Reflection for the week - Sunday 30th June 2024

-From Jataka Tales-   

1. What insights do the Jataka Tales offer?

2. How does today's story resonate with your current life experiences?

3. What lessons can be learned from "Great King Goodness"?

4. What are commandments, and what are the 10 of them?

5. Learn more about the 10 commandments and their meaning to you.

6. find about 10 precepts and whom it is connected to?

7. Find out about Kosala and what comes to your mind when you hear it?

8. Why did the King of Benaras keep not fighting against the Kosala Kingdom?

9. Was the decision not to fight right by the king of Benaras?

10. Is doing good never wasted?

11. What moral lessons can we derive from "Great King Goodness"?

12. What are Goblins? Draw a Goblin by imagination.

-  From The Hidden Life Of Trees-   

1. What insights did you gain from today's chapter, Hibernation?

2. How has this book influenced your thoughts or perspective about trees and their life?

3. How a tree is a giving, living Being?

4. How do humans rely on trees and forests for their well-being?

5. Observe a tree nearby and describe its characteristics.

6. How is a forest different in summer from other seasons?

7. Find Out about carotene?

8. How do summers bring change in the forest trees?

9. Why are Celcius and Fahrenheit different?

10. Why do you think Trees Hibernate and slow down?

Check the July calendar, find your interests, and join us. https://www.joyoflearningdiaries.com/2024/06/mgs-calendar-july-2024.html

Link to the My Good School Telegram Workgroup: https://t.me/+mgyMC5zqTfo4MGU1

These are some suggestions you may choose from; you are most welcome to share and post whatever comes to your mind as your thoughts. We are looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!   

   

You can email your reflections to Neetu at <nk@learningforward.org.in> or call her at +91 135 2710958 for assistance Monday through Friday, 10 am to 7 pm.

SUMMARY by Otter AI
The conversation revolved around various topics, including improving school management through effective communication, fostering a collaborative learning environment, and discussing religious and cultural stories. Participants discussed the adaptations of trees during winter, highlighting their unique strategies for survival. The conversation covered a wide range of subjects, showcasing the speakers' diverse perspectives and ideas.

My Good School Calendar - July 2024

My Good School on Sundays - 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th
The Teacher's Academy on Saturdays - 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th.
Good Schools Alliance Monthly Meeting on fourth Saturday - 27 July 2024

2 JULY

Article - How to Conduct Staff Meetings

- Good Schools India Journal www.GSI.IN

7 JULY

• My Guide Inside Book Reading with Christa Campsall

• Meet & Greet with Sunil Malhotra

- Google Meet at My Good School

14 JULY

• Screening of Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels Episode 7, with Amardeep Singh

- Google Meet at My Good School

• JOL Diaries Newsletter

- Website www.JoyOfLearningDiaries.com

15 JULY

Podcast 3 Girls 1 Mic Episode - 14

- Good Schools India Journal www.GSI.IN

27 JULY

Podcast with Amardeep Singh Where Passion Meets Education

- Good Schools India Journal www.GSI.IN

We are glad to inform our community about our upcoming events in July. Author of YOGAi Sunil Malhotra, Author/Educator of My Guide Inside Christa Campsall, and founder of The Lost Heritage Amardeep Singh will join us in this power-packed month! The esteemed guests will read and share their experiences as passionate educators. We encourage you to join our Sunday School for rich and fruitful interactions. Remember to attend the monthly meetings.

In June, we invited ex-IAS officer Dr Sanjeev Chopra. He touched on life, culture, success, passion, and more. We invite esteemed and inspiring personalities to My Good School. I hope you join us in experiencing the joy of learning. 

Please visit our website www.schooleducation.com 

Email us at nk@learningforward.org.in. 

YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@MyGoodSchool 

Neetu Koranga

Manager 

Learning Forward India Foundation

Reflection of the week - Sunday 22nd June 2024

 

-From Jataka Tales-   

1. What insights do the Jataka Tales offer?

2. How does today's story resonate with your current life experiences?

3. What lessons can be learned from "The Foolish Friend"?

4. What led to the son's drastic action towards his father?

5. Have you ever played darts, or are you familiar with the game?

6. Do you agree that a sensible enemy is preferable to a foolish friend? Why or why not?

7. Do you typically think before you act? Why is this important?

8. In what ways were the GNATs effective, and what roles did they play in wars?

9. What are some of the critical aircraft used by the Indian Air Force?

10. Can you draw an aircraft and describe its features?

11. What moral lessons can we derive from "The Stupid Monkey"?

12. Who is responsible for the destruction in the garden?

13. What key points should be considered when delegating tasks?

14. What are some interesting facts about gardening, and how would you manage a garden to prevent damage by animals like monkeys?

15. What insights can be gained from the story "The Robbers and Treasures"?

16. What is the reason the Despatchers create such a pattern to get money

  

- From The Hidden Life Of Trees-   

1. What insights did you gain from today's chapter?

2. How has this book influenced your thoughts or perspective?

3. What is a bumblebee and its role in the ecosystem?

4. How do humans rely on trees and forests for their well-being?

5. Observe a tree nearby and describe its characteristics.

6. What is an armada, and how does it contribute to the health of forests?

7. In what ways can a dead tree benefit the ecosystem?

8. Listen to a song by Peter Maffay and reflect on how its themes connect with the chapter. https://youtu.be/LtQTSWpxmjo?si=PDQnjLCKxIpg63lh (Peter Maffay - So bist du 1979 - song in German) And when I go, only a part of me is gone.

Do visit Our Youtube Channel https://youtube.com/@MyGoodSchool 

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!   

You can email your reflections to - nk@learningforward.org.in

Reflection of the week - Sunday 16th June 2020

-From Jataka Tales-      

1. Why do we read about the Jataka Tales?     

2. Did the story connect with you today, and why?      

3. What learnings can we take away from the story "The Pigeon and the Crow"    

4. The POP movement   

5. What does a guildmaster mean?   

6. Greed and its adverse effects   

7. Would you rather be the crow or the pigeon in your life?  

 - From The Guru Nanak Docuseries-      

1. What did you learn from the chapter today?      

2. Time is just a dimension    

3. The Present is what matters   

4. Why do you think the chapter is named "Paheli"?  

5. The blessing of life  

6. Righteousness of the human mind is what really matters and makes the difference. 

7. Wisdom, Ignorance and Devotion   

8. What is religion and its true meaning 

The Good Schools India Journal: https://www.gsi.in/   

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!      

You can email your reflections to - nk@learningforward.org.in

Episode 6 Docuseries from TheGuruNanak.Com, concluded with a beautiful poem:

क्या फ़र्क पड़ता है इससे, अयोध्या में पद की जगह कोई शब्द गाये।

दूर ननकाना साहिब में मतवाला जपुजी छोड़कर कव्वाली ले करके आये।

फ़र्क तो इस बात से भी नहीं पड़ता, हम बाला और मरदाना से पूछ सकते हैं।

नानक के वचनों पर गुल उकेरने वाले, उन दोनों के हाथों में एक तारा था,

अक्सर सुर छेड़ते समय, खुसरो और कबीर के घर क्यों घूम आते हैं?

फ़र्क तो आज यह भी नहीं पड़ता, बात-बात में रदीफ़-काफ़िया मिलाने वाले,

हर चीज़ में फ़र्क को पहचानने वाले, शायद ही कभी झगड़े हो इसके लिये,

राम की पहुँच डागरों की हवेली और ख़ान साहिब की बंदिशों तक क्यों है?

और क्यों बैजू से लेकर, आज तक, बावरी होने वाली कला की नवीनतम पीढ़ी भी,

आगे बढ़कर सबसे पहले, रहीम और रसख़ान से दोस्ती करती है।

English rendition

How does it matter if, in Ayodhya, one sings ‘Padh’ (poetry) or ‘Shabad’ (verse)?

In distant Nankana, an elated being, instead of ‘Japji’ (Guru Nanak’s verse) sings ‘Qawwali’ (Sufi rendition).

It does not matter if we can ask from Bala and Mardana, the ones who pick flowers from the words of Nanak, with a one-stringed instrument in their hands.

Often while striking a note, they even visit the homes of Khusrau and Kabir.

It does not even matter that today, in every conversation, if people add poetry for unity.

Those who find differences in everything maybe they never put an effort to fight for unity. 

Why is it that the reach of Divinity is confined to the mansions and verses of noble beings?

And why, from past to present, the new generation of the elated artistic beings take the first step forward, to make friendship with the compassionate and nectar-filled ones.

Thank you, Amardeep Singh of Lost Heritage Productions, for being our Mentor at My Good School.

JOL Diaries Newsletter - June 2024

Newsletter June 2024 by Rishona Chopra

“My Good School is not just a school; it's a place that offers many opportunities to learn and grow. Whether making posters or writing blogs, these activities have enhanced my writing and creative skills and instilled essential life values like compassion, giving, and resilience.” Arav Arav, Class 5 

The JOL Diaries newsletter is published on the 14th day of every month, and it captures the joy of learning we experience working together nationwide. 


Links For Back issues:
May 2024 
April 2024  
March 2024 
February 2024 
January 2024

Reflection of the week - Sunday 9th June 2024

   

-From Jataka Tales-    

1. Why do we read about the Jataka Tales?   

2. Did the story connect with you today, and why?    

3. What learnings can we take from the story "The Haughty Slave"? 

4. Why is the chapter's name "Haughty Slave"? 

5. Have you ever called anyone "haughty " and why? 

6. No one is superior or inferior 

7. What does "insolence" mean? 

 - From The Hidden Life Of Trees-    

1. What did you learn from the chapter today?    

2. What impact does this book have on you?    

3. Importance of Fungi and their significance 

4. The role birds play in Nature 

5. Why is a woodpecker called a "subletter"?  

6. Experiments with Nature 

7. The language of trees 

8. Interdependence in Nature 

9. What does the poem "Laburnum Top" express? 

10. What role do beetles play in Nature?  

11. Why is the chapter named "Community Housing Projects"? 

The Laburnum Top
https://www.ssgopalganj.in/online/Class%20XI/Eng/Hornbill/ch9.pdf 

The Good Schools India Journal: https://www.gsi.in/ 

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!    

You can email your reflections to -    

Rishona at 19392@gyanshree.in 

Saikiran at saikiran17112008@gmail.com

Meet and Greet with Dr. Sanjeev Chopra

Sanjeev Chopra is a retired IAS officer of the 1985 batch from Kapurthala, Punjab. He is a resident of Dehradun, Uttarakhand. He was a Former Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration and the author of  We the People of the States of Bharat: The Making and Remaking of India's Internal Boundaries, published in 2022. He is now the patron and honorary consultant to the Valley of Words International Literary Festival, held annually in Dehradun, India.

On June 9th, we met with Dr. Sanjeev Chopra for a half-hour meet-and-greet. Dr. Chopra shared his inspirations, travels, and love for reading, making it an interactive learning session for our students and teachers. 

As the author of We the People of the States of Bharat: The Making and Remaking of India's Internal Boundaries, Dr. Sanjeev taught us about the idea behind the book and its significance. We discussed how books and language are the greatest treasures, how the Foundation of Valley Of Words came to be, and Dr. Sanjeev's life lessons and takeaways. 

Visit the Valley of Words(VOW) Foundation: https://www.valleyofwords.org

Host: Rishona Chopra, School Captain 

Some key details about his visit:

Rishona, the school captain, invited him to speak to students about valuing literature and art and working with young people. 

Dr Sanjeev Chopra was introduced as a retired IAS officer who set up the Dehradun Valley of Words Literature Festival. He discussed his background in the IAS and different postings across India over 36 years. 

Dr Chopra emphasised the importance of reading books and critically discussing them at literature festivals. He shared his love for reading and how it has sustained him throughout his career and travels. The discussion was rich and diverse, covering various topics, including his recommendations for the Bhagavad Gita, the festivals he has attended, and his work promoting literature in Dehradun through the Valley of Words organisation. 

Dr. Chopra's visit was a unique opportunity for students to gain insights from his experiences, particularly in books, reading, and using skills to positively impact society.

When You Set Your Mind To Something - Reveda Bhatt

“Have you ever wondered why couldn’t you complete that work even when you tried hard?

That’s because maybe you didn’t try hard enough.”

When you ‘truly’ set your mind to something, have you ever noticed how the entire universe works accordingly and how it seems like everything around is favourable to you? The universe, it is a ball of energies, various blessings, vibes etc. 

Every emotion, every mood- it is an energy you send out into the universe. But, internally, when you set your mind to something and work towards achieving it, the universe sends in energies for you to either take in or deflect. 

In that moment, the decision is up to you for the key is in your hand. Analysing, if this is how the universe works, for each person, accordingly, is it that we directly connect to it? Or is it something else in us that does? 

Something like your mind, my mind. Yes! When you set your goal, all the paths towards it unlock for you to move forward. Only if you try hard. Only if you don’t give up. Only if you stay true. Only if you keep moving forward. Our mind has that power, it is something that you control, something that works accordingly for you. Obstacles you’ll face, sure-it’s life that makes you tougher. It’s your mind that makes you stronger. Long way ahead- Keep going. The universe is with you if you do it right.

Reveda Bhatt 

Swan Song - Sandeep Dutt

#JoyOfLearning #MyGoodSchool #HappyTeachers #SchoolsCanChange #WherePassionMeetsEducation #DilJeeto #BrewingKnowledge and all the hashtags of my life!

Create Your Passion - Rishona Chopra

"You see things, and you say 'Why?' But I dream things that never were, and I say 'Why not'"

There is something in life that keeps us going,

A goal that lets hope keep flowing.

A candle in the dark,

The passion that leaves its mark.

We're all here for a purpose,

Something that needs to be created within us.

A passion which must keep going,

In order to keep growing.

You can only follow your passion once you create it,

Do what you love and don't hate it.

This life is precious,

Happiness is a must.

That purpose must be there,

And leave that whiff of happiness in the air.

Rishona Chopra

Grade VIII

Gyanshree School

Reflection For The Week - Sunday 2nd June 2024

Reflection of the week   

-From Jataka Tales-   

1. Why do we read about the Jataka Tales?  

2. Did the story connect with you today, and why?   

3. What learnings can we take away from the story "The Crane and the Crab." 

4. How do the 6 C's connect with the story?   

  Hint: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, Character and Citizenship 

5. What is a forest haunt? 

6. Draw a fish comb. What are its characteristics? 

7. Varana Tree and its symbolism 

8. What is a pincer-like grip? 

 

- From The Hidden Life Of Trees-   

1. What did you learn from the chapter today?   

2. What impact does this book have on you?   

3. What are phenols? 

4. The Beauty of Nature 

5. Draw a woodpecker and note its features  

6. What are aphids? 

7. The intelligent and perfect cycle of nature and how it keeps going  

8. The meaning of the word "regurgitate" in the context of the story 

9. The language of trees 

 

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!   

You can email your reflections to - nk@learningforward.org.in, call for support Monday to Friday, 10 am to 7 pm, +91 135 2710958

Life Of A Guitar - Rishona Chopra

The guitar shop is one of the most delightful places for me. I feel the most calm and composed here than anywhere else. The shop is my happy place.

The fragrance of the wood of the guitars, the lavender incense that fills the shop brings over me a rather unique feeling that makes me feel like I should never leave and luckily I don't think I ever will.

Every day in the shop is the same and yet I never get bored. Though I don't interact with other guitars, I have never once felt as if I were alone; perhaps because I am always surrounded by books of all sorts. The owner of the shop knows I adore reading books, and so she lends me a novel to read each week. If there’s anyone I talk to, it would most definitely be the owner. A quite heartwarming and charming person indeed!

My fellow guitars often wonder how lonely I must be but being alone isn’t being lonely and definitely not when one has books by their side.

I have always thought about how I came to where I belonged, not as a human(they’re too complicated!), not as an animal(I have no interest in being eaten) but as a guitar, the most peaceful and humble of things.

As I write today, I see a young girl enter the shop. Not many customers come by these days since people have started forgetting the power of music and would much rather listen to it than play it. It most definitely was a surprise when I saw a youngster with such passionate eyes enter the shop. I couldn’t help but look at her and see which guitar she would choose. After a few minutes of observing her, I drifted back to my own world but was woken up by the sound of music. The girl was playing me! This could only mean one thing: she wanted to buy me and I would have to leave my happy place. Soon, my suspensions were proved correct and I knew I was being taken away. Oh, how miserable life can be!

On the journey to my new home, I drifted back to sleep but was soon woken up by a jerk and realized it was time. Though I love being a guitar, the only thing I dislike is not having legs. This would be quite useful in times like this. It’s surprising how envious I feel of humans right now.

It was hard to believe that I was really here, away from the shop, in a strange place with who knows how many books. I finally realize how hurt and confused Dorothy must have felt in The Wizard Of Oz. I felt like turning back but I knew I had to face these terrible times eventually.

The girl took me out of the car seat with delicate hands and took me to her room. Her house was modest and beautiful but her room was mesmerizing. It was minimalist and yet so aesthetic and captivating. Knowing I would be kept in a place like this, did make me feel a tad bit better.
She placed me on a guitar stand. It was quite comfortable and more importantly a flattering gesture. Take this advice from me, if you have a guitar, you better know how to treat it well. Nothing is more dangerous than an upset guitar. The very unique thing about guitars is that you can't hear them talk but if you listen closely and have a passionate mind for music and an extraordinary dedication, then you can feel us and hear our thoughts.

It had been a long time since someone played on me so it hurt a little in the beginning but it got better. In the midst of this, I noticed how the girl had a unique collection of books. It had many that I hadn’t read before. I had the urge to grab it and start reading but how could I, the girl couldn’t understand me.

At that very moment, the girl grabbed a book, wrote a note on it kept it in front of me and left. Could she understand me? Or was she one of those queer people who devoted their life to mind-reading guitars? I read the note and much to my surprise, it said: “I can understand you”.

Let me be very honest here, knowing that someone can hear your thoughts, isn’t the most comforting thing. It’s rather creepy and absurd. I was instantly regretting coming here but how could I leave this exquisite collection of books?

Despite having a lot on my mind, I continued reading the book she handed me. After a while, she passed me a few notes telling me about books she had read and some of them were my favourites! We talked for hours about books and music and I had never felt so alive. Perhaps coming here wasn’t so bad.

Through this experience, I realized, that change is constant, and it’s always hard to adjust to a new beginning but every cloud has a silver lining and each place has its good sides, and the good sides are what one needs to focus on.


Rishona Chopra
Grade VIII-B
Gyanshree School