Reflection Sunday 23rd March 2025

Sunday School # 181

In Chapter 2 of The Door-To-Door Bookstore, Carl is sceptical 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.

Reflection Questions-

1. How might Carl's and Schascha's perspectives on life influence their future actions in the story?

   - Carl and Schascha have different outlooks on life. How do these differences shape their journey as the story progresses?

 

2. How does Schascha's attitude differ from Carl's?

   - Reflect on Schascha's optimism and excitement. How does she see the bookstore's role differently from Carl?

 

3. What role do you think books play in Carl's life?

   - Carl seems disconnected from the bookstore. What do books mean to him, and why might he distribute them?

 

4. What do you think Carl learns from Schascha's perspective on books and life, and how might that impact his view of the world?

Schascha is full of energy and belief in the bookstore. How can a positive attitude like hers influence how we see challenges in life?

Can you think of a situation where staying positive helped you overcome something difficult? How did it make a difference?

In chapter 20 of The Inner Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben, "Shame and Regret," the author delves into animals' emotional experiences, exploring how they might experience feelings of shame and regret. Wohlleben draws on scientific studies and observations to suggest that animals, much like humans, can feel embarrassed when they fail to meet certain expectations or make mistakes. This chapter challenges the common belief that animals only act based on instincts, showing that they can have complex emotions, too.

Reflection Questions:

 

1. Do you believe animals can feel shame or regret? Why or why not?

   - Think about your own experiences with emotions like shame or regret. Do you think animals could similarly experience these feelings?

 

2. How does the idea that animals can feel emotions like shame challenge your previous understanding of animals?

   - Have you ever considered that animals might experience emotions beyond basic instincts? How does this chapter change your view?

 

3. Why is it important to recognise that animals might experience emotions like shame and regret?

   - How could understanding animals' emotions change the way we treat them or view their behaviour?

 

4. Can you think of a time when you felt regret or shame and how it affected you?

   - Reflecting on your own experiences, how do these emotions influence your actions or decisions? Can you imagine animals having similar emotional experiences?

Key Takeaways:

• Book Discussion: We discussed The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn, focusing on the protagonist, Carl, and his passion for books and unique way of viewing the world. We explored themes of loneliness, routine, and meaning and discussed how literary references are woven into the narrative, mainly through Karl's interactions with 9-year-old Schascha.

• Reading vs. Watching TV: We highlighted the cognitive benefits of reading over watching TV. Reading encourages imagination, enhances attention span, and fosters critical thinking. In contrast, TV viewing often leads to multitasking and shorter attention spans.

• Animal Emotions and Cognition: We examined research that shows animals, including mice, pigs, and dogs, display complex emotions like empathy, fairness, and even regret. This challenges traditional assumptions about animal cognition and emotions. Mirror neurons in animals allow them to "feel" others' feelings, and early exposure to empathy strengthens these neural pathways.

• Fairness and Regret in Animals: Experiments revealed that dogs, ravens, and rats show a strong sense of fairness, while rats exhibit regret-like behaviours when making poor choices. These findings challenge previous views on animal emotions and cognition.

1. Next Week's Session: Lina Ashar will host her second YES Workshop on education for the future. Please check out the video recording of her last session on February 23rd, 2025: https://youtu.be/RsKdSpxSCek?si=Z0bTE5TrJnIci7eZ.

2. Reading Progress: Jugjiv Sir will complete the current book chapter by next week. 

Upcoming Retreat: We will read My Good School Where Passion Meets Education at the forthcoming Retreat and gift all participants one copy of the My Good School Record book. 

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!

Recording of My Good School hosted on Sunday, the 23rd of March 2025.

Manisha Khanna
GSA Ambassador

Reflection Sunday 23rd February 2025

 Sunday School # 177

A workshop on goal setting with guest speaker Lina Ashar, followed by a book reading session and updates on My Good School activities. 

Key Takeaways

• Lina Ashar presented on the importance of SMART goal setting and how to apply it effectively
• The group read chapters from "The Hidden Life of Animals" on animal intelligence and goal-oriented behavior
• Updates were shared on upcoming My Good School events, including a retreat in April and new weekday sessions

Session 1 of 3, scheduled for the third Sunday of the month, beginging February 2025.

Lina Ashar, founder of Dreamtime Learning, discussed the importance of goal setting using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, Time-bound) framework. She emphasized the need for clear, realistic goals to achieve personal and academic success. Lina Ashar highlighted the reticular activating system (RAS) in the brain, which helps focus on specific goals. She also addressed common challenges like procrastination and stress, suggesting time-blocking and realistic goal setting. The session included practical exercises to transform vague goals into SMART ones and stressed the importance of inner mastery and personal growth. 

What we learnt with Lina Ashar

• Explained the SMART goal framework: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, Time-bound
• Discussed the brain's reticular activating system (RAS) and its role in goal achievement
• Emphasized the importance of setting realistic, incremental goals to avoid stress
• Addressed questions on procrastination, parental pressure, and maintaining motivation

Book Reading: "The Hidden Life of Animals"

Chapters: Hidden Agendas & Simple Sums:

• Read chapters on animal intelligence, focusing on crows, goats, and dogs
• Discussed examples of animals demonstrating counting abilities and time awareness
• Explored the concept of forward planning in animal behavior

Reflection questions

1. How does Wohlleben challenge the traditional understanding of animal intelligence in this chapter? Reflect on examples he provides and consider whether they change your perspective on how animals think and solve problems.

2. In what ways does the ability of animals to perform simple mathematical tasks impact our ethical responsibilities toward them? Do you think recognizing intelligence in animals should influence the way humans treat them?

3. Wohlleben shares anecdotes about animals demonstrating basic arithmetic skills. How do these examples compare to the way young children or untrained humans approach similar tasks? What does this suggest about the cognitive abilities of animals in comparison to humans?

Planning for March 2025

The meeting discussed the upcoming schedule for various educational activities. Students will return from holidays on April 1st, and attendance is expected to improve. The calendar will include reading sessions on Sundays, watching the Episode 14 of Guru Nanak’s travels with Amardeep Singh and a workshop with Lina Ashar. The students of Sunbeam School Varuna are planning a presentation at My Good School. In addition, a poetry sessions are held on Thursdays at 5:15 PM, and a book reading sessions on Friday afternoon at 2:20 PM. 

The My Good School retreat is scheduled from April 11th to 14th. Art and music sessions are under consideration for the week, with a focus on engaging a broader audience. Finally, plans for the Art and Music Sessions on Monday and Tuesday respectively, with Wednesday as a weekly off.

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

Reflection Sunday 9th February, 2025

 Sunday School # 175

Reflection questions for Episode 14: Setu Bandh from Tapestry of Guru Nanak’s Travels:

1. What message did Guru Nanak convey about the true purpose of pilgrimage during his visit to Setu Bandh?

2. How does Guru Nanak’s perspective on devotion versus rituals challenge traditional beliefs?

3. In what ways can we apply Guru Nanak’s teachings on inner spirituality in our daily lives?

4. How can we promote unity among diverse communities while respecting different traditions, as Guru Nanak demonstrated at Setu Bandh?

Summary of "Candle Light" – My Name is Cinnamon by Vikas Prakash Joshi

In this chapter, Cinnamon’s biological parents receive important and concerning news about his health. They learn from his adoptive parents that Cinnamon has a genetic condition that may cause him to lose his eyesight around the age of 40 and could also lead to hearing impairment. This revelation is deeply emotional for both the  parents, as they process the implications of his condition and think about his future.

The candlelight in the chapter symbolizes both vulnerability and hope, just as a candle flickers but continues to glow, Cinnamon’s journey is uncertain but still filled with love and strength. His adoptive parents’ concern and love for him are evident as they grapple with this information, reinforcing the theme that family is built on care and emotional bonds. The chapter highlights themes of resilience, unconditional love, and the importance of support in facing life’s uncertainties.

Reflection Questions

1. How do Cinnamon’s biological parent react to the news about his genetic condition?
2. What does the candlelight symbolize in this chapter, and how does it relate to Cinnamon’s journey?
3. How does this chapter highlight the difference between biological and emotional bonds in a family?
4. What can we learn from Cinnamon’s parents about handling difficult and uncertain situations?
5. How would you support a loved one if they were facing a similar challenge?

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

JDS School - My Good School Retreat 2024

DAY 1

Joy of Giving

The Retreat began with a walk on Khan farm, where we explored more about birds, plants, and animals. We also went to Arthur Foot Academy. There, we celebrated Children's Day, which included dances and speeches from Khan sir and our special guests, Mr. Amit Sachdeva, Mr. Sandeep Dutt, and Mr. Assad. Then, we helped AFA children with some stationery, decorated their class board with handmade flowers, and found real happiness in giving. The evening session was completed with our reading session.

Parnaz Singh

Grade-7th

DAY 2

Joy Of Learning 

First, we went for a jungle walk, saw different kinds of trees and tree houses, and enjoyed ourselves a lot in the lap of nature. In the presentation session,  all the schools help to explore and learn more about service, skills, sports, and study by representing the timetable and calendar of their school. Then we attended the GSA meeting, where we studied the inner life of animals and learned more about facing the world's challenges with Sandeep sir. In the evening, we explored the treasure hunt. And the memories were made more robust by dancing and enjoying the retreat to its fullest.

Prabhveer Kaur

Grade-7th

Day 3

Joy Of Exploring

On 16th November, we visited The Doon School, one of the best schools in India. We had many more beautiful experiences in the design and technology lab. There, we saw students of the Doon School making different types of metal and wood things. We also learned a lot about the art and creativity of the Doon School students. We went to music school, where we.

We Explored different types of musical Instruments. We also went to the library of the Doon school. That was a wonderful and exciting experience for all of us. The greetings of the Doon school staff were very warm. Finally, we visited the office of My Good School, which Sandeep sir very well maintained. Also, we got a chance to see the Bookshop, where we bought books to enhance our knowledge. Last but not least, it was a wonderful experience for all of us.

Harpreet Kaur

Grade-7th

Acceptance In Your Heart - Gaurangi Rastogi

Every day, we encounter different people with different personalities, some are very judgemental, or some don't judge according to their appearance. A few years ago, I met a woman who was an acid attack survivor. Her face was very burnt out that the nagging aunties would gossip about her. She heard the conversation but did not say anything.

I was a little judgemental at the time of the situation. I dared to talk to the woman, but the aunties made her go away from the avenue. Was it essential to make her go away? As she is not beautiful like others. That's what Acceptance is... accepting others, not based on looks, clothes, or wealth.

Accepting limitations of friends and family important, like: Snoring, Sleepwalking and incidents like the story of Takahashi. In addtion we must follow some habits of friends too.

'Takahashi,' the value is Acceptance, like Totto-chan accepts the boy as her friend.

Can't we accept others as our friends? Will you still not receive a person if disabled or with any other challenge?

Gaurangi Rastogi 
Class VII 
The Doon Girls School 

Reflection on reading Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window - Takahashi

Anger & Affirmations - Rishona Chopra

Often we get angry at the most minor things. If someone says something to us like ' You are rude', those three words can hurt you a lot. One of the ways to calm down is through affirmations. When I am angry then I like writing down and repeating affirmations:
I am a peaceful soul  
I am a happy soul
I am a mindful soul
I am a knowledgeable soul
I am an emotionally powerful soul

Another way to calm down is thinking that every situation you come across, even like the one above, is simply a challenge that makes you a more substantial, mature and better person.

Whenever we feel lonely or disheartened, we should remember that we have a best friend with us, and that is God. He is someone who always listens patiently to us and is truly a friend that we can never forget.

Rishona Chopra
Grade V
Gyanshree School