2012 – SSE Group 1 Lesson Plans

Teacher:Sundar Venugopalan and HariSankar Rasputra

Attendance: Rithika, Akshaya, Diyvashree, Akshatha, Amritha, Gayatri, Abhishek, Manav, Sujay, Kruthik, Prahladhan, Pravarrna, Ateesh

Lesson Plan: Attached

Value: Love

Subvalue: Devotion

Spiritual Principle (Purpose): To show how devoted Jesus was to God and how we can have the same devotion.

Quote

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind.” � Luke 10:27

Story: “Early Years of Jesus’ Life”

The symbol for Christianity is a cross. Jesus died on a cross and that is why the cross has become a symbol for Christianity.

Color in the cross with Jesus and his disciples on the following page.

Life Application

Help someone this week, while feeling love and devotion in your heart. Tell us about it next week.

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Teacher:Renuka Rajani

Attendance: Kruthik, Sujay, Akshaya, Divyashree, Abhishek Shanmugam, Atesh, Prahlathan, Pravarna

Value: Love Subvalue: Compassion

I showed the class a tree and asked them to share what a tree does for us and all the things we recieve from it. The children described what they saw on the tree and different components.

I then read them, “The Giving Tree” by Shea Silverstein. Each child got a turn to read a page in the book. I lead them in an enriching discussion about the book. The children stated their feelings on the relationship between the tree and the boy. The children were able to describe the tree’s nature as always giving. They were very appreciative about the tree’s contribution towards the boy in the tree, whom she loved very much.

I then asked them to describe someone in their lives who is as loving and giving to them in their lives. All of them related to their parents or siblings. I then asked them who else in the “class” is as loving and always giving and they were able to yell out Swami. the discussion then moved to St. Nicholas and I read them a quick story of St. Nicholas and how he came to be called Santa Claus. The children were attentive throughout the stories.

Activity involved cutting out leaves for our tree and to state something that they would like to give to the people in their lives. I asked them to state something that comes from their being, such as a smile, hugs, love. The children were able to follow through and stated wonderful things that they would give (without any expections in return) to their families.

I also introduced them to the term, ” Practice what you preach” and told them to show their leaves or coloring page to their parents and follow through what they said as their life application.

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Teacher: Jaya Sundar

Attendance: Akshaya, Divyashree, Ritika, Akshata, Abhiramy, Pravarna, Athesh, Prahlatan, Krutik, Sujay

RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD LESSON PLAN #3

JUDAISM

Value: Peace

Subvalue: Faith

Spiritual Principle (Purpose): To gain an understanding of Judaism through one of its stories.

– Review Life Application from previous lesson.

– Quote
“God is our refuge and strength.” Old Testament of the Bible

– Affirmation
“I am strong when I have faith in God”

– Discussed about Hanukkah

– Story: The Story of Noah and the Ark (based on Genesis 6-8)

– Activity #1

a. Ask students to tell you where the following events happened in the story (beginning,middle, or end of the story).

i. Noah’s ark came to rest on a mountain.

ii. Their neighbors would come and watch. They laughed at them and called them crazy.

iii. The first thing that Noah and his family did was build a temple to worship God.

iv. God said to Noah: “Very soon I shall send heavy rains”

v. Noah let a dove fly from a window.

vi. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights.

– Activity #2

Draw & color in the picture of the Jewish star. Explained the meaning of the Jewish star: that God rules over the universe and protects us from all six directions: north,south, east, west, up, and down.

– Life Application

– Cut the star with the help of your parents and hang it in your room.

– Practice remembering God by hanging the star in your room to remind you that God shines His love on us all. Pray for His help when you are in need and trust His answer. Listen to what He tells you inside and do what He tells you. Next week be prepared to share what you did or didn’t do.

– Close with the prayer.

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Teacher: Vidya Chandrasekhar

Attendance: Sujay, Abhishek, Gayatri, Amrita, Akshata, Saket, Ritika

Spiritual Principle: Seeing God in everyone, and knowing that God is omnipresent.

Quote: Believe that God is in everyone.

Three Oms, and three Gayathris.

Review the Life Application from previous lesson.(which was) Repeat Affirmation every night before bedtime. “I will be kind to others.”

Introduce Subvalue: Belief is recognition of one’s own truth, which is realizing that God is in everyone.

Discuss Quote: How can you see God in what you do? Give some examples.

Devotional Singing:

I am God, I am God,
I am no different from God,
I am the infinite Supreme, the one Reality,
I am Satchithananda Swaroopa,
I am Om Tat Sat Om.

Story- Martin the Shoemaker

Post Story Questions:( can combine with discussion about the quote).

1. Did Martin feel rejection from the Lord? Have you felt the same? Why?
2. Is it difficult to see God in everyone?
3. Is it easy to see God in people you love?
3. Where is God?

Activity: Ask to trace their hands on a sheet of paper. Then, ask them to write the things they do with their hands around their hands. Next, ask them to circle in blue the things they do with their hands that are for them, and to circle in green the things they do with their hands that are for others. Discuss with what attitude they do things that benefit others, and that “Manava Seva is Madhava Seva.”

Life Application: Practice seeing God in everyone, even those who have hurt you. Record your experiences and share with the class next week.

Closing Prayers: Three Gayathris.

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Teacher:Maritza Hernandez

Attendance: Divyashree, Ritika, Akshata, Gayatri, Amrita, Pravarna, Athesh, Prahlatan, Abhishek, Krutik, Manav, Sujay

Lesson Plan Attached

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Teacher:Jaya Sundar and Maritza Hernandez

Attendance: Akshaya, Divyashree, Ritika, Akshata, Gayatri, Amrita, Pravarna, Athesh, Prahlatan, Saaketh, Abhishek, Krutik, Manav, Sujay

Value: Right Conduct

Subvalue: Compassion – helping others

Spiritual Principle: To know the importance of helping others

Review life application from previous class.

Quote: “Hands that help are holier than lips that pray” Discussed Swami’s birthday and the importance that he emphasizes on helping all people in need.

Affirmation: “I know it is important to help others, so I will follow my inner voice and be there for you when you need my help.”.

“David the Dragon”

David was a dragon who lived in a cave in a mountain in Wales. It was very damp in his home, but he did not mind that because he could dry it out with his hot breath. But he did mind living on his own as he felt very lonely. He had once gone down to the village but the villagers fled in terror when they saw him. He wanted to play with the children but they were afraid of him.

One night there was a storm. The rain seeped into his cave and thunder crashed around the mountain and his cave began to collapse. He hurried out just in time and frightened he ran to the village. Then he realized that he was knee deep in water and that the village was quickly flooding. If he did not get out quickly, he would drown because he could not swim. He began to roar louder and louder to raise the alarm, but no one would come out of their houses. They were too afraid of David. David got an idea, he saw a boy leaning out of a window, David gently grabbed him in his claws and ran out of the village, and the villagers ran after the dragon after the boy. When David reached a place high enough to be out of danger, he placed the boy on the ground and stood over him, sheltering him from the rain. Soon the began to pick up stones to throw at David, but the boy shouted “look!” . the villagers looked and saw their village was half covered by the flood waters. David had saved the boy and the villagers and they were not frightened of him any more. The little boy became his friend and when the villagers were rebuilding their homes, they built a huge barn for David too, so he could live there amongst them. David was very happy that he followed his inner voice instead of running away in fear when they needed help. David was a dragon who always did his best to help others when in trouble. Now he has friends, like all the rest.

Questions: Was David a happy dragon living on his own? What did he wish for, when he saw the kids playing? What happened to his cave during the storm? Why did he suddenly run into the village? Describe how David raised the alarm when he saw that the village was flooding? Shouldn’t David have let the villagers look after themselves? How did the villagers show their gratitude? Is it good to listen to the little voice inside? What did the story mean to you?

Activity: Color the dragon. Write a sentence about the story.

Life Application: “Helping Diary” Write down each day of the week who you helped, how you helped.and how did you feel.

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Teacher:Sundar Venugopalan

Attendance: Akshaya, Akshadha, Athesh, Sujay, Kritik

Lesson Plan:

We spoke about the importance of Ladies Day and the important role women play in our lives. All children spoke about their mothers, grand mothers, sisters and cousin sisters. We heard a story about a boy who was very obedient to his parents and learnt the importance of listening to his parents and being devoted to God.

Activity:

All children made a greeting card for their mothers for Ladies Day.

Life Application:

1 – Help your mother at home everyday of the week and make a note of it for the next class
2 – Say the “Samastha Lokha Sukhino Bhavanthu” prayer 3 times every morning and night reflecting on the meaning of the prayer which is for the welfare of the whole universe/world.

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Teacher:Pushpa Reddy and Maritza Hernandez

Attendance: Amrita, Gayatri, Akshatha, Rithika

Lesson Plan: Attached

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Teacher:Jaya Krishnan and Supriya Maini

Attendance: Akshaya,Ritika, Akshatha, Manav,Abhibshek Shanmugam,Prahalatan,Pravarrna,Kritik,Sujay,Gayari,Amrita, Deepta

Value: Non Violence Sub value: Peace

Opening: Three Aums, Three Gayatri Mantra Chanting

Quote: I am a Peaceful Being

Prayer: The Peace Prayer

Peace Peace Peace
Peace On Earth
Peace Peace Peace
For All The Universe (2)

Smastha Loka Sukino Bhavanthu
Smastha Loka Sukino Bhavanthu
Smastha Loka Sukino Bhavanthu
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Hi.

Silent Sitting/Meditation

Story:

One day on a train in South Africa, the conductor ordered Gandhi to ride in the baggage car. Gandhi said that he had a first-class ticket. But that did not matter. No person of color could sit in the whites-only passenger car, the conductor explained. Gandhi refused to move and was thrown off the train at the next station.

He told a friend, who was also Indian, about the incident. The friend explained that such an experience was not unusual. This acceptance of injustice only outraged Gandhi more.

The event proved to be a turning point in his life. A slight and timid man, Gandhi had faced life meekly. But after witnessing racial discrimination against Asians and black Africans, Gandhi knew that he had to act. He began to campaign tirelessly for human rights in South Africa.

Gandhi developed a method of social protest that was based on the principles of nonviolence, tolerance, and truth. He called this method satyagraha, a Hindu word that means “force of universal truth.” An essential part of social protest, Gandhi said, is peaceful resistance to all forms of injustice.

“One cannot hate. Hate is against nonviolence,” Gandhi told his followers. “Therefore one respects enemies, one teaches them. And nothing is as strong as a nonviolent movement. It can conquer anything, if it is used properly.”

Post Story Questions:

1. What did the Conductor Ask Gandhi to do?
2. What did Gandhi do?
3. What is Satyagraha?

Song/Bhajans:

May the love we’re sharing spread its wings
Fly across the earth and bring new joy
To every soul that is alive

Samastha Lokha Sukino Bhavanthu
May all the beings in all the worlds be happy

Affirmation: I am always Peaceful.

Life Application/Activity/Role play:

During the week, try to practice nonviolence in your everyday lives. For example, whenever you get angry take a deep breath and say Sairam.

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Teacher:Renuka J. Rajani

Attendance: Prahladan, Pravarrna, Pravishnna, Abhishek, Sujay, Kritik, Athesh, Manav, Akshaya, Ritika

Value: Love

Subvalue: Kindness

Spiritual Principle (Purpose): To demonstrate how simple acts of kindness can encourage others to do the same.

Lesson started by reviewing previous week’s life application. Children shared that they went on a nature walk and wrote what they saw and what they liked about it. After reviewing, I introduced them to the lesson of the week. I went over what the word kindness means and ways in which they demonstrate it. I then read them the story about the Taxi Driver and the old lady. We also read “Shapes” by Shel Siverstein. The children understood the meaning of the work kindness. They were asked to repeat the affirmation, “I carry out simple acts of kindness in my life” throughout the lesson. The life application was to carry out 24-5 acts of kindness and to record it by writing it out and bringing to class next week.

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Teacher:Sundar Venugopalan & Shankar Rasaputra

Attendance: Akshaya, Ritika, Akshadha, Prahladan, Pravarrna, Pravishnna, Abhishek, Sujay, Kritik, Athesh, Saket, Manav

Value: Nonviolence

Subvalue: Respect for life

Spiritual Principle (Purpose): To understand that all life is precious

Review Life Application from previous lesson.

Quote – “When you realize that God is in everyone, you will practice nonviolence.” – Sai Baba, Sanathana Sarathi, p. 222

Affirmation – “I respect and appreciate all living creatures.”

Story: “The Tiger Story”

Activity

a. Have pictures of different animals (4 on one page) for the students to color. Have them say or write something nice about that animal. Then ask how animals help the world (e.g., spiders catch insects, sheep give wool, squirrel’s bury nuts that grow into trees, cows give us milk; bees make honey). Teacher should write these down on the blackboard.

b. Made Greeting Cards for their parents

Life Application

Enjoy nature by going for a nature walk with a parent/guardian. Pay attention to the animals, birds and other creatures that you see and with the help of your parent please write in a paper how we can appreciate them. Share this with the class next week.

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Teacher: Jaya Sundar

Attendance:Saaketh, Abhishek, Sujay, Manav, Ritika, Eishan, Akshata, Gayatri, Amrita, Pravarna, Athesh Prahlatan, Pravishna, Akshaya

Value: Truth Subvalue: Faith

Spiritual Principle (Purpose): To realize Swami’s divinity helps one to have faith.

3 Oms, 3 Gayatris

Silent Sitting/Prayer
Review Life Application from previous lesson.

Quote
“Call on Me and I am always by your side.” – Sai Baba

Affirmation
“I call on Sai Baba who is always by my side.”

Story: “Jasmine Flowers”

Life Application
Practice saying the “Swami think through me” prayer every morning and every night. Have faith that he hears your prayers.

Silent Sitting/Prayer

“Swami Please Think Through Me,
Feel Through Me,
Speak Through Me,
Act Through Me,
Love Through Me,
And Breathe Through Me.
Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.”
10. Closing: Repeat the affirmation and close with the prayer.

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Teacher:Renuka Rajani and Maritza Hernandez

Attendance:Saaketh, Abhishek, Sujay, Manav, Ritika

Lesson plan: Sai Baba’s Childhood Days Lesson Plan #1

Value: Right Conduct

Sub- value: Courage

Maritza and I went over last weeks lesson briefly and children shared their life application. We then had a discussion on this week’s lesson and what the term courage means. Children were able to repeat the affirmation, “I am brave” throughout the lesson. They were able to share some of the areas in their lives which they are afraid of such as the dark. The children also shared that they sometimes have arguments with their siblings over TV remotes and such. The teachers gave the children some suggestions on how they can get along with their siblings.

We read the story outlined in the lesson plan and by the end of the lesson children had an understanding of the word courage and how they can display it in their daily lives.

The life application of the week involved having the children act with courage when they are faced with something they are afraid of. They were asked to bring back stories of their experience and to share with the class.

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Teachers: Renuka Rajani and Jaya Sundar

Attendance: Eishan, Sujay, Abhishek, Manav, Kritik, Saaketh, Akshata, Gayatri, Amrita, Ritika

Lesson: Sai Baba’s Childhood Lesson Plan #3

Value: Love

Subvalue: Sharing

Welcomed and introduced all students. Went over the lesson plan and shared a story about Swami when he was 4 years old. Children answered questions based on the story and related some things that they share at home and in school. They displayed an understanding that sharing comes out of love and that God resides in our hearts and is full of love.

Life application for the week is to write (with the help of their parents for the younger ones) at least one thing they shared and with whom. They are to bring it back to class this Sunday and share.

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Teachers:Raji Iyer and Maritza Hernandez

Attendance: Pravarna Athish Prahlatan Pravishna Krishna Sahit Tejus Sujay Diya

Value: Nonviolence

Subvalue: Harmlessness

Spiritual Principle (Purpose): To teach the importance of helping and not harming animals.

We had four children new to the program. Therefore, we asked each one to introduce themselves by stated their names and the grades they attended in school.

We started the class with 3 Oms and 3 Gayatris

Prayer:

Before we started the prayer we asked the children to close their eyes, sit up straight and focus on Swami’s love pouring on them as we say the words and they repeat after us:

“Swami please think through me,
feel through me,
speak through me,
act through me,
love through me,
and breathe through me.
Om, peace, peace, peace.”

We reviewed Life Application from the previous lesson on helping their fathers on Father’s Day. Each child contributed eagerly to this discussion.

Quote: “Help ever, hurt never.” – Baba

Affirmation: “I am kind to animals.” We asked the children to repeat after us a few times.

Pre-Story Question

We asked the children if any of them had pets. Since none of them had, we asked them, if they could have one, which animal they would choose and why. We talked about the dogs being loving and loyal etc.

Story:

The Boy Who Loved Animals

Arjun loved animals. It was good that he lived on a farm because he got to spend time with the animals on his father’s farm. There were the cows, the calves, the pigs and the chickens. The animals loved to be around Arjun. “You must be thirsty for some clean water,” he would say to the cows. “Come on, let me give you some fresh water.” Arjun treated the animals like his very own family. Arjun was very fond of this cow named Gowri. She was gentle like his mother and gave a lot of milk to the family. Every time Arjun came around, Gowri would moo and greet him. Soon Gowri gave birth to a beautiful calf. The calf was adorable and brown with white spots on his body. Arjun was delighted. He petted and played with the little calf and named him “Spotty.” “Mother, I really love Spotty. He is so happy and playful,” Arjun told his mother. “Will Spotty grow up to be just like Gowri?” “Spotty will grow up to be big, strong, and handsome,” his mother replied “but he will not be like Gowri. He is a bull, and he will not give milk like his mother. He will be bigger and stronger.” Arjun loved to hear that Spotty would be strong. He was very proud of Spotty. Secretly, Arjun’s parents were hoping for a young cow, not a bull. They needed the milk and the money that they could have made from selling the extra milk. Soon Gowri would be too old to give milk. One day a farmer from the neighboring village came to visit Arjun’s family. He noticed how Gowri was getting old and how her milk was slowly drying up. He knew that it was only a matter of time before Gowri would be too old to be as useful as she had been. He told Arjun’s father that he wanted to buy Gowri and Spotty for a good price. His plan was to sell Gowri and Spotty to the slaughterhouse for an even better price and have them killed for their meat. When Arjun heard the farmer’s plan, he was horrified. He ran to his parents and cried. “Mother, father, I hope you are not thinking of doing such a thing. Gowri and Spotty love us. I cannot allow them to go.” Now, Arjun’s parents also loved Gowri and Spotty and they were also unhappy with the farmer’s offer. “If we sold Gowri and Spotty, I don’t think we can live in peace with what we did,” his father said. “I agree with that,” his mother said. “There is so much work to be done around the farm that Spotty can help with a little training. I love Gowri too much to give her up. I am so grateful for all that she has done for us.” Arjun’s father agreed. “With the help of Spotty, we can improve the farm and in a year or two buy another cow. Gowri should be able to help us out until then. Then she can spend the rest of her life with us peacefully.”

Arjun was so happy to hear this. He was happy that Gowri would grow old and restpeacefully while watching her son work. That night he spent a long time in prayer thanking God for letting Gowri and Spotty stay with the family.

Post Story Questions:

Activity:

We had a discussion on how we can benefit and learn from the animals without causing harm to them. We had made copies of animal pictures; dogs, goats, pigs, hens. We asked that each child to one pick a picture to color, cut and paste it on construction paper of their choice and then write a sentence about the animal’s quality that appeals to them.

We ended the class with Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi.

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Teacher:Harisankar Rasputra

Attendance: Sujay, Diya, Manav, Sahit, GopalKrishna

Value: RIGHT-CONDUCT RESPECT FOR ELDERS
Lesson plan attached

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Teacher:Jaya Krishnan

Attendance: Sujay, Sahit and Diya

Value: Peace

Subvalue : Patience

Spiritual principle : To Know that God answers our prayers

This class was in continuation from the previous class I had taken in the last week of April.

Repeated the story The Cobbler. (Sai Baba’s childhood lesson plan #5)

Had a lot of discussion, taught them an english bhajan

Door of my heart Open wide I keep for thee…

Activity : Mind pictures (To find an image by relaxation and visualization – Adapted from Carl Hirsh)

Affirmation : I pray to God and he hears my prayers.

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Teacher:Mangala Shankar

Attendance: Tejas,Krishna,Sahit,Sujay,Manav,Sai Krishna,Divya,Akshaya,Diya

Story: “Little Sathya Feeds the Poor” Pre-Story Question What does it feel like when you’re hungry? Post-Story Questions

First ask students to tell you where select events happened in the story (see attached sheet). Ask if these happened at the beginning, middle or end of the story.

a. How did Sathya’s family act and behave when He kept giving away food to beggars? Did this make Sathya stop giving food?
b. What did His mother say she would do to Him if He didn’t stop?
c. When He stopped eating at home, how did he prove to His mother that he had eaten?
d. Who do you think was feeding Sathya?
e. What made His family more accepting by the end of the story?

Activities

a. Placing events of the story in order. When did the following occur in the story (beginning, middle or end)?

1) Sometimes Mother Easwaramma would raise a finger in warning and scold Sathya. “Look here now,” she would say. “You may give out food, but mind You, if You do, You will go without dinner!”

2) Sathya would say that an “old man” had fed Him extravagantly by serving Him balls of milk-rice.

3) Sathya would seek out the lame, the blind and the decrepit and diseased, and lead them by the hand to the doorstep of his parents.

4) Whenever a beggar appeared at the door with an empty bowl, Sathya stopped playing and rushed in to coax His sisters to give the beggar some grain or other foods.

5) When Sathya refused food and would not eat for days, His movements and activity showed no signs of starvation or lack of energy.

6) His mother would smell ghee, milk, and curds on Sathya’s hands.

Life Application

This week, practice sharing things, such as your toys, with your friends and sisters and brothers. Draw a picture of yourself sharing and tell us about your picture next week.

Value:

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Teacher:Harisankar

Attendance: Sahit, Manav, Akshaya,Diya

Lesson Plan: Attached

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Teacher:Jaya Krishnan

Attendance: Diya, Divya, Gopal, Tejus, Sahit and Sujay

Value: Peace Subvalue: Patience
Told them the story from Swami’s childhood “The Cobber”

Did some pre-story questions and post-story questions. This week the class was short so could not finish the lesson plan.

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Teacher:Pushpa Reddy, Tanuja Rasaputra

Attendance: Krithik, Sahit, Gopalkrishna, Sujay, Akshaya, Diya , Tejas, Divya

Value: Truth; SUBVALUE: Belief

QUOTE: Believe that God is in every being. You can find Him in and through all that you see and do.
– Baba

REVIEW LIFE APPLICATION FROM PREVIOUS LESSON:

INTRODUCE TODAY’S SUBVALUE -Belief- AND DISCUSS QUOTE

AFFIRMATION: I believe that God is in every being. You can find Him in and through all that you see and do.

STORYTELLING/ LESSON (Relate the story to the subvalue)

Story: Martin the Shoemaker (Adapted from Tolstoy’s Story)

Martin was a lonely man who lost his wife.He made his living by making shoes and leather products. Martin had always been a good man and loved the lord very much. At the end of each day he would take down the gospels from the shelf and read a little. One night as Martin sat reading he thought he heard someone calling him. He listened and heard clearly: “Martin, Martin, look out into the street tomorrow for I will come to visit you.” He looked around the tiny room, and since there was no one to be seen he reckoned it must be the Lord Himself who had spoken to him.

So it was with a great sense of excitement that he sat down to his work the next day. As he worked he kept a close eye on the window. He was looking for something or someone special. But nothing exciting happened. Just the usual people passed by going about their everyday business. The day wore on and nobody special passed by. In the early afternoon he saw a pair of old boots that were very familiar to him. They belonged to an old soldier called Stephen. Going to the window he looked up and saw the old man hitting his hands together for it was bitterly cold outside. Martin wished that he would move on, for he was afraid he might obstruct his view and that he would not see the Lord when he passed. But old Stephen just stood there by the railing. Finally it occurred to Martin that maybe Stephen had nothing to eat all day. So he tapped on the window and beckoned him to come in. He sat him by the fire and gave him tea and bread. Stephen was most grateful He said he hadn’t eaten for two whole days. As he left Martin gave him his second overcoat as a shield against the biting cold.

But all the time Martin was entertaining Stephen he had not forgotten the window. Every time a shadow fell on it he looked up but nobody extraordinary passed . Night fell, Martin finished his work and very reluctantly closed the window shutters. After supper he took down the Gospels and as was his custom he opened the Gospels and read at random. After reading for some time Martin put down the book and reflected. The words of the Lord came to him: “I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was naked and you clothed me?” He understood then that God had indeed come to him that day in the person of Stephen, and that he had made him welcome. And his heart was filled with a peace he had never before experienced.

ACTIVITY:

Each child had to relate an experience about seeing God in their day to day life.

LIFE APPLICATION: Everyday write down in your journal one incident where you have seen God during the day.

CLOSING: Repeat affirmation, Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

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Teacher: Vasanthi Ganesh

Attendance: 1. Krishna,2. Sujay Sundar,3. Manav Maini,4. Sahit Dokku,5. Divyashree Pittala, 6. Diya Rajput

Value: Right conduct

Subvalue: Listening to your conscience

Spiritual Principle (Purpose): To explain to students that the conscience is God speaking through us, and the importance of putting into practice that which the conscience says.

Materials needed: copies of attached picture for each student, crayons, paper, pencils

Review Life Application from previous lesson.

Quotes

“How do you determine what is bad? By consulting your conscience.” – Sai Baba, Sanathana Sarathi March 1996, p. 69

“To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.” – Confucius

Affirmation “I listen to my conscience.”

6. Story: “A Class Trip to the Supermarket”

7. Activity: Color in the attached picture, discussing its meaning.

8. Song

You are my mother, You are my father, You are my nearest, dearest friend.
You’re the beginning, You are the middle, and You are beyond the end.
I love You so, You help me see..
See You in everyone, see You in me.
For I’m in You and You’re in me.

9. Life Application (weekend activity)

During the week, anytime you feel unsure about what to do, ask your conscience. Remember to do what your conscience tells you is the right thing and write down or draw a picture about it. Share with the class next week.

10. Closing: Repeat the affirmation and close with the prayer.

A Class Trip to the Supermarket

Jimmy entered into the noisy cafeteria on his first day of school in fourth grade. He was new to the school at Green Hill this year whereas all the other children had been there together for two years. He just moved to the area and was looking forward to meeting new friends. He looked for a table with available seats and sat down with his lunch.

“Who are you?” asked the boy next to him.

“David. I just moved here because my Dad got a new job. Is it okay if I sit here?”

“Yeah, I guess. I’m Jimmy.”

“Hi” responded David.

Jimmy continued to talk with his other friends at the table and David began to feel uneasy. His began to miss being with his old friends at the other school. Suddenly, Jimmy turned to David and asked, “Do you want my hamburger sandwich�you don’t look like you have more than carrots and fruit.”

David thought, “Should I take it? Maybe Jimmy and I could become friends. But, no, I can’t.”

“Ummm, no actually I don’t eat meat,” he finally said.

“What? That’s weird. Why not?” said Jimmy.

” My parents are vegetarians.”

“Vegi whats?”

“Vegetarians�we don’t eat meat.”

David quickly packed up his lunch and went to class.

That afternoon, the teacher announced that the next day there would be a field trip to the local grocery store.

“Yeah!” cried all the children.

The next day, David joined Jimmy’s group because he was the only one he recognized.

How fun it was to see all the aisles of foods on display. They walked by the ice cream aisle, and then past the breads and muffins. Next came the area for milk, cheese, tortillas,and yogurts. He was getting hungry already and it wasn’t yet noon.

Next, his class walked past the meat section and were taken behind the counter. David was shocked at what he saw. There were animals without skin hanging from the ceiling.

All the students looked a little squimish. He immediately remembered in his Sai Spiritual Education class when they had talked about the importance of not hurting other people or animals. All his life he had been raised as a vegetarian but wasn’t sure if he would always stay a vegetarian. Yesterday, he could picture himself trying the hamburger but looking at all this meat now disturbed him.

David said to Jimmy, “See that’s why I didn’t want to eat that hamburger yesterday.”

“Why?” said Jimmy.

Your hamburger comes from that meat and it looks disgusting. The poor cow it came from�

“Hamburgers aren’t made out of that�I don’t believe you. They don’t kill cows.”

“Ask the teacher yourself,” said David.

“Do you have any questions before we leave the butcher area of the supermarket?” the teacher asked.

Jimmy raised his hand. “Mrs. Harper, where does this come from?”

Mrs. Harper looked at the butcher for help to answer his question. The butcher replied, “The animals are herded into a slaughterhouse where a blow is given to the head to kill them. That’s how. It goes to make the meat such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and other beef dishes. They are great with barbeque sauces�”

Jimmy looked sick. “So David, what do you eat if you don’t eat meat?”

“There’s so many other things�pizza, pasta, rice, lentils, salads, bean burritos, soups, all the deserts in the world�and all without killing any animals. Do you want to come over tomorrow after school? We can go roller-blading and then you can eat with us.”

“Sure,” said Jimmy. “Maybe I could try one of those vegi whatever meals.”

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Teacher: Jaya Sundar, assisted by Jotika (SSE-4)

Attendance: Diya, Divya, Akshaya, Sahit, Tejus, Sujay, Manav & Gopalkrishna

Value: Nonviolence Subvalue: Respect for life

Spiritual Principle (Purpose): To understand that all life is precious

* Quote

“When you realize that God is in everyone, you will practice nonviolence.” – Sai Baba, Sanathana Sarathi, p. 222

Affirmation

“I respect and appreciate all living creatures.”

Story: “The Tiger Story”

Activity

Had them say something nice about that animal. Then ask how animals help the world (e.g., spiders catch insects, sheep give wool, squirrel’s bury nuts that grow into trees, cows give us milk; bees make honey).

* Life Application

– Color in the picture of Sai Baba’s feet on the tiger skin.
– Enjoy nature by going for a nature walk with a parent/guardian. Pay attention to the animals, birds and other creatures that you see, and talk about how we can appreciate them. Tell the class about our walk next week.

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Teachers: Maritza, Manorama

Attendance: Chaitu, Manav, Sahit, Kruthik, Tejus, Krishna, Diya, Divya

Value: Truth

Subvalue: faith

Spiritual principle: To realize Swami’s divinity helps one to have faith

Quote “Call on Me and I am always by your side.” Sai Baba

Affirmation: “I call on Sai Baba who is always by my side.”

Story: Pandhari Bhajan Group

When Sathya Sai Baba was only 7 years old, certain diseases were spreading widely in the village of Puttaparthi. People stopped sending their children out, out of fear that they might get these diseases. One day the children of the village came running to “Raju” saying “Raju, we understand cholera is spreading in our village. We also understand that it is a deadly disease and a person infected with this disease will die within a short time. We don’t know what will happen to us. We are very afraid.”

Swami said “You need not be afraid. Don’t fear death. However, we can make an effort to keep the disease away. In order for that to happen, engage yourself in the constant contemplation of God.” The children said, “Which God? Rama or Krishna?” Swami said “Dear children, we need not search for God outside. He is very much within us.”

Then Swami taught the children devotional songs called “Bhajans.”Swami told the children to tie jingle bells to their ankles and hold castanets in their hand, while singing the songs. The children walked through the village, upon the river singing bhajans all the way. The Bhajans were vibrant and the villagers enjoyed them. By the time they covered the entire village in three days singing Bhajans, the disease of cholera and plague disappeared forever. This singing group was later called the Pandhari Bhajan Group. Thereafter, the parents of the children asked Swami to teach the children everything that he knew. From then onward, Swami taught the children spiritual and moral topics.

Here are His teachings:

* “You should not move in the company of bad people.”
* ” You should not criticize others.”
* “You should have good qualities.”
* “You should respect your parents and elders.”
* “You should not harm anyone.”
* “We must do our work properly.”
* “We should do service.”

The SSE children repeated each one of the above teachings.

Shirdi Baba story:

There was a cholera outbreak at Shirdi Baba’s time and 2 ladies were told by Baba to mix some flour in two parts and then they were told by Shirdi Baba to mark a line around the boundary of the whole village. The villagers were not affected by the cholera.

Song: Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam

Activities:

Draw a picture of the Pandhari Bhajan Group.

Life Application: Practice saying the “Swami think through me” prayer every morning and every night. Have faith that he hears your prayers.

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Teacher: Vijaya Ayer and Chie Fujishima

Attendance: Sahit, Sujay, Krithik, Manav, Divyashree, Diya, Akshaya

Value: Love and Sub value is sacrifice.

We discussed about the humanvalues especially Love and how can we spread love through sacrifice and what is the difference between sharing and sacrifices.

Life application: sacrifice your TV time and help your mom during that time and write down how did you feel? and share it with your class.

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Teacher:Vasanthi Ganesh, Radhika Dokku

Attendance: Akshaya,Diya,Sahit,Sujay,Tejus,Manav

Value: Love

Subvalue: Kindness

Lesson Plan: Attached

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Teacher:Maritza Hernandez & Jaya Sundar

Attendance: Diya, Divya, Sahit, Tejus, Sujay & Manav

Value: Love

Subvalue: Compassion – being kind

Spiritual Principle: To demonstrate how simple acts of kindness can encourage others to do the same.

Review Life Application from previous lesson.

Quote: Kindness is Love in Action.

Affirmation: “I carry out simple acts of kindness in my life.”

Pre-Story Questions — What does it mean to be kind to others?

Story “The Wounded Bird”

One day a girl name Umaa and her friend, Valerie, were walking home from school. After crossing the road with the help of a lady, they discovered an injured bird lying at the side of the pavement beneath a telephone pole. While the girls were looking at the bird, several people passed. Some did not even notice the bird, others stopped, looked quickly and the continued walking. The girls went up closer to the bird. “Oh, look at this poor bird,” said Umaa. “He’s not moving,” Valerie exclaimed. “He’s blinking, so he’s not dead, but it’s only with the left eye. His right eye has some blood on it,” replied Umaa. “What can we do?” “I’ll run back to school and ask our teacher. She will know what to do,” suggested Valerie. So Umaa stayed with the bird, while Valerie set off to find their teacher, Miss Brown. Luckily she was still in the classroom working, when Valerie arrived. “What’s the matter, Valerie?” she asked, surprised to see the girl back in class. Valerie related what had happened. The teacher got up quickly, leaving her unfinished work. She collected a cardboard box with some tissues and a plastic bag and went with Valerie to the bird. At the scene of the accident were two little boys, Joseph & Sam, looking very concerned. “Look, Miss.” they both said, pointing to the bird. “What can we do to help?” The teacher very care-fully lifted the bird out of the heat of the sunshine into the big box. The bird’s beak opened and Sam said, “He looks very thirsty. I’ll get him some water.” “I’ve got some bird food at home. I’ll go and get it, said Joseph. “All right,” said the teacher to Joseph. Then turning to Umaa, she continue. “I’ll you the box to take home. And perhaps Sam can give the bird some water. Joseph, bring your bird food to Umaa’s house. Valerie can bring the box back to school tomorrow and you can both talk about how you cared for the bird to the rest of the class.” The children went home, each with a job to do, feeling very pleased that they were able to help the little bird. Ms Brown returned to school. In the meantime the children gathered together at Umaa’s house. They put the box in Umaa’s room where it was quiet and would not be disturbed. Although the bird was scared at first, it soon felt at ease with the children. It saw the look of love in Valerie’s eyes and the careful way in which Sam offered water & Joseph gave the food.Umaa had put a little soft carpet, which she had woven at school, in the corner of the box so that the bird would be as snug as in its nest. The happy ending was apparent the next day, when the bird, better because of the children’s love and care, flew off.

Questions: How did you feel when you listened to the Story? What did the girls do when they saw the bird? What do you think happened to the bird? What did the teacher bring to help? How did the four children help? What was the happy ending? Can you tell why?

Activity: On a sheet of paper Draw a picture show an act of kindness/ Or your favorite part of the story.

Life Application: Carry out one or more acts of kindness for others this week. Either write or draw a picture about it and share with class.

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Teacher:Pushpa Reddy

Attendance: Krithik, Sujay, Akshaya, Diya, Divyasri, Vipul and Manav

Value: Peace SUBVALUE: Purity

QUOTE: “The food that one eats has to be pure.”

OPENING: Three OM’S, Gayathri (3 times)

REVIEW LIFE APPLICATION FROM PREVIOUS LESSON:

INTRODUCE SUBVALUE -Purity- AND DISCUSS QUOTE

AFFIRMATION: “I pray before I eat to purify my food.”

Pre-Story Activity: All the children were served a slice of apple, before starting the story.

Story: The Priest and the Little Girl

Once upon a time a long time ago, but not very far from here, there was a priest who always liked to feed children after the church activities. So one day he brought a basket of bread pieces wrapped up in a basket and invited the children gathered near the church to take what they needed. Everyone grabbed what they wanted except a small little girl who stood looking at what was happening. The priest realized that all the bread pieces in the basket were gone and the little girl did not get anything. He asked her why she did not come forward to take something. She replied, “My mother always asks us to pray before taking food and that was what I was doing.” The priest was so pleased with her truthfulness and self-discipline, that he went inside and brought a whole loaf of bread, giving it to her. She smiled and thanked him for his kindness.

Post-Story Questions

a. Why didn’t the little girl grab the food in the basket like everyone else?
b. How often do you pray before eating meals and snacks?
c. How did the priest reward the little girl?
d. Did you remember to pray before eating your apple slice?

ACTIVITY : Copies of the Brahmaaparnam Prayer and the English version were given and the children glued on one side of a paper and on the other side food chart was glued.

LIFE APPLICATION: On the food chart, mark a check if you remembered to pray before each meal including snacks. Attacments of Food prayer and Food chart.

Attachments: Brahmarpanam Food Chart

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Teacher:Sailaja Challapalli

Attendance: Diya, Divya, Sujay, Krithik, Akshaya, Tejas, Shreya

Value: Devotion
Lesson Plan: Narrated to them what is Shivaratri, why we celebrate and what complete devotion is by illustrating Bhathakanapa’s story.

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Teacher: Jaya Krishnan

Attendance: Diya,Akshaya, Sujay, Manav,Sahit, Gopal Krishna, Kruthik, Tejas

Value: Love

Subvalue: Devotion

Spiritual Principle (Purpose): To help the students be grateful for the sun that brings life-giving warmth and energy and love to all living things and is in all, giving of itself freely.

3 Oms, 3 Gayatris

Preview Life Application from previous lesson.

Pre-Story Questions and Activity
a. Did you ever see a rainbow? What colors are in a rainbow

Quote
“The Sun gives light and warmth to all. Be like the sun. Give your love to everyone.”- Sai Baba

Affirmation
“I am grateful to the sun that gives live to everything.”

Story: The Rainbow Angel

Post-Story Questions

a. What did Miranda see when she looked up into the sky?
b. Where did the little girl in the pink dress come from?
c. Who did Miranda think the little girl was?
d. Why was Miranda able to see her?
e. What did she teach Miranda?
f. What will you think about the next time you eat a juicy fruit, or hear a bird sing, or see beautiful flowers or trees?

Also taught them Food Prayer
Brahma arpanam….

Song

Love is my form Truth is my breath Bliss is my food
My life is my message Expansion is my life
No reason for love no season for love
No birth Nor death
Prema Sathya Aanada Dharma Shanti Ahimsa
Shirdi Sai Sathya Sai Prema Sai Jai Jai
Shirdi Baba Sathya Baba Prema Baba Jai Jai

Silent Sitting/Prayer

“Swami please think through me,
feel through me,
speak through me,
act through me,
love through me,
and breathe through me.
Om, peace, peace, peace.”

Chanted Om Sri Sai Ram for 51 times

Ended with Om Shanti (3x) and Smastha Loka Sukhino Bhavnatu

Acitivity :

Handed out sheet with 12 hearts. They are supposed to fill it out during week and write how they felt when they received love each day.

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Teacher: Maritza, Manorama Saxena

Attendance: Diya, Krishna, Akshaya, Kruthik, Divya

Value: Love, Subvalue: Service

To relate the importance that love expresses itself as service.

Attachment: Lesson Plan

Activity:
Have students complete the art project of the bear with a big heart (attached). Tell them to write the five values inside the heart . Place love sticker on the bear and color the picture.

Life Application:
Place the picture on the altar of swami room in your home and offer this heart to swami for Valentines Day. For each day of the week, they are to help their parents at home.

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Teacher:Radhika Dokku

Attendance: Divya, Manav,Krithik,Sujay,Sahit,Diya,Gopal Krishna,Tejas,Akshaya

Value: Love; Subvalue: Trust

We discussed how we should trust the God and take it positive if prayed for something and did not happen immediately.

Attachment: Lesson Plan

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Teacher:Pushpa Reddy, Chie

Attendance: krithik, Sahit, Gopalkrishna, Sujay, Akshaya, Diya, Divyasri, Tejus, Vipul, Akshada

VALUE: Love
SUBVALUE: Forgiveness

QUOTE: Forget the harm that anyone has done to you, and forget the good that you have done to others. Above all, develop Love

OPENING: Three OM’S, Gayathri (3 times)

Prayer: 21 times Om Sri Sai Ram

REVIEW LIFE APPLICATION FROM PREVIOUS LESSON:

INTRODUCE SUBVALUE -Forgiveness- AND DISCUSS QUOTE

AFFIRMATION: I will always forgive and forget others mistakes.

STORYTELLING/ LESSON

Story: ‘Forgiveness’

On the way to the bus stop one day, a little boy splashed his feet in the puddle of water and got Dorian’s pants all wet.

The boy said, ‘I’am sorry. I didn’t see you walking there.’

At first, Dorian got mad at the boy.

But then he remembered what his Mom always told him: ‘If you forgive people, then you too will be forgiven and you will be happy’ As soon as he thought of that, he said, ‘It’s okay. I know it was an accident.’ Then he just got ready to get onto the bus feeling very good.

Later on that day, Dorian was at school and a boy ran by and knocked his books out of his hands. Again, Dorian remembered what his Mom always told him: ‘If you forgive people, then you too will be forgiven and you will be happy’ As soon as he thought of that, he just picked up his books and continued on to class with a smile on his face.

At the end of the school day, Dorian’s friend told him that he accidentally ripped Dorian’s comic book that he borrowed. Dorian was about to yell at his friend. But then he remembered what his Mom always told him: ‘If you forgive people, then you too will be forgiven and you will be happy.’ As soon as he thought of that, he told his friend , ‘It’s okay. It’s only a comic book.’ Then, miraculously, Dorian felt much better.

That evening, Dorian’s Mom asked him, ‘How was your day at school?’ Dorian replied, ‘My day was fine, Mom. I forgave a lot of people today because I remembered what you taught me.’ Dorain’s Mom said, ‘That’s really good, Dorian. By the way, where’s your lunch box? I need to make your lunch.’ Dorian exclaimed, ‘Oh no, Mom! I forgot my lunch box at school! Now what am I going to do?’ Dorian’s Mom said, ‘Don’t worry, Dorian. I’ll pack your lunch in a bag. Sometimes people forget things. It’s okay. You are forgiven. Please just remember to bring your lunch box home tomorrow.’ ‘Okay, Mom, ‘ said Dorian happily.

Then Dorian went to his room to do his homework with a big smile on his face. He had learned the meaning of forgiveness.On the way to the bus stop one day, a little boy splashed his feet in the puddle of water and got Dorian’s pants all wet. The boy said, ‘I’am sorry. I didn’t see you walking there.’ At first, Dorian got mad at the boy. But then he remembered what his Mom always told him: ‘If you forgive people, then you too will be forgiven and you will be happy’ As soon as he thought of that, he said, ‘It’s okay. I know it was an accident.’ Then he just got ready to get onto the bus feeling very good.

Later on that day, Dorian was at school and a boy ran by and knocked his books out of his hands. Again, Dorian remembered what his Mom always told him: ‘If you forgive people, then you too will be forgiven and you will be happy’ As soon as he thought of that, he just picked up his books and continued on to class with a smile on his face. At the end of the school day, Dorian’s friend told him that he accidentally ripped Dorian’s comic book that he borrowed. Dorian was about to yell at his friend. But then he remembered what his Mom always told him: ‘If you forgive people, then you too will be forgiven and you will be happy.’ As soon as he thought of that, he told his friend , ‘It’s okay. It’s only a comic book.’ Then, miraculously, Dorian felt much better.

That evening, Dorian’s Mom asked him, ‘How was your day at school?’ Dorian replied, ‘My day was fine, Mom. I forgave a lot of people today because I remembered what you taught me.’ Dorain’s Mom said, ‘That’s really good, Dorian. By the way, where’s your lunch box? I need to make your lunch.’ Dorian exclaimed, ‘Oh no, Mom! I forgot my lunch box at school! Now what am I going to do?’ Dorian’s Mom said, ‘Don’t worry, Dorian. I’ll pack your lunch in a bag. Sometimes people forget things. It’s okay. You are forgiven. Please just remember to bring your lunch box home tomorrow.’ ‘Okay, Mom, ‘ said Dorian happily.

Then Dorian went to his room to do his homework with a big smile on his face. He had learned the meaning of forgiveness.

ACTIVITY : Each child narrated what “forgiveness and love” means to them in their their interaction with others.

LIFE APPLICATION: write down 1 incident each day if you have forgiven the mistakes of others in this week.

Bhajan: Love is My Form

CLOSING:

– From untruth, lead us to truth From darkness, lead us to light From death, lead us to immortality Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi

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Teacher: Sujatha Ananthabhotla

Attendance: Saikrishna, Sujay, Krithik, Sahit and Diya

Value: Truth

Sub value: Honesty

Quote:
“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything” – Mark Twain

Silent Sitting:

Imagine you are in the park on a lovely summer day
The sun is shining and you feel happy
A ball comes through the air and lands under a bush close by you
It is similar, but not the same ball which you lost last week
Then a girl runs over and asks if you have seen a ball anywhere
Will you keep the ball, or will you tell the truth, be honest and give it back
You point to the bush
You both run to the bush and you find the ball and give it to her
She is happy
You are happy that you told the truth and were honest

Song:

Speak the Truth, Speak the Truth
For you are Truth, you are Truth
Be who you are (x2)
Never travel far (x2)
Stay in your heart (x2)
That’s where you start, that’s where you start to.. [Speak the Truth]

Story: The Flat Tire:

Once there were four friends going to the same school. They play together, eat together and enjoy doing everything together including mischief. One day they realize they have to take a test the next day but were not prepared at all. In the little time left the day before, they start making plans on what kind of story they can make up to tell the teacher so that they could go to the school late for the test. This would let them reschedule their test and take it on another day. They thought of a nice lie that they decided to tell the teacher. So on the next day, the day of the test, they go to the playground instead of the school and play until the test time is past. Then they go to the class, put up a depressing face and start speaking to the teacher: “Miss, we are so sorry, we missed taking the test today!” And the teacher goes, “What happened, how did all of you miss the test? Don’t tell me you were all sick?” “No Miss, we were not sick”, one friend says, “we were all being driven in a car this morning and suddenly the car had a flat tire!” “Yes Miss, really” the second friend describes “we got out of the car, we tried to help the driver to see if it can be fixed.” “We got the tools out from the trunk, and were handing them over to the driver when he needed”. “And it was so cold this morning!”, the third friend goes. “Yet we were praying that the tire could be fixed quickly, so we can come and take the test” “We tried our best Miss, but it didn’t work” “It took this long for the tire to be fixed” “We could only come now”. The fourth friend finally goes, “Miss we feel so bad missing out on the test. We prepared so well for the test and we were recalling all the material this morning too. Can we take the test tomorrow?” The teacher looked straight into each one of the students’ eyes. She said in a calm tone “I am so sorry to hear what happened kids” “It must be so hard on you to miss out on the test when you prepared so well for it!” “Since it is almost the end of the class now, let me give you just one question as part of your test. You can write your answer and return you test sheet in five minutes. ” “Will you do it?”, the teacher asked. “We will gladly do it, Miss, since it is just one question”. The teacher wrote the question on four sheets of paper and handed one to each student. She made them sit apart and gave them five minutes to answer the question. When the kids looked at the question, they were totally shocked. Can you guess what the question is? This is what the teacher wrote: “Which one of the four tires was flat?” When the kids looked at the question, they knew that the teacher tricked them into answering that question and they were being caught red-handed. Each one of them wrote a different answer on the answer sheet. When the teacher showed their answers to each other, the kids felt ashamed and asked the teacher to pardon them. They promised the teacher that they will never lie again!

Questions:

1. What do you think the kids put as their answers?
2. Why did the teacher ask this question?
3. What was the consequence or result of their actions?
4. What could the kids have done differently when they learned they were not ready for the test?
5. What did you learn from this story?

Activity:

Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?

One person is the detective, and he/she goes to a different room
The teacher tells one person in the rest of the group to be the thief
The detective comes back
Everyone tells why they didn’t steal (Ex: “I was in the ice cream parlor”)
Everyone tells their same excuse over and over when the detective asks, but the thief changes his/her excuse slightly each time she/he was asked (Ex: “I was outside the ice cream parlor”)
The detective has to find out who the thief is.

Telephone phrase

Play telephone and ask one person to change the telephone phrase in the group
Discuss what happens at the end when you change the phrase.

Affirmation: “I will always tell the truth”

Life Application: Practice being truthful and share at least one incident with the class when you were honest with your family, friends or teachers this week.

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Teachers:Maritza & Jaya Sundar

Attendance: Gopalkrishna, Tejus, Sujay, Saikrishna, Kritik, Sahit, Divyasree & Diya

Value: Love

Subvalue: Devotion

Spiritual Principle (Purpose): To help the students be grateful for the sun that brings life-giving warmth and energy and love to all living things and is in all, giving of itself freely.

Quote : “The Sun gives light and warmth to all. Be like the sun. Give your love to everyone.” – Sai Baba

Affirmation : “I am grateful to the sun that gives live to everything.”

Story: “The Rainbow Angel”

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Miranda. She lived in a place where she could play in nature all the time. There were giant trees that waved their branches in the breeze. There were beautiful flowers of many colors that made the air smell sweet. There was a little creek of running water where the animals could drink. There were horses, dogs, cats, cows, and birds flying in the air. The birds called out to each other and their songs would float through the air. Miranda would lie on the green grass and look up at the blue sky and watch the clouds float by, while listening to the bird songs. One day as she looked up into the sky, she noticed that some gray clouds were coming but the sun was still shining in the other part of the sky. As she continued looking at part of the sky being gray, and part being sunny, she couldn’t believe her eyes! There in the middle of the sky between the clouds of rain and the sun was a beautiful rainbow stretching all across the sky. She kept looking at the rainbow and then all of a sudden heard a voice beside her. She looked over into the garden of flowers and there was a little girl wearing a pink dress. She looked sad. Miranda thought she was all alone and so asked, “Where did you come from?” The little girl said, “I slid down the rays of the rainbow.” “You did? You came from the rainbow?” gasped Miranda! “Yes, it’s great fun!” said the little girl in the pink dress. “But you look sad. Why are you sad?” said Miranda. “Can I help you with something?” “Well, yes, I can’t lean over to fix my slippers and one is falling off,” said the little girl. “And if my slipper is off, I can’t get back on the rainbow.” “Here, I’ll fix it for you,” said Miranda. Then on a closer look, as she fixed the little pink slipper, Miranda noticed that the little girl’s back was bent over, all out of shape so that she couldn’t sit up tall. It looked like she had a back deformity where her bones must have grown crookedly. “When people usually see me, they don’t want to talk to me because I look different. I don’t look pretty,” said the little girl looking down to the ground. They just walk right by me, or sometimes just stare at me without saying anything.” “Well, I like talking to you, and in fact, you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent.” The little girl in the pink dress looked up and said, “Really?” “Yes,” Miranda said, “You’re just like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch over all the people walking by.” “Well, it’s sort of like that,” she said as she opened the back of her pink dress and allowed her wings to spread. “I am a rainbow angel and come from the sun. I use the sun’s rays to bring love to all living things on the earth. There are millions of rainbow angels like me. It is only because you believed me to be an angel that I can show you who I am. Our love is in the sun’s rays that help plants and trees grow, that make humans smile, that make animals grow. We are everywhere.” Miranda was so surprised that she couldn’t say anything at first. The rainbow angel continued, “You could see me because you were thinking of someone other than yourself. Now my job is done.” “Oh, please don’t go,” begged Miranda. There were so many things she wanted to ask the rainbow angel so she said, “Can’t you be with me here just a little longer?” “What do you wish to ask?” said the rainbow fairy. “Well, tell me more about the love you bring from the sun.” “Do you hear the birds singing? That is love. Do you see the flowers blooming? That is love. Do you see the clouds moving gracefully across the sky? That is love. Do you see these fruits on the trees? They are full of love. Do you see the trees swaying in the breeze? They grow because of love. Everything is love. Here take this.” And she handed Miranda a pear. “Taste it!” she said. “Now tell me what it tastes like.” “It tastes sweet and juicy,” said Miranda. “So when I am eating food, I am eating love?” wondered Miranda. The rainbow angel laughed, “Yes, and that is why you should always pray before eating and be grateful for God’s love.” “Now my job is done, and look, the rainbow is beginning to fade and I need to slide on the rays to return to the sun.” Then she whispered in Miranda’s ear, “You’re the only one that could see me, because you stopped to help an angel.” From that moment on, Miranda’s life was never the same. Every time she ate something, she remembered the angel and felt love. Every time she walked out into nature, she remembered her angel and felt love. She felt love when the birds sang, when she looked at the beautiful flowers, or listened to the water in the little creek. Most of all, she never felt alone anymore because she knew her angel was always with her. And you can too!

Post-Story Questions

Bhajan – Love is my form, truth is my breath, bliss is my food

Activities

a. Have the students color in the picture of the sun shining down on the earth to all plants, animals, and humans.

b. Hold up a picture of orange in front of the students. Asked them, “Describe this fruit and tell us what is in it?” It is an orange. It has seeds, juice, is round, sweet, has water, sugar. “Where did it come from?” It came from a tree.”If it came from a tree, how did it grow?” With water, sun, wind, soil, roots.”What did the sun give the tree and its orange?” Heat, warmth, love. Yes, love is in the orange.

c. Made a project. Pasted Cut out pictures of the sun, various fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains that need the sun to grow in a construction paper and made hanging picture.

Life Application

We asked them to hang the project in their home and when they eat anything this week, remember the rainbow angel’s love that is in everything and everyone. Practice being like the sun, giving warmth and love to everyone.

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Teacher:Srividhya Chandrasekhar

Attendance: Sujay, Tejas, Gopala krishna, Manav, Akshaya

Value: PEACE SUBVALUE: Contentment

QUOTE: “There is no greater happiness than contentment”

OPENING: THREE OMS / Gayathri mantra

INTRODUCED TODAY’S SUBVALUE:
meaning of contentment and discussed quote

AFFIRMATION: “GOD GIVES ME ALL THAT i NEED AND ALL THAT I DESERVE”

MEDITATION
Visualise swami’s form and talk to him, thank him for all that he has done the previous year and ask him to guide you this new year. chanting swami’s name “sairam” for 2 minutes

DEVOTIONAL GROUP SINGING: We are blessed..

STORYTELLING
Story: “Mulla Naseeruddin.”

A man complains about the lack of place in his house due to constant frequenting of relatives. Mulla thinks of a way to solve it. He brings a couple of animals everyday and asks the man to keep them in his house. When the situation becomes unbearable, the man pleads with Mulla to take the animals back. Once the animals are taken back, the man says that he is in supreme peace even with his relatives, since they are better than the animals staying with him. Mulla says that happiness is a state of mind. Contentment gives us supreme happiness.

ACTIVITY
The story of tenali raman ws discussed and the children were given papers and pencils with a line. They were asked to make it short . They could not erase, tear or do any alteration. Some kids drew another line longer thereby making the original line appear shorter. The necessity of looking down on our problems comparing it with the less fortunate was discussed.

LIFE APPLICATION
The childen were asked to think about the day and think of the things they were thankful for. They were asked to write/think and complete (monday to friday) with parents assistance the sentence:
Iam happy today because..

CLOSING Prayer:

From untruth, lead me to truth.
From darkness, lead me to light.
From death, lead me to immortality

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