House full! - My Good School session at Sunbeam Schools

WOW, what a beautiful start for The YES workshops at My Good School on Sunday the 19th of January 2025, house overfull! 

We hosted Raghu Pandey the Founder of iMature.in, India's pioneering edtech company in Digital Citizenship & Internet Maturity education. He is India's leading subject expert in Digital Citizenship education. He has authored India's first book (titled "Become an iMature Student"), designed India's first curriculum and also developed India's first online course (titled "Digital Citizenship & Internet Maturity Powers") on the subject.

Sunbeam School Varuna students attending My Good School via Zoom

Reflections - Session with Raghu Pandey of iMature.in, getting ready for an AI powered world!
Courtesy Deba Naqvi, Fellow at My Good School and HM at Sunbeam Varuna Hostel.

Sunbeam Gramin School listening the maiden session of My Good School, joined us in January 2025. 

Sunbeam Group’s philanthropic venture, Sunbeam Gramin School, Karasna has 800 students studying absolutely free of cost. The school was established in the year 2002-03 with just 20 students. Photos courtesy Shweta Morolia, Incharge Sunbeam Gramin School and she works at Sunbeam School Suncity.

Through Young Eyes - Shubhangi, Sunbeam Lahartara

Reading: A Gateway to Knowledge ✨

Reading is more than just deciphering words on a page; it’s an adventure for the mind and soul. 📖✨ It opens doors to new worlds, expands horizons, and enriches our understanding of life.

Why Read? ❓

1. Boosts Imagination 🎨

   • Books transport us to magical lands, historical events, and futuristic realms. Every word paints a picture in our minds.

2. Enhances Knowledge 📚

   • Whether it’s science, history, or art, reading is a treasure trove of information.

3. Improves Focus and Concentration 🔮

   • Reading requires undivided attention, training our minds to concentrate better.

4. Builds Empathy ❤️

   • By stepping into characters’ shoes, we learn to understand and share others’ feelings.

5. Strengthens Language Skills 🌍✌️

   • The more we read, the better our vocabulary and comprehension skills become.

Shubhangi
Sunbeam Hostel Lahartara

Varsha reporting from Sunbeam Lahartara Hostel

Mr. Paul - Director QCR&D, had an interactive session with the bright minds of the My Good School reading club at Sunbeam Lahartara Hostel. He delved into the significance of 'reflection' and had a truly enlightening discussion. Boarders also shared their views and learnings. Additionally, Sir had a stimulating chat with the Interns, guiding them through the many volunteer roles they can take on during the internship.

- Report filed by Varsha Banerjee from Sunbeam School Lahartara: She has signed up for the Fellowship Program with the GSA (Learning Forward India Foundation).

Reflection of the week - Sunday 7th July 2024

Listen to the Podcast on YouTube

- From My Guide Inside -   

1. What was your takeaway from the session today? 

2. What would you call your My Guide Inside? 

3. How does your My Guide Inside help you? 

4. Share your thoughts and feelings. Show insight and connections to this quote from My Guide Inside (Book II) Chapter One:

    My guide inside of wisdom is "powerful knowledge." Wisdom will "grow with you and guide you."

- From Jataka Tales -     

1. Why do we read about the Jataka Tales?    

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

3. What learnings can we take away from the story today?   

4. How do parents name their children?

5. Where is Takksila located? What is its significance?

6. What is righteousness?

7. Moral Integrity

8. How would you tackle the problem if you were in the Bodhisattva's place? 

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!     

You can email your reflections to - nk@learningforward.org.in

SUMMARY

The speakers emphasised the significance of education and self-discovery, sharing personal experiences and insights on inner wisdom, thought labelling, and the connection between thoughts and feelings. They discussed the intersection of Yoga and AI, the importance of personal experience and self-denial in storytelling and the path to enlightenment. The speakers highlighted the importance of embracing simplicity, compassion, and wisdom in making good choices and guiding us through life.

12.00 PM
We decided not to read the chapter from The Hidden Life of Trees and instead hosted an Open House to meet Ms Manish Khanna and discuss how we could better engage with Fellows and Interns. Kunal shared an update about the Impact Study, and we discussed how we could improve our program on Sunday and engage with a wider audience.

Meet and Greet with Dr. Sanjeev Chopra

Sanjeev Chopra is a retired IAS officer of the 1985 batch from Kapurthala, Punjab. He is a resident of Dehradun, Uttarakhand. He was a Former Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration and the author of  We the People of the States of Bharat: The Making and Remaking of India's Internal Boundaries, published in 2022. He is now the patron and honorary consultant to the Valley of Words International Literary Festival, held annually in Dehradun, India.

On June 9th, we met with Dr. Sanjeev Chopra for a half-hour meet-and-greet. Dr. Chopra shared his inspirations, travels, and love for reading, making it an interactive learning session for our students and teachers. 

As the author of We the People of the States of Bharat: The Making and Remaking of India's Internal Boundaries, Dr. Sanjeev taught us about the idea behind the book and its significance. We discussed how books and language are the greatest treasures, how the Foundation of Valley Of Words came to be, and Dr. Sanjeev's life lessons and takeaways. 

Visit the Valley of Words(VOW) Foundation: https://www.valleyofwords.org

Host: Rishona Chopra, School Captain 

Some key details about his visit:

Rishona, the school captain, invited him to speak to students about valuing literature and art and working with young people. 

Dr Sanjeev Chopra was introduced as a retired IAS officer who set up the Dehradun Valley of Words Literature Festival. He discussed his background in the IAS and different postings across India over 36 years. 

Dr Chopra emphasised the importance of reading books and critically discussing them at literature festivals. He shared his love for reading and how it has sustained him throughout his career and travels. The discussion was rich and diverse, covering various topics, including his recommendations for the Bhagavad Gita, the festivals he has attended, and his work promoting literature in Dehradun through the Valley of Words organisation. 

Dr. Chopra's visit was a unique opportunity for students to gain insights from his experiences, particularly in books, reading, and using skills to positively impact society.

Reflections for 2023 - Tenzin Jambey

The Sunday School Session on the 31st of December by My Good School was an exciting session for students and teachers as they spent time reading, reflecting, and looking back on how their relationships deepened in 2023. They focused on improving their reading, writing, and speaking skills. Tenzin Jambey, a dedicated student who attended every Sunday School session in 2023, is eager to share how it has transformed his life, what he has learned, and his plans for the future. Be sure to tune in and listen.

The Reading Session - Rishona Chopra

 

Every Sunday at 11 AM, the reading session is a fascinating and unique place to be. Even though we could read the books we are reading in the session at home too, reading in front of a group of people is just so different. It helps improve fluency in reading, develops better pronunciation, and everything seems so much more fun! Even listening to other students and teachers read is enriching. 

I am still not sure what attracts me to join this reading session, but I feel that joining this session just makes my day!

Rishona Chopra
Grade VI
Gyanshree School

Starting a new session at school - Rishona Chopra

Last year, I was in fifth grade and had made beautiful memories. The best moments were when we did the Math Week Quiz. Our class didn't win but what mattered was that we did our best. The Science Week where we did projects and then the last day of fifth grade when I went to school and met some of my classmates and teachers physically for the first time!

Another moment was when Sandeep Dutt visited our school! I was really nervous but overcame it, and it turned out to be the best day ever.

Now I am starting a new session, I got my books, and I am excited. I'll be in the Senior Wing! I can't wait to see the extensive library on the third floor. When we were in primary, we used to go to the smaller library on the ground floor, but now I'll go to the big one and read every single book there. I will also be learning French! Bonjour

Rishona Chopra Grade V Gyanshree School

I think of honesty?

The first person that comes to my mind when I think of honesty? 

The My Good School Life Skills Program students have given some short answers. 

You will love to join the Reading Sessions every Sunday hosted by Sunita Mehta, our Life Skills Program Ambassador 

#JoyOfLearning only at our OPEN SCHOOL for schools and individuals.

Joy Of Reading - Every Sunday at 11 AM

Community Reading Program

The community reading program helps inspire you by reading and reflecting, sharing examples of where children and adults in real life are using values and is very useful to stimulate discussion and philosophical debate. The Joy Of Reading Program is only one part of our Life Skills Program - Reading, Speaking and Writing. 

On Sunday mornings at 11.00 AM, you can join us for live reading sessions. Best you attend with a copy of the book and experience the Joy of Reading.  #ReadToLead

Post the session; the readers may want to reflect and share real-life experiences. Our blog www.JoyOfLearningDiaries.com helps them express themselves in writing, audio, video, graphic, poetry, or how they experience the joy of learning.

18 Chapters

1. Humility; 2. Beating The Odds; 3. It's Never Too Late; 4. Courage; 5. Handling Pressure; 6. Making Mistakes Accepting Flaws; 7. Be A Dreamer; 8. Finding Your Calling; 9. Compassion; 10. Making Others Happy; 11, Never Give Up Hope; 12. Determination; 13. Giving; 14. Be The Change; 15. Gratitude; 16. Goals; 17. Honesty; and 18. Forgiveness.

Is Your Child Ready To Face The World?

Dr Anupam Sibal highlights the role of values in education and how the Joy Of Reading is a life skills program that prepares young people for the world. 

Compassion - Bharti Rao

Is Your Child Ready To Face The World?
Joy Of Reading Session 9th Jan 2022

18 Chapters: 1. Humility; 2. Beating The Odds; 3. It's Never Too Late; 4. Courage; 5. Handling Pressure; 6. Making Mistakes Accepting Flaws; 7. Be A Dreamer; 8. Finding Your Calling; 9. Compassion; 10. Making Others Happy; 11, Never Give Up Hope; 12. Determination; 13. Giving; 14. Be The Change; 15. Gratitude; 16. Goals; 17. Honesty; and 18. Forgiveness.

Compassion

Chapter 9, narrated by Bharti Rao, Vice Principal at The Fabindia School Bali, Rajasthan, India.