Reflections Sunday the 29th September 2024

Jugjiv Sir, Sandeep Sir  and participants discussed the third anniversary of "My Good School" on October 1st, 2024, and the upcoming calendar. They welcomed Jhamku Devi Secondary School from Abohar, Punjab. 

The calendar for October was shared an includes key dates like the GSI India journal publication and the "Two Girls, One Mic" episode. 

They read from the book "My Name is Cinnamon," discussing themes of cheating and the importance of honesty. 

They read from The Hidden Life Of Trees and  explored the impact of weather on trees, including frost, lightning, and wind, emphasizing the importance of natural growth and community support for tree health. The session concluded with a reflection on the importance of honesty and the impact of natural disasters on trees.

Reflections for the week 

-My Name Is Cinnamon- 

1. What was your takeaway from the session today? 

2. What was discussed in the chapter today?

3. What are boundaries? How can you maintain them?

4. Experiences while giving an exam

5. Would a help a person who is seeking the answer to a question? 

6. What makes monsoon winds move?

7. How is the weather in Pune?

8. How is weather determined?

9. What is Ratnagari famous for?

10. A journey by train

11. Would you prefer travelling by train or by air? 

12. On what percentage are India's train electrified?

- From The Hidden Life Of Trees – 

1. What are clusters?

2. What is your takeaway from today’s session?

3. What happens when thicker coat is formed on leaves?

4. What role do trunks play?

5. How do trees survive?

6. How do trees change shape and direction and why? 

7. What is "hoar frost"? 

8. When do the trees look like they've been sprinkled with sugar?

9. What do the scars represent? 

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

Rishona Chopra

School Captain

—-

Here are some strategies schools could use to encourage students to reflect more on their learning experiences after sessions:

1. Provide structured reflection templates or prompts: Give students a framework to guide their reflections, such as questions about key takeaways, challenges faced, or new perspectives gained.

2. Allocate dedicated reflection time: Set aside time after each session for students to individually or collectively reflect on their learning. This signals the importance of the reflection process.

3. Encourage peer-to-peer sharing: Allow students to share their reflections with classmates, either in small groups or as a whole class. This can spark deeper discussions and insights.

4. Incorporate reflection into assessments: Make reflective writing a part of the assessment process, such as including a reflection component in assignments or projects.

5. Recognize and celebrate reflective thinking: Acknowledge and appreciate students who demonstrate thoughtful reflection, either through verbal praise or by showcasing their reflections.

6. Model effective reflection: Teachers can demonstrate their own reflective practices, sharing how they learn and grow from their experiences.

7. Provide feedback on reflections: Offer constructive feedback on students' reflections, highlighting strengths and suggesting areas for improvement.

The key is to make reflection an integral and valued part of the learning process, rather than an afterthought. By fostering a culture of reflective thinking, schools can help students develop essential skills for lifelong learning and personal growth.

Courtesy Otter AI.

GSA Calendar October 2024

My Good School on Sundays

6th October 2024
Christa Campsall 
My Guide Inside
My Name Is Cinnamon

13th October 2024
Amardeep Singh 
Screening of Episode 10 
Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels 

The Hidden Life Of Trees

20th October 2024
My Name Is Cinnamon
The Hidden Life Of Trees
The Impact Team Meeting

27th October 2024
My Name Is Cinnamon
The Hidden Life Of Trees

The Impact Team Meeting

Good Schools India Journal

15th October 2024

2 Girls 1 Mic - Oshi and Simar

25th October 2024

Where Passion Meets Education with Amit Sachdeva - Sandeep Dutt

Masterclass - The Teacher's Academy

5th, 12th and 26th 

Chapter 10 Wanted Back-bencher Last-ranker Teacher

GSA Monthly Meeting 

26th October 2024 at 4 pm

Students Reflections - Sunbeam School Lahartara

Writing reflectively entails evaluating an experience critically, stating how it affected you, and outlining your plans for applying the newfound understanding. Writing something down typically encourages people to think through an experience, so it can aid in more profound reflection. In this lovely reflection piece, Sunbeam School Lahartara students discuss the lessons they learned from Sunday School.

Sunbeam Lahartara 15092024 by Manisha Khanna

Trust keeps the world going - Rishona Chopra

What keeps the world going? Love, friendship, humanity, happiness? I believe its trust that keeps this world going. This trust isn't trusting someone with your secrets or your belongings. It isn't restricted to our trust in a bank to keep our money. It isn't our trust to share something with someone but rather our trust in life. Like how a bird waits for the day of its flight, simply trusting that there will be a tomorrow. Like how we plan our life, our schedules, our meetings because we simply trust that we'll be healthy and happy tomorrow. 

It's this blind trust in life that keeps us going. We never think of how we may not give our exam tomorrow because the sun may never rise, the world may end, we may not be alive. Why don't we question this? Because we trust that life will go on the way it always goes. The sun not setting isn't impossible - it's simply our trust in the sun - to always rise. 

This trust is something which is so natural and so important that we never realize that its trust that keeps the world going. And it cant be lost because if this trust is lost, we shall spend our lives worrying about god knows what. And worry never did anyone any good. While this trust is so vital, its as vital to know that it is trust in the end that keeps us going because it teaches us one of the most important lessons of life - To live in the present and to focus on NOW, not THEN. 

It's no good planning our life ahead because what about what life has planned for us? This doesn't mean you cant be more organised of course but all it means is that we musn't let the future overpower the present. Because the power to be in the present is the greatest of all because it lets us live life and if in this life, we don't live to the fullest, then what are we doing?

Rishona Chopra
Grade VIII
Gyanshree School 

Reflections Sunday the 22nd September 2024

My Name Is Cinnamon-
1. What is the significance of the Kohinoor diamond?
2. How is life at weekends different from weekdays?
3. What do you do when clothes fall off when you remove them from the clothesline?
4. What is discombobulate?
5. How do you feel when insignificant things blow up?
6. Why must you do a few chores at home or school? 

Hidden Life Of Trees -
1 Did the story connect with you today, and why?
2. Find out about
a. stoically
b. repertoire
c. impervious
d. proviso
3. Why do trees put on a thicker coat?
4. What do you mean by “as the tree battens down the hatches”?

Rishona: Reflections of the week

My Name Is Cinnamon- 
1. What was your takeaway from the session today? 
2. What was discussed in the chapter today?
3. Why is the protagonist's nickname "Cinnamon"?
4. What does discombobulate mean?
5. Experiences while playing scrabble
6. What did you do when your clothes fell off the line ?
7. My weekend - what makes it different? 
8. How can we normalize adoption? 
9. What is a zombie movie?
10. Never be ashamed of who you are

The Hidden Life Of Trees – 
1. Find out about anemones.
2. What is your takeaway from today’s session?
3. What happens when thicker coat is formed on leaves?
4. What do you mean by "hatches"? 
5. How do trees survive?
6. What is "repertoire"? 
 
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

Otter AI adds

After the class at My Good School:

Sandeep Dutt discussed the Little Village School (near Dehradun, emphasizing its mission to inspire unselfishness and service. My Good School will host a retreat in November and aims to become a venue for future retreats. 

Jugjiv and Sandeep highlighted the importance of family relationships and the need for assertiveness. He also mentioned the adoption of Cinnamon and the family's efforts to normalise it. 

The conversation included tips for managing exam stress, such as breathing exercises and color-coded notes. The discussion also touched on the importance of adaptability, using trees as an example, and the need for behavioral and genetic variability to survive climate changes.

Listen to the podcast: www.LearningForwardPodcast.com

Interns Meeting and the forthcoming My Good School Reteat 2024

Based on the context provided:

1. Sandeep Dutt shard the excitment about the upcoming retreat at the Arthur Foot School (Little Village School). He sees it as an opportunity to support the Little Village School and further the mission of spreading the joy of learning that the Learning Forward Foundation is focused on.

2. Sandeep mentions that the Arthur Foot School will be the venue for the Retreat for years to come, as it is located near the Rajaji Sanctuary, which aligns with our vision of connecting education with the natural environment.

3. Sandeep encourages the attendees to visit the Arthur Foot Academy website to learn more about the retreat and the partnership between the Learning Forward Foundation and the Little Village School.

www.ArthurFootAcademy.org

4. In terms of contributing, Sandeep suggests that the attendees, including interns and school captains, can get involved by visiting the school, participating in activities, and finding ways to collaborate and support the Little Village School as part of the Good School Alliance community.

Overall, Sandeep seems enthusiastic about the retreat and the opportunity to work with the Little Village School, and he is looking for ways for the attendees to get involved and contribute to this initiative.

Check out the Live Recording courtesy Sunbeam School Varuna.

My Good School Retreat 2024

My Good School Retreat 2023

Reflections 

“ Like every chapter in the book has its own ending, our Retreat also ended with memorable experiences and friendly relations. But the chapter containing our memories will be the best I have read and experienced.” Tenzin Nyingsel

“Seeing all the teachers and friends leaving with whom I spent an excellent time for four days, I almost cried. After spending four days together, I felt like we had been together for a very long period, and during this time, I became very close with them; I suppose that we all became so close that we were much more than best friends and because of this bond I emotional when everyone was leaving, the only thing which  I could say was " goodbye " and " best wishes ahead " I wanted to say many things, but the words were not coming from my mouth, one after one everyone started leaving and only HPS (Hyderabad Public School) group were left, for few minutes we talked and after a while, they were also nowhere to be seen.” - Tenzin Jambey

‘I have got many great opportunities in my life. The excellent My Good School Retreat is one of the best opportunities, giving me many life lessons. This will be an unforgettable part of my life. I had never been so excited about many things, but this was the opposite. I have described below my experiences and what I learned during this retreat” Nishan Karki

—-

Dear Teachers,

Hope you had a nice day.

When I got a chance to attend the My Good School Retreat in the Doon Girls School, first l was very excited to see the people from various parts of India whom I had only heard or seen on the screen. On the other hand, I needed clarification about interacting with them. But who knew that I would talk to everyone and enjoy with them. 

On the first day, we walked to Khalanga War Memorial, Nalapani, accompanied by Col Vikram Thapa and two more people. One of them was around the 70s and was very kind and friendly. We learnt many things from him, like about the Khalanga War etc. After the walk, we returned to The Doon Girls School, where we had the Icebreaking session, held after the tasty lunch in the school. In the evening, we had presentations by various schools which were knowledgeable, but at the same time, I was scared too, as it was my first presentation in public.

            

We left for The Doon School the next day, which was a great life opportunity for me. There we had our breakfast, and I liked the school system as it was different from regular schools; all the activities done in the school were looked after by the students and even the school assembly. After the walk in the school, we went forward to Khan Farm, Biharigarh. We had a nature walk and played many games, including the talent show, team building and leadership activity. Through those games, we learned how a leader should act.

It was the second last day when we returned from Biharigarh. Then back in school, we had to reflect on our two-day journey. And I had many things to say, but couldn't I be nervous to say things in front of others. When it was my turn to speak, I said something funny, which made everyone laugh. After that, we had our friendly basketball match between the retreat team and the Doon Girls School. Fortunately, we won the game by one point. There was a situation when I snatched the ball from a girl, but later in the game, she took revenge, which was fun.

On the last day, it was Earth Day celebrations in which many schools came and sang songs based on nature, and we also sang the song "Somewhere In The World".

I am very thankful to the Director of Pesstalozzi for giving us such a great opportunity, Shelja Ma'am, and Minaxi Ma'am for supporting us.

Thanking you 

Yours faithfully,

Monika Singh Pundir 

Pestalozzi India Children’s Village

Check out the Retreat 2023 Album

https://photos.retreat.2023

The Inner Life Of Animals

Reading for The Retreat 2024

Hi, Iʼm reading this book and wanted to share this quote with you. "Our dog Barry was a little wimp. As I have mentioned, before he came to us, he had already been passed along by a number of different owners. For the rest of his life he was scared of being abandoned, and he always got extremely worked up when he was taken along while we visited friends. If you are a dog, how are you supposed to know whether you’re going to be handed away yet again? He showed his nervousness by panting non-stop, so we finally gave up, leaving the distressed animal alone in the house for a couple of hours instead. When we got back, it was easy to see that Barry was relaxed. He became deaf in his old age and couldn’t hear us arrive, sleeping soundly until he blinked up at us when he felt the wooden floorboards vibrate under our feet. So Barry is an example of an animal that lacks courage, but we want to take a look at the opposite trait, and to do that, let’s step out into the woods." (from "The Inner Life of Animals: Surprising Observations of a Hidden World" by Peter Wohlleben) 

Start reading it for free: https://read.amazon.in/kp/kshare?asin=B01N9YNANU&id=7hayxowfs5a65ereaqlapm6sje 

-------------- 

Read on the go for free - download Kindle for Android, iOS, PC, Mac, and more http://amzn.to/1r0LubW

Let’s Talk Exam Stress

Let’s Talk Exam Stress by Sandeep Dutt

2 Girls 1 Mic Episode 15

Read on Substack

Join Simar and Oshi as they dive into the highs and lows of dealing with exam stress in this lively episode of 2 Girls 1 Mic. Drawing from personal experiences—like Simar’s impromptu dance sessions to clear her mind and Oshi’s love for colour-coded notes—they offer practical tips and strategies to help you stay calm and focused during exam season.

Do you find yourself overwhelmed by endless study sessions? Or perhaps you need a fresh perspective on tackling that dreaded pre-exam panic? Simar and Oshi have got you covered, sharing breathing techniques, study hacks, and ways to take care of your mental health. So, this midterm season, remember to take it easy and work towards being more productive with these tips and tricks!

Tune in for a fun and relatable conversation to confidently crush those exams. And don’t forget to leave your tips in the comments—we’d love to hear how you conquer exam stress!

Reflections Sunday the 15th September 2024

Action Items:

• GSA Retreat from November 13th to November 16th at Khan Farm near Dehradun.
• Students to submit reflections to Manisha at mk@learningforward.org.in.
• Students to consider creating a school newsletter incorporating Joy of Learning content.
• Interns/ students may come forward and volunteer for The Teacher's Academy and Retreat in November.

The Guru Nanak Docuseries-

1. What is your opinion/experience about the significance of places shown in today's episode?
2. Draft a thank you letter/ message for Mr. Amardeep Singh.
3. What is the purpose of the prayer wheel?
4. Oneness in diversity- Comment.
5. Self-reflection and inner peace are more important than worldly treasures- Comment
6. Write a reflection on your belief in fate, destiny, or karma. Connect it with the people shown in today's episode.

The Hidden Life Of Trees -

1. Did the story connect with you today, and why?
2. Find out about-
    a. Fagus grandifolia
    b. Alps
    c. conquistadors
    d. Achilles' heels
5. Compare and contrast nature's blossoming with humans who try to stop it from spreading for their needs of housing and agriculture.

Students may create a school newsletter incorporating Joy of Learning content.

These are some suggestions. We're looking forward to your excellent and thoughtful reflections, which you can email to mk@learningforward.org.in.

Check out the Retreat 2023 Album

https://photos.retreat.2023

Krishna and Karna - Doon Girls’ School

The chapter reveals the contrast between Krishna’s divine wisdom and Karna’s complex, often misunderstood nature. Krishna, who symbolizes righteousness and strategic insight, offers guidance and philosophical reflections. Karna, on the other hand, embodies the tragic hero with a deep sense of honor and loyalty but is entangled in personal and moral dilemmas.

Through their interaction, the chapter explores themes of fate, destiny, and the nature of true justice. It highlights how Krishna’s teachings challenge Karna’s choices, shedding light on the deeper moral questions faced by both characters. This encounter serves as a pivotal moment in the story, providing insight into the characters’ inner conflicts and advancing the philosophical undertones of the book.

                                                                                                                                                    Aadya

Grade 9th

In the chapter ‘Krishna and Karna,’ Kiran Desai delves deeply into issues like identity, fate, and the consequences of moral decisions in her book My Name is Cinnamon. The chapter explains how the mythological tales of Krishna and Karna from the Mahabharata still have an impact on people’s lives today by intricately weaving them into the contemporary setting of the book. The two main characters in the book are the tragic hero Karna and the divine advisor Krishna. 

The Historical and mythological figures provide insights into the struggles and dilemmas that individuals face on a personal level. The purpose of this analysis of such personalities is only to show how Traditional knowledge can help us better comprehend modern human experience, especially when it comes to personal experience. The chapter elucidates how the mythological stories of Krishna and Karna from the Mahabharata still have an impact on people’s lives today by intricately weaving them into the contemporary setting of the book.

The two main characters in the book are the tragic hero Karna and the divine advisor Krishna. 

The Historical and mythological figures provide insights into the struggles and dilemmas that individuals face on a personal level. The purpose of this analysis of such personalities is only to show how Traditional knowledge can help us better comprehend modern human experience, especially when it comes to personal knowledge.

                                                                                                                                            Tamreen

Grade 9th

In most ancient texts and tales, Krishna and Karna have major roles with complicated associations with one another and with moral dilemmas. Herein is a quick rundown of their roles:

Krishna was the most important character in the Mahabharata. Being a god, Krishna was an adviser. He was very wise and an astute strategist. He helped the Pandavas, especially Arjuna, during the Kurukshetra War. His teachings, especially in the Bhagavad Gita, are very fascinating philosophically.

Karna: In the major characters of the Mahabharata, Karna is famous for his loyalty, generosity, and sad fate. Though he is one of the most powerful warriors of the Kauravas and a very close friend of Duryodhana, throughout his life, he is beset with personal and moral problems, including confusion over who he is and where his allegiance is supposed to lie.

While Chapter 3 Cinnamon deals with Krishna and Karna, some topics that could be covered are duty, righteousness, or personal conflict. It might explain how Krishna’s wisdom works in contrast to Karna’s challenges or how differing paths and choices between them illustrate larger moral or philosophical points

                                                                                                                          Sanskriti Mehrotra

                                                                                                                          Grade 6th

A character study in chapter three of "Krishna and Karna" has gone ahead to evoke curiosity and empathy. It is assumed that emotional confrontations in this chapter will strike a chord in readers' hearts, reflecting various friendship bonds, struggles, and understanding in general. Krishna's character is wrought with complexities, inner fights, and determination. Karna in the novel conveys his personality and struggles. Specific themes that might be insinuated in the chapter include friendship, conflict, and personal growth. The theme, drawn from the interaction between Krishna and Karna, contributes to broader themes of human contact, resilience, and personal growth. This personal level of connection in the chapter promotes better understanding and offers broader lessons that one can learn from one's journey.

                                                                                                                                                   Saumya Jha

Grade 8th

Krishna and Karna - Sunbeam Suncity School

 

An exquisite reflection of the boundless bravery of extraordinary individuals. Since this is a mental game, everyone should rise to the occasion and overcome their fear. You have to have faith in your abilities to do a certain task. If you alternate between focused and dispersed brain modes, it will function. Adhya Grade-8

Reflections - Sunday School 8th September 2024

Here are the key questions and answers from the meeting:

1. What were Newton's laws discussed? The group was unsure about the exact number of Newton's laws, with some saying three and others saying four. Sandeep Dutt summarised that the first law concerns inertia, the second law concerns force and momentum, and the third law concerns action and reaction.

2. Where do Birch trees grow, and what are their characteristics? Birch trees are pioneer species that increase in open spaces. They have adaptations like white bark that reflects sunlight and oil in the bark, making it burn well.

3. What is the "Pando" tree, and how does it grow? The Pando is a single quaking aspen tree that has spread underground and grown over 40,000 trunks covering over 100 acres. It is an example of a tree that uses its roots to expand and defend itself.

4. What challenges do trees face in urban environments like school campuses? The group discussed how trees in schools may face challenges like lack of space, competition for sunlight, and damage from human activity. They were encouraged to observe the trees around their schools and share their observations.

- From My name is Cinnamon - 

1. What is your takeaway from today's session?

2. Write a reflection on the book and characters

3. What, according to you, should be the reason for adoption?

4. What do you do between the class breaks?

5. Is it reasonable to be noisy during breaks? Why? Why not?

6. Do you like your nickname?

7. What is the importance of math in your day-to-day life? 

- From Hidden Life Of Trees -     

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

2. Find out about-

a. Aurochs

b. Quaking Aspen

c. Pando

3. What is the difference between naturopathy medicine and allopathic medicine?

4. Where do the Birches grow?

5. Do you have any challenges in your school or neighbourhood? 

Students may create a school newsletter incorporating Joy of Learning content. These are some suggestions. We're looking forward to your excellent and thoughtful reflections, which you can email to mk@learningforward.org.in.

Based on the meeting transcript, the following key points were discussed at the intern meeting:

1. Video file sizes and challenges with sharing large video files.

2. The school calendar and upcoming events include the Allegory episode and a Good Schools India journal post.

3. Sharing reflections and messages for Teacher's Day.

4. Discuss the books "The Hidden Life of Trees" and "The Hidden Life of Animals", including animal adoption, tree defence mechanisms, and tree growth strategies.

5. Exploring Newton's laws and discussing a potential 4th law proposed by the students.

6. Reflect on why parents sometimes resort to physically punishing their children.

7. Discuss the challenges trees face in urban environments, like deforestation and lack of biodiversity.

8. Planning for an upcoming school retreat in November at the edge of the Rajaji sanctuary.

9. Encourage students to share their thoughts, reflections, and stories and potentially contribute to a newsletter or podcast.

The meeting covered various topics related to the school's reading program, student engagement, and plans for future activities.

The Man Who Saw Tomorrow details Shomie Das’s ideas about how education should be an experience that children enjoy and not one that has been thrust upon them. That entails a deep acknowledgement and respect for the child as a unique individual.