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!

GSA Calendar April 2025

6^th  April 2025

  Amardeep Singh                                       
  Screening of Episode 16
  Gyan Bohit (Boat of Wisdom)
  Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels 
  Book Reading- The Door-To-Door Bookstore

My Good School Retreat 2025
11th April to 14th April at Arthur Foot Academy

We will host Brewing Knowledge Friday, Saturday Masterclass and the Sunday My Good School from the Retreat venue.

13^th  April 2025
Meet and Greet with Ms Shikha Agnihotri 
Book Reading- The Door-To-Door Bookstore

20^th  April 2025

Book Reading- The Door-To-Door Bookstore

Book Reading- क्या आपका बच्चा दुनिया का सामना करने के लिए तैयार है?

27^th  April 2025

The YES workshop with Lina Ashar
We aim to inspire young minds, helping them navigate 
while embracing their dreams and aspirations.

Book Reading- The Door-To-Door Bookstore

The Teacher's Academy 

Professional Learning Program (PLP)

AFA Special Edition
Is Your Child Ready To Face The World (Hindi Session)
Exclusive event for our five DEI Member Schools 

Thoughtful Thursdays with Poetry and Music 
Every week on Thursday at 5.30 PM with  Brinda Ghosh and Jatin Soni

Brewing Knowledge Fridays with Reading and Art

Book Reading: My Good School Where Passion Meets Education
Every Friday at 5.30 PM over Zoom

Masterclass Webinar
Book reading: Shomie Das, The Man Who Saw Tomorrow
Masterclass every Saturday at 5.30 PM

Review Meetings:
Arthur Foot Academy Monthly Meeting
2^nd April 2025 at 5.30 PM - WhatsApp Video Call.

The GSA Monthly Meeting is scheduled for last Wednesday. 

Our universal meeting hour will be Wednesday at 5:30 PM, and all meetings will be via WhatsApp Video Calls.

Through the dark times... - Rishona Chopra

Image with the help of Google Search

You'll only read poems about love and despair, hurt and care, failure and success, All the opposites. But you'll rarely ever hear about poems about what you have, What you can do and all the things that aren't bad. Sure, this world is a dark and lonely place, But not if you find your little space. Bombs and wars, fighting and chores. It'll be wrong of me to say, It'll all be okay. Because perhaps it wont, But we've put our hopes in things that would never happen for far too long. Perhaps it's time for us to see, Count our blessings and find the glee. There must be something in our life, that perhaps we can find, Something that makes one smile despite the tough times. There are too many pessimistic things you can burden your mind with, But only one you can free the mind with. And that's to think of the things you have, the things you did and the things you will.

Rishona Chopra

Grade IX

Gyanshree School

To give the love you seek - Rishona Chopra

Image from Google Search

Sometimes you, feel that no one wants you there,

It's often just a fear, Because we just want to find a place in the world, And don't want hate coming through words, Time passes by like the waves on a shore, Leaving an impression on the sand, but not for too long. We wish to be loved and cared, Not shattered and scared Forgetting that our hearts only open when you learn to give the love you seek. To some, it feels meek, But it is what it is, Because that's when you learn to truly live. Perhaps we fetch this love too far and wide, We have it here in our heart all this time, So lets not let hurt get the better of us, And lets not let the loneliness ruin us, Because to give is to take, And to love others isn't futile and fake.

Rishona Chopra Grade IX Gyanshree School

The Beauty of Bookshops - Rishona Chopra

 

Image from Google Search

Bookshops are a small heaven of stories, poems, and the world's finest literature. Comfy sofas and the fragrance of a new shipment of books fill the air. With the pages turned yellow and the covers fading away, a bookshop is a timeless tale. Going to a bookshop, finding that one book that resonates with you among thousands on the shelf, and the joy of getting those small free bookmarks that come with the book of your choice—it's an experience that is now being forgotten. But now that treasure is fading away.

Bookshops don't seem crowded anymore—after all, Amazon exists. But online shopping will never, in a million years, replace what bookshops mean to me. Bookshops aren't just a business; they hold depth; they are spaces for people to discover their passions for reading and their intimate connection with books. I have often seen people going to bookshops, finding a book and then searching for the same book online to see if they can get it cheaper. For a mere price decrease of a few rupees, people would rather get books online than buy from a bookshop. 

These books are treasures. People would rather watch TV shows and movies on those very books, but movies would never capture the beauty of words, the way the author twists the story, the way the story unfolds, and the intimate moments. A film can't capture it all. 

No matter how "childish" the stories may seem, each book holds something for us. As we grow older, we forget what we were once taught in school and at home: "Be patient." "Think before you speak." These values are what we forget as time goes by, and sometimes, all we need are short stories for children that hold a moral in each. 

These very bookshops carry books and stories of each genre, with something for everyone. They hold treasures worth more than anything else because these books may not be as expensive as gold or as vital as water, but they hold something far more valuable: knowledge. Even fictional stories, mysteries, and fairytales can be helpful; we just have to look closer to find them. 

Of course, reading doesn't resonate with everyone. You can't force anyone into it; it unfolds itself. So, to the readers out there, let's keep this magic alive because it's something special, and we can't lose it. 

Rishona Chopra 

Grade IX 
Gyanshree School