Reflection Sunday 8th December 2024

 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. Guru Nanak emphasized humility as the key to true wisdom. Think about a time when setting aside your ego helped you learn or understand something better. How can practising humility help you grow as a person?
5. Guru Nanak said words can bring others happiness or sadness. Can you recall a time when someone's kind words made a difference to you? How can you use your words to make people around you feel happy and supported?
6. Guru Nanak taught that the Divine exists in everything and everyone, and we are all part of one big family. How can this idea help you connect with people from different cultures, religions, or backgrounds? 
7. How can understanding this oneness improve your relationships and the way you view the world?

 From Inner Life Of Animals -

1. Did the story connect with you today, and why?
2. Find out about-
a. limbic system
b. Fear in animals 
c. A mindless animal in its true sense
3. What is instinct according to you?
4. How can we compare animal emotions with human emotions?
5. Are the animals sensitive? How are humans different from animals?

Summary

Meeting Purpose
To discuss Episode 12 of the documentary series on Guru Nanak's travels and explore the emotional lives of animals through a book chapter.

Key Takeaways

• Episode 12 covers Guru Nanak's journey to Orissa, emphasizing themes of diversity, inclusivity, and universal spirituality.
• The chapter on animal emotions presents scientific evidence that many animals likely experience emotions, challenging previous assumptions.
• Amandeep Singh emphasized the importance of shedding ego to connect with universal consciousness and energy.

Topics

Guru Nanak Documentary Series Discussion
Episode 12 covers Guru Nanak's travels to Orissa, including Cuttack and Puri.
Key themes: diversity, inclusivity, universal spirituality transcending religious boundaries
Highlighted Guru Nanak's message at Jagannath temple about respecting nature over ritualistic practices
Amandeep Singh emphasized shedding ego to connect with universal consciousness.

Inner Life of Animal Emotions Chapter Review
Scientific evidence suggests many animals likely experience emotions
Brain structures for emotions (limbic system) present in mammals, birds, and fish
Studies on pain receptors and fear responses in fish challenge previous assumptions
Debate on consciousness in animals remains open, with some evidence even in fruit flies
The slime mould example demonstrates complex problem-solving without a brain

My Good School Updates

• Sandeep Dutt outlined plans for 2025, including a focus on The Teacher's Academy and expanding partnerships.
• Commitment to maintaining an 80-20 ratio of the mainstream to supported schools in the alliance

Next Steps
Schedule dates for January episodes with Amandeep Singh
Post-reflection questions for participants to respond to
Continue monthly format with guest speakers and documentary discussions

These are some suggestions you can choose from. I'm looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections! You can email your reflections to mk@learningforward.org.in or post them as comments below!

Sunbeam School Reflections - Sunday 1st December

                      Journey of self-discovery

If I were in Cinnamon’s place, I think I’d feel a mix of gratitude and a little lost. Imagine knowing you’re loved deeply by your family, but still having those lingering questions about where you come from and who you are. It would be like carrying around a puzzle with one or two missing pieces. You can see the big picture, but it’s not completely whole.

I think there’d be moments of insecurity—wondering if I truly belong if people see me differently because of my story. And then, there’d be times of pride, knowing that my journey is special, that my family chose me and built a life around love, not just biology. But still, I’d want to know: What’s my history? Who am I beyond this life I’ve been given?

Cinnamon’s story shows how important it is to have people who accept you completely, even when you’re figuring yourself out. If I were him, I’d probably feel scared at times, but also hopeful—hopeful that I could find my answers while holding on to the love I already have. It’s a reminder that belonging isn’t about fitting into a mould; it’s about feeling seen, just as you are.

Prapti Rai

Sunbeam English School Bhagwanpur

The journey of self-discovery is a profound and transformative experience. It often involves introspection, exploration, and personal growth. Here are some key aspects:

1. Reflection: Take time to reflect on your values, beliefs, and experiences. Journaling can be a helpful tool.

2. Exploration: Engage in new activities, travel, or meet new people. Stepping outside your comfort zone can reveal hidden aspects of yourself.

3. Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness and meditation to increase self-awareness and connect with your inner thoughts and feelings.

4. Setting Goals: Identify what you want to achieve in life. Setting personal goals can give direction to your journey.

5. Embracing Change: Accept that change is a part of growth. Be open to adapting your views and understanding as you learn more about yourself.

6. Seeking Guidance: Sometimes, talking to a mentor or therapist can provide valuable insights and help you navigate your feelings.

7. Celebrating Growth: Acknowledge your progress and celebrate small victories. They contribute to your overall growth.

Remember, self-discovery is unique to each individual, and there’s no right or wrong way to navigate it. Enjoy the process!

Sanvi Rai

Sunbeam Hostel Bhagwanpur

The story "My Name is Cinnamon" reflects a journey of self-discovery through its humorous and heartfelt narrative. The protagonist, Vir, navigates the challenges of raising his mischievous pet goat, Cinnamon, while learning important life lessons. Vir’s decision to name the goat “Cinnamon” highlights his creative and unique perspective, symbolizing his individuality. As the story unfolds, Vir grows more confident in embracing his quirks and defending his choices, even when others find them unconventional. Through his bond with Cinnamon, Vir learns to celebrate differences, take responsibility, and value his passions. Ultimately, the story encourages readers to stay true to themselves and cherish the qualities that make them unique, making it a delightful tale of growth and self-acceptance.

Chitranshi Singh

Sunbeam English School Bhagwanpur 

                                                               

If I were in Cinnamon's place, I would likely feel a mix of emotions: love and gratitude for the family that chose me, but also confusion and perhaps a sense of longing to understand my origins. Being adopted into a loving family is a blessing, but societal judgments and constant reminders of being different might evoke feelings of insecurity or isolation.

I imagine there would be moments of self-doubt, especially when faced with intrusive questions or comments about being adopted. However, over time, I think I would come to cherish the love and care my adoptive family has shown me, realizing that family is defined not by blood but by connection, acceptance, and unconditional support.

This experience would likely make me more empathetic, resilient, and introspective, helping me appreciate the complexity of human relationships and the importance of forging my identity.

Simrat Kaur
Sunbeam English School Bhagwanpur

My Name Is Cinnamon

It is a multi-genre book because in this book, every page has different emotions; every single page is having suspense about what is going to happen in the coming page. The main character of the story is cinnamon. He was often curious, sometimes apprehensive, and a little sarcastic.

Adwik Gupta 

Sunbeam Suncity

With respect to the discussion by the elders, in my perspective, I think guidelines and advice from elders are needed together with monitoring so that mistakes made are corrected, But constant monitoring and sheltering are harmful for a person's overall growth. A person should be given the 
liberty to correct and learn from his/her own mistakes.
Parth Tulsyan
Sunbeam Suncity 

After listening to the discussion of Leena ma'am, Sandeep sir, and Jugjiv sir. I think if children are monitored constantly. They will never be able to learn to be self-reliant and confident and will be unable to face and overcome challenges. It is necessary to be emotionally strong to face the real competitive world.
Just like a baby has to learn walking on its own by getting up every time after it falls down.
Mayank Malani
Sunbeam Suncity.

JDS School Reflections - Sunday 1st December 2024

The journey of self-discovery is a personal process of exploring and understanding one's true self—one's values, passions, strengths, and purpose. It often involves self-reflection, seeking new experiences, overcoming challenges, and embracing personal growth to live more authentically and fulfilling.

Name - Anjali

Grade - 9th 

School - Jhamkudevi Sen Sec School

Reflection Sunday 1st December 2024

 Sunday School No. 165

Reflection of the week
-From My Name Is Cinnamon-
1. What was your takeaway from the session today?
2. What were the critical points in the chapter?
3. Journey of self-discovery
4. How do you think his birth parents will react?
5. If he met his birth parents, how would Cinnamon feel?
6. What do you hope for in the story?
7. How would you feel if you were in Cinnamon's place?

Sunday School:
Discuss education approaches with guest speaker Lina Ashar and continue reading "My Name is Cinnamon" book.

Key Takeaways

• Focus on developing emotional intelligence (EQ) and life skills over academic knowledge.
• Design learning experiences that build empathy, critical thinking and adaptability
• Encourage students to define success for themselves beyond just grades
• Use AI as a tool for research/collaboration, but ensure reflections are authentic

Topics

Guest Speaker: Lina Ashar on Education Approaches

• Emphasized the need to completely overhaul conventional schooling
• Advocated measuring traits like kindness, empathy, ethical decision-making
• Suggested embedding values into learning design, e.g. teaching empathy through debate exercises
• Highlighted the importance of self-driven learning based on student interests
• Recommended 80% focus on EQ development, 20% on IQ/academics

Time Management and Focus

• Lina suggested "time boxing" - allocating specific time blocks for tasks
• Identified focus and anti-fragilitycritical key skills for the future
• Advised teaching self-regulation, mindfulness, and flow states to improve focus

Stress Management for Students

• Acknowledged anxiety/depression as a growing concern
• Noted lack of nature exposure and sensory overload as contributors
• Suggested increasing recess time, cutting unnecessary academic content
• Recommended parents ask more feeling-based vs. doing-based questions

Book Reading: "My Name is Cinnamon"

• Chapter 11 details Cinnamon's arrival in Ratnapur to meet their birth parents.
• Discussed characters' emotions and motivations as the story progressed
• Reflected on themes of identity, belonging, and defining success

My Good School Program Updates

• Reviewed upcoming calendar of events and activities
• Discussed new WhatsApp community structure for communications
• Emphasized focus on the "Joy of Giving" initiative and school partnerships

Next Steps

• For more about Lina and her work, listen to the Podcast on www.GSI.IN 
• Talk on the Joy of Learning Diaries blog and how to post quality reflections.
• Students to submit reflections on meeting, avoiding over-reliance on AI
• Continue "My Name is Cinnamon" reading in future sessions
• Prepare for the upcoming Varanasi trip and end-of-year reflection

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; post them as comments below!

GSA Calendar December 2024

My Good School every Sunday

1st December 

Lina Ashar

Dreamtime Learning
- My Name Is Cinnamon reading by Jugjiv Singh

8th December

Amardeep Singh

Screening of Episode 12
Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels
- The Inner Life Of Animals - reading by Sandeep Dutt

Sunbeam Schools #JoyOfLearning

Varanasi YES Workshop for students and Joy Of Giving for teachers from 12th December to 16th December.

15th December

My Name Is Cinnamon - Jugjiv Singh

The Inner Life Of Animals - Sandeep Dutt

22nd December

Meeting with Anika Singh of VOYCE, a Social Artist.

https://www.voyce.in

The Inner Life Of Animals - Sandeep Dutt

28th December 

The Impact Team Meeting at 7:00 pm

WhatsApp Group Call

29th December
My Name Is Cinnamon - Jugjiv Singh
The Inner Life Of Animals - Sandeep Dutt
Reflections for 2024 - learning outcomes from the YES Workshops at Varanasi.

Good Schools India Journal

2nd December

Reading for a Living

Sandeep Dutt
15th December
2 Girls 1 Mic - Oshi and Simar 
27th December 
Where Passion Meets Education

The Teacher's Academy

Masterclass every Saturday at 5:30 pm
7th, 14th, 21st and 28th December

Book reading:

Shomie Das, The Man Who Saw Tomorrow

Masterclass by Sandeep Dutt