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!

Two men looked out prison bars; one saw mud, one saw stars - Rishona Chopra

 Image Courtesy - Twitter

Perspective changes something completely. We can be happy even in the worst times with a positive view of the situation. Every cloud has a silver lining; we just have to find that lining. 

Suppose two men look out prison bars; one only sees the bars, and the other looks beyond it and sees the immense beauty of nature. It is our choice to choose what we want to see. It is our choice to be happy, and it is our choice to look at the good sides of a situation. 

In every situation, there is a choice. Either look at the positive and optimistic sides or find faults and be sad. We just have to see that choice. When something happens that is not to our satisfaction, we get negative feelings about it, but we don't realise that there is always a choice to be happy about it. To rejoice in the smallest of things. 

Two men looked out prison bars; one saw mud, and one saw stars. 

It is our choice to look at the positive things in life. After all, peoples' perspectives and thoughts define who they are. There is so much sadness in the world, and it is easy to find faults, but the real challenge is finding happiness in everything. 

Rishona Chopra
Grade VII Gyanshree School

I am responsible for... Veda Varshita Marrivada

Veda Varshita from the HPS Begumpet, Hyderabad. Here is the reflection on responsibilities. I have also enclosed the audio file of the reflection. Listen to it, please.

Thank you, and have a nice day. 

---

I am responsible for many things. These words give me a sense of pride and responsibility towards my work, family, and society. Every right has responsibilities, and responsibility is a duty we must accomplish on time. Everyone has their own responsibilities and duties. Responsibility means being dependable, making good choices, and taking accountability for your actions.

I've been a responsible girl since my childhood. I had a few responsibilities as a daughter, family member and student. One of my primary responsibilities was learning and studying. I have consistently performed to the best in academics and secured first rank in my class every year. Another responsibility was obeying and respecting my parents, family, teachers, and elders. Also, I kept my things safe as the things I owned were precious and gave me a feeling of ownership.  

Since the birth of my younger brother, things have changed. I had got some more responsibilities. I had to help my parents to bring up my younger brother and cope with my studies. Although adapting to the situation was difficult, I sacrificed and compromised a few things for my parents and brother. Later, everything became easy, and I got used to them. Over the years, I learnt to look after myself and decide the right choices in life. Still, responsibilities give me an incredible feeling of joy and teach me many valuable lessons in life, and obviously, I shall and will fulfil my responsibilities.

Responsibility is an essential virtue of an individual as it gains a person's trust. It teaches you to do multitasking and gives you satisfaction and happiness. It provides a sense of purpose and builds resilience amidst adversity on an individual and societal level.

In conclusion, accomplishing your tasks and responsibilities gives you a sense of maturity, happiness, and great joy as you feel you have completed a task on time. "Where there is great power and energy, there is great responsibility." Let's all be responsible for accomplishing what we have committed!

VEDA VARSHITA MARRIVADA Grade 5 Hyderabad Public School Begumpet