Relections for the week - Sunday 25th August 2024

Summary: 
In brief we Discussion about Vikas Joshi's latest book, "My Name is Cinnamon," and discuss its themes of adoption, identity, and self-discovery in brief. Next, we highlighted the need for a more caring and supportive approach to tree care and upkeep while talking about the difficulties that urban trees endure. 

- From My name is Cinnamon -
1. What is your takeaway from the author's session and book discussion?
2. Write a reflection on the book and characters
3. Is it proper to give names (like lambu, motu, etc) to your teachers or friends?
4. Why was Cinnamon trying to find his biological parents?
5. Write about the emotional challenge one might face when he comes to know that he/she is adopted.

- From Hidden Life Of Trees -
1. Did the story connect with you today, and why?
2. Find out about-
a. loutish behaviors
b. brazenly decadent
c. doped-up bodybuilders
3. Create podcasts or drawings about the plight of urban trees
4. Why does a good tree fall? What could be the impact of falling off a good tree?
5. Imagine being a tree in the city and write how it feels.
6. How do trees communicate with each other through "scent mail"?

These are some suggestions. We're looking forward to your excellent and thoughtful reflections, which you can email to mk@learningforward.org.in

Session summary for My Good School (08/25/2024)

We celebrated Independence Day by Yashraj giving his spirited speech. 

In the session we opened a new book, "My Name is Cinnamon," written by Vikas Joshi, and reflecting on its themes of adoption, identity, and self-discovery. 

We discussed the challenges faced by trees in urban environments, emphasising the need for a more nurturing and supportive approach to tree care and maintenance. 

We shared personal experiences and interests, and encouraged everyone to reflect on the book and share their thoughts.

Next steps

• Students could write a reflection on the book and characters.

• Students to write reflections on their takeaways from the author session and book discussion.

• Students to consider creating podcasts or drawings about the plight of urban trees.

• Manisha to publish student reflections on the Joy of Learning Diaries blog.

• The next chapter "Burnout" in The Hidden Life of Trees for the next session.

• Students to imagine being a tree in the city and write about how it feels.

• Jugjiv to read the next chapter of My Name is Cinnamon in the next session.

• Sandeep to continue reading The Hidden Life of Trees in the next session.

• Students to consider creating a school newsletter incorporating Joy of Learning, as we will not produce a common newsletter for all the schools.

My Name Is Cinnamon - Vikas Prakash Joshi

Meet the author on Sunday the 25th of August 2024

Both a captivating chronicle and an endeavour of remarkable depth and ambition, My Name Is Cinnamon provides a richly textured narrative of a boy trying to find his roots and place in the world. On each part of his journey, he encounters new people, new cuisines, and new adventures as he learns a lot about himself and the world around him.

While being a light-hearted and heart-warming read, the book also covers some difficult themes that are rarely explored in ­children’s and young adult literature. It is a deeply moving testament to the unceasing desire to know oneself, the unrelenting pull of familial bonds, and the power of hope, sacrifice, and love.

With his perceptive observations, vivid descriptions, and an authentic voice, the author, Vikas Prakash Joshi, weaves an immersive plot with fully realised environments and characters that are sure to stay with you for a long time. Above all, My Name Is Cinnamon is about finding your own people and accepting who you are.

‘In My Name Is Cinnamon, Vikas Joshi brings to life the lively tale of Cinnamon, a young boy living with his adoptive parents, who sets out to meet his birth parents in an impoverished tribal area. This emotionally sensitive topic is explored with felicity and humour, reminding us of the immense joys and painful travails of childhood. It’s a moving and uplifting book, and I wish Vikas Prakash Joshi all the best for his future writing success.’
―Dr Shashi Tharoor, Politician, writer, and former international diplomat

About the book from Amazon.IN

Kindle and Paperback editions available.

Vikas Prakash Joshi is an-award winning writer, editor, translator, podcaster, public speaker, novelist, amateur cook and occasional journalist in Pune, India. His first book for children, My Name Is Cinnamon (Hay House India), was published in November 2022 , and it has been lauded all over the world, in over 30+ countries, endorsed by many top Indian writers, and received 7 publishing offers. Story Ink, a Mumbai-based production company, has also acquired the book for screen adaptation. It was illustrated by the well known and award winning illustrator for children's books Niloufer Wadia. It has received 5 recognitions already: A3F Literary Award for Fiction 2023, Asian Literary Society Award for Best Debut Fiction,Asian Literary Society Certificate of Excellence in Fiction, Skipping Stones Magazine Honour List for International Books 2023, Longlisted and Shortlisted for Valley of Words Awards for Young Adult Fiction 2023. It was also chosen among 60 selected books by Indian authors for kids and YA by Hyderabad-based Beyond the Box organization, an organisation working in the field of literature.

We will read aloud from next week; please get your copy and join us at My Good School.

https://MyGoodSchool.in

The Guru Nanak Documentaries Episode 8- Advika

Reflecting on the screening of Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels on Sunday the 18th of August 2024.

Today's episode of "The Guru Nanak Documentaries" taught us what our rituals were about. They were merely not for external use or washing in a holy river; they meant cleansing yourself of your sins, wrongdoings, and bad karma. 

This session was deep and spiritual and raised awareness of how our thoughts and ideologies have changed over the years. People bathe in the Ganges, thinking it will detox them. They shall attain salvation, but in reality, as Guru Nanak Ji said, our self-reflection, acting upon our sins, and rectifying what we did wrong and who we hurt is true detoxing and will lead you to salvation, not some mere external activities that are futile in the end. 

The reality is that people nowadays travel miles to go to Varanasi and other spiritual places to reach God, purify their souls, come back to their homes, and repeat the same toxic life. What is the point of even going to these places when we do nothing to act upon ourselves? 

True devotion never lies in just bathing in rivers. It lies within the soul. Purity, correcting what we do, and making ourselves better people, while helping others. Love God, love yourself, and make yourself into a better person.

This is true devotion. 

Advika Khanna 
Gyanshree School