, peers and the Balavihar Program
- Regular Attendance…. Experience shows that when parents prioritize Balavihar Attendance, so does the child.(Please email us in advance when you know you will be late or absent)
- Encourage your child to keep up with the reading material. Initiate discussions at home based on topics they’re reading. This increases their confidence to participate in class discussions.
- Participate in class discussions and assembly presentations
Our Class Blog Site
We will use the class blog page to communicate announcements and class notes. Students and parents should bookmark the blog and check frequently.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Experience has shown that Balavihar students and families get the most out of Balavihar if they participate actively in other events and take advantage of opportunities beyond the weekly classes.
Experience has shown that Balavihar students and families get the most out of Balavihar if they participate actively in other events and take advantage of opportunities beyond the weekly classes.
Language Classes – Language classes are offered immediately after Balavihar classes each Sunday.
BBNJ Swaranjali Music Group – Swaranjali is the musical wing of Balavihar. The Swaranjali group has weekly practice sessions. This is a great opportunity for musically talented students to learn from accomplished teachers and perform at various events throughout the year.
CORD Walkathon (Oct 10, 2015) – Annual walkathon and fundraising for CORD, which is the primary charity of Chinmaya Mission for Rural Development in India. We need all students and parents to walk! It is a great outdoor experience for a great cause.
Slokathon – Learn to recite/chant stotras at your own pace, demonstrate your learning, and keep track of your progress in a self-paced program. This year, families or student groups can chant together.
Seva Opportunities – (Suggestions welcome). Look for messages from BBNJ Seva coordinators
Bhiksha (Date TBD, suggestions welcome): Shravanam class will invite Swami Shantanandaji to Bhiksha after Balavihar on one particular Sunday in this year. This is typically in the home of one of the students (we welcome families who would like to host the Bhiksha) or in the cafeteria. Parents sign up to bring food. Students and parents should learn to chant “Na Karmana” to welcome Swamiji. Class families get to interact socially. A popular highlight of the event is that students can have an interactive Q&A directly with Swamiji.
B.O.S.S. Camp – As an initiative started last year, 8th grade students will have an opportunity for an overnight camp at Vrindavan Ashram. Students get a chance to interact with other students.
Geeta Chanting Yagna (Chapter 16, around April 2016) – In continuation with the tradition from past years, Chinmaya Mission Tri-State will have a Geeta Chanting Yagna. We need all students and parents to participate. Special chanting classes are offered.
CMTC Memorial Day Family Camp (May 2016 Poconos) – 3-day experience away from normal routines. This is a very popular annual event with a chance to meet families from all of the CMTC Balavihars. It is a great value and good fun. This is strongly recommended.
Samskriti Annual Cultural Performance – (June 2016) On-stage performance. Each class will have an opportunity for a 10-minute stage performance. As in past years, the students will decide on what they want to present, and we count on active co-operation from the parents in hosting practice sessions and preparations.
October 4th.Week 2 of Balavihar, today's class discussion
The colors, symbolism and history of the Indian flag.
Some geographic facts and features related to India. Students quickly started referencing the book as they realized it is full of facts that we were discussing in class.
Welcome Dharmam Class to the 2015-2016 Chinmaya Balavihar @ BBNJ!
Let us take an opportunity to meet our class, introduced to you in their own words...
Awesome Aishil
3rd year of Balavihar. I am 11 years old. I like green.
3rd year of Balavihar. I am 11 years old. I like green.
Happy Ambika
My parents are from Chennai and Sirakasi. My family speaks Tamil. My favorite number is 9. I sudy Karnatic music. My dad teaches 7th grade. I've been going to Balavihar since 4th grade. My favorite subject is Math. A food I l really like is Cinnamon Buns.
My parents are from Chennai and Sirakasi. My family speaks Tamil. My favorite number is 9. I sudy Karnatic music. My dad teaches 7th grade. I've been going to Balavihar since 4th grade. My favorite subject is Math. A food I l really like is Cinnamon Buns.
I am amazing Aashrit. My parents are from Bangalore. I've been coming to Balavihar from last year. I am learning Telugu. My favorite sport is baseball and may favorite color is blue. I am 10. My favorite number is 9.
Delightful Diya
I am delightful Diya. My hobbies are tennis, piano, bharathanathyam, and karnatic music. My favorite color is blue. I have been coming to balavihar since I was in Kindergarten. My mom is from Chennai and my dad is from a village called Nagapatnam. My favorite food is pizza.
I speak English, Tamil and Sanskrit. Favorite food is Paneer. Mom and dad are from Tamil Nadu
Creative Mayuri
I am eleven years old. I play the violin. I do Kuchipudi/Bharath Nathyam dance. My mom comes from Kerala and my dad comes from Gujarat. I've been in Balavihar for 1 year. I came in December. My favorite color is blue. My favorite food is Italian. I play soccer and tennis. I like to read and write.
Athletic Parth
Favorite color is red. Thai Kitchen Broad Noodles is my favorite food item if I can only pick one. Favorite number is 8. I am 11 years old. I play guitar and saxophone. I do Tae Kwon Do.
Favorite color is red. Thai Kitchen Broad Noodles is my favorite food item if I can only pick one. Favorite number is 8. I am 11 years old. I play guitar and saxophone. I do Tae Kwon Do.
My name is awesome Abishek. I am in 6th grade. Some of my favorite sports I play are, basketball, soccer and cricket. My parents are from Chennai and Bangalore. My favorite food is puri and channa.
? Sangeetha
I have been going to balavihar from Preschool. My favorite number is 4. My favorite color is orange. I do Bollywood dance. I do gymnastics.
Athletic Shreyas
My name is Shreyas and I am athletic. I play baseball and basketball. At home I speak mostly English and my parents are from South India. My dad's family speaks Kannada. My mom's side speak Konkini.
I am new to Balavihar. I play soccer. My dad's from Delhi. My mom's from Ahmadabad. Favorite color blue.
* Did we miss your story? Did we get your story wrong? Do you want to add to or modify your story? Please email us your story and we will update it for you. Everyone is assured at least one update.
Note to parents: Your child was asked to introduce themselves in class with an adjective before their name. We asked for their history with balavihar, where in India their parents come from, their favorite food (one item not a cuisine), their hobbies and activities etc. They all did a great job with the introduction in class. We asked them to write down what they said so we could capture what was said and the results are above. More often than not, the written version was more abbreviated compared with what they said in class.
Note to parents: Your child was asked to introduce themselves in class with an adjective before their name. We asked for their history with balavihar, where in India their parents come from, their favorite food (one item not a cuisine), their hobbies and activities etc. They all did a great job with the introduction in class. We asked them to write down what they said so we could capture what was said and the results are above. More often than not, the written version was more abbreviated compared with what they said in class.
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