We discussed the progress of the My Good School Retreat and the excitement among students, with Rajinder Pal Devgan noting the positive impact of recent visits to the Arthur Foot Academy. Jugjiv Singh introduced the book Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn, highlighting its themes of personal connections and the significance of book recommendations. The group explored naming in animals, noting that some animals, like ravens and pigs, recognise and respond to personal names. They also discussed the emotional lives of animals, particularly grief in red deer, and the importance of community and personal connections in learning and teaching. Updates on various educational initiatives were shared, including poetry, music, and art sessions.
About the Book- The Door-to-Door Bookstore
Everyone has a book meant just for them...
Carl, 72, may get old, but he still feels young. Every night, he walks around delivering books to his regular customers, always picking the right book for each one based on what they love.
One evening, a curious and lively nine-year-old named Schascha shows up. She insists on tagging along with Carl and even tries to teach him a few things about books.
When Carl's job at the bookstore is at risk, will he and the girl, with her yellow raincoat, be able to save his job and bring back the joy of reading to their little town?
The Door-to-Door Bookstore is a heartwarming story about the importance of friendship, the magic of books, and how reading can bring people together.
Reading the chapter "A Man for all Seasons" from The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn.
In this chapter, Carl, the protagonist, meets a man who embodies what many consider "success"—a wealthy, influential figure who seems to have everything. However, as the protagonist interacts with this man, he realises that despite outward success, he may be missing key elements of personal fulfillment, happiness, and genuine relationships. This causes the protagonist to reflect on his life and what true success means.
Reflection Questions:
1. What is the main lesson or message of this chapter?
Think about what the author is trying to teach or show through the events in this chapter.
2. What does the chapter say about the difference between wealth and happiness?
Reflect on what the book says about how money and success don't always bring happiness.
3. What emotions or ideas does this chapter make you think about?
Think about how the chapter makes you feel and what ideas or questions it raises.
4. How can we apply this chapter's lessons to our lives?
Think about how you can use the ideas from the chapter to be happier or more successful in your own way.
Reading the book The Inner Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben.
Chapter What's in a Name?
"A name is much more than a label; it's a way of saying something is important."
1. How do you think names shape our understanding of the world around us?
2. Can you recall a time when a name changed the way you felt about something or someone?
3. In what ways do you think animals perceive their names, if at all?
4. Why might it be significant to recognise the importance of naming in the context of nature and animals?
Chapter "Grief" from The Inner Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben.
Theme: The emotional depth and grieving processes of animals.
1. How does the concept of grief in animals challenge our traditional understanding of their emotions?
2. Why do you think it's important to recognise and validate the grief of animals, and how might this change how we treat them?
3. In what ways does understanding animal grief deepen our empathy toward animals and our connection with nature?
Program Updates:
Thursday Sessions at 5:30 PM will include poetry and music for teachers, interns, fellows, and future educators, helping them explore creative ways to teach and engage students.
Friday Sessions at 5:30 PM, a blend of reading and art, provides a creative and interactive experience.
Good Schools of India: Our weekly newsletter has gained much more attention, with over 600 reads in recent weeks. It's great to see more people staying updated and engaged!
YouTube Channel: We've launched a YouTube channel (@mygoodschool) where you can access recorded sessions from the program. This allows easier access to our content for anyone who missed a session or would like to revisit a topic.
We're thrilled to announce new developments at the Arthur Foot Academy (AFA):
Community Learning Centre is actively seeking volunteers who can share their skills or teach subjects of interest. Whether it's math, art, or any other subject, we welcome those with knowledge to join us in making this initiative a success!
Collaboration with Experts: We collaborate with experts like Ms. Brinda Ghosh, Ms. Nonie Bagga, and Ms. Meenakshi Uberai to provide various learning experiences and ensure everyone involved has access to high-quality educational content.
We look forward to all the exciting developments in the program and invite you to get involved!
On New Year's Eve, 31/12/2020, something horrible happened.
I had two cats, Chandler and Zoey. Chandler went to my grandma's house for a month. He
used to go out for a walk daily. But one day, he never returned. Everyone went searching for him. But in the end, we found him in the woods. Some wild dogs had attacked him. Chandler was very innocent. It seemed as if I'd lost a piece of me. My other cat Zoey is alive and well, and I wish she never dies.
We all love our family, friends, and teachers, but that is when we are alive. We live and love but do we ever worry about being forgotten after we die?
All throughout our life, we are involved with so many people in different ways, and after all, love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone. After a dear one passes, we may hear their voice when we are back home and all alone; that is love. If we can hear their words, they are not gone. Just listen to their call, and they will be there.
Making people feel welcome is another way of love. Only when we believe in being fully present can we love and let love. When we talk to someone, we should focus only on what is happening between us. We should not think about what someone said last week or what is coming up next Friday. If we want to love and wish for others to love us, we should live in the moment now.
Learning to pay attention is an important way of love. So many people are always self-absorbed in their lives; their eyes glaze over if you speak for more than thirty seconds. They already have something else in their mind - a friend to call, a fax to send, work to do. They only snap back to full attention when you finish talking, at which point they say "Uh-huh" or "Yeah, really" and fake their way back to the moment.
Part of the problem is that everyone is in such a hurry. People haven't found meaning in their lives, so they are running all the time looking for it. They think of the next car, the next house, the next job. They find those things empty, too, and they keep running. Once you start running, it's hard to slow down, but it's not impossible.
We are great at small talk: "What do you do?" "Where do you live?" But really listening to someone- without trying to sell them something, pick them up, recruit them or get some status in return - how often do we get this anymore?