Learning Beyond the Pages - Sunbeam School Lahartara

 

The Sunday School reading encourages curiosity, careful observation, and a deeper appreciation for nature and wildlife. It reminds us that meaningful learning comes from exploring the world around us, valuing family relationships, showing kindness to every living creature, and finding joy in life's simple moments.

Importance of kindness and encouragement

In today’s My Good School session, Jugjiv Sir read the story What You Are Looking for Is in the Library. We learned how Natsumi’s life improved when her husband began supporting her more, helping with their daughter and prioritising family. We also saw Kiriyama’s kindness when he encouraged Natsumi after her rejection by Cherry Peach Editorial Publication and guided her towards Maple Publications, even recommending her to the editor-in-chief. When Natsumi asked why he was helping her, he explained that he simply wanted more good books in the world, revealing his selflessness and belief in her talent. 

The story also highlighted the welcoming environment at Maple Publications, where children were warmly accepted, helping Natsumi realise that her child was not a barrier to her career. The Sunday School session taught me the importance of kindness, encouragement, family support, and a positive outlook towards both work and family life.

Ishika Singh, 10th B, Sunbeam School Ballia

How to start your reading journey?

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A post shared by Gyan Anant Vidyalaya (@gyan_anant_vidyalaya)

Starting the Journey: For beginners, he recommends simply having books around to create an emotional connection, rather than forcing them to read.

This video features a conversation about fostering a love for reading, hosted at Gyan Anant Vidyalaya. Dutt emphasises that the best way to get children involved in reading is for teachers to be seen reading themselves. Gyan Anant Vidyalaya is a Special Project of the Good Schools Alliance.

My Good School 15th March 2026

Sunday School 

To discuss student reflections and read from two books, focusing on character decisions.

Key Takeaways

• The Power of Reflection: Reading student reflections on past sessions (e.g., Kartik’s review writing) demonstrated how writing solidifies learning and inspires others (e.g., interest in Atomic Habits).

• Principle vs. Pragmatism: A 10-yen expense dispute in What You’re Looking For... highlighted a conflict between Ryo’s strict adherence to principle and Ms Yoshitaka’s pragmatic view of a minor error.

• Managing Stress: Ryo’s failure to communicate his work stress to Hina led to a personal conflict. The group discussed strategies for separating professional and personal life, such as making a plan to tackle problems.

• School Environment: A discussion on The Whistling School Boy concluded that a mix of indoor and outdoor learning is ideal for holistic development, combining academic focus with nature-based exploration.

Topics

Reflection Review & Program Overview

• Student reflections from previous sessions were read to illustrate the program’s value in reinforcing learning and improving written communication.

• Key Themes:

  • Curiosity and observation in nature.

  • The impact of small, consistent habits (Atomic Habits).

  • Essential elements of review writing.

  • Communication skills (body language, listening, confidence).

• Program Pillars: Reading, Reflection, and Relationship Building.

• YES Program: Monthly Youth Engaging Society sessions on communication skills.

  • Next sessions: March 29 and April 12.

Book 1: What You’re Looking For Is in the Library

• Context: Ryo, an accounts clerk, dreams of opening an antique shop but feels stuck in a job he dislikes.

• Conflict 1: Principle vs. Pragmatism

  • Ryo found a 10-yen discrepancy on an expense report.

  • Ms Yoshitaka dismissed it as an "easy” amount not worth the trouble.

  • Ryo insisted on accuracy, regardless of the sum.

  • Outcome: Ms Yoshitaka filed a false power-harassment complaint, threatening RRyo’s job.

• Conflict 2: Professional Stress Affects Personal Life

  • Ryo, overwhelmed by the complaint, failed to communicate his stress to Hina.

  • He lashed out at her for her successful online shop, dismissing it as a “hobby.”

  • Outcome: Hina left, leaving Ryo feeling “so low.”

• Group Discussion → Managing Stress

  • Problem: Carrying work stress home.

  • Solutions:

    • Talk to a trusted person (e.g., Hina).

    • Divert the mind temporarily to allow logic to take over.

    • Make a concrete plan to tackle the issue.

    • Focus on the present moment.

Book 2: The Whistling School Boy and Anir Kahania

• Context: A school in a remote, hilly village.

• Discussion → Ideal School Environment

  • Question: Should school be indoors or outdoors?

  • Conclusion: A mix of both is ideal for holistic development.

    • Indoors: Academic focus, protection from weather, and technology.

    • Outdoors: Connection to nature, fresh air, exploration, fun.

• Plot Summary:

  • The village is abuzz with news of a leopard sighting.

  • A teacher, Shri Man Mani, goes missing, causing panic.

  • Resolution: Shri Man Mani returns, having simply gotten lost. The “leopard attack” was a false assumption, a key example of irony.

  • Subplot: Shri Man Mani is stressed by a new, younger teacher (Tania Romola) being assigned to a senior class. This stress manifests as forgetfulness and “stress eating.”

  • Climax: On the walk home, the children are warned by the postman to hurry because of the leopard. This fear causes Sonu to forget his foot pain, highlighting the power of external threats to override personal discomfort.

Next Steps

• All Students:

  • Write and submit reflections on today’s session.

  • Consider presenting a book review or a creative work (drawing or interview) in a future session.

• PYDS Students:

  • Send a group photo to Manisha Khanna.

• Jugjiv Singh:

  • Continue reading What You’re Looking For Is in the Library next week.

• Manisha Khanna:

  • Continue reading The Whistling School Boy and Anir Kahania next week.

    
    

    FATHOM-AI-generated content, please read with care.

"Sunday School" concept, emphasising curiosity and creativity without exams

My Good School Mar 8, 10:20 am, 1 hr 42 min

The discussion centred on the impact of exam-focused education systems, highlighting the stress and reduced instructional time they cause. Brinda and Jugjiv Singh shared experiences of residential school environments and the benefits of continuous assessment. The conversation shifted to the "Sunday School" concept, emphasizing curiosity and creativity without exams. They read a chapter from "The Treasure of the Spiders," discussing Gerald's interactions with Theodore, a biologist, and his fascination with trapdoor spiders. The session concluded with a quiz on reading habits and a presentation on "Atomic Habits," stressing the importance of small, consistent changes for building good habits. Manisha read a chapter in Hindi from Ruskin Bond’s The Whistling Schoolboy.

Lessons from Animals and Life - Sunbeam Suncity School

Sunday School by My Good School turned out to be an enlightening session. Today, we explored the inner life of animals, realising that just like humans, animals too need care and compassion to survive. They are not naturally harmful; rather, it is often our mistreatment that makes them appear dangerous. We also learned about the behavioural patterns of animals and how these connect with human behaviour in many ways.

—Atharv Singh Chauhan

Animals, like wild boars crossing rivers to escape hunters, show how fear can drive intelligent behaviour for survival. Similarly, in human life, fear can act as both a warning signal and a motivator to adapt wisely to challenges.

—Yuvraj Singh

Today's discussion on goals, skills, passion, discipline, and perseverance highlights that success is never accidental—it is the result of clear direction, consistent effort, and the right mindset. Just like animals rely on instinct and practice, humans thrive when preparation meets persistence.

—Rishi Agrawal

Today, we learnt about the importance of addressing individuals correctly, along with the evolving nature of titles, reminding us that respect and acknowledgement shape relationships. Just as behaviour defines animals and humans alike, our words and manners define how we are perceived in society.

—Rishabh Singh

Animals often mirror their surroundings—gentle when nurtured, hostile when threatened. Humans, too, react to their environment; a supportive setting brings out positivity, while a toxic one can create negativity. This highlights the deep link between behaviour and environment.

—Shishir Verma

My Good School, Sunday 23rd February 2025

 Sunday School # 177

A workshop on goal setting with guest speaker Lina Ashar, followed by a book reading session and updates on My Good School activities. 

Key Takeaways

• Lina Ashar presented on the importance of SMART goal setting and how to apply it effectively
• The group read chapters from "The Hidden Life of Animals" on animal intelligence and goal-oriented behavior
• Updates were shared on upcoming My Good School events, including a retreat in April and new weekday sessions

Session 1 of 3, scheduled for the third Sunday of the month, beginging February 2025.

Lina Ashar, founder of Dreamtime Learning, discussed the importance of goal setting using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, Time-bound) framework. She emphasized the need for clear, realistic goals to achieve personal and academic success. Lina Ashar highlighted the reticular activating system (RAS) in the brain, which helps focus on specific goals. She also addressed common challenges like procrastination and stress, suggesting time-blocking and realistic goal setting. The session included practical exercises to transform vague goals into SMART ones and stressed the importance of inner mastery and personal growth. 

What we learnt with Lina Ashar

• Explained the SMART goal framework: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, Time-bound
• Discussed the brain's reticular activating system (RAS) and its role in goal achievement
• Emphasized the importance of setting realistic, incremental goals to avoid stress
• Addressed questions on procrastination, parental pressure, and maintaining motivation

Book Reading: "The Hidden Life of Animals"

Chapters: Hidden Agendas & Simple Sums:

• Read chapters on animal intelligence, focusing on crows, goats, and dogs
• Discussed examples of animals demonstrating counting abilities and time awareness
• Explored the concept of forward planning in animal behavior

Reflection questions

1. How does Wohlleben challenge the traditional understanding of animal intelligence in this chapter? Reflect on examples he provides and consider whether they change your perspective on how animals think and solve problems.

2. In what ways does the ability of animals to perform simple mathematical tasks impact our ethical responsibilities toward them? Do you think recognizing intelligence in animals should influence the way humans treat them?

3. Wohlleben shares anecdotes about animals demonstrating basic arithmetic skills. How do these examples compare to the way young children or untrained humans approach similar tasks? What does this suggest about the cognitive abilities of animals in comparison to humans?

Planning for March 2025

The meeting discussed the upcoming schedule for various educational activities. Students will return from holidays on April 1st, and attendance is expected to improve. The calendar will include reading sessions on Sundays, watching the Episode 14 of Guru Nanak’s travels with Amardeep Singh and a workshop with Lina Ashar. The students of Sunbeam School Varuna are planning a presentation at My Good School. In addition, a poetry sessions are held on Thursdays at 5:15 PM, and a book reading sessions on Friday afternoon at 2:20 PM. 

The My Good School retreat is scheduled from April 11th to 14th. Art and music sessions are under consideration for the week, with a focus on engaging a broader audience. Finally, plans for the Art and Music Sessions on Monday and Tuesday respectively, with Wednesday as a weekly off.

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

AI vs. Teacher: The Perfect Pairing for Student Success! 🤖👩‍🏫✨_ Adya Agrawal

AI and teachers each play unique roles in a student's life. 🤖 AI offers instant access to information and personalized lessons 📚, available 24/7 ⏰ without tiring. It can quickly assist with homework and research 📝, providing quick answers and resources 🌐. However, it lacks the human touch 💔, and its understanding of emotional needs and personal challenges is limited. On the other hand, teachers 👩‍🏫 bring emotional intelligence 💖, guiding students not only in academics but also in their personal and social development 👫. They create a supportive, motivating environment 🏫, adapt to each student's learning style 🎨, and offer real-world experiences 🧠 and encouragement 🌟. While AI is an incredible tool for instant assistance, teachers nurture students' overall growth and well-being in ways AI cannot replicate. ✨

Adya Agrawal
Sunbeam Suncity Hostel

Relections for the week - Sunday 18th August 2024

- From The Guru Nanak Docuseries-  

1. What did you learn from the episode today?
2. How aware are we about our own religion and cultures?
3. Does true devotion lie in bathing in "holy rivers" or is it something deeper?
4. Why do you think the chapter is named "Adhikaar"?
5. What is religion and its true meaning?
6. What makes one "pure"?

More food for thought, notes shared by Akshar Bhasin from JMPS:

1. Questioning the futility of religious rituals and practices which are often performed blindly and without looking into the depth and intent behind them.

2. ⁠Aiming at the purification and cleansing of the inner soul and being rather than simply bathing the physical self in the Ganges and considering one pure.

3. Questioning the society’s olden practice of keeping a women confined and labelling her as impure during mensurational cycle.

4. ⁠Pondering about how a  man is often bestowed with the title of ‘pandit’ (wise one) just because of his ability to recite holy texts and mantras without actually realising depth and intent behind them and acting according to the righteous way of life.

5. ⁠Understanding and embracing the truth of religion and it’s teachings rather than blindly worshiping deities and praising their teachings. 

6. ⁠Understanding how enlightenment can be attained not by cremating someone at a holy site like Varanasi  but by following the correct path and embracing wisdom.

7. ⁠Can one, instead of embracing a religion professed by others, find his own path and way in life ?

- From The Hidden Life Of Trees – 
1. What is your takeaway from today's session?
2. Why is there a battle for every light of sunshine in the forest?

3. How do forest species adapt in their need for sun and resouces to grow from the environment?

Check out the GSI Journal and listen to the latest podsact from Sunbeam School Timeless Tales. You will find the podcos on the right column and are most welcome to visit the Good Schools India Journal webiste: 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 at -      

mk@learningforward.org.in