My Good School, Sunday the 8th June 2025

Watch a recording of the session on YouTube

https://youtu.be/MyGoodSchool

Critical thinking question. 

Focus on values such as kindness, uncertainty, responsibility, fairness, and choice.

🌱 1. The Umbrella and the Smile

 Anaya gave an extra umbrella to an old woman in the rain. She felt good but worried, "What if I need it later?"

अनाया ने बारिश में अपनी एक अतिरिक्त छतरी एक बुज़ुर्ग महिला को दे दी। उसे अच्छा लगा, लेकिन सोचा, "अगर बाद में मुझे इसकी ज़रूरत पड़ी तो?"

Q: Why do you think people help others even when they're unsure about the future?

प्रश्न: लोग दूसरों की मदद क्यों करते हैं, जब वे भविष्य को लेकर अनिश्चित होते हैं?

🧃 2. The Last Juice Box

 Aarav had only one juice box in his bag. His friend was tired and thirsty, so Aarav gave it to him.

आरव के पास बैग में केवल एक जूस था। उसका दोस्त थका हुआ था और प्यासा भी, इसलिए आरव ने उसे दे दिया।

Q: Was Aarav’s choice wise? Why or why not?

प्रश्न: क्या आरव का निर्णय सही था? क्यों या क्यों नहीं?

⏰ 3. The Group Project

Riya did all the work for the group project because her teammates didn't help. They all got the same grade.

रिया ने ग्रुप प्रोजेक्ट का सारा काम अकेले किया क्योंकि उसके साथी मदद नहीं कर रहे थे। फिर भी सभी को समान अंक मिले।

Q: Do you think it's fair when everyone gets credit for one person's effort?

प्रश्न: जब एक व्यक्ति का काम सबको समान रूप से सराहा जाता है, तो क्या यह उचित है?

💧 4. The Forgotten Bottle

 Rahul forgot his water bottle. His classmate offered to share, even though she had little left.

 राहुल अपनी पानी की बोतल भूल गया। उसकी सहपाठी ने थोड़ा ही पानी होने पर भी उसे साझा किया।

Q: What does this tell you about sharing during difficult times?

प्रश्न: यह कठिन समय में साझा करने के बारे में आपको क्या सिखाता है?

🖍️ 5. The Broken Crayon

Meera accidentally broke another student's crayon. She felt bad and gave her a replacement crayon.

मीरा ने गलती से किसी और की क्रेयॉन तोड़ दी। उसे बुरा लगा और उसने अपनी क्रेयॉन उसे दे दी।

Q: Why is it important to take responsibility for our mistakes?

प्रश्न: अपनी गलती की जिम्मेदारी लेना क्यों ज़रूरी है?

🕊️ 6. The Bird on the Window

A bird sat quietly on the classroom window. Everyone wanted to scare it away, but Ishaan said, "Let's just watch it."

एक चिड़िया चुपचाप कक्षा की खिड़की पर बैठी थी। सब उसे उड़ाना चाहते थे, लेकिन ईशान ने कहा, "आओ, बस इसे देखें।"

Q: What does this moment teach us about patience and respect for life?

प्रश्न: यह पल हमें धैर्य और जीवन के प्रति सम्मान के बारे में क्या सिखाता है?

My Good School, Sunday 19th January 2025

Session No. 172

Mr Raghu Pandey,  the founder of iMature.in, led an insightful session focused on preparing students for the future in the context of AI readiness, internet maturity, and digital citizenship. 

Key Points from Mr. Raghu's Session:

1. AI Readiness & Future Careers:
   Mr. Raghu discussed how AI will disrupt traditional career paths and job structures. He explained the importance of students developing essential skills to thrive in an AI-powered world, including:

   • Continuous online learning is needed to stay adaptable and acquire new skills.
   • Online Reputation Management to effectively showcase their abilities and secure opportunities.
   • Mastering the "4 C's"—Critical thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration—is key to success in human-centred roles, even as AI evolves.

2. Online Safety and Internet Maturity (FAST CAR Method):
   Mr Raghu stressed the importance of students practising internet maturity and adhering to online safety practices. The FAST CAR method for online safety was highlighted:

   • Firewall, Antivirus, Strong Passwords: Basic tools for securing devices and personal information.
   • Trust with Caution, Confidence, Avoidance, and Reporting: Guidelines for online interactions while avoiding cyberbullying and antisocial behaviour.
   • Never Share Physical Location Online: Encouraging students to protect their privacy.
   • Be Cautious of AI-generated content: Always verify the credibility and source of information found online, as AI-generated content can sometimes be misleading.

3. Digital Citizenship Skills:
   Mr. Raghu emphasized the importance of developing digital citizenship skills, including responsible, ethical, and safe use of technology. He discussed how these skills are essential for navigating the digital world and balancing emotional and moral growth in an AI-driven society.

In conclusion, Mr Raghu's insights provided a clear roadmap for ensuring students are ready for the future and well-prepared to responsibly navigate digital citizenship's challenges.

Book Reading

Chapter 14, "Misal Pao," from My Name is Cinnamon by Vikas Joshi

What skills does Cinnamon demonstrate while interacting with others in the chapter, and how do these skills help him navigate his relationships?

This question encourages us to reflect on Cinnamon's communication, empathy, and adaptability as he interacts with those around him.

How do the characters in this chapter use practical skills to express themselves or contribute to their family and community?

This question explores how specific skills, such as cooking, can represent personal expression and connect individuals to their culture or traditions.

In what ways does the chapter illustrate the difference between academic skills and life skills, and why might both be important for personal growth?

This question considers the value of academic achievements and life skills (such as social interaction, resilience, and emotional intelligence) and reflects on their balance.

How does Cinnamon’s perspective on the value of skills evolve throughout this chapter, and what does this reveal about his character development?

This question invites us to reflect on Cinnamon’s growth and how he came to understand the importance of various skills—both practical and personal—on his journey toward self-discovery.

Bridging Minds: A Reflection on Our Collaborative Experience - Sunbeam School Lahartara

Reflective writing ✍️ is a personal way to explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences 🌟. It blends analysis with anecdotes 📖, encouraging critical thinking 🤔, self-awareness 🌱, and personal growth 🚀. By connecting experiences to lessons learned 🎓, it helps shape future actions and perspectives 🔄. 

We, the students, are here to share our reflections on the wonderful learning experiences we've had at our amazing school. 🏫✨

Sunbeam School Lahartara

Thinking and Writing

 

Writing isn't what you do after you have an idea. It's how you develop an inkling into an insight.  Turning thoughts into words sharpens reasoning. What's fuzzy in your head becomes clearer on the page.  "I'm not a writer" shouldn't stop you from writing. Writing is a tool for thinking.  

- Courtesy Adam Grant on Substack

Read more:

Thursday, 29 August 2024

Note-taking and Reflections - What is the difference?

https://www.joyoflearningdiaries.com/2024/08/note-taking-and-reflections.html

Be true to yourself - Tulsi Karki

Picture Courtesy: https://www.consciouslifestylemag.com/true-self-finding-your-spiritual/

Being true to yourself means thinking and acting in ways that align with your values and feelings rather than the values of others. 

If you are living true to yourself, you feel confident in your identity and you are pursuing goals that you know will lead to your happiness. 

It is really important to be true to yourself it will be your guide to living a life for yourself. A life that is fulfilling and filled with all of the things that make you joyful and allow you to live a life of purpose, whatever that looks like for you. 

Hence, the only way to live your life happily is to be who you are, not caring what other people might think or say about it. 

People are going to judge you anyway, so you might as well forget society and be like others. But keep one thing in mind you have to be true to yourself at every moment of your life. 

Tulsi Karki

Pestalozzi Children's Village, India.

My Reflection on Self-control - Nishan Karki

"Ultimately, the only power to which man should aspire is that he exercises over himself." -Elie Wiesel.

Self-control means controlling our feelings, emotions and actions when we are angry, irritated, upset, enraged, etc. Self-control helps us in several ways. It leads a path for us to be a good person, it leads to a good life, it leads to happiness and receives us from certain emotions such as sadness, anger, depression and evil actions such as fight, gambling, ganging, etc. There are many ways to develop self-control. I have mentioned some of them below:

1. We need to correct our way of thinking.
2. We need to have a goal in life and follow that goal to achieve success.
3. We should have the confidence and willpower to do things correctly.
4. We should focus on our work daily.
5. We should be self-motivated and inspired and also take motivation from good people.

6. We should learn to control our feelings, thoughts, emotions and actions.

- Nishan Karki
Pestalozzi Children's Village India 

We are reading.

Thoughts and Actions - Rishona Chopra

Karma as in what we do comes back to us. Whatever good we put out in the world, comes back to us. But is it only our actions that matter or is it also our thoughts? I can easily help somebody but it matters what I am thinking while doing so.

Karma should not be our idea of helping someone. Kindness should come from within. We might think we are fooling someone by pretending to hide our thoughts but we can't hide anything from ourselves. It is about the thoughts we have and our mind's consciousness that matters. Actions that come from the heart shine apart. 

If the thought is true the action comes out itself. If actions speak louder than words, thoughts speak louder than actions. 

Rishona Chopra
Grade VII
Gyanshree School

Enjoy the present! - Rishona Chopra

 "Practicing meditation and detachment can help us remain in soul consciousness and emphasise experiencing being overdoing. Our health, inner well-being and definition of success are more important than any job, salary, degree or anyone else's opinion about us. We can, therefore, consciously create a situation of peace and happiness where the rising tide of expectation is controlled. We are no longer troubled by unfulfilled needs; even the most ordinary experiences become enjoyable." 

The future, the past,
Is a world that is vast.
It is a lot to wonder,
You can think about thunder,
and think if you can become a funder.
In this vast world, we forget,
That we haven't touched the present yet.
All forgotten about who we are,
We start thinking or the far.
It is truly so bizarre,
We think of the present as an old scar.
Never thinking about the present,
We forget about the pleasant.
Enjoying the moment is an art,
But I wonder how we fail despite being so smart.
Those thoughts keep popping up,
I put the present in the old cup.
Never did I ever enjoy what I have,
With the future I always began.
But today can I just relax and enjoy the present?

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

Autobiography of a ghost - Rishona Chopra

Hey there! No, don't run away. I ain't gonna hurt you.

You ran away; that's the problem with these foolish humans. I just want to be friends with them. How come they don't understand that? 

I might be transparent, but I am gorgeous and have a heart of gold. Not to boast, but I am adorable. If only you waited and listened to me. You don't know how sad it is to be a ghost, no one wants to talk to me, and all are afraid. I feel so alone. My only friend is a book. Her name is "How a ghost became my friend". She is my only friend and my only family. I genuinely wish I had a human friend. There are advantages of being a ghost too. You can run super fast and never feel hungry, which is a good thing because I don't want to be hungry. People say I hide under their bed, but trust me, I just stay in your room so that you become my friend.

By any chance, would you like to be my friend?   

Ghost

Being Lost - Reveda Bhatt

Being lost, being different is not at all bad; we, in that state, create a world of our own in the world in which we only own a few of its bits-

Comprehending this, what do you think? Is it better to own a non-existent world or to keep on struggling to hold something in this world where we all are?

It's like sometimes, you're deep, swimming in your thoughts, and most of the time, you know that you are dreaming and trust me, you will not long to wake up from those! Sometimes, having a hell of stress from this world on your mind, closing your eyes, opening the door to your own world and just staying there for a while feels like heaven and gives you wings (inspired by the tagline of Red Bull…lol).

Well, moving ahead with that, sometimes that happens with me too, wait though; I'll reframe it as per the truth-many a time! Remembering when I used to stare blankly at a point, lying in my ICU bed, my father sometimes asked me, "Wait, let me reframe that again, many times," Why are you lost?" Okay, I won't blame him for that, maybe he thinks that it is a side-effect of my "three-year-old diffuse axonal brain injury grade IV," Woah! That is a very complex name (lol again)! So, everyone dreams while sleeping, but why not sometimes dream while awake? You know, but that feeling of being elsewhere while being somewhere, when you're just sitting idle, gives you the kind of calmness you can't find anywhere!

Plus-point, looking at a point when lost in thoughts also increases your confidence level because you just aren't bothered about all happening around you at that moment!

Now, think again, if you previously denied the 'in-your-own-world-existence', isn't it cool?

Okay, so that was a lot of thinking for this one, getting it over with, try it once and fill me in about it!

Reveda Bhatt
Grade 9
The Aryan School

Why should I go to School - Arav Agarwal

A school is a place which helps in our social and mental development. It helps to develop our thinking abilities and our creative skills. My school is like a second home, which has helped me develop and grow confident. School life is full of happy moments and memories. What we learn at school builds the foundation for our life.  

S – Social Development

C – Creative abilities

H – Happy memories

O – Our second home

O – Offering education and values

L – Lifelong foundation is built here.

Name: Arav Agarwal
Grade: 6A
Billabong High International School, Thane

The unprivileged - Rishona Chopra

Having trust,
And create a new bond,
And respond,
Is simply to adjust,

To the silent cries,
And let them rise,
They shall know that they are worth,
They are here on this Earth,

To create a future,
They don’t need a ruler,
They are much more than we think,
But we make them shrink!

Wonder who ‘they’ are in this poem? They are the unprivileged who are shown useless from their looks and way of living, but they are, after all, humans, suitable? They have taken birth on this Earth so they have as much right as we do. We have ignored their silent cries even knowing that they can change the world with a bit of education. We just need to trust them.

Rishona Chopra Grade V Gyanshree School