Showing posts with label library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label library. Show all posts

Friday, 15 May 2026

Reading for Awareness - Sunbeam English School, Bhagwanpur

Today, in my Good Word school session, we went through the story My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. We began with the adventure of Larry, the author’s brother, who was so scared that he rarely touched the matchbox again. Later, because the author had done this, he was sent to receive more education, as his mother thought that he was not educated enough.

The story also described the Belgian Consul who was teaching him French. While the Consul was teaching, he suddenly took out his air rifle, loaded it, and shot at something outside the window. Instead of continuing the French lesson properly, the Consul became distracted, remained sad for some time, and then returned to the lesson as if nothing had happened.

After that, we discussed the stories written by writers of Jujutsu Kaisen and other authors. Our teacher also gave us notes in our books.

We then moved on to the story What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama. We started with the character Futaba, the baby of the family, and learned how books and strategies can help people become better and positively influence young girls.

We also started working with Madam Mizue. That is all from my side for today.
Shaisti Prasad, VIII A

In today’s Sunday school session, we read the story My Family and Other Animals: The Corfu Trilogy by Gerald Durrell. In this story, we read about a hardworking scorpion mother who carried all the food herself on the special occasion of Mother’s Day. Reading this was a great pleasure.

The most interesting part of the story for me was about the British Consul who loved cats. As an animal lover and a cat lover myself, I really enjoyed this part of the story.

After that, Jugjiv Sir discussed the books we had read and the writers behind them. I also learned how books are published. From the story, I learned many new words, such as “chromium,” “ensemble,” and several others. We also learned about a place called Terisquater, which is known as a place of Zeus.

I loved the way Brinda Madam narrated the story because it helped improve our communication skills and introduced us to many new vocabulary words.

Then Jugjiv Sir read a story from What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama. He asked us why reading in a library feels better and how we honestly feel while reading there. I shared that I feel calm, comfortable, and peaceful in a library because of the silence and quiet atmosphere.

Another amazing part of the session was learning about a room that was around 90–100 feet long. Sir explained that every kind of work has equal value and that anyone can achieve success through effort and dedication.

Today’s session was truly inspiring and a wonderful learning experience for me. I especially enjoyed the way our teachers interacted with us and narrated stories in such an attractive and entertaining manner.
Gauri Agarwal,  IXC

Today, we read a story called “Aakhri Truck Ki Sawari.” The story was about a truck driver who drove on the highway every day. One day, the truck suddenly stopped because there were no trees or greenery around. This made everyone realise how important nature is in our lives.

The story taught us that without trees and greenery, life would become difficult and accidents could happen. Trees and nature help us in many ways, so we should always protect and preserve them.

We should plant more trees and take care of nature. Nature gives us life, fresh air, and beauty. The story also teaches us to be kind, helpful, and caring, just as nature itself is.

The main message of the story was the importance of saving nature and protecting the environment. The story “Aakhri Truck Ki Sawari” was beautifully read and explained by Manisha Ma’am and Jugjiv Sir.
Jayesha Kaur Sarna, VIII

Today, we read a story called “Aakhri Truck Ki Sawari.” The story was read by Manisha Ma’am. It was about a man named Natthu, who looked very young and healthy.

Natthu and his friend were going on a road trip. During the journey, one of his friends asked why he was driving slowly. Natthu explained that pollution and deforestation were harming the environment and making it unsafe.

From this story, I learned that we should not cut trees or harm nature. Instead, we should plant more trees and protect our environment. The story gave us an important message about caring for nature and keeping our surroundings green and clean.

The story was very interesting and meaningful, and it was wonderfully explained by Manisha Ma’am.
Pratyush Agrawal, VII

In today’s school session, we continued reading the book My Family and Other Animals. Today, we read that Larry now has a phobia of matchboxes and never wants to touch them again. This scene was really funny and enjoyable.

In the next scene, we were introduced to the Belgian Consul, who was a representative of the Belgian government and a big cat lover. He owned several Persian cats. I also learned many new words, such as:

● Dolefully
● Amicably
● Quashed
● ...and many more.

We also discussed Napoleon Bonaparte. We learned that Napoleon was a great French military leader and ruler who demonstrated the true nature of a dictatorship. Overall, I really enjoyed the session; it was very informative. I would like to thank Jugjiv Sir and Brinda Ma’am.

In the next Hindi session, we read “Ek Tinke Ki Aakhri Sawari” (एक तिनके की आख़िरी सवारी). In this story, we learned valuable life lessons and understood that we should not cut plants; instead, we should plant more trees and preserve our Mother Earth.

As today was Mother’s Day, Sandeep Sir explained to us the real meaning of motherhood.

In conclusion, I would really like to thank Manisha Ma’am and Sandeep Sir for this interesting session.
Samiksha Jaiswal, VII – G

Sunday, 15 March 2026

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, 1 March 2026

What You’re Looking For in the Library, and a Hindi story from, “The Whistling Schoolboy”


Sunday School of 1st March 2026

To read and discuss two books, focusing on themes of ambition and school life.

Key Takeaways

  • Low Attendance Due to Exams: Final exams for classes 9 & 11 (home) and 10 & 12 (board) significantly reduced student attendance.

  • Dual-Book Format: The session featured two books: a Japanese novel, What You’re Looking For in the Library, and a Hindi story, “The Whistling Schoolboy” from Kabhi Kabhi School Masti Ka Adda Lagta Tha.

  • Core Themes: The English novel explored ambition vs. responsibility through protagonist Ryo’s dream of opening an antique shop. The Hindi story used humour to highlight the fun, non-academic parts of school life, like plays and food.

  • “Parallel Career” Concept: A key idea from the English novel, a “parallel career” (coined by Peter Drucker), was introduced as a way to pursue two complementary careers without one being secondary.

Topics

Context: Low Attendance & New Participant

  • Low student attendance was attributed to ongoing final exams across many schools.

  • Shailaja from Holi Sai International School (Chennai, IGCSE) joined for the first time to observe the session.

  • Jugjiv Singh provided an overview of the program’s goal: using books to spark dialogues on life skills and socio-emotional learning.

English Book: What You’re Looking For in the Library

  • Recap: The session began by reading student blog reflections to recap the story.

    • Plot: Ryo, stuck in a finance job, dreams of opening an antique shop.

    • Librarian’s Role: Ms Komachi gives Ryo a book on worms and a felted cat, prompting him to discover a cat-themed bookshop, “Cats Now Books.”

  • Reading & Discussion:

    • Ryo’s Work Stress: Ryo is burdened by his boss’s lack of software skills and an unmotivated assistant.

    • Hina’s Family Pressure: Hina’s parents see Ryo as a “steady chap” and hint at marriage, creating pressure that conflicts with his dream of running an antique shop.

    • “Parallel Career” Concept: Ryo learns this term from Peter Drucker, defined as two complementary careers in which neither is secondary.

Hindi Book: Ekanki Swang - Natak

  • Pre-Reading Quiz: A quiz on “fun school moments” served as a warm-up, with students identifying activities like sharing jokes and playing during free periods as key to enjoyment.

  • Reading: The story, read by Manisha Khanna, used humour to describe the author’s experiences at boarding school.

    • Plays: Rehearsals were a fun escape from mandatory study.

    • Food: The author would intentionally finish last in races to stop at a tikki/samosa stall, highlighting the importance of food in school life.

    • Library: The library was a favourite place, made lively by the senior master, Mr Knight.

  • Discussion: The story sparked a discussion on the importance of food in boarding schools, with participants sharing anecdotes about hunger and the quality of school meals.

Program Calendar & Logistics

  • Manisha Khanna shared the March calendar to provide context for new participants.

  • Weekly Schedule:

    • Sundays: Dual book readings (English & Hindi).

    • Saturdays: Professional learning for teachers and a masterclass for students.

    • Fridays: “Brewing Knowledge” meet-and-greets with published authors.

  • Upcoming Event: A retreat is scheduled for April 10–14 at Mayoor School Jaipur.

Next Steps

Sunday, 8 February 2026

My Good School Sunday the 8th of Feb 2026

Jai Hind

I am really grateful for the opportunity to attend this session. It was not just a learning session but an experience that made me think deeply. The story discussed during the session was beautifully explained, and every part of it was simply connected to real life. The way the story moved from nature to human emotions made it very interesting and meaningful for me.

One part that I especially liked was how the speaker explained things using examples like jalapeños and grapes. Though they look similar, they are very different, and this comparison helped me understand how appearances can be misleading. This idea was closely connected to the story, in which observation, understanding, and the proper use of words play essential roles. It helped me realise how important it is to look beyond the surface.

All the essential words from the story were clearly discussed, which helped me understand their meanings in context rather than just memorising them. The story also taught me to be more sensitive towards nature, people and situations. It showed how small details can carry deep meaning and how learning can happen through curiosity and observation.

Overall, this session was very enriching and enjoyable. It helped me understand the story better and taught me life lessons in a gentle, practical way. I truly appreciated the effort put into making learning so interactive and thoughtful, and I would love to attend more such sessions in the future.

Aarinee Tripathi, Sunbeam School Mau

“Thank you for this feedback, Aarinee!”, Brinda Ghosh, coach and mentor at My Good School.

“It was quite refreshing being present at My Good School session this Sunday morning. Both the chapters from “My Family and Other Animals” & “What You’re Looking for in the Library” intrigued the listeners, and there were some fascinating responses from the audience. It was good to see both their excitement and the ability to reciprocate. More such Sundays awaited." Harshita Dalawat, host at My Good School.

Saturday, 4 November 2023

Thinking for oneself - Nishan Karki

Thinking for oneself

"Its starting point has always been a willingness to think for oneself, a feeling of respect and concern for our fellow creatures, and a refusal to be complicit in abuse, and people of such conviction come from everywhere." —Matthew Scully
 
Thinking for oneself is one of the most important parts of life. It plays a crucial role in one's life. One should also think about his own motives instead of those of others. Well, it is also important to think for others, but before that, thinking for oneself is more crucial.
 
Arthur Schopenhauer, a German philosopher, said that:
 
A library may be very large, but if it is in disorder, it is less useful than one that is small but well-arranged. In the same way, a man may have a great mass of knowledge, but if he has yet to work it up by thinking it over for himself, it has much less value than a far smaller amount that he has thoroughly pondered.

So, one may have a great deal of knowledge, but if he does not use it wisely and in a fruitful manner by thinking it over for himself, his knowledge is worthless. He should utilize his knowledge to do good for himself and, thus, for others. He should not let it go to waste and always try to gain from it. If only he gains from his knowledge by thinking it over for himself, his knowledge will be valuable.

Nishan Karki
Class 10
Pestalozzi Children's Village Society
Image Courtesy- wikiHow

Reflections Since 2021