CHINMAYA MISSION CHICAGO

Slide 1:CHINMAYA MISSION CHICAGOTEACHERS TRAINING SEMINAR

MODULE I A TYPICAL BAL VIHAR CLASS SESSION

Slide 2:1. CLASS SET UP:

ALTAR SET UP SEATING ARRANGEMENT FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS HELPFUL HINTS FOR THE TEACHERS

Slide 3:1. CLASS SET UP (cont):

ALTER SET UP: Install an alter preferably to the extreme right side of the class room, above the eye level of children for their easy visibility. Place an attractive picture of any Hindu deity worshipped by the household or the ashram center. Light an oil lamp or an agarbatti – if possible. Dress up the deity with attractive clothes, a garland, or loose flowers – if possible. Place a photograph of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji.

Slide 4:1. CLASS SET UP (cont.)

HELPFUL HINTS FOR TEACHERS: Both the teachers should face children, always visible to all the children for consistent eye contact, to ensure order and safety, attention, to watch over all that goes on and help kids follow instructions. Seating in rows - helps towards neatness and discipline. Smaller children in the front, taller in the back for better attention through eye connection with teachers. Per Guruji’s suggestion – encourage children to sit in the same rows regularly – helps cultivate awareness towards responsibility and to keep the place clean, orderly. This also helps teachers to familiarize and remember the students’ names and class structure. Cleanliness at the end of the session Reinforcing regularly a sense of respect towards class room facilities and reverence towards ashram environment.

Slide 5:A TYPICAL (B.V.) CLASS ACTIVITY STRUCTURE:

PRAYERS ATTENDANCE (ROLE CALL) LESSON TOPIC (per monthly lesson plan). CONCLUSION

Slide 6:2. A TYPICAL (B.V.) CLASS ACTIVITY STRUCTURE:

PRAYERS Invocation prayers Guided meditation Daily prayers Chanting NOTE: AVERAGE TIME UTILIZED: 20 MINUTES

Slide 7:A. PRAYERS

INVOCATION 3 TIMES OM HELPFUL HINTS- GUIDE CHILDREN GENTLY AS FOLLOWS: Sit up straight Eyes gently closed Think of the Lord with deep reverence Breathe deeply through the nostrils each time and in a long, vibrant voice chant OM three times.

Slide 8:A. PRAYERS (cont.)

INVOCATION SHANTI MANTRA Om sahanaa vavatu, sahanau bhunaktu… A BRIEF GUIDED MEDITATION A brief mental quietude exercise (guided meditation through simple imagery/thought massage).

Slide 9:A. PRAYERS (cont.)

INVOCATION (cont.) Ganesha mantra – vakra tunda mahakaaya… Saraswati mantra – saraswati namastu… Guru stotram (Up to grade 4 – teach and chant clusters of 3 verses each time until all verses completed. 5th grade onwards – chant all of the verses).

Slide 10:A. PRAYERS (cont.)

STANDARD DAILY PRAYERS: Karagre vasate Lakshami Gange cha yamunechaiva Om Bhurbhuvah svaha Brahmarpanam Ahamvaishvanaro bhutva Shumbham karoti kalyanam Kayenavaachaa Karacharana kritamvak Tryambakam yajaamahe Helpful hint: Teach clusters of 3 verses at a time; in subsequent session chant learnt verses first followed by new ones.

Slide 11:A. PRAYERS (cont.)

STOTRAS: Per the prescribed grade level syllabus – see handout in folder) Shree Ganesha stotram Shree Ganga stotram Shree Guru paduka stotram Shree Madhurashtakam Shree Sharada stotram Lingashtakam Nirvanashatkam BHAGAVAD GEETA CHANTING-chapter 3 for year 2004

Slide 12:B. ATTENDANCE (role call)

Ideal timing – soon after the prayers Reasons for formal role call activity Indirect incentives of regularity and punctuality Statistical records resource An indirect source of discipline instillation An opportunity for teachers to share positive strokes for good record. Opportune moment to gauge morale (mood) of each child through insightful mental observation of response to role calling. Note: average time utilized – 05 minutes

Slide 13:C. LESSON TOPICS

“Plan your work and then work out your plans” – Swami Chinmayanandaji Strategize for success. In order to succeed have a clear vision, a defined action plan, a clear alignment within the team to generate true service as teacher to the self and all. LESSON TOPICS PER MONTHLYLESSON PLAN TO BE COVERED BY SWAMIJI – MODULE #2.

Slide 14:D. CLASS SESSION CONCLUSION(QUIETUDE AND CONCLUDING PRAYERS)

Alertness to ensure that lesson topic ends 10 minutes before the class time. Winding down with a brief quietening exercise (meditation) Encourage children to keep all of the room area neat and organized (rather than teachers to return later (?!) to do so! Conscientiously practice and encourage from day one of the term to collect all of personal belongings and place them in personal hand bags to avoid litter and lost/found collection. Reinforce regularly the sense of respect and reverence towards the sanctity of the Bala Vihar location as well as the main shrine. NOTE: AVERAGE TIME UTILIZED: 05-10 MINUTES

Slide 15: CHINMAYA MISSION CHICAGOTEACHERS TRAINING SEMINAR

MODULE III.B PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES

Slide 16:THE ART OF STORY TELLING

Why tell stories? It is a creative mode of instruction - works invariably far better than formal teaching methods. All children (and adults too) relate instinctively and spontaneously through verbal and animated character portrayal. Encourages verbal self confidence in the teller. Fosters an awareness of one’s own unique imagination. Enhances listening skills in children. It is an interactive community fun activity. Can contribute to student success and emotional well being. The ancient art of story telling is well suited for student exploration. It is accessible to all ages and abilities – no special equipments beyond imagination and power of listening and speaking is needed. It is a learning tool – towards expressiveness, ability to communicate thoughts, feelings, be articulate, and be empowered to relate.

Slide 17:THE ART OF STORY TELLING (cont.)

Skills for success: Careful selection of stories. Diligence in developing the theme and plot narration. Focused progress without winding wavering. Flexibility towards situational occurrences. Never teach, only tell a story. Mindfulness towards listeners’ receptivity.

Slide 18:THE ART OF STORY TELLING (cont.)

Slide 19:CHINMAYA MISSION CHICAGOTEACHERS TRAINING SEMINAR

MODULE IV.B BAL VIHAR TEACHERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Slide 20:BAL VIHAR TEACHERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Punctuality Regularity Simple tips towards dynamic role modelship

Slide 21:BAL VIHAR TEACHERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES (cont.)

Discipline with dignity Be creatively challenging Be motivational Be insightful Be practical

Slide 22:BAL VIHAR TEACHERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES (cont.)

THE 10 TIPS: Always treat youngsters with respect and preserve their dignity. Always do what is in the students' best interests. Seek solutions, not blame. Model tolerant, patient, dignified, and respectful behavior. Use the least intrusive intervention possible. Connect with your students and build strong personal bonds with them. Instill hope for success (otherwise there is no reason for kids to behave in your class). NEVER do anything disrespectful, illegal, immoral, ineffective, bad for health/safety,or you wouldn't want done to you. NEVER give up on a student.  Be perturbed with the actions of a student, but keep believing in his/her ability to change for the better. CATCH KIDS BEING GOOD . . . A LOT!!