Little Arfa at The Railway Museum

Throughout my childhood, my parents used to take me to different exquisite places every Sunday. I have visited several museums in my life, but the most memorable one was The Railway Museum. I remember going to the railway museum twice or thrice in my life. It was that time before puberty when the world seemed bright and merry.

My first memory was riding the Jolly train with my parents, wearing my favorite pink sunglasses while enjoying a Lottie choco pie. I was obsessed with Lottie choco pie then, and it was a great coincidence that we both came into being in 2010. After the ride, we went to see the control station of a train. I was fascinated by the amount of levers and buttons there. 

Being a train driver must have been so cool! Then, we went to see the exhibits that were inside. On the way there, we came across a snake charmer with his dancing cobra. When the charmer played his pungi the snake slithered out of its jute bag and began dancing in a back-and-forth motion like it would attack us at any moment. I was so scared that we quickly moved on, so we couldn’t witness the whole performance. When we reached the exhibits, I saw all the parts of the trains and the different types of trains that ran in India. There were so many that I could easily say there were over a hundred. There were also miniature models of some trains. I looked at those tiny dummy trains wondering what the miniature people must be thinking seeing a giant with big, curious eyes spectating them in awe. 

Finally, it was time to leave. I remember that while leaving, I bought a big Shaka lakaboom-boom pencil which, I think, has a special place. It resides in every Indian’s heart

and has been a part of many people’s childhood.

Arfa Khan
Grade 9
Ahlcon Public School

Reflections Sunday The 20th October

Sunday School No. 159

- From My Name Is Cinnamon- 1. What was your takeaway from the session today? 2. What were the key points in the chapter? 3. Life In Kolkata 4. When have you ever "hidden" something from your elders? What are the things you don't tell them and why? 5. Importance of reflection and clear thoughts. 6. Write about Kolkata trams. 7. Why does the sun rise earlier in Kolkata? 8. What museums have you visited? 9. What does self-reflection mean to you? - From The Hidden Life Of Trees – 1. Why is the world full of color? 2. What is your takeaway from today’s session? 3. How does every material absorb light? 4. Why do you feel relaxed and peaceful in forests and nature? 5. Mechanism of a "sunblock" 6. What would happen if the leaves of trees were black? "The forest is transfused with a subdued green light that just happens to have a relaxing effect on the human psyche." These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!

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

Key Highlights of the Session:

    

         Book Reading Activity:

• The session began with the reading of selected books, aimed at developing students' reading habits, and comprehension skills, and fostering a love for literature. Students actively participated in the discussion around the stories, highlighting important life lessons and moral values.

• This activity helped students improve their critical thinking and encouraged them to draw connections between the stories and their personal experiences.

• Discussion on Note-Taking vs. Reflection:

• A significant part of the session was dedicated to explaining the difference between note-taking and reflection:

• Note-taking was described as the process of jotting down important information during a lesson or reading, capturing facts and key points.

• Reflection was presented as a deeper process where students look back at what they have learned, think critically, and form personal insights. Reflection helps in solidifying knowledge and fostering self-awareness.

• Students and teachers were encouraged to balance both practices, as note-taking ensures accuracy, while reflection promotes meaningful learning.

• Retreat Plan and Registration:

• The session also covered important details regarding the upcoming Retreat Plan. The retreat is designed to promote personal growth, collaboration, and self-reflection for students and staff alike.

• The reasons for joining the retreat were discussed, emphasizing the benefits of stepping outside the regular school routine to engage in fun, educational activities that promote teamwork, leadership, and creative problem-solving.

• The last date for retreat registration was announced as 30th October, and students were reminded to complete the registration process before the deadline.

Conclusion:
The Sunday School Reading Session was a successful blend of reading, critical discussion, and important announcements. By engaging in book reading and understanding the importance of both note-taking and reflection, students are better equipped to process and retain information in a meaningful way. The session also served as an excellent platform to brief parents and students on the upcoming retreat and its potential benefits.
 
Next Steps:

• Students were reminded to complete the retreat registration by 30th October.

• Students are encouraged to continue practicing both note-taking and reflective learning in their day-to-day studies.

Reflections Sunday The 13th October 2024

Sunday School No. 158

-Guru Nanak Docuseries-

1. What was your takeaway from the session today? 

2. What were the key points in the episode? 

3. Wisdom, Right Knowledge, and Intellect- How can you connect with these?

4. What could be the true meaning of worship and religion? 

5. Importance of reflection and clear thought 

6. According to you what is the real meaning of the "essence"? 

7. What is the real purpose of a "pilgrim"? 

8. Would you learn the Gurumukhi script to better understand Guru Nanak's teachings? 

9. What importance does Guru Nanak's "message of oneness" hold? 

10. Have the boundaries divided us or made us even stronger? 

11. How did Dakha get its name?

Rishona added: What's evident in the series is, first, the feeling of oneness and the true belief in oneness. Today, it isn't the physical boundaries that divide us but the emotional boundaries we make and the beliefs that we make that may divide us. This sense of oneness is essential in today’s world. Second, the fact that Guru Nanak goes beyond religion. The true meaning and accurate understanding of it. That belief that religion is beyond prayers and names is lovely. Reflect on this.

- From The Hidden Life Of Trees –

1. Why is the forest known as the epitome of healthy air? 

2. What is your takeaway from today’s session? 

3. What happens when a thicker coat is formed on leaves? 

4. How does a tree breathe? 

5. How do trees survive? 

6. What would happen if tree roots don't breathe? 

7. Role of algae activity in the ocean 8. Do trees sleep and how?

Thanks to Rishona Chopra for the valuable inupts.

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections! You can email your reflections to - mk@learningforward.org.in

My Good School Sunday 13-10-2024

Key Takeaways

• Explored Episode 10 of Guru Nanak documentary, covering his travels from Bihar to Bangladesh and Assam
• Discussed key themes: oneness, women's empowerment, breaking religious boundaries, self-reflection
• Read chapter on "Healthy Forest Air" from "The Hidden Life of Trees", examining trees' role in air purification and oxygen production
• Promoted upcoming retreat at My Good School from Nov 13-16, featuring forest immersion and book discussions

Topics

Guru Nanak Documentary Discussion

• Amardeep Singh provided context on Episode 10, covering Guru Nanak's journey from Bihar to Bangladesh and Assam
• Highlighted Guru Nanak's teachings on:
• Oneness and universal brotherhood, transcending religious boundaries
• Women's empowerment, advocating for gender equality 500 years ago
• Self-reflection and wisdom as tools for spiritual growth
• Discussed lasting impact of Guru Nanak's philosophy, with followers still present in Bangladesh today
• Explored metaphorical interpretations of stories, e.g. Bhai Mardana's "transformation" representing loss of rational thinking

The Hidden Life of Trees - Forest Air Chapter

• Trees act as natural air filters, trapping 20,000 tons of particles per square mile annually
• Forests produce 29 tons of oxygen per square mile daily during summer
• Trees need rest and are negatively impacted by constant artificial light
• Discussed importance of allowing indoor plants to rest at night and have access to natural light
• Explored how trees "breathe" through leaf stomata and roots

My Good School Retreat

• Upcoming retreat from Nov 13-16 at Khan Farm, Dehradun
• Features forest immersion, book discussions on "The Inner Life of Animals" and "The Hidden Life of Trees"
• Cost: 15,000 rupees per person, all-inclusive for 4 days/3 nights
• Fireside chat with Krista from Canada on Children's Day (Nov 14)
• Limited to 50 delegates; open to principals, teachers, and students

Next Steps

• Participants to reflect on self-reflection techniques and importance of oneness
• Research phytoncides and their effects on human health
• Consider registering for the My Wood School retreat (Nov 13-16)
• Read posts on Joy of Learning Diaries, including Rishona's reflection on oneness
• Manisha to compile reflections from participants for blog post

Action Items

• Write & submit reflection on women's empowerment message from Guru Nanak documentary to Manisha for blog post
• Write reflection on self-reflection concept from Guru Nanak documentary for Joy of Learning blog
• Research & add info to reflection post on how Dhaka got its name (beyond what was mentioned in documentary).
• Compile reflection post for Joy of Learning blog - include Rishona's quote on oneness, add prompts from Sandeep Dutt's telegram msg.