Beyond Books: A Journey of Reading, Reflection and Inspiration - Ananya Singh

Ananya Singh shares a beautiful refletion, she is a student of Class 6, at Sunbeam School Ballia.

 

My Family and Other Animals - Raunak Gupta

Today's reading session was truly enjoyable and gave me a fresh perspective. While exploring My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell, I reflected on how even the smallest incidents can become interesting when we pay attention to detail.

I realised that I sometimes overlook the ordinary things around me, but this session encouraged me to be more observant and patient, especially when situations do not go as expected. I also enjoyed discovering how the author's way of describing everyday experiences makes them come alive and seem meaningful.

Overall, this session made me realise that reading is not just about understanding a story but also about learning to look at the world differently. It inspired me to be more curious, notice the little things, and find meaning in my everyday experiences.

Raunak Gupta

Class VIII-E, Sunbeam School Ballia

Growing Through Stories and Experiences - PYDS Learning Academy

Learning Is Fun at My Good School

At My Good School, learning isn’t just about reading books or gaining knowledge; it is about understanding ourselves and seeing life a little more closely. Every reading session gives us a chance to reflect on our experiences, understand different perspectives, and discover meaningful lessons hidden in everyday life. We learn to take each step with confidence, face reality with courage, and grow through both challenges and successes. At My Good School, learning becomes a joyful journey of self-discovery that helps us become more thoughtful, confident, and responsible individuals. Because here, learning is not just about knowing more; it is about living better!

My Good School_Reflections by Manisha Khanna

Learning Through Reading and Reflection - Sunbeam Lahartara

 

A LIFETIME OF LEARNING

“Reading can teach you the best of what others already know. Reflection can teach you the best of what only you can know.” — James Clear

Reading opens the mind to the wisdom, experiences, and ideas of others, while reflection turns that learning inward, transforming it into personal insight. Together, they help a learner grow not only in knowledge but also in self-awareness and thoughtful understanding.

GSA Calendar December 2025

 My Good School

7^th  December 2025

Book Reading- What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

14^th December 2025

Book Reading- The Inner Life of Animals
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

21st  December 2025

Amardeep Singh Screening of Episode 24

बाम-ए-नानक (नानक की ज्योत) Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels 

Book Reading- What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

28^th December 2025

We aim to inspire young minds, helping them navigate their dreams and aspirations as they embrace their goals. The YES workshop on Communication with Kartik Bajoria

Book Reading- My Family and Other Animals

The Teachers Academy

Brewing Knowledge 
Fridays at 5.30 PM: Book Reading with Neelashi Mangal, entry by invitation from The English Book Depot. We are currently reading: What Did You Ask At School Today: A Handbook Of Child Learning.

Saturday Masterclass 
Read And Lead at 5:30 PM: Co-hosted by Gurdeep Kaur and Sandeep Dutt, for subscribers only. Sign up on The Teachers Academy website at www.DilJeeto.com.

Learning Forward Saturday

Early Childhood Development training sessions for teachers at 2:00 PM every Saturday - Hosted by Brinda Ghosh and Neelashi Mangal. You may join the cohort from The Teachers Academy website www.DilJeeto.com

GSA Meetings and Events

GSA Squad

We review programs and plan for the coming week.

At 5:30 PM every Monday on Zoom - GSA Coordinators, Volunteers, and Mentors. #JoyOfGiving 

AFA Monthly Review 

Zoom Meeting for Arthur Foot Academy Special Projects Review: 4th Friday of Every Month

Good Schools of India

Are you signed up for the Good Schools of India Weekly? Don't miss valuable insights—published every Monday at 7:00 AM! #JoyOfLearning. Subscribe at: www.GSI.in

Open to All

Follow the Brewing Knowledge WhatsApp Group. If you wish to join, please send a request by WhatsApp to Vikram Kumar at +91 97331 97341 or email vk@ebd.in

GSA Calendar November 2025

 My Good School

2nd November 2025
Book Reading- The Inner Life of Animals
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

9^th November 2025
Book Reading- The Door-To-Door Bookstore
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

16^th November 2025

We aim to inspire young minds, helping them navigate their dreams and aspirations while embracing their goals. The YES workshop on Communication with Kartik Bajoria
Book Reading- The Inner Life of Animals

23^rd November 2025
Book Reading- The Door-To-Door Bookstore
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

30th November 2025
Amardeep Singh Screening of Episode 23
गुरु चेला (मुर्शद और अभिलाषी):Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels 
Book Reading- The Door-To-Door Bookstore

The Teachers Academy

Brewing Knowledge 
Fridays at 5.30 PM: Book Reading with Neelashi Mangal
What Did You Ask At School Today: A Handbook Of Child Learning

Saturday Masterclass 
Meeting at 5:30 PM: The Courage to Be Disliked: The life-changing global bestseller recommended by Steven Bartlett on 'Diary of a CEO’, co-hosted by Gurdeep Kaur and Sandeep Dutt

Learning Forward Saturday
Early Childhood Development training sessions for teachers at 2:00 PM every Saturday - Hosted by Ms Neelashi Mangal

GSA Meetings and Events 

GSA Squad

We review programs and plan for the coming week.

At 5:30 PM every Monday on Zoom - GSA Coordinators, Volunteers, and Mentors. #JoyOfGiving 

AFA Weekly Review

Zoom Meeting for Arthur Foot Academy: 4th Friday of Every Month at 4:00 PM in association with Asteya Services

Good Schools of India

Are you signed up for the Good Schools of India Weekly yet? Don't miss out on valuable insights—published every Monday at 7:00 AM! #JoyOfLearning 
Subscribe at: www.GSI.in

Meet and Greet with Dr Manu Kapur

Friday 28th November 5:30 

Productive Failure: Unlocking Deeper Learning Through the Science of Failing

MANU KAPUR developed the theory of Productive Failure and applies it in classrooms and workplaces around the world to transform learning and growth. He is a Professor of Learning Sciences and Higher Education at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and has spent the past two decades understanding the science of how people learn.

Open to All

Follow the Brewing Knowledge WhatsApp Group for further details

Annual Day and AGA at the Arthur Foot Academy 14th of November 2025

By invitation only, please contact Kunal Rajpurohit at KR@LearningForward.org.in

GSA Calendar October 2025

Meet and Greet Session 

Dr Anupam Sibal

17th October 2025, 5:30 PM

My Good School

5^th October

Amardeep Singh Screening of Episode 22

लिहाज़-ए-इंसानियत (मानवता का सम्मान) Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels 

12^th October

Book Reading- The Door-To-Door Bookstore

Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

19th October 2025

We aim to inspire young minds, helping them navigate their dreams and aspirations while embracing their goals. The YES workshop on Communication with Kartik Bajoria

Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ 

26^th  October 2025

Book Reading- The Door-To-Door Bookstore

Book Reading- The Inner Life of Animals

The Teachers Academy

Brewing Knowledge 

Fridays at 5.30 PM: Book Reading with Neelashi Mangal

What Did You Ask At School Today: A Handbook Of Child Learning

Saturday Masterclass 

Webinar at 5:30 PM: Productive Failure - Design for and turn your failures into meaningful learning experiences, Co-hosted by Gurdeep Kaur and Sandeep Dutt

Learning Forward Saturday

Early Childhood Development training sessions for Teachers at 2.00 PM every Saturday- Hosted by Ms Neelashi Mangal

GSA Squad Meetings

At 5:30 PM every Monday on Zoom - GSA Coordinators, Volunteers and Mentors. #JoyOfGiving 

We review programs and plan for the coming week.

AFA Weekly Review

Zoom Meeting for Arthur Foot Academy: Every Friday at 4:00 PM in association with Asteya Services

Good Schools of India

Are you signed up for the Good Schools of India Weekly yet? Don't miss out on valuable insights—published every Monday at 7:00 AM! #JoyOfLearning 

Subscribe at: www.GSI.in

Sunbeam My Good School Retreat

27th October to 30th October at Sunbeam Gramin School, Karsana and Sunbeam Suncity Campus

A Reflection on Growth and Curiosity - Aayush Kumar Singh

 Good morning and Jai Hind dear readers,

I am Aayush Kumar Singh of Class 10-A, and this is my reflection on the session organised by My Good School.

So, last Sunday, June 8th, was an excellent session! We kicked things off by chatting about everyone's holiday plans and catching up on personal matters. Then, we dove into a website called The Joy of Learning, which got us thinking about why it's so great to continue learning throughout our lives.

We spent a considerable amount of time going through a chapter about Carl and Sabine Gruber, really delving into their story and relationship. And to wrap things up, Manisha Khanna Ma'am led this fantastic, interactive session with riddles that got our brains really working!

Essentially, the key takeaways centred on personal growth, continuous learning, and finding happiness in viewing things from diverse perspectives. Everyone was encouraged to try out new skills, pick up some books, and just stay curious over their holidays. It was a really inspiring meeting!

Good day and Jai Hind

Aayush Kumar Singh

Class 10-A

Sunbeam School Ballia

My Good School, Sunday 26 January 2025

 

Sunday School #173

Reflection Questions from the Chapter "Take Courage" from The Inner Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben:

1. Empathy and Animal Behavior:
   How does Peter Wohlleben illustrate courage in animals in this chapter? Reflect on when you observed courage in an animal or another living being. How did it challenge your understanding of animal behaviour?

2. Perception of Animal Emotions:
   Wohlleben often draws parallels between human emotions and those of animals. Do you agree with his perspective that animals exhibit emotions like courage? Why or why not?

3. Ethical Implications:
   If animals can demonstrate courage and other complex emotions, what implications does this have for how humans treat and interact with them? How might this perspective shift societal norms?

4. Personal Courage:
   The chapter explores animal bravery in different contexts. How do you define courage in your own life? Can observing animals inspire us to act courageously? Provide an example.

 Wohlleben's narrative combines personal observations with scientific insights. It offers a thought-provoking perspective on the emotional lives of animals and invites readers to view them as sentient beings with experiences and emotions similar to ours.

  Reflection Questions from the Chapter "Black and White" from The Inner Life of Animals:

1. Sense of Justice:
   How does Wohlleben's discussion of fairness and justice in animals challenge traditional views of animal behaviour? What are examples of animals displaying a sense of fairness in their interactions?

2. Origins of Morality:
   If animals exhibit behaviours that resemble moral judgment, what might this suggest about the evolution of morality? How does this perspective influence your understanding of human and animal relationships?

3. Impact on Ethical Choices:
   After reading about animals' emotional and moral complexities, do you feel differently about human responsibilities toward them? How might this change the way we approach animal welfare or environmental conservation?

The central theme of the chapter "Black and White" from The Inner Life of Animals is the exploration of fairness, justice, and moral-like behaviours in animals. Peter Wohlleben argues that animals, like humans, can display a sense of right and wrong, challenging the idea that their actions are purely instinctual and highlighting the emotional and cognitive depth shared across species.

Reflection questions based on Chapter 15, Riding an Enfield, from My Name is Cinnamon by Vikas Prakash Joshi:

1. Freedom and Connection:
   How does riding the Enfield symbolize freedom and bonding for the characters in this chapter? Can you recall a similar experience where an activity or object strengthened your connection with someone?

2. Shared Experiences:
   The chapter highlights how shared experiences can create lasting memories. What role do shared adventures play in building relationships, and how does this chapter reflect that theme?

3. Personal Growth:
   Riding the Enfield represents more than a journey—it also reflects personal growth and confidence. How do you think such moments of adventure help individuals step out of their comfort zones and build self-assurance?

The central theme of Chapter 15, Riding an Enfield, from My Name is Cinnamon, revolves around the sense of freedom, adventure, and bonding that arises from shared experiences. The ride on the Enfield becomes a metaphor for stepping out of one's comfort zone, fostering personal growth, and strengthening relationships through trust and shared joy.

You can email your reflections to mk@learningforward.org.in or post them as comments below!