My Good School, Sunday 30th March 2025

 

Sunday School # 182

At the Door-To-Door Bookstore, Carl is skeptical about the bookstore's ability to change lives, while  Schascha believes in the power of books to connect people. Their contrasting views create tension and an opportunity for growth.

1. How do Carl's and Schascha's perspectives on life shape their actions in this chapter?

   • Schascha is eager to fulfill her mission, while Carl remains indifferent. How do these differences influence their journey and their handling of delivering the book?

2. How does Schascha's determination contrast with Carl's reluctance?

   • Schascha is deeply invested in delivering the book, while Carl is uninterested. What does this say about their different attitudes toward purpose and responsibility?

3. What do the bookstore and book delivery mean to Carl at this point?

   • Carl seems detached from the bookstore and uninterested in Schascha's task. Why do you think he continues his job despite this lack of enthusiasm?

4. What might Carl learn from Schascha's dedication and belief in her mission?

   • Schascha is willing to go the extra mile for something she believes in. How could her attitude impact Carl's view of books, people, or even his choices?

5. How can having a strong sense of purpose, like Schascha's, help us overcome indifference or obstacles in life?

   • Have you ever been in a situation where someone else's passion or belief changed your perspective? How did it affect you?

Reflection questions based on the chapter "Altruism" from The Inner Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben:

1. What is altruism, and how do animals show it?

   • Can you imagine an example from the chapter where an animal helps another without expecting anything?

2. Why do you think animals help each other?

   • Do you believe animals have emotions like kindness and empathy, or is their behavior based on survival?

3. How does the chapter change your view of animals?

   • Did any story or example in the chapter surprise you? Why?

4. Can you think of a time when you helped someone selflessly?

   • How did it make you feel, and why is kindness important?

5. What can we learn from animals about kindness and cooperation?

   • How can we apply these lessons in our daily lives?

My Good School - March 30 Summary 

A vibrant Sunday School session featuring book readings, storytelling, and thought-provoking discussions with special guests! 

Key Takeaways

📖 Readings from "The Door-to-Door Bookstore" & "The Inner Life of Animals" 
🎙️ Special guests Umesh Vyas, Ajay Singh, & Chetan Khosla shared valuable insights!
📚 Emphasized reading, storytelling, & learning communities 
📢 Updates on the My Good School Retreat & weekly newsletter 

📖 Book Readings & Discussions

📚 "The Door-to-Door Bookstore"
🔹 Continued Chapter 2 – Carl & young Schascha’s heart-warming interaction 
🔹 Carl's unique way of naming customers after literary characters 

🐾 "The Inner Life of Animals"
🔹 Fascinating insights on altruism in animals – even bacteria & vampire bats! 
🔹 Debate: Are animals truly selfless or just evolutionarily wired? 
🔹Themes of altruism, free will, and books shaping lives 

🎙️ Guest Speaker Insights

🧮 Umesh Vyas - Revolutionizing Math Education
🔹 Introduced VIPS methods: Visualization, Investigation, Play and Storytelling. 
🔹 Emphasized storytelling, play, and discovery to make math engaging 
🔹 Open to collaboration for innovative math learning approaches 

📚 Ajay Singh - Importance of Reading Habits
🔹 Advocated for teachers as readers to inspire students 
🔹 Started a teacher reading club with plans for expansion 
🔹 Appreciated the learning atmosphere of Sunday School 

🧘 Chetan Khosla - Altruism & Selflessness
🔹 Shared insights from the Advaita tradition on true selflessness 
🔹 Believes selfishness vs. unselfishness stems from a false identity 
🔹 Found vampire bats' altruism fascinating! 
🔹 Encouraged storytelling as a leadership skill & more sharing opportunities 

🏫 My Good School Updates

🌳 Upcoming retreat at Arthur Foot Academy (April 11-14) 
📩 Growing readership of the Good Schools of India newsletter 
🎥 YouTube channel expanding storytelling & reflections 

✅ Next Steps

📅 Prepare for the April Retreat – excitement builds!
📖 Next Sunday School: Guru Nanak Stories 
🤝 Explore collaboration with Umesh Vyas for math education 
📝 Encourage reflections from participants for publication 

🌟 My Good School – Where Learning is Fun & Meaningful! 🌟 💡📚🎉

I am looking forward to our continued discussions. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need clarification. 

You can email your reflections to mk@learningforward.org.in or post them as comments below!

Reflection on Superstition - Sunbeam Suncity

A wonderful Reflection by the students of Sunbeam Suncity Varanasi # Joy of Learning

Sunbeam Suncity Varanasi

Does believing help escape the person out of negativism? - Tenzin Nyesel

Picture Courtesy: https://devpost.com/software/escaping-the-negativity

Does believing in one help escape the person out of their negative thoughts?

I believe that. 

Sometimes trusting or having faith in one helps to come out of that difficult situation in our mind. It might even free your mind when you have someone beside you to give you that positive vibe. 

I have been through this situation many times - where you feel that you don't have self-love, self-confidence and self-respect towards yourself. 

But having someone with whom you can share all your innermost fears and ideas can heal those negative thoughts. It frees you from thoughts which have been bugging you in daily life. 

Tenzin Nyesel

Pestalozzi Children's Village, India.

Your Hypothetical Me - Reveda Bhatt

Who am I? Reveda

Well, you knew that.

But seriously, if you think you know who I am, just read forward and believe me, in the end, you wouldn’t be sure.

Okay, let’s talk about the ME in your perspective.

To those who think I am very sweet and all that, see, you’ve never seen my darker side.

To those who think I am the one who always wilts the corner of her lip, being sad, well, maybe you didn’t give me a chance to smile.

To those who think I’m the obedient one, sorry but you’ve not seen my mischiefs.

To those who think I’m as hard as a rock, maybe you’ve never seen me break down.

So, all I am saying is DON’T CREATE AN OPINION ABOUT ME because I’m not the bird who’ll be happy and fulfilling in that particular cage of yours, I am the one which flies high in the limitless sky owing no boundaries. Either way, if I come out of that cage, which I will, it’ll hurt you and make you think, reframing-believe, that what you knew was only a bit of my soul. Please know that if I’m acting distinctly with you than before, it’s not because of the change in my nature but because of the change in yours. Maybe there’s something in you that made me change, change as in care a little less or not care at all. 

If you don’t like the way I am,

I don’t give a damn.

If I like myself,

You are no one in the heck to change me,

In fact, you can’t even try to.

If you like the way I am,

Please stop yourself from that,

Because when I change my colour, I don’t want anyone to tell me that it was better before.

It’s my life, so if you want to come into it in the dark, keep in mind that the torch is in my hand and you are nobody to turn it around or switch it off!

Reveda Bhatt

Grade IX

The Aryan School, Dehradun

How sports has helped me to build hope - Arav Agarwal

Playing sports has helped me to build hope. Whenever we are standing on the ground, we have that ray of hope which inspires us to believe and never give up. In life and sports, anything can change at any moment, so hope helps us to keep on going.

I was bowling the last over in one of the practice cricket matches, and the other team needed only 1 run to win in 4 balls. But still, we kept hope and stretched the match to 1 run to win in 1 ball. Though we lost, it was a great learning for my team members about the power of hope and me.

As rightly said that hope means hoping even when things seem hopeless. Sports have taught me to keep hope alive in any situation and have faith and trust. 

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

Poem on Hope - Arav Agarwal

 

Poem On Hope

Hope is the light in the dark
It always gives us the motivation to shine our spark.

Never lose hope and belief.
In any challenging situation, hope is needed to conceive.

Hope is the faith when we need one
It tells you that with me, you have always won

So remember that hope is the key.
It assures that I am always there whenever you need me.

Name: Arav Agarwal

Grade: 6A

Billabong High International School, Thane

Positivity - Anusha Jain

 POSITIVITY: SUNSHINE TO THE SOUL

It was a fantastic day for Amit. He received his German test paper justice and was the only one to secure full marks. Amit was feeling very proud. At 4'o clock, he received news that turned his world upside down the same evening. He could not control his emotions, and there was a flood of tears everywhere. The family was devastated to receive the news of Hari's accident.

Hari is Amit's cousin brother. The two of them were so close to each other that they could comfortably share all their secrets together, and their bond of love set an example for everyone. As soon as Amit received the shocking news, he argued to go to the hospital and see Hari. However, as it was his science test the day after tomorrow, his parents denied his plea. Amit was shaken to the core. He was in great disbelief. His brother was hospitalized, and his parents wanted him to give an exam. His tears did not have any effect on his family. They firmly believe that Hari will be healthy and fine and that Amit shouldn't miss his test. Eventually, when everyone left for hospital and Amit had to study, he couldn't concentrate. He then called his uncle for help and explained the situation. His uncle, who was a kind and wise man, said to Amit that by being sad like this, he is harming himself and showing that he doesn't trust the doctors, which is not good. After half an hour, Amit finally got relief, and the conversation proved to be a stressbuster for him. He was now able to concentrate on his studies and started afresh. 

The day of examination came. It was the day that would decide which would give fruits for Amit's hard work and dedication. 

Days passed by. Hari got better and started recovering fast. Amit received his exam result and was delighted that he had passed with flying colours and that his hard work paid off. Everyone was happy once again.

Anusha Jain, IX, Ahlcon Public School

I am very fond of reading. Harry Potter is my favourite series. I want to explore my culture and heritage. I love helping others.

Courage - Vinki Srivastava

Vinki Shrivastava, VI,
Ahlcon Public School

Courage is an innate superpower that lives inside us and that feeds on "I can and I will ". We are born out of courage. All throughout our lives, we are led to believe how certain things are made or work.

People believe women are weak and vulnerable. Women also start thinking that they are soft and tolerate a lot. But one day, when a woman stands up for herself and says it loud and clear that 'No, I am not weak'. It's the hidden power of courage inside her, which wakes her up, and she believes that she can and she will.

We all take birth, but we are born as humans the day we show courage to change the world.

I like to read quotes of great leaders as it gives shape to my thoughts. I have fun playing games from Skating and Swimming to Hopscotch and Ludo as they are full of fun. I think little things in life give us the most joy. I also love learning about computer languages. Acting is my goal.

Courage - Arav Agarwal

Courage, the value of Values, celebrating 22 Values. #JoyOfLearning, My Good School - Life  Skills Program.

“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” This quote is by Maya Angelou and tells us that courage is the first step to achieve anything. We all have courage within us; we need to connect with it and take the first step. Whenever I need courage in any situation, I take deep breaths and say positive affirmations and words and I get the courage to face the situation.

For gaining courage inside us we can make some positive affirmation cards which have words like – “Believe”, “Awesome”, “I have the power to make an impact”. These cards encourage us and tell us that we are good and we should try more new things with courage and confidence. Whenever we feel fearful, we can look and read these affirmation cards. It will help us to boost our confidence and gain courage. 

Name: Arav Agarwal

Grade: 5C

Billabong High International School, Thane