Morning Prayers Recited:
• Om Saha naavatu (My Prayers, page 6)
• Karagre Vaasate (My Prayers, page 43)
• Sarasvati Namastubhyam (My Prayers, page 44)
• Guru Brahma (My Prayers, page 9, third shloka)
Vedic Chanting:
• Praarthanaa (Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants, page 3)
• Medha Sukhtam (Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants, page 35)
• Gayatri Mantra (Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants, page 5)
• Mantra Pushpam (Chinmaya Book of Vedic Chants, page 170)
Bhajans:
Storytime with Swamiji:
Art Projects: Painted and decorated our Pooja Thalis. Click on our Photo Gallery to view the pics.
Shaanti Circle Discussion: The campers did it -- a tie with Week 5 for the longest period of silence and an accurate pebble count. In fact, we think that the kids today did an outstanding job during our time of silence. Usually there are some children who become a bit restless after a couple of minutes. But, today we asked them to pretend to be a Barn Owl. If they must open their eyes after two minutes, then they must sit still -- not move an inch ... they can only move their eyes and quietly watch. Well, it worked! So, even though they tied with Week 5 regarding the time, the aunties think Week 6 campers are ahead!
End of Class Prayers: Poornamadah, Chinmaya Pledge
Photo Gallery: July 31 (click here to view)
Comments: Today we were a little sluggish with our Vedic Chanting, although all the children chanted well with Nirmala Auntie. Clearly the humid weather was effecting our ability to chant with gusto:-) Regardless, Auntie congratulated the children on a job well done -- and well deserved, we might add. They sat for an entire half hour completing our four vedic chants.
After our morning disciplines, we brought out the paints, brushes, glitter glue, gems and sequins and got started on decorating our pooja thalis. They really turned out beautifully -- each one is so unique. Definitely check the photo gallery (or the slideshow above) to see the kids' work.
This afternoon we promised the children another fun movie in our make-shift cinema (complete with popcorn and chips). Today we watched a short film clip on the Kanho National Park (click here to view), which is where Rudyard Kipling got inspired for Jungle Book. Then we popped in the Disney Classic and enjoyed some good music, and fun times -- boy, they sure don't make animation the way they used to! After the movie we spent a few minutes talking about how many artists were needed to draw, paint and animate this movie ... and the fact that they didn't have computers then. Now that is a concept our young campers had to get their head around :-)
For all of our friends who will not be with us next week, we are really going to miss you. We had such a nice time together this week. Some of you will be traveling to India -- we hope you have a super time and bring back lots of pictures to share with us in the Fall. We look forward to seeing you in Balavihar in September -- and expect a super loud "Hari OM" when we see you in the hallways.
For everyone else who will be joining us next week -- don't forget your "messy art" clothes. We will be working with clay -- and it will definitely find its way on your clothes :-)
p.s. Rishab, I didn't forget about posting the patterns for the Lord Ganesha bead pattern. I left the pattern in the ashram and will try to pick it up this weekend ... I know you're feeling rather skeptical right now -- but I will get them to you -- don't fret!
Have a great weekend! See you all on Monday.
