Sakthi Schools

EVENTS OF MARCH 2010

2010-04-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

EVENTS OF MARCH 2010

5.3.10 – Narona’s parents observed the school. Her father is working in Krishnagiri and there he has observed many private schools and imagined many things like that in our school. Let us listen to his comments,

‘’ I am glad to see this school with many equipments which really helps the child to develop his physical and mental skills. My daughter has started talking clearly in mother tongue after joining in this school and also able to sing well and pointing out many objects in English. Herself discipline is very good and we appreciate the staff members for their dedicated work’’

6.3.10- BHOOMI POOJAI IN OUR SCHOOL LAND.

Today based on Indian traditional custom we have performed the rituals for the school land to initiate the building construction in May. When we did the traditional rituals we have received good omens from the nature.

STRUGGLE FOR WATER

It is very stressful to work in villages like Sendurai where we do not have man power and for the past 1 month we are struggling to get a good bore well lorry for drilling the earth, but we could not get because of various silly reasons. We hope by last week of March we will get the water.

Teachers need to be more conscious about the maintenance of Montessori materials.

Govardhanan has left the school because his mother has shifted her house to Madurai.

Naveenkanna also left the school because of continuous illness.

One new villager has visited us and observed the school to put his 1.5 year old son soon.

Dr.Pradheepkumar and his members are working day and night to apply for tax exemption in India. He will be arriving on April 19^th to Coimbatore and the further official processes will be happening in Madurai. We thank Mr.Rajkumar a senior citizen of Kodaikanal friend of Mr.Jeyaraman for his total support for this important activity.

13^th and 14^th of March- Three of our staff members have attended their second contact class for distance education in Madurai. They are writing their first semester by May and we need to plan the summer days according to them.

We are also expecting a good responsible cook and helper who can stay and care our school because Ms.Usha will be leaving to Coimbatore soon in April.

16.3.10- Ms.Balambikai have successfully activated all airtel sim cards for teaching purpose and all our staff have started using the school phone from today. Ms.Balambikai will be extending her teaching time also.

Today Mr.Arulbalaji [ Madeswaran’s school class mate, our very first annual chief guest in 2008] have donated Rs.18500 behalf of his class mates who gave a huge amount previous year also after seeing the work in school. We thank this BVB TEEN TEAM member for their donation which will be used for boring.

THE MID NIGHT FESTIVAL

Today suddenly and surprisingly we got a boring machine and the work started in the school land. From 1 A.M, Mr.Ayyannan, Ms.Dhanam Ayyannan and Ms.Usha has taken dedicated steps in directing the lorry and rendered their physical service without any sleep till next day 2 P.M.

We thank them for their tedious physical service and how they were very supportive till we got the first level of water around 4 15 A.M. We cannot forget the moments which we prayed to the God to offer us the required water.

Ms.Priyakannan and her husband were also asked to pray from 4 A.M. We have drilled till 500 ft depth and we have received an appreciable amount of water which is sufficient for school needs and we cannot do agriculture with it. As the land falls into the rocky parts of the mountain slope we are glad and thankful to God for granting at least this amount of water.

17.3.10- All our staff members and children have visited the land and saw the lorry drilling the land for water. According to the Indian custom first pot full of water was offered to the local deity and finally we have stopped around 3 P.M with 500 meters.

Ignorance of the villagers

Our helper is also leaving with this month. She said that she needs little rest because of her sudden change in her health and also she needs to care her farm house.

Let us wish her the good life in the farms.

Same way another helper also just wants to leave immediately after her daughter’s exams to her son without even thinking that already the school is in demand of helpers’ service. So we have very firmly told that she can leave officially only after the report giving day. We also feel bad that we are sometimes strict like others.

Our staff members are searching for good helpers and cooks.

24.3.10 – SreeRama Navami will be celebrated with simple prayers and poojas.

NEW BOOKS TO OUR LIBRARY:

We thank Selvi.Tarunya and Selvan.Advaitha [Chennai ABACUS students] for offering precious old Tamil collections on various topics to our village library.

26.3.10 – Dr.Madeswaran and Mr.Ayyannan went to the land and fetched the water from the new bore well. The water was tasty and we thank Mother Nature for offering the water. The water level is at 20 feet depth from the land surface.

Time long math material:

Today the long multiplication math material was presented to our staff members and we all were doing the multiplication till evening. We are slowly introducing few more math materials.

WELOCME TO THE YOUNG MONTESSORIAN

We are glad to inform that Mr.Muthuraj who got completed just his school finals has joined with us as Montessori teacher. I feel very happy to say that his observation reports about the school are excellent which expresses his depth idea of understanding the philosophy.

First he needs to care his health and he too is a physically challenged person who is very strong mentally. We have spoken to his father about his future. He also belongs to a very poor back ground. But his family is a very calm and good family.

He will be reading the basic Montessori essays and get trained with sensorial and EPL activities. He will be trained by HEAD START MONTESSORI TRAINING CENTRE-BANGALORE soon.

27.3.10- We have visited local electrical board office and enquired about the procedures for getting current connection in our school land. Soon we need to erect a hut to apply for the current connection.

We also thank Mr.Paraman our village electrician who has calculated and given the amount required for all electrical circuits.

After a long time we have introduced high quality floor mats for material placement. We thank Mr.Gnanaprakasam for cutting and trimming them.

EVENTS OF FEBRUARY 2010

2010-03-01T07:57:00.000-08:00

EVENTS OF FEBRUARY 2010

This month is a very short month and we too had very important events as follows.

1. We have admitted a child called Selvakumar of 2 years old.

2. Mishal who is in need of a walker support got provided with it from Madras. Srisakthi foundation has paid for it and her father came to Madras, stayed in Dr.Madeswaran’s home and took the walker.

3. We feel very glad to say that with the support of her parents and staff she is able to walk on her own with the walker. But regular practice is a must.

4. Again Mishal and Arunpandi has gone to one of the Trust for diagnosis for the physical impairments and Miss.Menaka accompanied them. We feel very thankful to Menaka for her true lovable service.

5. But Arunpandi has to be further taken to an ENT specialist soon.

6. Mishal’s IQ is good and she can do normal schooling but with one language.

7. Her parents have to seek their Church school for that. The Church father has to admit her with all the special needs for her.

8. Mean while Dr.Pradheep Challiyil has designed a new mathematics material to teach numerical values and he has found his 9 year old son has learned the concept very soon and clearly. So we have planned to design more properly as a toy and to patent it. This design pattern has been given to Mr.Ganesan for a rough plan and our staff will be learning to teach to our school children.

9. We felt very bad that one of our parent has drank well and fought with his wife and expressed his stress upon his children in the school and we are handling the problem in a very delicate way because it must not affect the children emotionally.

10. It is very happy to see Suryaraj a 1.75 year old child has started identifying all the English sounds. This is a new challenge and Montessori has made it possible.

11. We also thank our staff for their dedicated care in handling 1 year old children and their development is very obvious.

12. We have identified the water table in our land and on 28^th Sunday we are drilling our land for water.

13. Teachers need to be more aware about the repair of materials and observation. Because observation is an art to explore the child.

14. We expect Dr.Pradheep Challiyil will be giving away the 2010 term one reports and addressing our parents in April.

15. Special and serious steps have been taken by all the members of the foundation to get ATG tax exemption from Indian Government.

16. On 23^rd Tuesday the school declared holiday to celebrate the local annual festivals and our staff also participated along with few parents and had many experiences.

17. It has been observed that some children are learning faster than others who were actually learning well and now they are also developing more skills like the older ones.

18. One year old children’s parents have slowly started realizing the need for the early education and sending their babies regularly.

19. On 27^th Saturday, we have introduced very basic lessons about computer to our staff and on Sunday we have introduced the Tamil soft ware.

20. Because of raise in the fuel price, we could not get any bore drilling lorry for drilling the land for water.

21. We expect that it will be done on March 6^th.

22. Our staffs are eager in learning the new Tamil font and at the same time they need to implement their English skills in the school.

23. We are happy to admit 2 3 year old children. They are Yogambikai and Selvakumar. They have joined on 25^TH Thursday.

24. We also thank Mr.Ganeshan for helping us to install and initiate out new laminator machine. Our staffs have laminated well and many pictures were also given to them for lamination.

25. We also thank Mr.MarrappanGanesh for sending the signed sheets of authorization for new AIRTEL cell phone communications.

26. By April 20 or 21^st Dr.Pradheep Challiyil will be giving away this term’s reports and address our parents for the very first time as the founder of the foundation.

2009-12-05T20:39:00.000-08:00

EVENTS OF NOVEMBER 2009
This month is just enjoying the heavy monsoon rainfall. For a week we are unable to see the sun. Though we have planned to give holidays parents have protested that they cannot hold the children in the house.

Ms.Balambikai will be joining with us in December. She will be undergoing total observation in our school. She will be presenting her own syllabus based on Vedic studies to implement perfect spirituality in our school. Teachers will be trained for spoken English by her.She will be working for SriSakthi foundation to maintain and check the annual accounts, various web sights and she will be wrting articles about hertiage, culture, arts and Montessori education.

We have asked our staff members to list out one example per day for the sakthy lessons. After a month we will be seeing that.

December 28th Monday will be our second annual day. Few of our children will be doing various presentations before the parents. Mr.Marrappan Ganesh will be our chief guest. We will talk about him later.

Master Saravanan is being observed for his serious attitude issues by HOC. The child is being confused between the parental care and school. Parents were called for meetings. They were helpless.

7.11.09 – Arunpandi is a child in our HOC with few speaking and hearing problems. We have listed out our observations and asked the parents to have a thorough check up with an ENT specialist.

11.11.09 – School auto will be taking 2 turns to bring the children. The numbers of children are high and it is very unsafe. Letters were given regarding the auto timing and routes.

3 MORE YEARS
Our house owner has accepted to give the house to run the school for 3 more years from 2011. We thank all our staff and helpers for maintaining this house well.

Few more children got admitted in the second week. But there are many absentees because of fever and cold.

13.11.09- Pandit Nehruji’s birthday has been celebrated as CHILDREN’S DAY. Today sweets were prepared by Usha amma and Mani’s mother has them to the children. Teachers gave a simple talk about Nehru and sang few songs about India.

19.11.09- HOC HAS SET FOR NATURE WALK.

NEW SCHOOL NEAR OUR SCHOOL.- One of the villager has opened a new preprimary school just adjacent to our school. Our staff members have felt bad and scared about it. But we not worry about any new school because we are serving the village children and not expecting the high fees from them. But if we are going to depend upon the fees structure then we need to worry. But Dr.Pradheepkumar addressed that we need to improve the quality of English especially in the spoken area. He has also reinitiated the online spoken English session to our staff members. Mrs.Balambika will be continuing the sessions after a week.

Dr.Pradheepkumar has visited India from 22.11.09 to 13.12.09. He had a visit to Sabarimala with his Guru and many others. Dr.Madeswaran has also made the trip but not by long walking.

28.11.09- Dr.Madeswaran had meeting in HOC with the teachers. He has spoken very firmly about the working pattern to the helpers who are still not showing true dedication. Annual day agenda got framed and teachers will be conducting the whole festival. Reports were edited and teachers will be doing the fair work. Academics will be entered after second week of December.

Now we have 28 children in our school and many of them are below 2.5 years old and in this December holidays special workshop will be given to our teachers regarding this age development.

We also feel happy that the parents are paying the fees with certain regularity.

We are just aheading towards the third year and waiting for the annual day.

EVENTS OF OCTOBER 2009

2009-11-01T02:38:00.000-08:00

EVENTS OF OCTOBER 2009
2.10.09 – GANTHI JAYANTHI.
Today HOC has celebrated Gandhiji’s 140th birthday with simple but sensible way. Children and staff honored him with flowers and lighted the lamps of freedom and nonvilonce. Miss.Menaka delived the speech about Gandhji and Montessori especially about their meeting message in London in 1937.
Then Madurai Seeds trust members arrived and took part in the celebration. Mr.Karthik Bharathy gave away the prizes for 23 children from various schools who won prizes in Navarathry competitions.
After that the trust presented a beautiful joyful cultural program in our school. This is the first time others are involved with our celebrations. But it is very bad that only 4 parents of our school have participated.

From Monday HOC will be celebrating Deepawali festival legends along with regular learning activities.

The legend of Goddess Annapoorani regarding Deepawali which talks about abusing food by young children was narrated daily by the staff. On 15.10.09 HOC celebrated the Deepawali festival with sweets and lights. Greetings cards with Montessori saying regarding culture and traditions were distributed. By after noon every body left to their home.
Srisakthi foundation wishes every one in the school with Deepawali greetings!

The days are running asusual with various presentations. Nature walk, real object presentations, dramas, arts and various other activities are happening.

NEW CHILD: We are happy in welcoming Divya a 3 year old child to our HOC.

23.10.09 – Dr.Madeswaran has observed the HOC to asses the quality of language learning through Montessori system. From 2.5 years we are exposing to the language and mathematics materials. Today we observed each child’s learning process. It is very happy to see many of our children have imbibed the English and Tamil sounds clearly through this method. We appreciate our staff members for the dedicated work. It is sure that these children will be doing their reading soon.

24.10.09 – SRISAKTHY VIDHYA SYLLABUS LAUNCHING DAY.

27.10.09 – 1 year and 1 month old child Krithika has joined with us in HOC.

28.10.09 – NATURE WALK DAY.

30.10.09 – Dr.Pradheepkumar’s birthday was celebrated by planting trees in our land. 7 neem trees were planted and children listened about his life. HOC has prayed for him. We also wish Mr.Marrappan Ganesh for his birthday today.

EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 2009

2009-09-27T06:27:00.000-07:00

EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 2009
This month has enjoyed more than other months because of the grand long 10 days Navarathry festival. Our school has already started preparing for the festival. Legends about the festival were narrated to children and dolls were taken out and cleaned by the staff and children. The festival commenced from 18.9.09.

18.9.09 – Today our school also observed Pitru pooja long with the public. Today is the important day in our nation to offer homage to our ancestors. So our school also remembered people who has dedicated for the growth of the oldest nation along with strong culture and traditions. Ghee lamp was lighted and ‘RAMA’ nama was chanted to seeks the blessings of ancestors.

Ganapathy pooja was done and Dolls were arranged in traditional Golu setting to start navarathry festival.

Notices and invitations were designed and given to schools around Sendurai village and villagers. The school has invited children and public for drawing, Kolam, Speech and Music competitions.

But unfortunately only 23 children from the whole village have presented their work. But the drawings were also not following the topics given. Many poor children have given the drawings in very old worn out papers and charts but we are accepting and rewarding these children for the true interest behind them.

It is very sad that the principals and staff members of many schools have never delivered the message about the competitions. This is the attitudes among most of the teachers. In this context we appreciated our schools staff for their dedication to initiate the child’s talent in creative work.

25.9.09 – Many children visited our school. They were explained about Golu and they explored our HOC and surprised with the Montessori materials. They presented their art work and 2 girls involved in Kolam designing. One girl alone sang a national song with true emotional expression. 2 girls came and delivered their speech. The topic was ‘’ how to improve the life standards of my village?’’
They gave the ideas like no to plastic, using toilets, water harvest and awareness about garbage.

We have decided to reward all these 23 children for their efforts. We told them that we never award first three places but we will tell them the best efforts. We told them that the effort and talent of every child differs. We also told them every effort of man will be recognized by Montessori school.

Ashram Matriculation school staff members have visited our school on 25.9.9 for the first time. Our teachers gave a very warm welcome and gave gifts also. They were introduced with the Madurai seed trust members and respected.

We have requested them to give the out puts about the students who leave us after 6 years and join for grade one class. They were surprised with the way and style we treat our staff members.

22.9.09 – MATHRU POOJA was celebrated to honor the mothers. Swathy’s mother drew floral designs and involved in our activities. Mothers blessed their children and teachers took part very well in organizing this festival.

Ms.Mallika has made her nephew Baby Narona who is 1.5 years old to join in our school.

23.9.09 – SCHOOL TRIP TO TEMPLE CITY
Today we went to Madurai as a school trip. We took a car and Mr.Nelson drove the car. We have to thank our student Basheeer’s father who has guided the driver in Madurai city and helped us.

We visited the famous old temple of Narashimar in Yaanai malai and then we went to Mrs.Priyakannan’s sister’s home where we had wonderful divine time. They have a very old temple with long history which is connected to Tamil history.

Teachers went to Meenakshi temple and shopping. By noon we had a delicious lunch prepared by the host. We left their home around by 5.30 P.M.

TRYING TO SEED OURSELF …
Today we made a visit to a non profitable trust like us which is called as MADURAI SEED TRUST owned by Mr.Karthik Bharathy. He is in this trust for the past 10 years serving for the students of all age group.
This trust is working in a place called KARUMBAALAI which is a slum part of Madurai city.
They are conducting successful after school activities. They are working in a team with 30 members who are young students. We got introduced with this trust by Mr.Pari Ganeshan who has married Mr.Mani’s sister.
We were given a very warm welcome. We were taken to few areas of their trust where we were greeted by children and got exposed to their activities also. This trust is planning with our foundation for few non profitable activities soon in Sendurai and Madurai.

TIME TO HONOR OUR STAFF
This was the day a big mass saw our work and greeted us out of Sendurai. We have made use of this occasion to honor our staff members for their selfish less efforts to uplift the life style of Sendurai children through the school.

We had a very nice time though it was raining and we reached Sendurai by 10 P.M.

25.9.09 – MADURAI SEED VISITED OUR SCHOOL AND OBSERVED CHILDREN’S WORK:
Today around 10 A.M, 30 members from Madurai Seed have visited our HOC. We need to thank Mrs.Usha and Mrs.Dhanamal for preparing good breakfast an dlunch for all these members.

Dr.Madeswaran explained the Montessori philosophy briefly to the Seed members and gave the directions to observe the children working in the environment. Though it was very crowd they admired the children’s every movement and realized the need for schooling for this particular age group.
After observing the HOC for 3 hours we had a very big circle time and gave away the gifts, greeting and enjoyed with sundal dish. Seed members gave away the biscuits and interacted with the children and by 12 P.M children left the school and we had a meeting.

EVALUATION BY THE PUBLIC MEMBERS:
Every member of the trust evaluated the activities of the children in our HOC nad appreciated the Montessori philosophy which is being implemented in a nice way by our teachers. This is very important in our school’s history because for the first time public is seeing our efforts and evaluating us. I feel very happy to appreciate our staff members for their efforts to uproot the Montessori philosophy.
We are giving the most important points observed by those members:

Children are well settled with inner order.
Children have cultivated self discipline by work.
Children respect every thing.
Mixed age group has cultivated good social skills.
Understanding the method of Dr.Montessori.
Many felt that they need to reduce their age to work in a Montessori school.
Good approach to English.
Child’s personality differs.

They all left by 3 P.M and after that we had a meeting with the trust founder and 2 of his members about future plans with our trust. We will be discussing the plans with Dr.Pradheepkumar and we will work after wards.

On October 2nd Seed trust will present a cultural program in our school.

27.9.09 – SARASWATHY POOJA was performed in HOC by Usha and Devi.

28.9.09 – VIJAYA DASAMI DAY for new amission and GURU pooja.

Events of August 2009

2009-08-31T16:59:00.000-07:00

EVENTS OF AUGUST 2009
1.8.09 – We have planned to begin the spoken English program for our staff members through phone line. Mrs.Balambika living in Sreerangam will be conducting this session daily for a month. Later we have decided to extend this to village students.
We need to provide a good walker to our special child Mishal. Dr.Mani said that it can be offered as a free support from one of the American hospitals.
5.8.09 – As we have decided our staff members have started conversing with Balambika from today.
Dr.Madeswaran is editing all the narrative reports written by our teachers.
13.8.09- KRISHNA JAYANTHY FESTIVAL. Lord Krishna is the incarnation of true freedom with unconditional love. His child hood actions were very much admired by children for centuries.Today we have celebrated his birth star with traditional setup. Children appeared in fancy dresses. Staff performed various devotional songs and chanting. 7 parents were involved in this festival. Small feet were drawn from the entrance leading to pooja altar. Children walked upon these foot prints and expressed the joy of being Krishna. Sacred bath was given to the crawling Krishna and engaged in various divine plays. Sweets were offered. Children went home by noon.Kaaleeya nardhanam episode from Krishna leela was narrated to children and parents.
15.8.09 – 63rd INDEPENDENCE DAY.
Today we have celebrated our nation’s Independence Day which is our own freedom to live and serve the man kind. Mr.Ayyanan has hoisted the flag; sweets were shared among staff and children. We have been very keen about the child’s adult’s freedom with responsibility. The HOC must give the right opportunity to enjoy the freedom as described by Dr.Montessori and Mahathma Gandhiji. This freedom must lead any one who is with us to attain the inner freedom of spirituality through value based education which is very rare to get today. After the function staff and children left home.
21.8.09- HOC celebrated Vinayagar Chathurthi festival.
22.8.09- Staff meeting was conducted by Dr.Madeswaran. Minutes of the meeting are as follows:
1. Cooperation among the staff was strongly insisted.
2. Helpers were firmly insisted about their responsibilities.
3. 29th report giving day was planned.
4. HOC will be closed from 30.8.09 to 13.9.09 for term end holidays.
5. Staff will be going out for canvassing for Vijayadasami.
6. Staff will be functioning from 12th of September.
7. Ten days Navarathry festival plan was discussed.
8. The need for vast transport for more students was discussed.

24.8.09- It has been decided that students will be functioning as usual after the end of report day. But after the report day, teachers will be taking off for 1 week in turn system.
25.8.09 – We feel happy to share that Ms.Shanthi has passed her B.Ed degree. Madumitha's brother Balaji has joined in our HOC.
28.8.09 - ONAM FESTIVAL.
Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala state. Our state also enjoys this occasion. Floral designs were made by staff and children traditionally. Payasam was offered as sweet. The legend of Vamana avatharam was narrated by the staff. Children admired the teachers with the similar saree designs.
29.8.09 – REPORT GIVING DAY.
Today is a very auspicious day. Yes! Dr.Madeswaran’s parents have made a grand visit to our HOC. They have given the freedom of choice for him to run this Montessori school and also to come here every week end. They felt much satisfied with the growth, service and functioning of the school. They have also thanked the parents and teachers for their dedicated work. They have blessed every one with love and bliss.
Except 2 parents all 21 have arrived soon to meet the special guests. By 10 a.m, the festival started with prayer chanting.
VERY IMPORTANT CHIEF GUESTS
Mr.T.S.Mohanasundaram and Ms.Mahalaxmi were introduced by the principal to the mass.
Ms.Mahalaxmi lighted the sacred lamp of wisdom and prayed for the further growth of the school.
Mr.T.S.M has honored Montessori and Gandhiji by offering the garlands.
The school principal has narrated how he has enjoyed the real freedom of choice with them.
Minutes of the speeches given by the chief guests:
1. Allow the child to be free.
2. Give the freedom of choice and speech.
3. Do not bribe them.
4. Do not disturb their childhood days with coaching classes.
5. Observe the child’s personality not the grades.
6. Make the child to feel the need to serve.
7. He narrated how the milk production in the state was increased in late 70ies by his work with villagers.
8. The mother has requested the parents not to disturb the childhood days.
Then parents were invited to talk about their child’s growth:
We feel very happy that this time each parent spoke about their children. Children were very happy to see that. We share very important observations given by our parents which is the ultimate result of a good Montessori school.
· Children have started expressing good habits and human culture in homes.
· They have developed the language skills.
· They were able to communicate clearly with good language.
· They are able to identify many Tamil and English sounds.
· Development of numerical skills.
· They wish to address them with respect.
· They are growing spiritually also.
· The children are becoming self directed.
· They are very different from other village children.

Sudeesh mother says,’’ I wish that my elder son must have studied under this system. After seeing my second son’s development, I have understood Montessori system and stopped disturbing the first son. I feel that Sudeesh must have been 2 years old less to stay more years.’’
Mohan’s mother says,’’ My son never allows any one to disrespect him after joining in this school.’’
Saravanan’s mother says,’’ My son has changed me and my husband in being clean, honest and spiritual.’’
Chandraraj’s father says,’’ My 1.5 year old child is becoming very order inner wards in mind.’’
Manikandashiva’s mother says,’’ After observing my 2 year old child, my husband has dropped the plan of leaving this village for 3 more years.’’
Darshini’s mother says,’’ After being in this school, my daughter is walking smartly and talking clearly.’’
Rema’s mother,’’ Rema is doing well in other school in grade one. Her grasping power is more which is because of this school’’.
Reports were given. Coffee and sweets were given. The guests were gifted with a greetings card and clay models made by children. It has been decided to collect the schools fees for a whole term here after wards.
One parent said that many are admiring his children’s growth and asking for the possibility to have Montessori schools in their areas also.
Guests were invited by Saravanan to his poor but richest lovable hut. He has served tea and tender coconuts. The parents showed their thanks for helping and caring this boy.
Guests left the HOC by 12 P.M.
30.8.09- Miss. KALAISELVI’s wedding was attended by all staff and few parents in Madurai. We thank Usha amma for her help to their family during these weeks for wedding.
Ms.Priya and Mallika will be on leave for a week.
Third term of 2009 – 2010 has started. We thank all the staff members for their dedicated work. We wish a happy TEACHER’S DAY on September 5th.

EVENTS OF JULY 2009

2009-07-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

EVENTS OF JULY 2009
Children have enjoyed a nature walk. We felt that our staffs are free from the stress of settling them and now they are performing the assistance work according to the plans we have designed during this summer.
Mean while Rajashee’s father have approached us for Transfer Certificate. Though we have given him a letter that the child has studied under us he said that the Convent where she has joined is stressing them to have a T.C.
We need to revisit Government officials regarding this. The parents spoke ill about the school and this was the time I need to talk firmly.
It is very important any institution to convey the facts about various issues to the parents before we admit the child. Though we have given the written forms about the norms of the school some people like this parent troubles us always. Let us ignore them and continue our sacred service to the villagers through Montessori system.
July 8th, 9th and 10th – Dr.Madeswaran will be observing Mullai Montessori Environment in Kalashetra School in Madras to complete his 10 days AMI assistance course.
July 8th – Mrs.Priya and Pranav arrived India, handed over the sacred Prasad from Ammachi to us and many other items from USA and Dubai. We thank her brother Deelipan for offering his son’s dresses for poor village children.
9.7.09- Pranav has sorted out very well all the toys, books and dresses which have to be handed over to poor children in Sendurai village. He too has written a letter to our staff and children. He has given few packets of biscuits.
11.7.09- Dr.Madeswaran has observed HOC based on AMI style and gave the repot to his staff after 3 hours. They HOC conducted meeting to analyze about the various aspects of the school. Teachers have analyzed their own work and discussed more about Montessori philosophy.
We observed Sudeesh doing arithmetic material till 10,000. He is able to make quantities with any number.
Mean while Saravanan who has abstracted only till 10 has started doing addition, subtraction, division and multiplication with counters.
Teachers were amazed to see the progress of this special child through Montessori system.
Cloths and snacks brought by Pranav were distributed to all the children. Few toys were given secretly to few poor children.
GREAT ABOUT OUR TEACHER:
Ms.Shanthi after doing B.Ed has rejoined with us though an other school called her with more salary. She said that she is very relaxed and stress less in our school. Than that she said that she likes Montessori philosophy very much. But she needs to be very grace to her own son.
We have presented again mathematics materials and language to staff.
All the staff members have applied for degree in MKU in Madurai. On Tuesday they are paying the fees. We are glad to greet them for their education. We feel proud to say that Srisakthi Foundation is giving the space for village girls to educate for their future.
We have assured them about the required leave they need for education.
12.7.09- Today we have planned the AADi month festivals. WE have presented the drama of churning the ocean which is linked with cosmic studies. SreeAandal’s festival will be celebrated on 25th Saturday.
Varalaxmi festival and lamp festival will be celebrated together on July 31st.
THANKS TO Dr.MONTESSORI:
Aandichaami a 3.5 year child who was delaying with speech has started talking well after living in Montessori environment for 2 weeks.
THE NATURE WALK: [1.7.09]
· Children were taken to a local mountain side where a village God is worshipped. Immediately on seeing the shrine children have started chanting the slokas.
· Children were crying ‘’ mountain! mountain!’’ In English after seeing the huge green mountain.
· Many children were singing most of the songs taught in the school.
· 1.5 year old Surya called a cow in its English name.
· A child called her friend to show the garden lizard.
· Children saw Marygold flowers getting harvested and said that all will be made into garlands.
· Arunpandi saw a tractor and said that it will be used for ploughing the farms.
· Children were taken to a near by farm to see the Brinjal harvest.
· One elder child pampered the new younger child who is crying and made her to eat.
· Madhumitha said sorry when she got dashed with Arunpaandi.
· 2 year old Naveen said to his friend that he will eat only after chanting the prayers.
· When continents were displayed, 2.5 years old Basheer screamed ‘’ yellow color Asia, yellow color Asia!’’
· When they were coming back, Sudeesh saw a hen and sang the song about chicken.
· Naveen also said that the hens are living very friendly.
· Saravanan showed the dark clouds and said that they have drunk lot of water.
· 1.25 year old Melwin removed a dry leaf by himself from the garden by himself.
· Naveen identified the sound ‘’A’’ which has been written on a jack fruit.
· When Saturn planet was presented, T.Darshini showed her red bangle and linked the red ring.
· The elder most Samydurai insisted his friend to wind up when they heard the bell sound.
· When children saw the chillies Divyadarshini said it in English and said that she saw in the village market.
· Saravanan saw the greens and said that his house has lot of greens and his mother cooked them by morning.

13.7.09 – THE DAY TO MOURN
Today Ms.Sujee has passed away in Coimbatore. She is around 35 years old. She has a 5 year old child. She was suffering from Cancer and took treatment under Dr.Pradheepkumar. But she has passed away today.
By Ammachi’s grace, Priya and Ganesh visited her yesterday and offered the sacred prasadhams from Ammachi and chanted all sacred slokas. HOC is observing prayers for her soul and to support her husband and child.
We are much worried about the child!

16.7.09- One of my Chennai students Sruthy and her sister Neha have donated lots of books to our school. It is a great collection but at the same time that our school is not making use of English books sufficiently. So we have to make our mind first to feel light about the language. We thank these girls for their great heart. They are settled in Kodaikanal and we may invite them to our HOC soon.

23.7.09- We are not functioning today because our staffs are going to Madurai Kamarajar University for their degree admission. But we are working on Saturday.

25.7.09- We worked for half a day. Today I have observed 1.75 years old Chandraraj. The observation lasted for 2.5 hours. The observation has made us to think more about this age group.
By 12.30 every body left and we sat for the meeting. I am happy about the way in which the adults functions. But there were some issues about the helpers and their work.
Usha amma has to pay the rent in Canara Bank here after. She must also pay the current bill and relieve Mani’s father from that.

24.7.09 – THIRUAADIPOORAM festival was celebrated with as usual divinity and children listened to SreeAndal’s legend. Four parents have taken part in this festival.

VERY IMPORTANT SERVICE BY HOC: Its has been decided that Dr.Madeswaran will be conducting English coaching sessions for our teachers who have who have joined in B.A degree in distant education system. This will be extended to other villagers also. This will help them to improve their spoken English. School will be benefited with good spoken English.

26.7.09- As we have planned, the English coaching session started today.. Jeyaraman was also there to inspire the adults.

We are planning to admit one 10 months old child soon.

28.7.09 – A GOOD SOUL HAS LEFT US!!!- Mr.Krishnamoorthy uncle [82 years old] has merged with cosmic truth. He has been always praying for our school and gave much moral support. We are chanting ‘’SREE RAMA JAYAM’’ on 30.7.09 for his soul.

31.7.09- FESTIVAL OF WEALTH: Today VARALAXMI POOJA is celebrated in HOC with simple rituals but with great depth of spirituality. Goddess of wealth has been worshiped for more wealth to SreeSakthi Foundation to extend its service to man kind. Parents showed good interest today.
Drama of churning the ocean was narrated with models for the past 1 week. This story talks about creation of living beings from the ocean by Goddess Mahalaxmi.

EVENTS OF JUNE 2009

2009-06-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

IMPORTANT EVENTS OF JUNE 2009
On May 30 and 31st our staff has gone out for canvassing for further admission in our HOC. They have highlighted the following points,
1. Individual child care
2. Scientific development of child
3. Personality development
4. Development of languages and logic mathematics
5. Culture and traditions

After the 2 days canvassing they said that the villagers have good idea and opinion about the school especially for the personality growth of the very young children. We have decided to take only children from 2 years.

Mean while Mr.Philip has joined to continue his college studies. Miss.Kamala has again approached us for a job but she said that she cannot study. THIS IS THE FATE OF MANY VILLAGE GIRLS EVEN TODAY.
She will be getting married after a year. So we have asked her to come for a month observation from 5.6.09.

2.6.09 – Mrs.Manjula came in the noon session and gave the spiritual class to our children. The legend behind the VIKAASE VISHAKAM FESTIVAL is getting presented to the children in various forms. On 5th HOC will be celebrating that festival along with our parents. Proper invitations have been designed and send to them.

A new boy has joined today. He is 4 years old coming from near by village. He has settled soon.

On June first Dr.Pradheepkumar has asked Dr.Madeswaran to think about working for HOC and foundation. By end of this term Dr.Madeswaran will be deciding that.

3.6.09- A new boy of 2.5 years has joined in HOC. He is master Bharani.
He too has settled well by today itself.

5.6.09 – VAIKAASI VISHAKAM FESTIVAL
The HOC has celebrated Vaikaasi vishakam festival in simple way but with deep spiritual sense. Ms.Manjula performed sacred chants and rituals in HOC. 5 parents and children participated in this festival.
The legend behind the festival was narrated and meaning behind every sacred bath given to the deities was explained by her. It was observed that our children observed every event without even moving their body and just maintained silence. This is the natural orderliness the Montessori environment has created within them. The icon deities were dressed and decorated. Sacred food was cooked by Ms.Usha and offered to all in the school. Children left home after the festival. Monday will be a holiday because the HOC will be functioning on 13.6.09 which is a Saturaday under the observation of Dr.Madeswaran.
10.6.09 – A new student called AANDISAMI has joined in our school today. He is 4 years old. His father has deserted his family and went some where. The mother is going for daily wages and taking care of the child. She has been asked to pay how much as she can. Our staff said that the villagers are asking us to admit 1.5 years old children. But we have decided to take them only after few months because we need our staff to settle the new children.
Dr .M.Madeswaran will be visiting the HOC by this Saturday for observation. Mean while the staff has started giving the legend of one of the local important festival. Dr.Madeswaran may place cube of 1000 material this time in HOC.

13.6.09 – Children were observed by Dr.Madeswaran. It is very glad to see such a peaceful and happy environment with continuous working sessions by the staff and children. Staffs are happy and more confident about their working pattern framed in this summer.
The local Church has disturbed many of our admissions. Some of our Christian children were taken away by the Church’s pressure.
But we are keeping calm and making the villagers to realize the need of a Montessori schooling for a child who is below 6 years old.
Dr.PradheepChalliyil has advised to involve the Church in important Christian festivals and to make the Church to appreciate the secularism feeling in educational system. This is the most important and delicate task for the foundation.
The comment given by a parent:
One of our parents who has taken back his 2 children and admitted them in near by Matriculation school has commented that the foundation must not collect even a single paisa from the villagers. Our transparent account sheets have proved how much we are earning and spending.
We are not ready to give any thing free like the local government to spoil the citizens. But we are giving them concessions.
So we need to work without much worrying about these comments.

THE TEACHER WHO HAS MADE US TIRED
Miss.Prabha who has completed came to us for job. So as usual we have asked her to start her observation. After a week we saw she has never opened her mouth to talk to any one of us and she also could not mingle with us.
On Saturday we have asked her to prepare a story for Sunday. But on Sunday she did not turned up. When we approached her family they said that she is not interested in teaching in the school. We are tired with such attitude people and we have learned not to accept any application for teaching faculty without studying about the candidate. It is the waste of our time and energy.
AGAIN A NEW CANDIDATE:
On Sunday, the local priest has introduced a fresh school passed candidate Miss.Tamilarasi for teaching faculty. She is very sportive open minded and wished to observe the children and staffs for a month. She is also going to study her degree course by correspondence education. Let us see how she is taking her observation.

Mean while Miss.Menaka is doing well and she has learned and changed lot. Even Mrs.Priya is very much changed in her attitude. Yes! Dr.Montessori will change every body. I said that I am training them and indirectly training my self.

OUR STAFF HAS OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING THE MOST TOUCHING HUMAN BEHAVIOUR WHICH EXPRESSES THE GREAT HUMAN PERSONALITY.
1. Saravanan has showed Andichami who is new student how to use the toilet.

2. Madhumitha brought a banana after attending a local festival and shared with every friend and also wanted to talk about the fruit.

3. When the special child Yalini cried, Shiva who is 1.5 years old brought a bottle full of water thinking that she might need it.

4. When children saw flower harvest in local farms during the nature walk, Sudeesh said the flowers will be tied along with national flag while hoisting the flag.

5. Saravanan who is a special child slowly requiring from autism has gained the knowledge of language letters and number rods. Teachers are realizing the effect of the educational idea framed by Dr.Montessori.

6. One of our children saw the cotton seeds and said that the cotton will be used fro making wicks, dresses, to thread the needle and to clean the hurts with blood.

7. Manoj who is senior child has introduced the constructive triangles to the new child Jenis.

8. Madhumitha showed the threading of beads to the new child Periyasami.

9. Shiva who is very young child helped the 1.25 year old boy Surya to sit properly during the prayer time.

10. Darshini was able to relate Africa’s green color with Menaka’s saree color.

11. Dharani sawa grasshopper in his home. But he could not remember its name. But as he has received the color lessons, he said that the ‘’green insect’’ has come to the house. His parents have relished this incident.

12. Children have taken the natural interest of cleaning the garden by them self after lunch daily.

13. When the rituals were performed to tree, Gutham asked whether the tree can hear his voice. Teachers said that the tree can feel his love. Immediately he said that he belongs to the HOC and his name was Gautham.

14. Before every presentation children them self conduct one minute prayer.

15. When a special child got admitted in hospital for sickness, Mishal prayed for her and told that she is asking God to send the girl soon to HOC to enjoy the work.

WE HAVE MANY MORE SUCH GRACEFUL OBSERVATIONS IN OUR SCHOOL. IT WILL CONTINUE AS LONG AS THE TEACHERS BELIEVE THE MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY.

17.6.09- Today a new student has paid the fees and got admitted in our school. He is ARUNPANDIYAN and he is 3 years old.
The school is also thinking the various reasons for children leaving the hoc. Dharani is one among them who has joined without even informing the school. The staff has decided to talk to the father about it and to insist about the ethics of parenting and communication with the schools.
There are few suggestions about the improvement of the school. But these ideas must be discussed in detail before we implement which must not be a hurdle for MONTESSORI philosophy.
1. UNIFORM.
2. FEW BASIC BOOKS
3. TRANSPORT SYSTEM

This week again the observation will be done by Dr.Madeswaran and more Mathematics material will be introduced in HOC.

20.6.09 – We have introduced the SOLAR SYSTEM material to our children. First we played the game of sun and planets revolving around the sun. We gave the names and later we did the drama of Earth and Moon revolving each other and sun.
Later children were presented with the material.
We are happy to see our staff working with true dedication.

THE REAL SUCCESS BEHIND THE MONTESSORI EDUCATION
This evening Jenish visited our HOC with his parents. They were forced to join in the local Church school by the Church father. But the parents are very sad about the child who is missing great values and great lessons through Montessori education.
The father said that he can join him again in our HOC even though the Church is against. But we have made him to understand the need of harmony with their family Church and said that the boy can enter and work at any time during holidays. We are very happy to see parents who have really understood the educational system.
We thank our staff members for this appreciation.
THE IMPORTANT LETTER

We are also sending a letter saying the need for Montessori education. The letter has asked the parents whether the child needs a uniform and homework. The letter is also requesting the parents who have taken the children not to talk ill about the Montessori educational system.
The letter is also asking them to discuss any issue they have about the school.

Madumathy’s mother was called for a meeting and explained about her growth and development. We have requested her and her husband not to test the child always to say every thing.

THE MANGO FESTIVAL
Mango festival to remember the great spiritual saint KARAIKAAL AMMAI will be celebrated in our HOC for children to realize the need for feeding poor, selfish less character and staunch trust in God.
Our staff and Mrs.Manjula are practicing the skit about the saint and going to present on 22.6.09. Invitations were designed and send to our parents. Staffs are preparing themselves with the children for the festival. Mango is one of the tropical crops in this village.

THE GREATNESS OF OUR CHILDREN OBSERVED IN THIS WEEK
· When a child was tracing the geometrical shapes, for some time he kept quiet and suddenly said that he saw the full moon as a big circle at night.
· When the 1.5 years old twin brothers are settling for prayer they observe perfect silence and they never distract others also.
· Few children were able to identify the planets along with the colors.
· Madhumitha said that the sea water will be very salty and we extract salt from that water. She is only 2.5 years old.
· When Chandran did not settle down for prayer his brother Suryan made him to come and sit. They are just 1.5 years. This week they are able to utter very clearly the word ‘’rough and smooth’’.
· T.Darshini asked the group around her who were seeing her work to clap after her exercise.
· Younger children were insisted by elder ones not to call them without respecting suffix in the local language.
· Shiva who is just 1.5 years old showed his ears immediately when our staff gave the name lesson of ear buds.
· Mohan who is 3 years old just stayed even after the school time and suddenly went out and saw the setting sun and started singing ‘’I AM THE SUN’’ poem which we are singing for planets presentation.
· Saravanan is fastly identifying the sand paper letters both in Tamil and English.

THE MOST PROLONGED MEETING
On Saturday [27.6.09] we had 4 hours staff and parents meeting. We discussed the following points very carefully and keenly.
1. Uniform.
2. Home work.
3. Transport.
4. Talking ill about the school.
5. Transfer certificate.
Before the meeting we showed how mathematics is being presented to children with materials. Parents were surprised to see Sudeesh working till 10000 within few minutes.
Parents appreciated the quality of syllabus in Montessori HOC.
They too said no to uniform.
They have requested for simple light week end home work for 4 years children.
WE ARE FRAMING A BOOK WHICH WILL MAKE THE PARENTS TO LEARN AND GUIDE THEIR CHILDREN WITH VARIOUS NAME LESSONS. Mr.Ganesh has taken charge of this printing work.
WE THANK OUR STAFF FOR CELEBRATING MAAMBALA THIRUVIZHA. PARENTS HAVE APPRECIATED FOR CONDUCTING SO MANY ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE SUPPORTING CHILDREN’S MORALITY.
NEW MATERIALS:
Spindle box, water cycle and cubes of 1000 were introduced this week.
We are also doing few carpentry works to fix the back yard door, lid to the tank and board to display the sand paper letters.
Our new child Arunpandiyan who is 3.5 years old is delaying in speech. We have spoken to his mother not to beat him and also to talk more in home environment. We need to ask them to see a speech specialist soon.
I FEEL VERY GLAD TO ANNOUNCE THAT MS.SHANTHISAKTHIVEL IS JOINING WITH US ON JULY FIRST AFTER HER GRADUATION WITH B.Ed.
On Sunday we worked with many experiments like, how roots absorb water and leaves prepare food. We showed the day and night experiment with globe. New land form names were given to the staffs by showing the real mountains and plains around the village.
Now we are feeling that we do not have more time. We are also feeling the clear cut framing of syllabus and material presentation. Teachers are very happy and just I left by saying the following line very often said by SreeRukminiRamachandran in Chennai AMI centre.
‘’ LET US NOT ABUSE THE CHILD’S MEMORY, PLEASE!’’

EVENTS OF MAY' 2009

2009-05-29T04:07:00.000-07:00

EVENTS OF MAY 2009
Dr.Madesawaran has arrived with fresh new concepts about handling the children from 1.5 years after I week experience with AMI training centre. On May 2nd he has conducted the workshop for staff, near by person who has a new born child along with a special child. Miss. Kalaiselvi who is also going get married soon attended the workshop.
The workshop covered the main topic about pregnancy, child care from zero years to 6 years. The various features of this age group were very clearly discussed with realistic examples. Mr.Philip is the young student who has just finished his schooling gave out the clear picture of a Montessori environment.
We have planned to conduct this valuable workshop to Sendurai people on May 17th. We are very happy that the staffs are able to understand and lead the various age group children based on their needs. But at the same time we must also have at least 10 more children. But one of our staff has expressed that it would be difficult to handle more because of more toddlers.
But we have expressed the fact behind the freedom to move and choose the work. The children must be very independent in working without adult’s intervention.
Mr.Jeyaraman has addressed about the financial crisis in America and our needs. We are planning to increase the salary of the staff very soon but not very high. But we feel it will be injustice to make them to handle more children for 8 hours with this salary.
We all respect our staffs’ dedicated work and so we are planning to have shift system among the staff members. This will be well planned and implemented when Dr.Madeswaran goes to Sendurai for summer workshops for 3 weeks after May 10th.
THE MOST DEDICATED ADULTS:
Mrs.Priya Kannan is in turn leave. She has gone to her husband’s place just to take leave. She said that she would be tempted to come to school if she stays in the village. I feel she is one among the best dedicated Montessori adult. Even Mallika said that she could not just stay in her home during her turn leave.
WE HAVE HARVESTED:
On 3rd May, Swetha’s mother came to see us in the burning hot sun along with her baby. We thought she may want to see us to discuss about the school work. But she has approached us to help and guide her in knowing and understanding various traditions and culture of the state which will be celebrated as various festivals all over the year.
She said that she has learned a lot through her daughter from the HOC. We feel very proud to say this and share that a child can change the family. We gave her many ideas and also few story books about Indian myths.
She has accepted to join with us in summer to conduct spiritual story classes. We are also planning for free English sessions for village children and free story session.
THE LITTLE GIRL WITH GREAT HEART:
Swetha has forced her mother to light the lamps in the evening to pray to God for Ravikumar’s healing. See the greatness of little children!
As Montessori said that it is only the adults who live in real life as role models can be the true guides to young children.
*** Miss.Menaka is the aunt of our student Dharun. After her schooling she has completed her 1 year diploma in nursing. She has joined with us for 1 month observation to work as Montessori adult. She will be observing and recording her views and doubts. She will be also reading various materials about Montessori education in Tamil. She will be interviewed after a month. We have said all the necessary details about our HOC to her. We are happy about her sportiveness.
On Sunday we practiced 6 stages of Sound Games. We are very firm about learning phonetics. We are also getting few children in this summer but we don’t mind. Whether it is few are many children are individuals and they gain from the HOC personally.
SUMMER ADDRESSING:
On May 10th Dr.Madeswaran will be addressing children in PUDHIYADHOOR Institution in Ramavaram – Madras about the topic ‘’WATER’’. He would also discuss about the various activities to start a Montessori class room with that foundation.

10.5.09- Dr.M.Madeswaran was given a very lovable and simple welcome by Mr.R.Narayanan. He is the founder of a trust called ‘’PUDHIYADHOR…’’. This is a trust which is serving the underprivileged children of all age groups in and around Chennai.
The objective of this trust is to establish good resource centers for quality teaching and learning for new concepts and also to make the children to makes use of their evening time and holidays in constructive ways.
Now they are very keen about establishing Montessori schools for these children. So we had a very long discussion with him and Ms. Meenakshi. She had attended the AMI training course. We have suggested them how to begin the school, what are the possibilities to reduce the cost in making Montessori materials and other practical details.
After that Dr.Madeswaran gave a presentation about ‘’WATER’’. This presentation was attended by 30 children from 2 years to 13 years. Children found it very different and useful.

We need to appreciate the adults of the center who were just recording the techniques used by Dr.Madeswaran.
The presentation was very much successful and children gave their feed back also.
Mr.Narayanan has welcomed him to present the same concept to a big gathering of children ranging from 6 to 15 years old in Besant Nagar in Chennai on 11.5.09.
10.5.09 MR.ADHAVAN [ Dr.Madeswaran’s cousin brother in Chennai ] HAS DONATED Rs.20000 to SRISAKTHI FOUNDATION TODAY. WE THANK AND PRAY FOR HIM.
11.5.09 – Dr.Madeswaran gave the same presentation to 40 children in the community hall established by Tamil Nadu State Government in Wannan Thurai in Adyar. The children are from local washermen community. More children also travelled across 25 KM from OORAPAKKAM near Chennai for this presentation.
His presentation was appreciated and more practical learning took place. Children learned how to think about a concept with the imagination. They admired the life and work of Dr.Montessori who just lived in the place where today they are living in Adyar.
Projects about various water and land forms were suggested by Dr.Madeswaran.
Master. Saravanan came back to school after 1 week. He has undergone very horrible family problems because of his parents. The child felt very tired and stressed to settle down back to the school. His parents were called and warned by the staff. We are planning to have a meeting with them on Wednesday.
13.5.09 – INDIAN PARLIAMENT ELECTION IN TAMILNADU. HOC WILL BE CLOSED FOR CHILDREN. TEACHERS CAN PUT VOTE AND COME FOR MEETING.
12.5.09 – Mr.Madhusudhanan has handed over the Montessori materials made by himself to Dr.Madeswaran.

13.5.09 – Sewing ring, constructive triangles materials are added to our HOC. Teachers need to be practice and present them to the children.
13.5.09- Teachers arrived late to school and we have discussed about the arrival time which must be very prompt. We have linked that with the order and manners. Later we saw all the various materials brought from Madras.
Mean while Saravanan and his mother came to HOC. But the child has expressed the negative approach to us. So we have sent them back home. We are meeting the parents for their UN acceptable behavior which has upset the child’s life and his actions.
Then we all sat for presentation with new Montessori materials. Constructive triangles boxes were presented with great interest and we all have enjoyed that.
We were able to understand the depth behind the Constructive Triangles Material. Teachers said that the materials are making us to think a lot and also imagine. We were also able to interpret many geometrical shapes and relate to life.
STRICT WARNING TO THE PARENTS:
We have spoken to Saravanan’s parents about their cruel attitude with the children because of their personal family issues. The child was very much upset physically and mentally. Mother was given very important lessons about the family setup, mother’s attitude and child psychology. The father has really changed slowly in these years based on our warnings, lessons and considering child’s mental development. But the mother is taking every thing very easy and it is the context to address her very firmly. We said that the children will be taken away from the school if any more issues upset them. Then the child was called and told before them that the parents will never quarrel and hit each other and he can believe.
By 2.30 P.M Mrs.Kalaivani came to see us. She took important points about child care from pregnancy to 6 years. We believe that she is person who really spreads and working for children. She will spread the messages to many parents.
On 14.5.09 we will be observing the children. We are going to start implementing 2 things.
1. All will be talking and addressing each other in very low sound.
2. Dr.Madeswaran will be talking only in English.

*** Mean while we are going to take the sincere lessons about English phonetics also.

14.5.09- Today we gave the presentation of
1. Conversation
2. Picture conversation
3. English Noun Game

By after noon we did a very interesting practical session about ‘’OBSERVATION’’. Teachers have expressed that they need more practical sessions like that which makes them to understand the methodology easily.

GOOD BYE TO SASIKALA
Today by afternoon we gave good bye to Miss.Sasikala. Saravanan honored her by offering the saffron, greetings card and salary cover. Children spoke in praise of her. Many said that they like her because she teaches them well.
After that we had a mini staff meeting in which we spoke about her work.
Dr.Madeswaran said that she is a person of enormous patience and joy. He highlighted her great service in attending several phone calls at any time regarding the school. He too thanked her family for the support behind her work.
The school has given privilege of coming and working back at time she likes.
We observed how the 1.5 years old children are very aware about the surroundings through their absorbent mind.
WE ARE HAPPY ABOUT MISS.MENAKA’S DEDICATED WORK IN HOC.
WE ARE ALSO HAPPY TO CONVEY THAT PHILIP WHO IS WORKING WITH US AFTER HIS SCHOOLING HAS SECURED 964 MARKS IN +2 EXAMS AND STANDING FIRST IN HIS SCHOOL.

15.5.09 – Today we have started talking very softly. This has worked out well. Some times we need to insist some children to remember that rule. After the prayer we had a small story session which is based on AMI training.
After that we asked the children to choose their own work and settle down in various places as they wish. But we were very particular about sitting alone and working.
We have presented the following materials for the staff observation.
a. Blue triangles [ Manoj worked with this material with his Excellency in creativity]
b. Cylindrical blocks [ eye fold activity ]
c. Decanomial square.
d. Secondary color tablets.
e. Number rods.
f. Sand paper letters in English.

*** It was a very challenging task to handle Ravikumar. Again we had very sad information about Saravanan’s parental behavior yesterday. By evening the mother was called and spoken about the need of good behavior.

16.5.09- Today we worked for half day only and today is Saturday. Children were not there. We gave the presentation of Tertiary color tablets, sound boxes, presenting a real object and then we have started classifying picture cards.
We felt very unhappy about the staff attitude that they are not preparing the language well.
Even after 1 year one of our staff is unable to pronounce well with some the English words. I spoke to them and explained how it is important to prepare our self first before approaching the children. It is very important to feel the needs of parents and society from the HOC with prepared staff. I have given a week time for them to learn and practice. On next Friday we will be conducting a very serious oral exam for them with picture cards.

HARD WORK’S HARVEST.
Swetha’S mother came today for clearing her doubts about various spiritual lessons. Dr.PradheepKumar’s lessons about spirituality have served her purpose. She asked many questions and accepted to conduct the spiritual classes on all Saturdays.
Today we have handed over few spiritual books to her. She has spent lot of time with her 1.5 years old daughter with picture cards.
Mean while this gave us the opportunity to observe the child’s absorbent mind with sensitive periods.

SASIKALA’S DELICIOUS DOSAI:
Miss.Sasikala use to bring good dosai with delicious side dishes. So today she has served us with the dosai and chuttny- sambar combinations.

PINE APPLE LESSON
We showed the real pine apple and gave a crisp conversation presentation about the fruit. Saravanan, Ravikumar and Chandrakumar were there.

The school has condemned the staff for not taking the children out to show the cotton plantation, palm fruit shop and other happenings which can enrich their experiences. There is lack of commitment. But we believe that they will get back to the old interest of running the HOC.

18.5.09 – Today we have the presentations of Noun game, Verb cards, English naming game and Sand paper letters. As usual we have learned many things. By afternoon we have classified many picture cards and framed our plan for various language activities for 2 weeks.

19.5.09 – Today we have presented PAPAYA FRUIT to children and they observed a lot and learned more about the fruit. We also presented the picture cards based on our plan for the children.
We were able to see the child expressions of 1.5 years old children.
Again we have rearranged many rooms and shelves.
Many old worn-out materials were discarded.
Philip and Muthuraj have accepted to repaint the materials with respective paints by tomorrow.
Mallika and Priya practiced well with the picture cards and they are confident.
More name lessons were given and recorded by them in their observation books.
Children were seemed to work for ever even without having break with snacks.

From yesterday 1.5 years old children have started staying in HOC till 3.30 P.M. Today they had more movements and explorations.
We too had the presentation of book reading.
Because of local festival in the village Menaka took leave today.

20, 21.5.09 – We have rearranged the school. Children were directed to work alone and mingle when there is a need. Break time was altered as individual‘s wish to have the snack. But teachers have felt that this is upsetting their social skills and we have decided to give general break time.
Most of the preliminary materials were displaced inside stock corner. Sensorial and EPL activities were rearranged and placed well and the work for the staff became easier for them with the daily recording sheets.
Children were more aware about ground rules. They were observing the orderliness, soft talking and other ethics of Montessori environment.
ONE MORE SPECIAL CHILD
Tomorrow baby Yalini [special child] is expected to join in our HOC for 1 hour with her mother. HOC have addressed her parents regarding her physical challenges and advised to approach the SPASTIC SOCIETY OF INDIA in Madras.
We believe the Montessori education will assist this special child to enrich her experiences with the surrounding and social skills. We pray to GOD for her happy timings in our HOC.
Muthuraj will not come to HOC from Monday because his school is going to reopen. We have given this message to our children. They have enjoyed more with his presence.
GREATNESS OF PRIYA AND OTHERS
Today when we have asked the staff to get ready for half day work from Monday Mrs.Priya said that they all prefer to render their great service to the children for 8 hours. The reason was very important. So we have left this to their choice.
THIS YEAR WE HAVE ENJOYED THE SUMMER DAYS WITH GOOD BREEZE AND SHOWERS.

22.5.09 – Today again we had experienced a different working condition in our HOC. We were very clear about the choice of work and the place where the child has to sit. Then we had presented flowers, name cards, verb cards, carrot pealing and mango cutting.
We need to assist the children to eat the food without spilling the food.
We need to practice the various language activities with the new grouping method.
Ms.Priya expressed that she is feeling stressed with working time and also with the 1.5 year old son. We have asked her to inform us about her decision by Monday.

23.5.09 – Today we have conducted 3 hours seminar about PREGNANCY AND CHILCARE THROUGH MONTESSORI METHOD. Dr.Madeswaran and our staff have called for this rare workshop for our parents. We have received only 6 parents out of whole village. But we were so happy that they are aware about their children and made use of this work shop to first think about themselves.
Parents also gave many feed back about their children.
Mrs.Ganesh [ Swetha’s mother ] commenced the very first SPIRITUAL CLASS in our HOC. She narrated the legend of SreeKrishna and Kuchaela. After that she rendered a divine song on Lord Shiva and explained the meaning behind it. She also made us to think and discuss about ‘’ HOW TO OVER COME THE HURDLES OF OUR LIFE THROUGH SPIRITUALITY?’’
Then she took hints about MADURAI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE COMPLEX FOR NEXT CLASS. She has decided to present her thoughts on spirituality on every Saturday.

PAINTING WITH DEDICATION:

We need to thank Philip and Muthuraj for painting our Montessori materials. They have done an excellent work with great perfection. Muthuraj said that they thought the work will be tedious. But after doing for some time they have realized that they are enjoying the work and the small size materials are making them to think about their mathematical concepts in Geometry.
After painting they played English Spelling Game with us and left the school.

FREE EYE CAMP:
Tomorrow SriSakthi Foundation and Madurai Aravind Eye Hospital are going to conduct free eye checking and operation service to villagers for the third time. So the foundation members are working towards this.

· We thank Mr.Karthikayan for arranging, bringing, pasting all the required wall posters along with Mr.Panidy.
· We render our humble thanks to Mr.Balamurugan who has arrived today morning from Thiruvaaroor. He has travelled all along the villages in auto with Mr.Jagadesan and made proper communication to many uneducated people and gave the awareness about the eye care and eye camp.
· We also thank Mr.Mani’s family for accepting this tough service in the absence of Mr.Jeyaraman. He has been transferred to Salem which is very far away from this village. This must be the lesson to all of us that we must not arrange for any such program without perfect man power. So we are expecting more than 1000 people from the villages for this free eye camp. We also thank all our parents for allowing us to get into the public life for service.

24.5.09 – FREE EYE CAMP.
Today SriSakthi Foundation and Madurai Aravind Eye Hospital has joined and conducted the third free eye camp for the villagers. 10 nurses and 3 women doctors came from Madurai. Mani’s mother has arranged fro the morning breakfast and by sharp 9 the eye care unit started its calm work for the real service.
The local public school has offered large desks and chairs. We received 250 people from the age of 3 to 80. People from very far away villages have arrived and checked their eyes. Among them 47 people were advised for the surgery. They were taken to Madurai through city bus and some through the hospital van. All the charges will be shared by the hospital. The villagers were happy with the service. Doctors said that this camp was very stress less for them and every thing has been organized properly.
We all said good bye to the Hospital unit and rested. We must be aware only about the food in this village. We must serve good food to the unit who ever come for any service. Dr.Pradheepkumar has addressed the foundation members and thanked for their service.
Mr.Balamurugan left to Thiruvaaroor by night. Mr.Jeyaraman also left to Salem and Ms.Usha came nack after her long leave and joined in work.
25.5.09 – Miss.Mallika did not come because of her village festival. Today also we followed the new pattern of work and we all handled the children well. Many presentations tooks place without abusing the child’s memory.
Usha amma offered avil with jiggery to children as her snack from Coimbatore. Muthuraj recoated all the materials.
So the day has passed with more work.
Swetha’s mother saw her work with bead materials till 1000. Her 1.5 years old daughter also worked in the HOC. By after noon we discussed about Vaikaase Vishkam Festival. Swetha’s mother has accepted to conduct the festival.
27.5.09 – Nature walk.
Children and staff left out to buy palm fruits. Palm fruits are very good for health for summer season. Children walked in line and followed many rules while walking on the road. When they ate the fruits the science lessons were given by the staff. After that they them self took a plastic bag and put the remains and placed aside in that shop. People felt very happy and surprised with their smartness.
Today salary was given to our staff.
Jothy akka has been asked to come only for noon session from June 1.
Jothy akka and Usha amma are getting the same payment.
Mallika‘s increment is Rs.100
Priya’s increment is Rs.250
Menaka received her first salary.
We have interviewed a new +2 candidate. She is from a poor back ground. We spoke all the rules and regulations for the +2 passed candidates. Her mother said that she will make us to know the decision by tomorrow.
28.5.09 – Today we conducted the HOC as usual and many instructions were given to the teachers. Dr.Madeswaran left to Madras after 25 days. It is very clear that there is a need for a person to instruct the staff and observe their work. Though the teachers are good in implementing the Montessori system they need many more days of training and direction to implement the system perfectly.
Last summer went with setting and beginning of more work. This summer left with experiencing more work and efforts which have to be reframed and teachers were guided more in depth. It is always the belief that we all are good humans and we serve the best for the children.
Children said good bye to Madeswaran and asked when he will come?
On 13.6.09.

Events Of April 2009

2009-05-04T05:02:00.000-07:00

EVENTS OF APRIL 2009
On 3.4.09- HOC has celebrated SRERAMA NAVAMI. For past 10 days our staff are narrating the history and legends of SreeRama and also making the children to observe the various colorful rituals performed to the icon pieces of Lord Rama. Some times children too wanted to perform and they were allowed. On the festival day special songs were sang and rituals were done by all the children and staff. Sundal and butter milk was offered to God and tasted by all with good sharing moments.
5.4.09- Sunday. We conducted the staff meeting. We have read the narrative reports and academic reports our students. It is amazing to see the evolution of the twins who are just 1.5 years old. They are well settled and very smart in choosing their activity. They have improved their eating and toilet habits also. We thank all our staff members with helpers for the great care and service.
Mean while Saravanan was observed very carefully for few more strong autism symptoms. We tested him when he showed very rare but fearful symptoms. Later he was normal and we gave him the traditional Ayur Vedic Bathing. We feel much for this child. His brother is all most cured and he wanted to attend the school. But we have to prepare other children to handle this child without disturbing his wounds.
We read and discussed few important chapters from Montessori’s EDUCATION FOR A NEW WORLD. We have mainly discussed the physical and mental role of a mother and teacher and how it has helped Saravanan in coming out of his mental conditions. More care must be given to this boy.
Then we ate our lunch and dispersed. The school gets closed from Saturday to Tuesday for the local annual temple festival.
Mean while Sasikala and Priya have opened that they may leave the school after few months for valid reasons. Yes again we are in threat of good staff. Let us start the work.
10.4.09- OBSERVATION MINUTES BY Dr.Madeswaran.M
1. When the school auto reaches the HOC, children got inside with joy and left their slippers and settled them self for the prayer in the prayer room.
2. Surya Raj is 1.5 years old. He came to me and asked me to lift him and cuddle him. He was very open to every one and well settled with the HOC.
3. When we conducted the prayer session there was absolute silence and children were aware about the importance behind the prayer chanting.
4. Basheer silently moved from his place and reached me and sat on my laps. By seeing this Saravanan could not bear his emotions and he was just waiting for my call to come to me. But I took some time for Saravanan to settle.
5. After the chanting, MohanRaj came into the HOC with sweets. He celebrated his birth day in the HOC. We sang the song for him and talked about his good dress. This went into the detailed conversation about dresses, colors and other things. He gave sweets to every child and staff. Every one thanked him. We gave a set of crayon color pencils to him as a gift. Immediately he wanted to try with them on a paper. By seeing that Sudeesh said that he can draw well with colors and pencils in big note books at home. We have asked him to show his creative pieces to us.
6. Then children chose their work and settled down. But I have insisted the staff to practice them self with more EPL and sensorial activities.
7. 1.5 year child was going on distracting others for the material which they have. Slowly we need to change this attitude.
8. Mean while Kalaivani came to see us. Children were so happy to have her.
9. With the Montessori globe I gave the group presentation of land and water, how the Earth looks? , how the Earth rotates, names of Erath in Tamil language and various continents.
10. Mean while we have decided to take the children out of the HOC for a nature walk to explore more with the Earth.
11. Every one wore their slippers and started walking. Mishal walked for a quiet a long distance by holding the hands of our staff. We also made her to participate in the nature walk by making her to sit on a chair.
12. We explored trees, plants, huts, mountains, insects, cows, chickens, human beings , fishes, flowers, rocks, stones and our own homes are resting on this globe.
13. Children were explained how the Earth is holding the rocks and they also tried their best and enjoyed the activity of shaking a medium size rock piece.
14. They saw the cow and got the name lesson in Tamil. There are several other names with adjectives for cow in India. So we gave them and explained why we respect a cow.
The exciting raining clouds:
When we were enjoying the nature walk, slowly there came few dark rainy clouds. It is very rare to have rain in the state in this horrible summer. Immediately we asked them to observe the motion of the clouds and explained how clouds drink water and change their color and how the cool winds from trees make them to shower the rain.
We explained this by drinking water from water bottles. We said that clouds need lot of water and they go to ponds, rivers, lakes, seas to drink water.
Then they sang a song about the rainy day. Slowly we felt that it is drizzling and asked the children to feel the cool breeze and clouds changing into very dark.
Slowly we too got the pinching touch of the rain drops and ran towards the school. Then we sang and danced inside the compound about the rainy day.
The crying big boy:
There came Samydurai 5.5 years old. He is from a local tribal farmer family with many siblings. When he came to our school we have learned much from him in settling. When he has changed slowly and started learning he felt that there is no one in the school equal to his age. His brothers are going to the local Government school and also run away with them. But his father has understood the concept of Montessori education and wanted him to continue one more year. We have explained the boy about the next year plan and settled him. But every day after crying for few minutes he is settling with his own choice of work. His father is very happy with his changes, English learning and attitudes. Hats off to Dr.Montessori and my staff members!!!
Mrs.Kalaivani’s experience:
She was our very first teacher who has enjoyed the Montessori philosophy very much. Now she is doing B.Ed in Ability based teaching which has included most of the Montessori concepts. She said that she was able to do her training well with the experiences which she has gained from our HOC. She gave many examples of various observations and students. She too shared her experiences in handling special children.
The wildness inside the baby boy:
Saravanan is a special child. We are treating him and he has shown gradual good outputs and growing well. But teachers have observed again there are few symptoms within him last week. So this time we have tested him and when we made him to do the difficult body exercises he has turned very badly as a wild boy and shouted , ‘’ uncle! If you don’t leave me I will bite you!’’.
Every body were upset and shocked to see the inner anger and wild behavior of this baby boy of autism. I was very much upset and we then gave him the traditional medications with hot bath.
We are aware that the mother is just wasting her time not taking care of him. She is just behind the younger boy who is badly injured. She too has changed that boys character just by giving unlimited crazy attention and affection.
We came to know that Saravanan was not given bath for 3 days and also his father has hit his mother before him and we called them and spoke and explained his changes and how the father’s wild character the child has imbibed slowly. But the father is very cool and said he is a rowdy who can challenge the whole village. We said that then the children will be called as ‘’rowdy’s children’’.
The shock treatment:
To make Saravanan to realize the love, attention, care given by the staff we have asked his parents to send few days to the local school were children are not cared like us. But the child cried and said that the staff in his brother’s school will beat him and he will never go. When we explained the care given to him the father just said that he has given all comforts to him. What a great lie? Boasting lie? We just saw each other face and laughed among our self!
The child has promised us that he will never be such rude and wild any more. We need to help him to come out of this situation but his parents have to co operate. Let us give our side care and love!
11.4.09 – Today Lord Murugan took his procession in the morning and it was raining. Mr.Balamurugan and his new friend Mr.Chellappan from Pondychery hase visited. Mr.Sakthyvel offered sacred food to many people.
The light for the fresh teacher:
Today we met Philip. He is a fresh +2 candidate from a very poor back ground. His father is a tailor in the village who stitches for reasonable rate. He has done many stitches for our HOC in the early years. He likes to do Engineering graduation but he has no money.
But his poverty has made him frustrated. We spoke to him. He said that he likes to graduate with Mathematics and wanted to be a teacher later. So we said that he can join with us as teacher and do part time studies along with Montessori training. If time and condition permits he can do his regular Montessori training in Madras from July to March 2010.
He can also ask SriSakthi Foundation for financial support for his studies. But he needs to work with us for few years after completing his graduation. He too is interested in this work. He has requested for working conditions in our HOC from next week. His English is good and he can do reading activities and also observe the environment.
I have discussed about this to Mr.Ganesh Marapan and Mr.Jeyaraman and let us see.
Mean while Mr.Muthuraj a special student who has been helped by our foundation has approached us for doing story telling activity in HOC. He is also from a middle class family and he is going to do school finals exams next year. He wants a place also to settle and learn and he has found our school as the best place. So we have asked him to do story telling in the day time and do his personal studies without any distraction to children by noon in a room or in the garden.
We feel very happy that the Montessori House of Children in the village has given space and choice for many such people to perform some thing good in their life.
26.4.09- FOURTH TERM REPORT GIVING DAY
Mr.Balamurugan from Pondychery was the chief guest for today’s function. He belongs to a very ordinary farmer family who lost his father at the age of 10. He was brought up very well in studies and behavior by his mother who also cared 2 little girls after him.
After doing his poly technique diploma he has joined in Pondychery Law College and did his degree in law after taking a part time job. After doing law he practiced for 3 months and now working in ICICI Bank in Thiruvaaroor. He is very responsible and care taking. He made his first sister married in a good position and now involved in SRISAKTHI FOUNDATION’S projects. Along with Mr.Jeyaraman he is involved in all the festivals of our foundation in this village. So we are honoring him as our young chief guest and made him to address the parents.
This time many children have arrived early to our HOC along with their parents. By 10.45 after short prayer we have started the report giving festival.
Dr.Madeswaran gave the welcome speech and introduced the chief guest followed by his calm, simple, realistic speech which made our parents to open their minds to give us the feed back about the schools and children.
Mr.Balamurugan addressed the parents as follows:
‘’ Believe your child. Give him the space to settle and fix his own task. Let you be behind the child. Let us give our best things to our children. Trust the school and Montessori system. We must be the role model for own children and we must perform what we expect from them. Encourage the child’s work.’’
Parents were very happy about the children’s personality and academics. There were good feed back. Andrews’s mother spoke well about her son.
Divyadarshini could not see her father and so she has started crying loudly. This was realized by all of us about the child psychology.
Children them self took the responsibility of serving coffee and biscuits. They volunteered for giving away the greetings card and gift to our chief guest. We have presented a simple but beautiful wooden flower vase to our guest.
Parents were informed about the auto timing and holidays. Teachers are taking 10 days as turn holidays. I feel very proud to say that Miss.Mallika said that she could not be at home in her turn holidays.
Mrs.Usha and her daughter have gone to Coimbatore for holidays and she is planning to check her health position.
We thank our staff for making such neat files for children’s work and narrative reports in our school letter pad sheets. All the reports were written by our staff after thorough edition work by Dr.Madeswaran. We also thank them for arranging a very calm and tensionless function. After the festival every one left and we sat for the lunch and theory work shop.
27.4.09- HOC conducted fresh term prayers and term planning.
From 28th to May 8th Dr.Madeswaran will be under going AMI assistance teacher training in Montessori teaching for the age group 0 to 6 in Madras.

Important activities of March 2009 in Namma Veedu

2009-04-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

IMPORTANT EVENTS OF MARCH 2009
This year the summer has started soon. The village is experiencing very hot temperature in the day time and cool nights. So we have decided not to conduct nature walks till the climate gets into the natural moods.
Mr.Muthusundaram from USA could not visit our school because of his family’s health condition. But he has expressed his warm wishes to all of us through phone.
The school has spent Rs.20000 to master Ravikumar who was the victim of the fire accident and we are educating the parents to care him more. The child is very calm and quiet without realizing the inner pain. Is this is GOD?
Mean while Saravanan is getting into better progress. We thank all our staff for taking care of him. He is progressing in language program and also wanted to write directly on note books but his fingers are still getting the strength to hold the pencil. Still he has to exercise all the sensorial materials because he has become more aware after the treatment now only. Just we have celebrated his 4th birthday.
The poor hut with lovable cake:
Saravanan is our special child. He is under going multiple tasks emotionally, physically and socially because of his health and family. The child has requested us to celebrate his birth day with a cake and gift. He used the word ‘’parisu’’ in Tamil meaning gift. The school has arranged for the cake and small gift and celebrated on 12.3.09. The poor hut was filled with the real bliss of joy and the child thanked all the staff for supporting him. The father is just roaming to earn and mother is with the fire victim child. She has requested a job in HOC but we have decided not to give because Saravanan will turn back in his development in his mother’s presence.
Mrs.Jothy akka is our beloved helper. She is an example for a real service. But she has decided to depart from HOC because of her health. We have asked her to join with us at any time in future. She will be working till March end.
Mean while Mrs.Usha amma is rendering her good service and taking care of the children and also supporting the staff. She is maintaining the HOC well. We thank her daughter Sreedevi for assisting us in all work when ever we need.
14.3.09- We have conducted the important parents- staff meeting. The minutes will be following:
1. We have appreciated the parents who have considered the importance of the meeting.
2. We have spoken in detail about the various issues which we face with the age group of 3 – 6 years old.
3. We have insisted the importance of model role living in family situations.
4. We have cleared the idea behind 7 days working cycle and May holidays. Like last year we will function even during May month. Those who wish to take off can do it with prior letter to the school.
5. We spoke about the tuition fees structure and transport fees structure which may alone get changed after looking into future fuel cost.
6. Few requested to keep the school even on week ends because they have realized that their children are learning some thing good from us than in playing out with the children. But we have explained the need of normal socialization also.
7. There was a very important question about the religion and culture of the school.
‘’ IS THIS SCHOOL IS TEACHING HINDUISM RELIGION? WHY THE SCHOOL IS NOT ASKING THE CHILDREN TO COME IN FANCY DRESS MODELS LIKE NATIONAL LEADERS BUT ONLY AS GODS AND GODDESSES?’’
Dr.Madeswaran answered as follows,
‘’ Thanks for asking such an important question. It is a very important question. We are expecting this question from the first day of the school. The school appreciates true Indian culture and ethics. The school is appreciating the values of all religions. We celebrate all festivals in the HOC equally. But no body has come far ward to appreciate the festivals and to put the national festivals in grand way. The response of the parents is very poor.
The school appreciates all culture and religions because tomorrow in this village our school children as adults must not lift the weapon to have a conflict for the religions. The school also asks the parents to appreciate the family culture and social unity without polluting the minds of young citizens.
There is an age in which the parents of all religions can guide their children to follow the personal culture but without hating other culture. This is the most unique and important aspect of Montessori school. [ Mr.Floris’s report about this unity education was highlighted]
The parent was happy to hear this answer and accepted to buildup the concept of unity and faith in all cultures in her son.
Then we gave the open idea of taking the children out for structural kinder garden schools and grade one in June. Balamithran, Rajasree and Swetha are leaving us by May to other school.
We have requested the parents to see to the narrative and academic reports before they receive on April 25th. We are also incorporating the special skills of the children observed by their parents in our reports.
We have opened up the idea of appointing a Trans gender person as part of the SriSakthi Foundation’s service to the man kind. Parents have thanked us for asking them and promised to support in that project. Our teachers are also welcoming that.
We have shared the various experiences with the children.
Saravanan has asked all his relative boys in a festival to stand in line and then to sit. Then he chanted the prayers and asked them repeat to have the food. He is willing to write now in his notes. But we are yet to complete few more important exercises with sensorial materials to strengthen his fingers.
Mishal is walking few steps by holding her teacher’s hands. She also wants to assist her mother in all house hold activities.
The twin brothers of 1.5 years have well settled. Their mother requested us to have them till 3.30 P.M. But we have explained the physical strain of our staff and said that they will be included after 2 months.
We have spoken very firmly to Saravanan’s parents regarding the medical care given to Ravikumar for fire accident. We have told them that the financial help is given just based on humanitarian care and they can’t miss use it and talk ill about the school in the village. The amount saved for Saravanan’s future education has been spent. Their parents have promised that they will follow a good family setup and child care.
Then we have celebrated MAASI MAKAM FESTIVAL. Lord was taken out for procession. No auto with battery was taken. Parents were strictly advised to care the children.
15.3.09 – We have edited the narrative reports of few children. Their parents also came to the HOC and saw the report as they are leaving the school by June.
21.3.09 – We met and analyzed the narrative reports. Our house owner Mr.-Mrs.Murugesan has visited our school. They were very happy about the maintenance of the home and school.
22.3.09- Dr.Madeswaran met Dr.Chellakumaraswamy regarding a new Montessori school which can be planned and projected in a very remote village called Eengoor Thulukapalayam in Erode district. They visited the village and studied for any possibility. The village is surrounded by many packets of residential areas and an industrial colony also. There are also few granite mines. There is only one Government school for the whole 10 KMs. So we may plan for a new environment.
Today Dr.Madeswaran has attended the condolence of Mrs. Mounaswamy-83 years old. She has played a very major role in praying for the beginning of the school and also has come front to give her own house in her village. Let her soul rest in peace.
24.3.09- HOC went out for a nature walk to the near by poultry. Children and staff have enjoyed a lot with fun and learning.
27– 29.3.09- HOC is on leave for the week end along with Telugu New Year Day celebrations.
29.3.09- Dr.Madeswaran has attended the open day exhibition in SPROUTS MONTESSORI SCHOOL in Madras. Many things were shared among the staff and him to incorporate in our school. The correspondent Ms.Smitha has agreed to visit with her staff to our HOC soon for a week end.
30.3.09- Ms.Jothy has accepted to continue her service in our school after a simple friction of thoughts between her attitudes in leave taking. Miss.Sasikala will be celebrating her wedding engagement on 9.4.09. She is getting married to the local village officer. We wish her all the success in her married life. Hoc will be closing from coming Saturday till next Tuesday because of local temple festival.

FESTIVAL OF SHEDDING THE SELF EGO

2009-04-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

Festival of shedding our self ego.
Bharani festival of Kodungallur is one of the important festivals of Kerala. The town is situated near the Arabian Sea between the two major cities Thrisoor and Kochi. Kodungalloor has a very long history. It was the ancient capital City of Chera Empire. Today it has its own historical and cultural identity. The town has studded with many historical monuments like one of the oldest Shiva temple, Very first Mosque of India, India first Church where St.Thomas landed and palace spot of the Chera kings. Kodungallur was earlier known by the name “Musuri” with a natural harbor connecting ancient India to rest of the oldest civilizations.It was called as ‘’Vanji’’ in ancient days.
Kodungallur may have lost its olden glory, but still is fresh with its famous legendary Kannagi’s history. It still is a very important pilgrimage centre attracting thousands of people especially during the Bharani Festival influencing the spiritual evolution of many devotees.
The temple celebrates the 2 days annual festival in the summer. It is called ‘’ BHARANI UTSAVAM’’. This festival is one of the very old festival forms of southern India which reflects many Dravidian cultural aspects.
Bharani Utsavam:
Bharani is one of the 27 stars in Indian Astrological constellation. Usually war commence on this day because kings considered it as the star of victory. The star is dedicated to Goddess Badrakali. She is considered to be the ultimate primordial energy and Goddess of success. We can feel this energy in the devotees who shake swords in their fist with jingling bells in their waist to participate in the Bharani Festival.
The celebrating literature:
If a king kills 1000 elephants with soldiers in a war, he was celebrated with the special type of poetry by the great poets which is called as ‘’BHARANI’’. Kings were also titled as ‘’ BARANI KONDAAN’’. This means ‘’one who has achieved success on Bharani star day’’.
The temple also celebrates the same star to worship Devi Mahakali. What is the connection of King’s war and Goddesses and who is killed here on the festival?
To seek answers, Let us travel across Kodungallor town on the Revathy star day which is 2 days before Bharani day.
The temple of a noble woman:
Kodungalloor temple has been dedicated to a great noble and revolutionary woman Kannagi who lived before 2000 years.[give link to Kannagi]. The temple was erected by the Chera king Chenguttuvan and his queen Venmol. His younger brother Elango adikal wrote the historical epic of Kannagi as Chilappathykaaram.
The temple is shining with red oxide copper sheets. The roofs are tied with garlands and colorful long flags of many designs which are fluttering in the summer winds. The shrine is packed with 1000s and 1000s of devotes from all over the state and neighboring state Tamil nadu.
During kodungallur Bharani , the whole town is vibrant with activities surrounding the temple premises where one can encounter shops flooded with 1000’s of merchandize, vendors selling delicious food items , loud speakers singing praise of the Goddess, street wallah’s selling DVD’s of Bharani dances and music about the temple. The local transport has been directed in different directions. Schools, colleges and offices enjoy local holidays.
There is a uniqueness of Kodungalloor Bharani Festival, where one notices that the devotees transcend deep into their Spiritual evolution by participating in the festival.
How Kodungalloor Bharani Festival differs from all other festival?
Other temple festivals in India focus on the temple and the primary deity of the temple. Where as in this festival the whole focus will be on the devotes but not much on the temple shrine and idol. The devotees transcend to a world of their “Aham”, the inner Self through the unique rituals of the festival. The one who has gone deep in their Spiritual and can reveal to others the inner light are called as Velichappadu or Komaram (literally, revealer of light): The oracle is usually dressed in red and carries a sword and shield. Possessed by the spirit of the deity the oracle dances in frenzy at the festivals in this Bhagavathy temple.
Here in the festival, the Komarams wear a red saffron sari dressed in a different pattern. The devotee also wears brass bells, cymbals around the waist. They adorn their feet with beautiful bronze anklets and hold the long sword which looks like a curved sickle. Their hair will be falling to the shoulders; men also wear the same costume including extra ornaments to look like the Goddess.
All the spiritual rituals are oriented to shed our own body identity and identify with the True Self, Brahman. According to the Vedic creation theory, the un-manifest Spirit is represented as Male and the manifesting matter as female. The primordial energy manifesting the whole creation represented as mother Goddesses is the stepping stone to the ultimate realm of the un-manifest Brahman. Therefore to get to these primordial Goddess state, devotees especially men sheds their gender identity just by wearing the female costume symbolizing the Mother Goddess. They shed their body ego (maleness) by growing long hair, shaved face, and darkened eyes with kajal, reddish lips with lipstick.
Mean while women needs to shed their own self identity by transforming their position as daughters, mothers and grand mothers to Goddess who has to listen to many obscene songs without any sexual emotions which will be sang by any body in any number just before them. They give up their ego by wearing this costume which may even expose their breasts. Whether it is man or woman as a KOMARAM , they walk, run, dance, roll all along the temple and town in front of 1000s and 1000s of people shedding all their social identity . This is a big step in spiritual transformation. This is one of the highlight of the festival.
Four great events of the festival:
The spiritual formula given by the sanadhana dharma based on the Vedic lessons clearly shows the transformation of a sadhaka from the body to mind, then from mind to intellect and through awareness reaches the atman.
If we observe any ritual or festival in India the above said transformation will be always highlighted in various ways. But it is in Kondungalloor Bharani festival, the spiritual transformation has been very clearly exposed to us through 4 important rituals on Revathy and Aswathy days.
On Revathy day the Komarams will start gathering in gangs and reach the shrine. Slowly each group starts their rituals of singing and dancing in tune with the beats made by bamboo sticks. This “Thaanoro” unique rhythm is followed by all the groups attending the festival. This unique rhythm brings a meditative mood to the devotees who swing their body in a rhythmic dance step allowing them to keep their mind swaying to normal cud-chewing activity.
Usually the main Komaram will be a mother or aunt of a family with their husband and all other family members participate along with them singing these lyrics with sexual denotations. Here again the importance of women as the center of the family is indicated.
In Indian culture, it is very common to express feelings through songs. Whether it is romace, or death or birth all feelings are expressed through music. The rthymic musical patterns relieve so much of psychological tension we build up in our minds. Bharani festival uses the same music to release the sexual passion deep residing in the minds of devotees along with breaking the false social face we put up.
Men challenge their Ego by worshipping the female figures of their family as Goddess in this festival. Equally giving an opportunity to women to self realizes their identity to Goddess through this ritual.
When the dancing ritual starts slowly the Komarams merge into the primordial universal energy and gets transcended. They transcend the barrier of limiting body, mind identifying to the infinite source of cosmic energy by dancing and shaking the sword. They feel the cosmic energy in themselves reaching the higher state of trance. When they reach the higher state of Trance, they circambulate the temple complex by which they connect themselves to the whole vibration of the earth and slowly reach the shrine of a small Goddess to whom paddy bran will be offered. This symbolizes the need of good food to our body to live a spiritual life.
Slowly the Komarams will be taken to a shrine which is dedicated to the Goddess curing viral infections. Pure turmeric powder and pepper will be offered to this Goddess. This indicates the need for a sadhaka to take care of the body without any disease.
Here the antimicrobial turmeric powder and pepper symbolizes the need for our mind immune from the infection of unwanted thoughts. Then the Komarams are directed towards the main entrance of the temple. Tall brass multi layered lamps adorn the entrance of the temple. There the gangs offer the ghee or oil and light a wick. This symbolizes the inner light of the spirit.
Then they move around the altar where the red color cloth symbolizing the Spiritual energy outburst after the death of the Ego.
After this ritual the Komarams will reach the main entrance of the temple where they dance, scream, cry, shouts, talk, and jump in ecstasy. Through this innocence of losing their social identity they merge with the higher Self.
Mean while the devotees who sings the obscene songs especially men shouts and sings before the main deity. They even talk to the idol in all filthy words. This ritual is an other important ritual of the festival. This ritual makes us the devotees feel free to express personal sexual emotions. By publically announcing one’s hidden sexual imprints, they cleanse their mind to progress spiritually. This is the importance of the obscene singing in Bharani festival.
The greatness of this ritual is the freedom of cleansing the deep hidden sexual imprints of the mind is very well limited only to musical singing. No indecent sexual body gestures or actions are done during this festival, reflecting that if the thoughts are purged actions become automatically pure.
It is interesting that the Komarams do not sings the obscene songs. They stand as witness to the family members singing the songs. They use the rhythmic musical beat untouched by the lyrical content, transcend towards the higher state. They identify themselves to Kaali , the evil annihilating energy.
The dancing transcended devotees will reach a state by which they hit their front skull with their sword in hand bleeding themselves and losing conscious of their body. They are encouraged to do it if they fail to bleed in the first time. Without bleeding they are not allowed to come out of the Trans state. Many items to hit the forehead with sword are allowed till one bleeds. Immediately when the head starts bleeding they shout and scream releasing their whole inner energy and run around the shrine and reach the other entrance of the Shiva shrine. Shiva is the ultimate Bhramam where as Goddess is the eternal energy. This link clearly shows the duel state of the bhramam and its expressed energy. It is the most important ritual for the Komaram to reach the Shiva shrine and offer again the Trans gestures. This symbolizes the transferring state of our self from the intellect to Bhramam level.
Finally the Komarams will be guided to the spiritual tutor – GURU. He just embraces the Komaram to his laps. Just by touch of his hands, Komarams come out of the Trans and hugs him. They also shouts and screams by which they express their joy of realizing the inner spirit. Then the spiritual Guru applies the turmeric paste ointment to the bleeding skull. There has been no case of infection or damage been reported.
The importance of the guru in the spiritual journey is very important. Guru alone can guide and makes our scattered energy for constructive purposes. In no other festival the physical presence of the Guru is obviously exposed.
In the Trans state the Komarams blesses the people and fore tell incidents of the future. Even after becoming normal, we can see the divinity, love and care for others by these great Komarams. We can see the motherly approach of Komarams with their gang. This shows the ultimate end of spirituality is to serve the world with true love as a divine mother.
Some devotees drink toddy to uplift their mind to the divine state. The difference between a drunker and devotee is very important. Drunker drinks to intoxify the mind and forget his vacuum in his mind. But a devotee drinks as means to be unconscious of the body and transcend to the higher Spirit.
On Aswathy day….,
The day before Bharani falls the Aswathy star. On this day the crowd will be increasing slowly and people gather and wait near the main entrance and all around the shrine with the eagerness to observe the final important ritual of the festival.
This ritual is called ‘’ KAAAVU THEENDAL’’. ‘Kaavu ‘means temple complex. ‘Theendal ‘means physical touch.
This festival connects the life of Kannagi and spirituality. Kannagi’s husband was punished because of the selfish royal gold smith. After his death only the calm Kanagi became aware and proved the justice in the royal court of Pandiya king in Madurai. After that she burnt the whole city.
Here every aspect is symbolized. Kannagi as a sadhaka. Her husband represents the Soul imprisoned by the mind. Mind is the Pandiya king who rules the matrix city of Madurai. He listens blindly to the royal gold smith – our self ego. When the sadhaka’s Kannagi become aware, by using the intellect she breaks the anklet to prove the inner existence of the parama purusha. Anklet is the symbol of body which is filled with the diamonds gem symbolizing the Paramathman. With out the gems an anklet is of no value. There is nothing without the Paramathman.
This is linked very clearly with the Kaavu theendal ritual. A representative of the royal gold smith community will be expected by the devotees to initiate the ritual. Before that few Krishnapakshies- Eagles will fly just at the top of the secret chamber. This is the symbol of the inner secret mind becoming aware at right time.
Immediately the gold smith will appear before the crowd and starts ringing a bell. This indicates the beginning of the inner battle between the soul and ego. Immediately few communities of the state who wear only white dress especially men holds a small stick and start running madly chasing the gold smith. They represent the enormous power hidden inside us to face the self ego. While they chase him, the devotees bang the whole shrine especially near the secret chamber with their sticks and also throw them. This is the sign of becoming total aware about the ego and awakening the dormant inner spiritual energy in the inner depth of our consciousness.
The Komarams as Devi Mahakaali and other devotees in white dress just chases the gold smith for 3 times and completes the rituals. It says that Devi has removed the self ego and all her soldiers as devotees have also marched towards that spiritual battle.
So on the second day the sadhaka is uplifted further from mind level to intellect state and he or she enjoys the shedding of self ego and gets the bliss of self realization- Aham Bhramasmi.
After this ritual all the devotees worship the leader of Kodungalloor town and leave the place.
Other important aspect of the festival is throwing the offerings upon the temple roof. This denotes the shedding of materialistic attachments.
Kannagi’s life teaches us many such spiritual concepts. She lived a very luxurious life till her wedding. But later she did not enjoy any pleasure like a normal rich wife. She has not even applied thilak, turmeric which are considered to be very important for an Indian wife. But today her entire shrine is smeared with turmeric paste and powder to celebrate her.
She did not wear any ornaments. But today her idol is decked with varieties of ornaments. She just gave away all her money to her husband’s personal needs. Today her temple is filled with material abundance. She was isolated from her family. But today she has been surrounded and worshipped by plenty of her devotees.
When Kannagi and Kovalan entered into Madurai, the flags fluttered and asked them not to come into the city because if the horrible tragedy waiting for them. But today lot of Bharani flags is welcoming us to enter into the temple complex to enjoy the great bliss of spirituality.
Even now a revolutionary life of a woman continues to guide the spiritual life of thousands of devotees.

Events of February 2009

2009-03-03T15:19:00.000-08:00

EVENTS OF FEBRUARY 2009
This month made has taught us many nice and unwanted things which has to be carefully handled in the future.
8.2.09- The members of Sakthi foundation, Dr.PradheepKumar, Dr.Madeswaran and Dr.Mani visited the school for the Thai poosam festival. On this nice occasion, we feel glad to say that Sree Chandrashekaran has made his holy visit to the school along with his disciples.
He lives in Pondychery. He is a lawyer and got well trained for meditation and yoga. He has his own group of pupils to learn both in Pondychery and Kolli hills. He gave his spiritual and scientific talk about body- mind-intellect and spirit to all our staff.
He made his disciples to perform all important postures of simple yoga and breathing exercises also. Few children also joined with us. Dr.Mani was very happy to see the school proceedings. He is seeing the school for the very first time.
We honored every one and the master has rendered back all the gifts offered by us. In this context we thank Mr.Balamurugan who has brought the master to the village.
The master gave the clear explanation for religion, spirituality, body care and how to connect to lead a very peaceful life. Then they all left by noon.
THAI POOSAM FESTIVAL:
This festival is the annual temple car festival of the entire state. So we too wanted to perform the traditional festival for the villagers through the foundation. Mr.Jeyaprakash from USA has donated Rs.23000 for making wooden Swan chariot. Lord got placed upon this and taken for long procession. Today we too have understood the great spiritual saint who taught equality and stood against untouchability and unity. He was ‘’VALLALAR[ 1823 -1874] A.D.
We feel very proud to say that the musical party came from Pondychery has performed excellent instrumentation which has brought total spiritual emotions with awareness in the public. The music was very grand and very new to this village. The public gathering was very much. Many 100s of people gathered and watched the festival.
Dr.Pradheep spoke about the need for a value based education which can be done by Montessori schools alone. He too gave a very detailed talk about the various traditions of the nation which has to be observed in every family for the well fare of children.
Then we introduced VALLAR and highlighted the need for spirituality, nonviolence and peace. The festival ended by 10 P.M.
But unfortunately our 2 year old child Ravikumar was very badly hurted by the hot generator which was placed in the auto. We can’t blame anyone for this accident. We have learned how to care the children during such festivals. We have decided not to allow any child to get into the auto during the festival. We thank the people for their deep prayers and help in this occasion. We must thank Mr.Jeyaraman who gave the immediate help and few physical exercises which made the child to gain back his consciousness. Immediately the child was taken to Madurai and admitted in the hospital. Sakthi foundation has taken care of this poor child and medicated. Today the child is safe. The parents will be addressed for their carelessness soon.
Then we respected and offered the traditional honor to all the parents who have participated in the festival and left to Coimbatore by next day dawn.
9.2.09- SAKTHY FOUNDATION BECAME SRI SAKTHY FOUNDATION.
It is a very important day that out foundation got newly registered as ‘’SRI SAKTHY FOUNDATION’’ in Coimbatore. Pradheepkumar, Madeswaran, Ganesh, Mani and Jeyaraman will be the functioning members. Let us pray to god that the same dedicated work will be rendered in many more areas to the public by us. We had good dinner in Coimbatore Anna Poorna Hotel and dispersed for personal work to other places by night.
Pradheepkumar and Madeswaran has visited Matha Amrithanandhamaye Devi’s ashram and observed many value based educational aspects which can be brought into the village school in future. The work happening in the village school has been observed by many of our friends all over the world.
15.12.09- We met Mr.Avinash and his family in Ernakulam. We thanked him for designing the free web site. His daughters Mega and Neha gave around 50 books today for our school. I can’t express the deep dedication and love of these 2 children with our school.
Mean while we met Mrs.Shalini who has a blind sister. She got trained for eye impairment child education and she herself is blind. She shared her interest in teaching to Sendurai school children. We have asked her to come and observe one day.
We too searched for fresh +2 candidates especially girls to train and appoint them as Montessori tutors in future.
We too met many people and spoke about the foundation and its work. We feel very glad to say that Mr.Laxminarayan from Dubai has spoken about his interest in donating Rs.21,000 to educated poor girls.
On 22nd Pradheepkumar left back to USA and we need to work more. There is a deep thought happening about the construction of school building.
23.2.09- Maha shivarathry festival was celebrated in the school. Our student Goutham’s twin brothers Chandran and Suryan got admitted in the school and they are well settled also. It is a great advantage to observe the evolution of the identical children in the environment.
26.2.09- We have celebrated Ravikumar’s birthday in a simple way. His parents have been instructed very firmly about the child care and awareness. This will be the best gift for the child.
On March first we are planning to discuss about opening a new Montessori school in the sacred land of Sreerangam in Trichy for the slum children. We have Mr.Mahesh and his wife Balambikai who are welcoming to discuss with them. Let us pray that SriSakthi Foundation will get the opportunity to serve more poor children. We have the plan of taking a poor girl who wishes to do her college under us. We can train her and make her to work in the day time and ask her to study in evening college with the sponsorship given by Mr.Laxminarayan.
We feel very unhappy about our helper Jothy akka’s health. She is unwell and taken out of the village for medication. We do staunch prayers for her health and we need her back for the service.
Sri Sakthy foundation will adopt our Namma Veedu Montessori House of Children – Sendurai from this month.

Events Of January 2009

2009-02-02T05:41:00.000-08:00

IMPORTANT EVENTS OF JANUARY 2009.
After The 4 days holidays for the new year we have started the fresh year with lot of learning through the drama which has made a vast difference within the children of the HOC. The drama was based on the oldest mythology SREEMATH BAHAVATHAM. This talks about the legends of SreeKrishna. The state festival ‘’PONGAL’’ which is going to be celebrated on January 14th was considered as the main topic. This is the local harvest festival. Especially the villages will celebrate this festival with grand colors and fun.
The legend links the cosmic responsibility. The legend has given the space for presenting the importance of all natural elements, heavenly bodies and morality. When our adults have started making probes, children were keenly observing and they had many interesting questions also. Later when every day when the drama was acted suddenly many of the children liked to take part in the drama and they were also given the dialogues and especially the probes.
When the focus table was lifted as a mountain by the staff that did the role of Krishna, children were very much excited to get under its shade as the people, cows, plants and birds. One of our students Balamithran who is the eldest among all have went and told his mother that every thing on this Earth is inside the God who protects every one. This is the message he has observed from the great legend.
Another child has told that if we surrender to God after accepting our sins he will excuse us. We thank Dr.Montessori for giving the space to teach all such ethics to the modern children through this education.
We have several interesting things happened when they went out for the nature walk to the near by hillock.
During the nature walk many of them were able to relate the names of animals, birds and many other things.
OUR MISTAKE:
Our staffs have left Mishal who is a special child when they set out for the nature walk. She can’t walk on her own. But we were not aware that we can also take her with a cycle or auto. So this time when she was left out, she has expressed her feelings by a big cry and emotional upset. When I came to know this I have condemned my staff for excluding her and explained the inclusive education. I too have strongly asked them to apologize with her and assure her for next trips. So we are waiting for the reopening day after Pongal holidays to see her soon to correct our self. This is going to teach all of us and children a great value. This will make the mixed age group to come more close to each other. As Dr.Montessori says every day, every incident is a learning program for us.
We have celebrated this year PONGAL festival on 11.1.09. The festival was celebrated with simply but without leaving any traditions. Children have enjoyed the feast and left for a week holiday.

On 12.1.09- Saturday, we have celebrated the festival through the school to honor a great spiritual leader and traditional doctor SreeMath Pambhan Swamigal, who lived before 100 years. He has recited many scared verses which talks more about health, hygiene and mental care. So we have asked pregnant women, mothers with young infants and children to gather before the common temple. Then we spoke about the spiritual leader and his teachings which mainly talks about social harmony and purification of mind and body. We too gave the people his songs and verses which are very important to observe in life. By 7 P.M we all came back to the school and honored every one. This time we have appointed the local village drum set. We are very happy to support them because they are very poor. The team included 3 boys who performed extremely well.
On Saturday, we had the staff meeting regarding language teaching and math.
On Sunday we conducted the staff meeting in which we have discussed various experiences and observations. We too gave the new materials. Saravanan’s health was very bad and the child was suffering from fever and pox infection. I felt very bad for the child who got spoiled by the parents’ carefree habits. I left the village with heavy heart.
PONGAL HOLIDAYS- 11.1.09 TO 18.1.09
19.1.09- Children have arrived without any cry or tantrum after a week holiday. Our staffs are very happy. They are going to present 2 important dramas.
1. Gandhiji and his tiny pencil.
2. Swamynathan.
These 2 are getting presented for January 26th which is our Republic day and Feb 8th which is the great temple car festival in the local culture.
On 24th and 25th of this month, Mr.Floris from Holland is visiting our HOC for observation and learning. He is a well trained AMI Montessori trained staff working in ABACUS MONTESSORI SCHOOL. He is very much impressed about the school after listening many things and he too enjoyed the photos and appreciated our team work.
OUR FIRST VISITOR FROM EUROPE:
On 25th morning I came to Sendurai with Mr.Floris from Madras. We slept very well in the bus so that we missed to get down in Thuvarangkurichi stop. We were left out in Madurai bus stand. So we took a taxi and travelled back for 60 Km.
He is a very simple person who has arrived here to learn Montessori, education and simple way of living. He is very much interested in Indian spirituality. He was just enjoying the whole trip without any hesitation and show off. He has adapted to any situation like food, toilet and bed.
Mani’s mother gave a very warm welcome. Immediately we had bath, tasted very soft iddlies with sambar and coconut chutney. Then we left for the school. Our staff gave a very simple but warm traditional welcome to him. Slowly the day started and he too enjoyed each moment in the HOC. We asked him to present the fresh tertiary color tablets material and he tried his best to talk to the children in the native language.
We had very good morning session. Then after lunch they started sleeping. We all had the lunch together and began our staff meeting with him. First our staff had the following questions:
1. What is the major difference between the Montessori HOC in Sendurai and Europe?
2. What are the qualities of a good staff?
3. What he think about the materials in our HOC?
4. Why he wish to work in India when all prefer western nations?
He too answered them and here I am writing the collected talk which he gave before Dr.Pradheepkumar and his wife that night. Also Mr.Mani and Mr.Nagaraj listened to him the same.

THE TALK WHICH HAS EVALUATED OUR WORK:
Mr.Floris say, ‘’ THE MOST ATTRACTIVE POINT IN SENDURAI HOC IS THE HAPPINESS AMONG THE STAFF AND CHILDREN WHICH SHOWS THE GOOD ATMOSPHERE OF THE SYSTEM. IN OTHER SCHOOLS TEACHERS JUST PROVIDE KNOWLEDGE TO CHILDREN. IN SENDURAI, THE STAFF ARE MAKING THE CHILDREN TO LEARN AND ALSO SHAPING THEIR MORALITY WITH GOOD PERSONALITY.
THE NUMBER OF MATERIALS, BIG BUILDING IS NOT AT ALL THE MATTER. IT IS HOW WE ARE IMPLEMENTINMG DR.MONTESSORI’S PHILOSOPHY WITHIN THE HOC.
THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPCET OF THE SCHOOL IS THAT THE CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED VERY WELL TO THE NATIVE CULTURE AND ETICS. THEY ARE GUIDED VERY WELL TO RESPECT ALL CULTURES AND ESPECIALLY ALL OTHER RELIGIONS. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORATNT NEED FOR THE MAN IN PRESENT WORLD’’

So I am very happy that the aim in starting the school is getting fulfilled and we thank all our staff who is just behind this great project to uplift the village children.
We honored him with cotton garland and greetings made by us. Then we also gave him many picture cards of great monuments of the state. Mani’s parents blessed him traditionally and applied the saffron on his forehead. He too received a wall hanger from them which is from north India.

25.1.09- I went to the school soon. Mr.Floris got up late in the morning. Then he was accompanied by Mr.Jeyaraman. They went inside the village and saw many different setups. They too have visited other natural settings around the village and came around 11 in the fore noon. We asked him to evaluate the answers written by our staff members regarding various Montessori concepts. I was translating in English and he gave the feed back. It is very nice to hear that they have understood the main philosophy of the system and doing good work. I told that the future increment will be totally based on the degree courses in which they join. We want the staff to improve the quality of education through their studies also. By this we are also making them to equip them self for their personal life. Miss.Sasikala brought the porridge made out of millets and he tasted and drank many cups. He very much liked to have more vadas and pappads. But he took very less rice. But he brushed his teeth only after taking food.

When he was explaining about his nation, social setup, he said that they don’t believe in religion because the local religion has not taught them to respect others. Again he has appreciated the respecting culture in our HOC. He said that many of the holy shrines in his nation are getting demolished naturally without human care because people are ignoring them. At this time we had Mishal’s father who came to meet us to give the details for the walker for his daughter. I explained the religious condition of Holland to him and asked him to talk to his fanatic friends about it also.
By evening 5.30 PM we left to Trichy and took the bus to Madras. By early we reached our home where he has relaxed for few hours and left to his home. We have invited him to participate in February 8th festival. He too is very much interested in seeing the village culture and our part in uniting the people to celebrate the festival with spiritual backup. So we are trying for his tickets. Let us see…
His visit is the graduation day for us. His observations are making me especially to know about my guidance to the staff.
We too have Miss.Panchavarnam for observation from this week. WE have asked her to observe till next week end and then to study few important Montessori lessons. Then after that I will interview her.
In the mean time we believe that Mrs.Shanthi will join with us after her studies.

31.1.09
Today we had school with few children. There are 2 sets of parents. Some wanted the school to function on all 7 days. Few want the schools to function only for 5 days. But most of them wanted the children to be in school always, so that they can enjoy the home life. We too are happy that the village has believed us.
Parent’s ego:
We feel sorry for Balamithran’s absence in the HOC. The parents have made strong decision to shift the home to the far by town because of their own ego problem with the village neighbors.
The boy has to stay just inside the home till June. The mother is very adamant about her decision.

Mohanapriya is also missing the school life because of her parents’ conflict in the family. The mother has left to her village with the child. We have adviced the father to bring back the child soon.
Swamydurai has also left the HOC. We have never seen his parents in the past 5 months. There are many parents who never care for any thing. It is our role to keep calm and serve.

Light for a new good staff:
Today we have met Mrs.Saranya and her husband who acme for teacher interview. She is a secondary grade teacher trained candidate. She is little aware about Montessori system. We have asked her to observe the school for a month with many studies parallely.
Then I have presented our staff with English phonetics. They need to train them self with that for a month. Then they have to implement that with children.
We too are expecting few more children to join with us soon. We planned for February 8th festival.

Mallika's review about her Montessori experience-2009

2009-02-02T05:36:00.000-08:00

WHERE AM I?- after 1 year.
This article is the translated part of the important review points of our present teachers. They have experienced the Montessori system, attended week end discussions, workshops, and implemented the aspects in daily school life. More than that they have studied many important articles of Dr.Montessori which got translated by Dr.Madeswaran.M.
Miss.Mallika. She has been working for one year. She says,’’ It is natural style of education which is more child centered. The most special aspect of this system is freedom. But the adults need to direct and prepare the child to handle the freedom with more limitations. The school is just another home for the children. Children are like the sheeps which can graze any where but they will be watched by the manger.
The adult allows the child to explore on his own. The school does not value the age marks. It values the age and knowledge. The adult’s role is very important to observe and care the child. Individual plans will help in developing the child. The materials are the initiating tools of education. Practice with materials makes the child perfect and evolve. The education triggers the imagination of the child. The school makes the child very independent, self controlled, self learning, self directed, responsible, service minded and spiritually uplifted.
The child is well exposed to social setup. The child gets the values of all culture, religions, arts, language, mathematics and real life. The education prepares the child to face the world with no stress. The child attains perfection and also awareness through daily work and practice.
The system links the body, mind and intellect of the child. The education also supports the physically and mentally challenged children.
Finally the system makes any abnormal, adamant child to settle and evolve as a peaceful man.’’

AMI's 26th Montessori International Congress,2009,part 2

2009-01-14T02:56:00.000-08:00

AMI’S 26TH INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI CONGRESS.
ADYAR, MADRAS, TAMIL NADU-INDIA, 2009.
This article is giving very important messages given by many delegates during the presentation time, breaking sessions and making us to think about the child’s life. Dr.Madeswaran has chosen these points as the important message to all adults of the globe those who are interested in the PEACE OF MIND, which can be seeded through a child as Dr.Montessori and Mahathma Gandhi said.
· The emergency has arrived for all parents and tutors to work for the child’s personality towards a peaceful harmony life. The Montessorians must dedicate them self without thinking about financial support, time and other materialistic commitments to shape the personality of the children to have a peaceful humble life on this globe.
· Montessori principles have to be followed by all of us in families also to make the children about the challenges of the modern world. Because this education is the urgent need for the child and it will be most effective program for creating peace on this Earth.
· Modern child is getting lazy and timid because of many issues. So parents and schools must try activities which must awake them to be physically ever fit and ever thinking.
· Our plans must make the child to practice the actions and reflect with total potentiality for his own success.
· Please make the child to come out of the materialistic life. In the past 10 years the parents have spoiled the children just fulfilling with materialistic needs and comforts alone.
· Child’s human tendencies must be brought out with spirituality.
· Abilities of today’s child are vanishing with expectations of parents and media’s suppression.
· Montessori system must cultivate only the self confidence within the child but not the adamancy and arrogance.
· We must prepare the child to face the modern challenges with out loosing the traditions and culture of the nativity.
· Prepare the child to reason, question the society with courage.
· The child must be able to give proper information to the society and also must be able to stand against wrong information.
· 2 enemies of modern education are: tolerance of parents for any unacceptable attitude of the child and appreciation.
· Montessori system must consider the villages of Eastern world.
· Try to show the Gandhian way of practical way of simplicity and life along with Montessori system.
· Our children must be trained to first listen to others and that will make the multiple changes within them which will change the society.
· Women has to change them self from the materialistic pleasure to a normalized motherly hood to cultivate positive children for this society. The modern women who has educated and earning have neglected the child care and there came all problems within the society. This is not the feminism defined by Dr.Montessori.
· We are cultivating the false sense of peace by being timid in the past 20 years especially in India in the name of secularism. We must be able to stand against wrong powers.
· When we help our children to work peacefully and reach the total potential, they express the service to the society.
· Proper education can’t be given only by school. It is the mother’s total role to educate the infant from the 3rd week of pregnancy. Hence she is recognized as ‘’GODDESS’’.
· A school can give only 50 percent to a child’s education and make him to evolve.
· All our actions must help the child to reason out with good sense of questioning without any rigidity of mind. But it is the adult’s responsibility to make the child to understand the need for the movement which must be very reasonable and purpose.
· DANCE AND CLASSICAL MUSIC AS A SADANA: The child who is enjoying and learning the classical dance and arts especially music, painting, sculpture will be able to coordinate his body, mind, thoughts, intelligence, mind and make the real spirit of learning through his practice and this gives the perfection to life. Dr.Montessori has designed all her apparatus based on this logic after working for 9 years in India.
· Perfection of all movements of us will progress towards perfection.
· When 1000s of unknown microbes are able to live a hand full of sand why we the human beings are unable to live in harmony?
· Education must be very affectionate and it is not happening today. It is very important for us to connect the child with the modern materialism but where is the ‘’ peace and spirit’’?
· So do not offer any thing to the child without affection and humanity. Make the child to feel the importance of every action rendered by every man and organism on this earth for the joy which he is enjoying.
· Parents are requested not to pass any emotional blackmail on the children.
· At every age the child’s movement and every action is perfect. But the adult’s ego is unable to accept that. There comes the friction. Try to accept the reality of the age and evolution.
· Allow the child to express his mistakes without fear.
· Fact behind the action is greater than our appreciation.
· The moment we have lost our perfection in role modeling, our relation changes with the child.
· Just the true lovable presence of the adults alone will make the children to work and evolve well.
· Teachers are the most suppressed people by the school, syllabus, parents, media, challenges and finally by the child himself.
· Do not disturb your child unless he is disruptive, harm to the environment.
· The various deep emotional healthy thinking makes the child to perfect his thoughts.
· Right parenting at the right age of the child is very important which is vanishing because of materialistic challenges.
· Please do not treat the child as the ‘’adult’’ with the goals and future.
· Language, Independence, mastering the body control, practice will bring perfection within us.
· Recognize every action of the child [especially the mother] with accomplishment but do not bribe them.
· Man alone is the only species on this earth that is highly evolved but when he comes to the Earth, he is the worst dependent living being who has to be nourished and cared by the adult and this care gets vanished soon because of adult’s expectations.
· Movement of the self and mind in the home, school, society and nature will perfect the thinking and makes the child perfect.
· GREAT ENEMIES FOR THE MODERN CHILD:
· Religious harmony
· Ecology
· Nuclear family setup
· Divorce cases
· Mother’s time bound job
· Quality of life
· More materialistic needs
· Vanishing self contentment
· Spirituality which is very weak
· Modern food habits
· Modern child is very rajasik [rigid] or thamasic [ dull]. We must bring out the child to act with more pure sathvic – energetic life.
· Dr.Montessori’s needs:
· Parents, teachers role modeling.
· Education to love and affection.
· Child’s individuality.
· Single human family.
· Make the child to perform the dharma – right act for the comos.
· Finally every body accepted Gandiji’s saying,
''be the change, which you want to be’’.
So let us respect the child, parenting and give time in family and educate the child. Let us make children to live happily in the home and schools. I wish even we all follow any few of these thoughts within our homes and schools, our children will be evolving in good spirit!
PLEASE! MAKE THE MODERN CHILD TO ACCEPT THE LAW OF LOVE AND AFFECTION AND TO APPRECIATE THE RARE AND ORDINARY THINGS WHICH IS AVAILABLE. LET HIM NOT IGNORE THE HAPPINESS WHICH ARE AVAILBALE EVERY WHERE AND SEEK ONLY FOR THE THINGS WHICH ARE VERY DEMAND TO GET.

'' Today, all the dedicated teachers are the doctors and nurses taking care and medicating the children who are very badly injured by the family and media.......''
Thankyou!

AMI's 26th International Montessori Congress-2009,part 1

2009-01-13T06:18:00.000-08:00

AMI ‘S 26TH INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI CONGRESS,
KALASHETRA – MADRAS, TAMIL NADU, 2009 part 1
We are proud and thankful that the 26th International Montessori Congress took place in India. It is very special that the congress was conducted in the great college for classical dance and music. It is KALASHETRA in Madras. This institution was found by SreeRukminiDevi Arundael.
She and her husband were the cause for Dr.Montessori’s arrival in 1939 to India. So we have the history of 70 years of Montessori education in this great land of spirituality and wisdom. So AMI has taken this city and place where Montessori lived and evolved her self with her education.
We thank many officials of AMI and others who all worked for the past 1.5 years to put up the successful congress show. We are also thanking SAKTHI FOUNDATION AND ABACUS MONTESSORI SCHOOL – MADRAS, for making all arrangements with financial support and moral support for Dr.Madeswaran.M who has represented NAMMA VEEDU MONTESSORI HOUSE OF CHILDREN- SENDURAI.
This article and further articles will be clearly giving the minutes and important events of Montessori Congress which happened from January 5th to 8th of this year. The important messages and minutes of various paper presentations will be given in very simple way in the following articles.
Uniqueness of the Congress:
1. AMI has embraced all Montessori schools without any discrimination. We were happy to see all our GURUs from INDIAN MONTESSORI TRAINING INSTITUTE- BANGALORE.
2. People from all over this great nation have arrived. There were Montessori tutors, school principals, directors, parents and educationalists. Around 1800 delegates from all over the globe has arrived.
3. We feel great to see our children who were acting as most responsible volunteers for 4 hard days from 7.15 A.M till night 8 P.M. We thank all adults from Navadisha, Abacus, Kalashetra, Patshala for training them. Children from these Montessori schools expressed the real inner order and service to the public and showed that they are unique. They were so humble, honest, lovable and most responsible.
4. Kalashetra has provided the auditorium, with 6 more classes for various activities.
5. We thank Dr.Leela Samson the director of Kalashetra for her humble help and participation. It is very rare to see such great personalities today with that humble and love to serve.
6. Most of ABACUS teachers were involved in this. Many of them were delegates. We thank the school for paying 90 percent of the Congress fees for the staff based on the seniority and Montessori interest.
7. We thank Kalashetra students for their involvement in this congress.

Interesting activities during the congress days:
1. We all have gathered at Kalashetra by sharp 7 in the morning to do yoga under the supervision of the great yoga guru Desikacharya and his staff. On 5th January we had various Montessori school visits.
2. Then we all left for a nature walk across the Kalashetra campus, beach and banyan tree.
3. By sharp 7.30 A.M, we had our delicious breakfast then we chatted and met many delegates.
4. We were sharing very important and unique moments, observations, questions and every thing was only about ‘’THE CHILD’’.
5. Then we sat for the morning talks given by various pioneers from all over the world. All the days began with the yoga chanting from Vedas with explanations especially in connection with teaching.
6. Few were very inspiring, few were dull to sit and listen. There were few important power point presentations, DVD shows about children and life.
7. Then by 11. 15, we had a good coffee break for 10 minutes.
8. Then we proceeded with talks and went for good grand lunch by sharp 12.
9. We too enjoyed the most colorful ALL INDIA FOLK HANDICRAFT EXHIBITION within the campus. We all have purchased many things for the schools.
10. Then by sharp 2.15, we had many interesting breakup sessions of our own choice in which we can talk and present our work.
11. Then again by 4 P.M we had one more talk and followed with beautiful classical dances, music, folk traditions from Kalashetra.

12. Then we ended the day with grand dinner and left home by 8 P.M.

13. We met 2 abroad Montessori material manufacturers from Holland and Italy. But I can’t offer to them. The cost is very much. We too had few Indian Montessori engineers who took us to see their products which were not allowed inside for exhibition.

THE MOST IMPORTANT ROOM FOR MANY OF US:
AMI from Hyderabad has presented the scared materials used by Dr.Maria Montessori in Adyar between 1939 to 1947. Most of the materials were allowed to see very near by and every one was touched in heart to see her own hand made materials.

Thank you!

Namma Veedu Montessori HOC-First Annual Day ,Dec 2008

2008-12-28T06:56:00.000-08:00

FIRST ANNUAL DAY CELEBRATIONS- 2007-2008
25.12.08-Today by 7 A.M, our chief guest family has arrived to Sendurai. They have been dropped in taxi by Mr.Ravichanderan. We thank him for his interest in this school. Balaji was appreciating the natural setup of the village. His children were so happy and free moving in Mani’s home. Mani’s family also welcomed them warmly and made them to feel very comfortable.
After the regular morning formalities we had good breakfast and left to our HOC. By sharp 9, our staff and few of our parents gave warm welcome to the chief guest family.
We took them around the HOC and our staffs were asked to care them.
*** By 9.30 A.M, Dr.Pradheepkumar and his family called from USA and parents –staff listened to their message. Chief Guest also spoke to them. Pranav has made the excellent greeting card which carries the various aspects of our HOC in the pictorial depiction. Priya and Pradheep have also send greetings and messages to staff and parents. The greetings and message got explained before all.
Balaji said, ‘’ it is very much inspiring to see the Montessori HOC in a village. I can feel the real depth in the Montessori philosophy inside this school. The efforts made by staff and foundations are very much realized by me’’
Mrs.Kavitha said, ‘’ I can see the real difference between the Montessori setup between the city and village. I feel the HOC has implemented all most every aspect of Dr.Montessori’s views about the children and education’’.
THE GREAT INDIAN FLAG:
Then Mani’s father hoisted the great Indian flag and we all sang the state song and saluted the national flag. Children observed the ground rules and followed perfect behavior. Then we all went inside the main hall and settled for the meeting.
Mrs.Priyakannan who took her assignments for the day to her home beyond her son’s illness gave a perfect welcome address.
Then I gave the thanking greetings for all who are behind this great scheme and asked the chief guests to honor Dr.Montessori and Gandhiji with flowers. Then we all chanted the school prayers.
Then I introduced them to the parents. Slowly many parents started arriving.
THE SACRED LAMPS OF WISDOM: Two traditional clay lamps of wisdom were lighted by the chief guests and placed before Dr.Montessori and Gandhiji. Two lamps denote the completion of one year and beginning of second year.
Mrs. Kavitha’s speech delivered the following aspects:
1. Her experiences about Montessori system.
2. How she got into this system?
3. Her husband’s role in uplifting her as a Montessori staff.
4. Her children’s evolution in a Montessori HOC.
5. How to control our anxiety and anger before the children and society?
6. How to observe a child within the school?

Mr.Arulbalaji‘s speech delivered the following messages:

1. The real chief guest in a school is the parents who have made their presence and recognized their children.
2. What made him to become a Montessori parent?
3. Why he made his wife to take Montessori training?
4. What he wanted from the young parents?
5. He asked them to do 3 things:
· Shed your anger and comparison.
· Believe the school and surrender the children to the staff.
· Spread Montessori movement.

He too spoke about the fees structure and asked the parents to pay it regularly.

· I am not writing many things about his talk because he has praised us a lot.
THE WAY WE HONORED:
When I was studying in B.B.B school I have seen my craft teacher Mrs.Revathy decorating pure cotton towels as garlands and she said that the school follows Gandhi’s few simple principles. We buy kaadhi cotton clothing to honor him and also to help the weavers. So I wished that to be done in our Sakthy School also. So we made few garlands and honored our VIP people. I too explained about how my teachers have inspired me all many such things.
· Mr.Ayyanna garlanded Mr.Arulbalagi.
· Miss. Selvi garlanded Mrs. Kavitha.
· Mrs.Kavitha and Mr.Arulbalaji inturn honored Mani’s parents.
· HOC children gave bouquets to chief guest family.
· Teachers gave the brass bowl full of flowers to the chief guest.
· Children gave the box full of clay vegetables and fruits made by our children to chief guest’s children.
· Then we also honored Mr – Mrs.Ganeshkumar from Pongalloor who are taking steps for a new HOC in their village. He has paid Rs.101 for his daughter in 2006 when we started the school plan.
R EPORTS
We gave away the narrative reports, Certificate which say top 10 skills of a child, Guide book about Montessori system to parents and a greeting with Maria’s quotation. This book was received and honored by Mrs.Kavitha.
Each child was invited by Miss.Mallika , Mrs.Shanthi and Bodhini with an introduction to them. The parents were so proud of them and saw their children receiving the report.
Children, who were ill, received the reports through their father or mother. There were few parents who have never turned up and we too commented about that.
Then we have asked Rajashrees’s father to address about the child’s vocabulary skill and parenting. Meanwhile we too decently highlighted the bad way of handling emergency situations by them without openly pointing out their names.
Few children sang few Montessori songs. Miss. Sasikala gave introduction to Montessori songs. Then we all joined and sang few songs.
Balamithran narrated the story of Pandurangan.
Rajashree exposed her vocabulary skill before every body.
HONORING SESSION:
We have greeted and honored Mrs.Kalaivani who was our first staff. I spoke about her talents and her parents were honored in her absence with grand gifts.
Then we have received Mrs.Bodhini and her husband. Children and parents gave warm applause for them and gave flowers. He was honored with towel and she was honored with kaadhi mat letter hanger.
We also honored Mrs.Jothy akka and Mrs.Shanthi. Then we gave the sacred brass lamps of wisdom to all other staff and parents who were attending the previous day festival. Lamps were given to all by Chief Guest’s children Rakshitha and Harshavardhini.
Then we also honored Late.Mr.Palaniswamy for his service and Mr.Dharma who have taken free service in transferring all materials from Madras.
Then we read out the annual budget and greeted all the staff members who are behind this great success.
· We asked our parents about the idol of GOD Murugan to get placed in the village. But every body opposed that because they all said that their children are growing with true spiritual qualities and discipline because of this idol.
We too explained the International Montessori Congress – 2009.
We ended the festival by 2 A.M and admired our children and parents for their presence for a long time.
We all stood and sang the national anthem and concluded the festival and asked all to view the album room and take sweets. Usha amma has prepared sweet porridge and sundal. She was totally involved in cooking for the guests and staff. We thank her and her daughter for their service. She too got honored.
Then staffs were talking to the guests and we walked to our school land and prayed that there must be the school building by next annual day. Then we all took grand lunch served in Mani’s home. The chief guests left to Erode city by 3.30 P.M.
THE GREAT DONATION BY MY CLASS MATES:
The chief guests collected money from few of my school friends who are serving the nation from their own profession. He has donated Rs.17, 000 for purchasing Montessori materials. We thank them. So we thank God for making this great day of effort as a grand and depth day which is the real honor to Dr.Montessori and Mahathma Gandhiji.
Thankyou all!

Namma Veedu Montessori HOC-Annual Festival 2007-8,day2 and 3

2008-12-28T06:34:00.001-08:00

FIRST ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF NAMMA VEEDU MONTESSORI HOC- 2007-2008, DAYS 2 and 3.
22.12.08- Today we have started the day with regular chanting and we waited for the parents to arrive for the story telling session. But we have received only 3 parents. Saravanan’s mother came and said a story for one minute and Mishal’s father narrated the legend of Christ using the crib. Our previous helper Mrs.Ponnammal who is around 65 years old arrived and narrated a long story about equality.
So it is clear that even villagers are not familiar with story telling in these modern days because of the television. We felt sorry for this situation. So I have made it is a compulsory rule that every day after chanting one teacher must narrate a traditional Indian story.
· After that we left for the annual report plans.
· We thank our helper Jothy akka’s daughter Sangeetha who has brought basket full of marigold flowers for garland making. Teachers sat till 7 P.M and made wonderful bouquet.
· On this day Miss.Selvi left to Dindukal town and purchased few lamps for gift and many cotton kaadhi towels for garland making and gift.
23.12.08- I left to Erode city because my aunty passed away and came back to Sendurai by 10 P.M. It was a very tedious journey for 12 hours. Many parents have given their paintings to HOC on this day. The topic is ‘’NATURE’’. Saravanan’s father drew his picture on 21st itself because he has to go for the job. We respect such parents who have started taking interest in their children.
24.12.08- Our HOC was functioning fastly and children were given leave today. We have cleaned every thing and last hour checking has been done. I was very upset with the maintenance of the jewel set boxes and I was little bit harsh with my staff for that for the very first time. I have explained the efforts and money used for buying them.
We all decorated the HOC with mango leaves and coconut leaves and arranged all the required things in order. Teachers practiced the various formalities and we left soon for the day.
Thanking you!

Namma Veedu Montessori HOC-Main Events Of Dec,08

2008-12-28T06:34:00.000-08:00

EVENTS OF DECEMBER -2008
This month is going to be very exciting for us because we are going to step into the second year of service. So slowly our HOC is getting ready for that. Mean while we got a new child Master.Andrews, 2 years old who has well settled within a day and waiting for admission.
We have given a small increment of Rs.250 to Miss.Mallika who is with us for 10 months and Miss. Sasikala for their work and development.
1.11.08-Mr.Jeyaraman has approached Mr.Mrs.Parthiban one of our parent for teaching faculty. Mrs.Kayalvizhi has trained for teaching faculty and got some experience in conventional school. She is very calm and deep analyzer. She is also a photographer along with her husband and taking part in all our HOC events. She made her 5 year old son to shift from a conventional school to the Montessori setup. So we believe that she will join with us for the next level growth. She has permanently settled in the village.
HOC has invited Dr.Kalaiselvi- Tamil professor – KVK arts college-Trichy as the chief guest on December 25th-2008. We will talk about her later.
THE CHALLENGING DANGER- Today Rajasree was badly hurted when Swetha ran towards her to show a hug and smile. Immediately the issue was announced to the parents. But Rajasree’s mother has spoken very ill about the HOC and all the staff. But according to the spiritual lessons they were quiet and explained the situation, but she ignored them. Our auto was used to take the child to the hospital. Medication was given. There were few stitches with dressing. Mani’s mother went and spoke to the parents. We have decided to ask excuse but we are going to tell in the open meeting about teachers’ abuse by parents. This child’s mother has repeated the verbal abuse 3rd time in this year. But we need to learn one important lesson.
‘’ It is common for such accidents in a school with many children, but it is not good in a small school like us. We need to be more aware about the happenings.’’
4.12.08- NATURE WALK. The school has gone out for the nature walk. Children have conversed many things and we are listing very unique observations as follows. They saw the village wells, grass lands, hens, bulls and cows. They saw an eagle gliding across a pond. They saw dragon flies, crows, cranes, palms, butterflies and many things.
1. Sudeesh was able to tell the following English terms. Crows, cocks, hens, chickens, butterflies, eagles, dragonflies and trees.
2. Saravanan saw a snake and alerted the staff to go away.
3. Ravikumar pointed out a hut with the term ‘’home’’ and put a worm with a stick.
4. After the walk every body involved in a long chat and discussed about the nature walk. Madhumitha and Swetha started narrating the walk as a story.

6.12.08- We have purchased the X- Mas Crib for HOC from Madras Bessant Nagar Church shop. We have also purchased few nice decorative items. So after the lamp festival we will be presenting the legend of Jesus Christ to our children. On 21st of this month we are having the Christmas celebrations with the carols from local church group. Mishal’s parents have agreed for the arrangement.
Mean while we are preparing for the Thirukaarthigai lamp festival. Teachers are presenting the myth behind the festival with respective dolls and craft work made by them. On 13.12.08 our Lord will be taken for procession inside the village. On that occasion few of our students will be appearing as mythological characters and talk about them.
5.12.08- We have designed and printed the very first certificates of appreciation of children in our HOC in Madras. We have also edited and printed the simple version of Dr. Montessori system which is getting followed in our HOC as simple book lets. This will issued along with the certificates on 25th December by our chief guest.
Our chief guest has expressed that she could not attend the festival on 25.12.08 because of a genuine reason. So we have hunted for an other chief guest. We got THEM.
They are Mr.ARULBAAJALI and Ms.KAVITHA. Their children Lakshitha and Harshavardhini are Montessori children.
Mr.Arulbaalaji is Dr.M.Madeswaran’s school mate. He was very naughty and only son in a rich business family in Erode. His jokes, class room behaviors were well known and made many to laugh and enjoy the friendship. He is very keen about the association of his class mates after schooling from 1991.
He got graduated in pharmacy and completed his MBA program and worked as lecturer in a pharmacy college in Madras. He is the author of a text book in pharmacy and today he is the Marketing Director of a good pharmacy group in Madras.
He stood as the best support for us when Mrs.Amudha wanted to begin her Montessori HOC in her village in 2006. He has listened to most of our lectures and always approaches us for any guidance in child care.
After facing many difficulties he has put his elder daughter in Viruksha Montessori HOC in Madras. After observing the various aspects within his child he has supported his wife also to undergo the Montessori training under SriUma Shankarji. Today she is working in Sprouts Montessori HOC –Madras.
The couple is very much interested in Montessori system and they are eligible for the Annual Day celebrations as chief guests.
11.12.08- HOC has celebrated the famous THIRUKAARTHIGAI lamp festival after 15 days celebrations of legend presentation through models. Usha amma has cooked sundala nd traditional poojas were performed.
12.12.08- Today is Thirukaarthigai festival. HOC is on leave and Usha amma has decorated the building with row of lamps.
13.12.08- Today before starting the Thirukaathigai festival we made the Lord to get bath by our 3 children. Saravanan, Balamithrana and Chandrakumar were performing the sacred bath and chanted all the prayer chantings. Today we are celebrating the Thirukaarthigai festival through our school. The school got decorated by our staff as usual in traditional way. By noon 3.3.P.M, the local elders who perform the chants and holy songs arrived and started their bajans.
Our very first fancy dress day:
Our parents have also arrived promptly arrived for make upping their children as Murugan and Kaarthigai women. The staff and others were involved in this activity. The school has supported them with jewels and makeup set.
It is very nice to see the parents’ cooperation and enthusiasm in making the children to involve in this festival. Most of them have recognized their child’s very first fancy dress occasion.
Teachers have also trained these children to act and talk their roles. Every child looked very cute and divine with the costumes and make ups. Few of them also tried their best and narrated their dialogues. Many were tensed and cried and we gave them the space to settle down and told the parents not to expect their children to act or perform immediately before the public because this is their very first occasion. We asked the staff and parents to observe and appreciate their children when they were doing their role at home or in the school. Only the smartness, boldness to bare the costumes and makeup and trail activity in talking the dialogue can be appreciated and encouraged.
All those who got decorated stood happily and took individual and group photos. Few spoke their dialogues also. The jewels we have bought for Murugan have made these little ones to become very divine. Afterwards they have joined with the procession also. They were courageous to come along with us in the costume and play and also to travel in the auto till the festival spot.
Children who participated in this occasion:
1. N. Saravanan.
2. SreeDiwakar. [ is a 2 year old boy. His mother is working in a different place. She visits him rarely. So she has taken very special efforts to make him enjoy the day. But he was very tensed that his mother may leave him]
3. S.NaveenKanna.
4. N.Ravikumar.
5. P.Balamithran.
6. R.Samidurai.[ a child from very poor , illiterate family got the courage to stand before all]
7. G.Swetha. [ Swetha’s father Mr.Ganesh took the photos on this occasion]
8. K.Madhumitha.
9. S.Divyadarshini.
10. M.Dharani.
The happy procession:
We started the procession by 4.30 P.M and the traditional village drum set from the near by town [ MANAPAARAI] was going on performing very well and made the village in festival mood. Though the artists were so poor, they were very staunch and dedicated to their performance and enjoyed the procession and praised the lord. After the festival , they were paid with Rs.1500 and garlands and prasadham set.
Mr.Balamurugan from Pondycheri, Jeyaraman, Mrs.Shanthi madam’s husband, Saravan’s father, Naveen’s father Mr.Saravanan and many others have joined with the lord. Mr.Ganeshkumar has joined with his wife and child from Pongaloor. Mr.Murugan, Master.Paani have also supported the festival. He only lifted the umbrella for Murugan. We went to the Vinayakar shrine and lighted the lamp first. Then we honored Kurathi amman with a lamp and proceeded to Mahalaxmi amman shrine. Poojas were performed to Devi and one lamp got lighted inside the shrine and 6 other lamps at the entrance.
We spoke about the importance of caring out father and mother. We told that Murugan himself is showing by respecting his parents. The silver pendant of Shivasakthi was exposed and people saw that also. Then we narrated the legend of ADI MUDI THAEDAL from Shivapuranam.
People enjoyed the show and many old people gathered very near to Lord and prayed. Later the bajan group members were honored with green towels and Mani’s father and Dr.Madeswaran were also honored by the shrine.
Then the lord started back to HOC. This time many devotees have gathered and gave warm welcome to their God. By 8 P.M, we reached the HOC. Individual respects were shown to devotees who supported the festival and they all left. Then we cleaned the HOC and did night poojas to Lord and made them to sleep. We all went and slept in Mani’s house after a long dinner.
We thank Mrs.Usha for preparing such a delicious food for noon and night. She too has prepeared the sundal prasadam for us. We have listed out the committee members names and made Mr.Balamurugana s the president.
We also appreciate Mr.Kaarthi for coming all over from Thirupur. He will be the local president. We are thanking every body who has made the festival as the most successful one.
We thank Mani’s parents, Mr.Gopi[local priest] and all elders.
Important observations:
1. Many devotees have responded this time.
2. Village elders have stretched their good support.
3. Many families have set up warm traditional welcome while the procession was going on.
4. But very few only gave oil.
5. Many children, old people, diseased people watched the procession.
6. People observed the rituals and listened the drama and story calmly.
7. A poor boy came all along the procession and finally we gave few sets of dress.
8. The poor drum set artist was offered with a new dothy.
9. Mr.Kumaran[ our important member] could not arrive because of his health.

14.12.08- Today village elders came to meet us by 10 A.M. They have requested for the Murugan idol to get placed in the center of the village where the previous temple got ruined. Mr.Jeyaraman and Dr.Madeswaran.M were talking in the important meeting.
Minutes of the meeting:
1. Murugan idol was asked for the common temple in the village.
2. Village will construct and care the shrine.
3. Sakthi foundation will perform all its needs from that shrine.
4. But what Sakthi foundation answered after talking to Dr.Pradheepkumar?
· We brought the idol just for the personal use within the school to teach the spirituality and culture for the children
· The foundation has explained the role of HOC in shaping out the 25 children and the elders have appreciated that.
· We said that our spiritual teacher SreeAmrithaanandhamaye amma have directed us to bring out the God for the village public through the festivals.
· We have planned for the school building along with temple which will be opened for the villagers without any discrimination.
· This was realized by the elders and they accepted for this plan and assured for their total cooperation for all occasions. We made them to realize for the poor maintenance of the old temple.
· They have requested to support them financially to paint the Mahalaxmi amman shrine and to install a stone idol of the goddess also.
· We have asked them to give a letter to Dr.Pradheepkumar along with the quotation for painting.
Later we conducted the HOC staff meeting. The minutes are as follows:
1. We read the book published by the HOC to guide the staff and parents about the system and school.
2. Certificate work got discussed.
3. Chief Guest was introduced to our staff and they asked many questions.
4. Saravan’s latest behavior patterns were discussed.
5. His mother was called and advised for better family conduct.
6. We too spoke to Rajashree’s mother for the accident.
7. We have planned the 2009 first term events and holidays.
8. We have planned Christmas festival plan also.
9. Christmas decoration set was given to the school.
10. Miss.Sasikala and Mrs.PriyaKannan can come at 9A.M alternatively.
11. The work before the annual day was planned for the staff and they have to carry over it.
12. Miss.Kalaivaani was met by Dr.Madeswaran in the morning. She has shared that the teacher training is very easy for her because she is well familiarized with Montessori system. She has accepted to attend the Annual Day celebrations.
13. Miss.Panju came to the HOC for teaching job. She has done a diploma in agriculture and we have asked Jeyaraman to follow her.

The HOC has celebrated the following children’s’ birth days.
1. J.Andrews Martin- 12.12.08
2. S.Naveenkanna- 20.12.08
3. P.Balamithran- 29.12.08
4. G.RenukaDevi- 14.12.08- She is Mr.Ganeskumar’s daughter who has visited us for the festival. On this day we offered a cake and asked her to give chocolates to all our children. The school gifted her with a crayon set from USA and also gave her a greeting with Montessori’s saying. She liked one of the stuff toy and we too gave it to her. Saravanan was there in this context and we made him to greet her and give away the gifts.
5. Danush- 24.12.08

From 21st to 25th we have celebrated the annual school festival and please read the next article for the details.
Thankyou!

Namma Veedu teachers comments-Miss.Bodhini

2008-11-25T19:42:00.001-08:00

WHERE AM I?

This article is the translated and edited part of the review given by Miss.Bodhini working in Namma Veedu Montessori House Of Children at the 100th day. She is a graduate with basic teacher training. We feel very proud of her excellent understanding about Montessori system and implementing in the village.

Miss.Bodhini says,
‘’ I have developed more patience and learned that we must not expect any result from the child immediately, we are just making them to experience the various concepts of various subjects.
But I am sure that these children will express their growth in knowledge and personality. I am learning more from the children that I teach them. At the age of 24 I have learned to shed my ego and trying my best to become a child.
Before I give any value first I am checking myself whether I have that character.
I have started and accepted that children have their own mind and life.
I am getting trained how to be a good mother in future.
Montessori system has changed me and the children in many levels. The system is giving more importance to a child’s psychic level. I want every child in this earth to be in a Montessori school. I am in a position to dedicate to uplift the child’s life through this education which is a gift for my nation.
Montessori materials are not just attractive things. I have experienced that the children are trained to coordinate their mind – body and thoughts.
The materials are initiating and shaping their interests and talents.
I have clearly understood that a school is not just a room to teach subjects. Books alone are not children’s need.
A teacher’s every action has its own influence upon the children.
Through love and firmness alone we can cultivate the inner discipline.
I have evolved to look beauty in every thing and great in carnations like Teressa and Gandhi within all.
I have realized that education has its own dimensions and it is not just making a child to read and write subjects.
Montessori system has made me realize the real meaning for discipline and education.’’

Namma Veedu teachers comments-Miss.Mallika

2008-11-25T19:37:00.000-08:00

Where am I?

Miss. Mallika is sharing her review about her experiences on the 100th day in our school. She comes form a very under developed back ground of the village with basic schooling, but she has accepted the system and concentrates in certain areas of the curiculum and performs well.

‘’ It is beautiful home for very young children. Montessori materials are very attractive. They are placed in such a way any one can take and use them. The way these children sit on mats and work looks different.
We are just observing their work. EPL activities are very interesting and useful. The children are enjoying the freedom to touch the materials and choose the work. They can express their own feelings to me without any fear.
Montessori materials are giving the chance to touch and feel. The materials are making the children to concentrate more. Body care and hygiene are very important in this school. The best punishment is to make the child without any work.
Children are feeling for their mistakes and they are now exposed to English language and getting used to them slowly.
Love and care is the tool to tame and cultivate the discipline in a child.
Children are choosing their work according to their age and needs.
Each material is connected with language and math skill.
Children are taught to do exercise and trained to care their body and mind.
Children are sharing things and creating natural healthy peer group.
Children have learned to talk politely with respect to all people.
They feel empathy for others.
They are becoming more adjustable and caretaking each other.
I have learned how to bring up a baby from 1.5 years as a mother.
I have learned to shed my ego before children and making love as the instrument to train them.’’

Namma Veedu teachers comments-Miss.Kalaivani

2008-11-25T19:06:00.000-08:00

Miss.Kalaivani is our very first teacher. She says,

‘’ I have started respected children not for their physical size but for their intellect. I have understood the needs of a 2.5 year old human. I have realized that there is a need and interest within each child.
Mind is always in concerned with body. Montessori materials are helping these 2 aspects to coordinate to develop a child.
A child must be brought up based on the natural surrounding in which he is living.My friends are saying that I have changed a lot. I am trying to touch the soul of each child through Montessori system.''

Events Of October -2008

2008-10-30T07:52:00.000-07:00

IMPORTANT EVENTS OF NAMMA VEEDU MONTESSORI HOC – OCTOBER 2008

3O.9.08- HOC has spent 5 solid hours to set up the Navarathry Golu to celebrate the 10 days grand festival. This is the festival in India to celebrate the end of all evils as great demons who were killed by the eternal power ‘’THE DIVINE MOTHER’’.
What is golu?
Golu is the arrangement of various clay dolls on steps based on Indian mythology which clearly explains the concept of life and various concepts of spirituality. This festival lasts for 10 days during which children and adults gets the chance to express their talents and appreciate the aesthetic sense in all actions.
We have arranged dolls in 5 steps and teachers are welcoming the villagers as guests.
We are also planning for parent’s competitions, mother worship and teachers worship. Usually in India many new schools admit the beginners on the 10th day of the festival.
Today teachers performed the morning rituals to the DIVINE MOTHER and enjoyed the ‘’doll marriage’’ festival. Mean while we have also went for canvassing for new admissions. This article will be further sharing about various exciting events and incidents which is going to happen on these 10 days. Let us wait for the fun……..

2.10.08- Today we came to know that Miss.Kalaivani who has joined with us also is going to continue her higher education and she is leaving us. We are in need of good facilitators in HOC like Miss.Kalaivani and Miss.Bodhini. We are hunting for a very good person who can first show the real motherliness and care then the Montessori Method. Let us wait. I need to study really the situation of other 3 staff members. They are also good in conducting the HOC. But they need to imbibe the system soon and more. Yes! It is not easy to have a Montessori HOC in a village like this.

4.9.08- PARENTS TEACHERS MEETING. We started the meeting sharply at 9.30 A.M. There were only 8 parents representing the group. The agenda was as follows with the minutes of the meeting.

· All the teachers were there.
· Dr.Madeswaran and Mrs.Dhanam was the chair person.
· We gave a warm welcome.
· We explained why it is important to attend any meeting or occasion in a school for a parent.
· ‘’a child will neglect a mother who could not recognize the child’s work and timing’’. This was the message to all the parents.
· We were planning to have a parents committee to represent and work for the various needs of the HOC.
· ‘’The school is not an institution, but it is a social well fare unit in the tiny village for the up liftment of the people from the child hood. This has to be realized through our freedom given in HOC.’’
· The annual budget was explained especially about the source of income to SAKTHI FOUNDATION through Dr.Pradheepkumar.
· The fees income was also put before the parents.
· The need for the expense, need to realize the fees structure though it is based on charity were explained.
· Transportation facility and its cost were discussed.
· Observation for the parents was announced.
· Need for child observation was explained.
· The HOC requested the parents to approach the adults to know about the activities of their children and not to talk ill about the school outside without understanding the concept behind the system.
· HOC has welcomed parents for a next meeting to plan the annual day celebrations.
· A simple explanation was given about English teaching and home work pattern was also explained.
· The history of writing within a child was explained.
· Miss.Kalaivani and Miss.Bodhini were facilitated by all of us for their beloved and commitment.

THE SACREDMOST MOMENTS – MATHRU POOJA
After a short break we did the ‘’mathru pooja’’. We explained the need and meaning behind worshipping our parents and elders and why we are touching the feet of a person for blessing.

Children were taught how to perform the ritual to their mother. They were so excited and every child did the pooja perfectly with total concentration and love.

Many parents were in tears out of love and blessed their children with hugs and kisses. Few fathers attended the pooja and accepted the respectful moments from their children.

Then Navarathry pooja was performed by the teachers. Mrs.Shanthi chanted the 108 sacred names of Goddess Mahalaxmi and Maniamma offered the flowers. There was pin drop silence in the school. Later we relished the ‘’puliyodarai’’ dish prepared by Usha amma.

Few children left their parents but others just went to work. When the PTA meeting was happening, children went to an other room and worked for 1.5 hrs without any break.

This is the 5th day of Navarathry festival. Our HOC GOLU is so sweet to see with compact arrangement.

6.10.08- Mrs.Priya living in Sendurai village has joined for observation to become a teacher in our HOC. She is the classmate of Mr.Jeyaraman. Her husband is working as a catering technologist in Tamil Nadu hotels in Madurai. Her 1.75 year old boy is a immature child with many health problems. She has joined with us to show a good path of stress less education to her boy from this time and she is also very calm and peaceful in mind which is very essential for us.

9.10.08- first vijayadasami day in HOC: HOC has celebrated the final day of Navarathry festival with grand and spiritual sense.

· 3 new children got admitted in our HOC.
· Naveen- 1.75 years.
· Diwakar- 1.75 years.
· Darshini- 2 .75 years.[ she needs some special care to walk well]
· SPECIAL EVENTS OF THE DAY:

1. Children and trust have honored all the staff with special gifts.

2. Teachers have made children to write all the Tamil scripts and initiated the writing exercise. This is the traditional way of initiating a child on his very first day in a school on this day.

CHANCE FOR A GOOD TEACHER: From Vijayadasami day Mrs.Priya from the same village is coming for observation. She is also having a small child who is ready for the Montessori HOC.

She is observing all the activities of the HOC and also practicing all EPL activities from other staff members. The staff members are able to run the HOC with confidence in the absence of 2 experienced people. In the mean time one of the parents has talked ill about the staff for writing about the fees payment in the note book. The parent is also not happy with the system and spoke ill in the village. We are not emotional and we are asking them to come to us for any doubts, but they have never turned up even for a single meeting. The child’s father is a teacher in the government school.

We are having the PTA on Saturday and we are asking the parents to be ready for the observation week and orientation. Beyond that if they are unhappy, they will be asked to take away the child. The parent’s attitude towards the school and staff are making strong impact on the child and she is also expressing that in the school. Teachers feel very difficult to handle this particular child.

18.10.08- Toady we conducted PARENTS TEACHERS MEETING. Only 6 parents were there but they were very conscious about the PTA. The following topics were discussed as follows,

1. Parent must recognize their child actions and appreciate.
2. We have discussed about the events of Annual festival.
3. Kolam, Drawing, Story telling and Speech will be conducted.
4. Parents were asked to perform the various acts before their children so that their children will appreciate their parents’ skills.
5. Again annual budget was discussed and we have spoken of the transport expense. One of the parents was suggesting with a cheap auto. We need to wait and discuss about it.
6. Again we spoke about the CODE OF CONDUCT BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND PARENTS.
7. We have requested the parents to come to the HOC for any clarification.

STAFF MEETING:
1. We spoke about the child observation and report making.
2. We have seen the discussed about the individual plans of every child.
3. Staff- parents communication.
4. Reema who has left the HOC need to collect the report.
5. Deepawali celebration and Skandha sasti celebration.
6. Grounding and independence.
7. Child’s attitude towards various issues of HOC.
8. Mrs.Priya was given the appointment letter. We are happy with her attitude towards the Montessori education. She says,
‘’ I thought that this place will be baby care centre, but now I have understood that It is the place where we care and shape a child with real love and intelligence.’’

9. Her 1.25 year old son is also very active and he too got admitted in the school. He is very much involved with the Montessori materials.

10.Mrs.Priya have the following characters which are good for HOC: She is very calm and quiet. She is also very keen in observing any thing and she clears her doubts immediately. She is also able to maintain the link between her son and other children in the HOC.

19.10.08- Today the children were on leave. We started the sessions at 9 A.M. First we spoke with Saravanan’s mother.
1. The character of the child is getting changed and he has to be guided.
2. The parents must be aware about his attitude and also about the help given by the foundation.
3. They cannot talk about the help outside of the HOC.
4. He will be helped only based on their cooperation.
5. New dress for Deepawali was given to the child with Rs.100 by my mother for Deepawali.

24.10.08- DEEPAWALI FESTIVAL.
Today we have celebrated Deepawali festival in HOC with divinity and simplicity. We are promoting the idea of traditions and culture but not the luxury. So we have made it as a point that we never spend too much of money in luxurious celebrations.

This year we are observing the RAMAYANA TRADITION. So teachers have presented the legend of SreeRama. We have shown the Ramayana cartoon movie few months back.

As usual the HOC building was decorated with flowers and mango leaves. Children and staff decorated the MARAPAACHI WOODEN DOLLS as SreeRama and Sitha Devi.

They imagined that they are welcoming back to Ayodhya and chanted the sacred name of Rama and made a small procession inside the HOC compound.

The idols were brought inside the prayer hall. They were placed on the altar and the legend was repeated. Then special rituals were done by staff and children to them.

Then the brass idol of Devi Annapoorani[ Goddess of food] was brought from the prayer altar and placed on a plate. Special sacred bath was given to idol with ghee, milk, honey, sandal paste, and saffron and turmeric water.

Then the importance of food, wastage of food was explained to the children. Big lamps were lighted and children recited the chants.

On 23rd staff and children cooked a traditional sweet and that was also offered to the Goddess. Lemon rice was cooked by Mrs.Usha and got offered to the goddess.

Later every body gathered and tasted the festival feast and greeted each other. HOC announced holidays for 5 days. But we are offering food to 3 poor children for 2 times on all days.

Now the HOC has to begin its preparation for SKANDHA SASTI FESTIVAL. This is one of the most important festivals of the state. It is to celebrate the success over the evils by Lord Murugan[native God].

Mean while the village has received heavy rains and even we announced a day holiday on 22.10.08. But I feel very proud to say that out staff conducted the HOC with children who are near to the school.

25.10.08- Mr.Ganesh’s father merged with the God today morning.HOC is praying for his soul’s peace.

29.10.08- HOC has opened after 5 days of Deepawali holidays. Children were excited to come back and they got settled soon. From today we have started preparing the HOC to celebrate the grand SKANDHA SASTI POOJA.

Every day Mrs.Shanthi is performing the poojas to Lord Murugan in our school house and dramatizing the mythology of Muruga.

Today they have gone out for a nature walk to observe the village pond filled with pure fresh water after heavy rainfall.

HOC prayed for the health and wealth of Dr.PradheepKumar, for his birthday.

Thankyou!

Montessori approach to 6-9 years children-10

2008-10-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

Thamil Changam

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HOW TO INSPIRE 6+ YEAR OLD CHILDREN?
Very often many of us say that what ever we do , children never listen to us, they feel boarded and never concentrate in the activities. But Dr.Montessori has discovered 6+ year old children' s mind and understood how to inspire them?
From the birth time children slowly observe the environment around them and imbibe the facts and incidents. From the age of 6 they start to abstract their ideas, experiences and feelings. Slowly they start to develop the inner knowledge.
This article will help the teachers and parents to inspire the children towards various exercises to shape out their knowledge. Knowledge is the inner thirst of every child. But the thirst for knowledge differs from child to child. Schools and parents need to accept the fact that every aspect on this planet is a source of knowledge. Children must be allowed to explore and choose their own work. But they must be insisted to have an allover view of all subjects.
Any aspect in our environment will be the source of knowledge. So we always begin any concept with a story, reading an article, showing a picture, showing an object related to the concept.
6+ year old children are very much attracted to such things. In our class rooms there is table called '' focus table''. Every day we place some thing on that table . Children when enter into the class, just see that table. They feel very happy and excited to talk about it . They also approach us and start talking about it. We also just give them some hints and encourage them to get ready for the lesson presentation.
Yesterday I have experienced a wonderful class across the school in teaching my language . Let me share that beautiful experience.
On last Sunday I got the chance to visit a coastal area in my state. That area is very famous in our history. It is the place where river Cauvery empties into Bay Of Bengal. This is the area where the ancient port town Poompuhar was located before 2000 years. It was the capital of Chola empire. But the entire city got washed away by great tsunami waves in 2nd century A.D.
When I saw the beach I was taken back to the olden days. I collected the pure silt soil deposited by river Cauvery. The waves brought many broken pieces of wood, bricks, pebbles, tiles from the sea. They are the remains of the Poompuhar city. I also collected them.
Already I have presented the history of ancient Tamil nadu from grade 3 till grade 7. On Monday I just placed them on the focus table in grade 6. We had the presentation and children were very very silent and observing the facts and just appreciated the remains and went back to olden days through their imagination. The questions asked by them were wonderful. Slowly the geography teacher entered and started talking about soil and sea currents. Then the History teacher gave the presentation about '' sources to learn history? ''
By afternoon the news spreaded to grade 5 and 7 then I was invited to give the presentation. Children who do not listen to language classes also gathered and settled in the front row and observed the presentation.
Then slowly the news went to primary classes and I gave the presentation to grade 3 and 4.
In each level the abstraction of knowledge was different. Let us see some samples of questions asked by children belong to different grades.
Grade 3: What was the king's name who ruled the city?
Grade 4: Can we dive into the sea and see the entire city even today?
Grade 5: Can we list out various jewels used by Poompuhar citizens?
Grade 6: I want to learn some of the literature connected with this city?
Grade 7: How can you prove that these remains belong only to this city?
Grade 8,9: Children just saw the remains and said thanks for showing them and left.
In primary level questions were more about the facts like king's name, how old was the city?, story about Cauvery etc.
In elementary level they explored the remains and talked more about culture and civilization.
But every child enjoyed this presentation. A Korean boy who do not know Tamil also enjoyed and said that he wants to go and see the spot in Christmas holidays.
This shows that when a child passes each phase of life the interest of knowledge changes but in all phase the need for the knowledge is the same.
For 2 days my Tamil class taught history, geology, geography, literature, science and religion. So every object can be the focusing object. We need to come out of the shell and think wide and change our view about lessons and knowledge. There is a famous Tamil proverb , '' vallavanukku pullum aayudham''. This means a wise man can use even a grass as a powerful weapon. Let us think!

Montessori approach to 6-9 years old children-7

2008-10-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

ARE WE LOOKING BEAUTIFUL AND ATTRACTIVE?
When I came to Madras, I was questioning myself, '' Why most of the city people, rich people look fair? attractive ? ''
Even in my school most of the children look fair, good looking and some thing strange from the Indian community. What made them like this? When we look into the pregnancy, the mother makes all these features. Heredity expression plays the other role.
Dr. Montessori has talked about beauty, attraction and perfection. It is very clear that all the living beings are beautiful. Nature has designed them with perfection. But as Indian mythology, epics and modern embryology say, the mother is the shaper of the child from the embryo. She is the real Goddess who makes the child beautiful, healthy and perfect in all aspects.
The two different extremes:
When the mothers from rich back ground go through the pregnancy the stress is quiet low than the mothers in villages and in poor community. The rich mother just enjoys her pregnancy in a most comfortable environment. The husband , in-laws and other relation are there to support in a peaceful way.
But in a village situation, especially in poor community the need for food, shelter and clothing are stressing the embryo. The stress from drunken husbands, rude relatives, pain of poverty changes the fate of the child. The child is stressed from the pregnancy stage. The mal nutrition is the most worst stress for these children.
The rich mother is focusing the child to languages, arts, good food, fashionable life, books from pregnancy. I need not explain the other part of the poor mother. But after the delivery there are lot changes in the life of a rich and poor children. In both cases the parents are working. A rich mother works for more materialistic status. Where as the poor mother work for the daily bread.
The rich mother leaves the child at baby care homes. Where as the poor mother takes the child to the working spot. But the poor child is exposed to many relatives like grand parents, aunts and uncles. The nature is more exposed to a poor child. But the rich child is well cared by the nurses or baby sitters. They are well pampered by the family. Relatives and friends are not often exposed to this child. The child needs to spend the days only in A. C rooms and cars. Even the nature exposed to the child is a prepared one like a zoo, park or garden.
Based on these aspects, the language , culture and behavior of the children are framed for their future. The city child looses the native tradition, culture and art. Where as the poor child looses the exposure to modern life, changes in the society and education.
Today the parents and teachers in struggling to balance these 2 matters. The teachers in the city are feeling very difficult in making the children to know about various cultures, village life even though media is there to support. The stress for a language teacher in Indian cities is very difficult to express. The Indian regional languages are different and very much complicated. Unless the children are exposed to the language it is very very hard for the child and teacher .
The threat from NRI s:
This article will help the NRI people , especially Indians who are planning to settle in India. The Indian state governments are much concerned about the regional languages. Though the central government offers foreign language programme, recently the norms are very strong that the child must do the regional state language as third language.
English is the first language. Hindhi is the second language and the regional state language is the third language till grade 8. There are various examination boards which offer regional languages as second language and Hindhi as third language. But is states like Karnataka [ South Indian state] Kannada [ regional language ] is the first language.
My school follows the ICSC board. We teach both Hindhi and Tamil [ regional language ] in equal level till grade 5. After grade 5, the child will choose either Hindhi or Tamil as second language and other as third language. The foreign children can do their languages like French, German and other languages . But they must learn either Hindhi or Tamil as third language.
If any NRI child wants to do the foreign language from where he came the formalities are very complex. There are many such NRI children who are suffering in my school to learn a new Indian language as second language. The only reason is that they are not exposed to the languages.
Most of the well educated Indians in cities and abroad are not at all talking in the mother tongue language. The child knew only English. The parents feel very proud about it. But the threat for the child is in the society. The child who do not know to talk in its mother tongue is neglected in the native community. That child looses the tradition and culture. Apart from this the threat is the language education. As a teacher I have been much stressed with such children who knew only English. It is funny to say that I am teaching Tamil through English.
At the same time the children from East Asian countries are suffering in learning through English because they do not have any English exposure. The same stress is there for our village children to learn English. English is always a night mare. I say all these are because of the parents view on '' ultra modern life'' . The globalization has made the children to face this problem. Modern English education, women employment, media are responsible for this stress upon the children. The government is also very rigid in its policy.
So we warn these parents to think about the children and the stress . There is no child who will say '' no'' to the parents for tradition and language. From birth , the child must be exposed to the mother tongue. They need not be a poet or author, just the spoken language is enough. I advice , more vocabulary skill in names and verbs alone help these children.
Example: My friend living in USA never speak in English at home. The couple always converse either in Hindhi, Tamil or Malayalam [ their mother tongue]. Today his 6 year old boy is well versed in all these languages. The child is well prepared for a transplantation at any time. The mother is spending time regularly in evenings to teach the languages and math based on Indian syllabus. The child is always ready to come to India .
Same time when one of my cousin brother came to India from USA, the family went into quarrels. The children do not know to talk in Tamil and the uneducated grand parents could not accept them . More than that the children could not mingle with them. Within 2 weeks they went to USA.
The children from abroad when come here are like the saplings ready for transplantation. The parents just become aware of culture, tradition and their future and just bring them here. The children are not machines. Even the TV , video or audio sets differ in their voltages and watts from country to country. Children will adapt to any condition, but basic preparation is a must. Other wise we are wasting our money, answer ftime and energy in schools. They are not gaining much.
Example: A child from Korea came to our school. He do not know English. He was much stressed and could not mingle with any of his class mates. For 1 year the the teachers were just spending time in settling him. The new culture, language and other features made him just to roam and play. The child has just settled and started his learning. How to or his delay in learning?
A girl came to grade 7 before 3 years from Australia. When she was interviewed she was very good in reading Tamil. She was quiet confidence in spoken language also. Soon I taught her to write. The girl stood first in Tamil exams at the end of 8th grade. Now she is in grade 10. She has blossomed as a poet in Tamil . This is because of her parents .
Montessori schools in India must concentrate specially in languages. The importance given to EPL [ essential practical life activities ] , Math and English must be given to Indian languages. The school must be very very careful in appointing the Montessori adults knowing the regional language of the locality. The children need equal drilling and practice in the Indian languages.
So the beauty is not in the body or color, it is in cherishing the school and social life. From pre primary till grade 12, the child needs to enjoy the education. For that the parents and teachers need to plan from the beginning stage .
The beauty of the child has to be designed from the embryo stage. If Montessori schools reach all the villages they can train the village mothers and poor mothers to plan their pregnancy. Both the city and village mothers need to share and balance the various aspects of the children. Sakthi foundation has researched more about this. There are proper guidance for a couple under the family way. Please refer the site www. sakthifoundation. org .
Mahathma Gandhiji has welcomed Dr. Montessori to India and requested her to expand her education into all villages. But unfortunately that has failed after some time. Now Sakthividhya is trying the best to seed Montessori education in villages. Montessori education strongly believe in educating the parents. This is to make the children more happy and comfortable with the life.
The whole Montessori environment is designed to express and enjoy the beauty and perfection of life. Each activity in the school is well planned to make children to feel for the beauty of life. The following article will talk more about it.
Thank you!!!

Montessori approach to 6-9 years old children-1

2008-10-27T06:54:00.000-07:00

Thamil Changam

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CHARACTERS OF 6 TO 9 YEARS OLD CHILDREN
Dear teachers and parents,
As a Montessori facilitator ,often I hear the very serious complaints from parents who are scared with the most beautiful age group of kids. They are the 6 and 6+ year old children. Are they really the greatest terrorist to us in homes and schools?
This article will give you a clear picture about that age group. After undergoing Montessori's guidance about this age group. I have realized the truth of life and beauty hidden inside this age group in past 7 years.
If anybody asks me, '' which age group of children you like ? '', my choice is always ''6 and 6+''. Because they are the raw clay in my hands to mould beautifully. They are ready before us to organize them self for a good life.
1.) The child is reasonable: From birth till 6 years, the child has gathered many seeds of knowledge from his environment. Now he is starting to find the reasons behind his abstracts and he starts asking us questions.

we need not give the answers for all questions. We can also say that you will help the child later. Sure after TV's influence they may say many ''unacceptable terms'', but we need to realize they do not know literally what it means.
Example: Often one of my 2nd grade boy started hugging his class girls and boys and started kissing and said ''I love you''. Imagine what will be the situation in a conventional school?
I saw that, many started complaining about him and teased him. I just called him and asked why he did .He said.,'' sir, often many big boys and girls in TV do this, even I want to show my love and friendship to my group like that, I too to do like that''.
I said,'' dear, it is so nice to hear that you like to hug., but there are friends who dont like touching them without their permission. They may feel stinky and sweaty. You all play under hot sun and come., please think. What ever big children do we need not do. If you want to show your love, better give handshake, or hug on shoulders, kiss your parents.''

[this happened in 2006] This child have never made another issue like this till today.
This is the beauty and divinity of 6+years old children.
We need to refine a lot. Often I say,'' my teaching is my spiritual sadhanas [ spiritual practices ] to cleanse myself, it is not my profession''.
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2.AGE OF DEVELOPING SELF CONSCIOUSNESS:
From birth the child has observed his environment and conserved many experiences. Now the child starts developing those small experiences into consciousness to build up the personality. So please give the space, opportunity, time make the child to construct the child's own feelings to strengthen the personality.
We have failed to do this in 6+age to our children, so now many personality workshops are happening in schools, colleges and corporate. If we cant construct our personality in 6+ how can we change in 3o+ ? If you have changed , I am sure it is to get good name from your boss and to add to your increment.
''aindhil walai yaa dha dahu aim bha dhil wayai yaadhu''. [If you cant get shaped out in 5 ,then how can you change at 50?]-a Tamil proverb.
Now the child needs our guidance without any dictatorship. The child is no more a feeding bottle baby to be under your hugs. The child wants to try all experiments of life, to abstract and gain the nourishment to construct his self-confidence , so that his personality will be ideal.
The child wants to explore more and more, so there raises 1000s of questions with in the child's mind. For all we cant answer. There is no harm in telling the child that you dont know, or you will tell later or allow you to rest for some time.
Try to talk to the child softly and explain why ,what ?
Example: Last year my friend's 6+kid came from America. We had a long journey to Madurai. On the way to Sendurai to see the lands for our school, after seeing the thick dense vegetation in hills, just the child asked whether there are any boars. When I said yes ,he threw more than 50 questions, when all were sleeping in car. The driver too asked him to keep quiet but I was answering with patience. Later when my answer bank became empty I just told him,
'' dear, can maamaa[uncle] rest for some time? I feel thirsty. I need to go back to library to find more about boars and I will mail to your appa or talk through skype? please try to share whatever you knew about boars to your American friends...''
The boy just gave me the water bottle and also 2 good day biscuits and he too slept on my shoulders.
So do not be egoistic before them.
Tamil proverb says,' 'God is your child''. The reason is that they make us to shed our ego.
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3.HE HAS HIS OWN WILL AND JUDGMENT:
The main worry for a parent who have a 6+ child is about the child's argumentative character. Suddenly the child who was walking by holding appa's [ father ] hands, now do not want him to touch even some times. For anything the child will argue.
Parents need not worry about this because mentally and physically the child is changing.

Till 6 years the child was a baby, the child has gathered information about various things from the environment. Now the child has started building its own world where the child put its own wills and justice. The child will become a strong person to find fault, argue and also in other hand to thank and appreciate us.
Now we are in the position to canalize his judgments, laws, ground rules not by dictating, showing our power of physic and ego. But be a role model.
The child is very keen in all happenings, trying to strengthen the emotions and laws. When we are mistaking ,actually the child is confused. There comes the rebelling mind. Please accept it, allow to talk, argue but teach him how to argue, question without using abusing words and tantrums. Indians lack the skill of questioning and commenting because of fear. Let the child learn how to question in a proper way without rudeness, and hurting others.
Example: In my school when ever children want to just bunk the sessions, try to play dramas with us. Often they will say, ''the previous teacher always used to allow us to play after sometime, why cant you too do that?''
Very often I say to my students,
'' dears, it is so nice to play . But that teacher has recorded that she made you all to work first, then to touch the ball., after comprehending 2 pages.....''
No mouth will open, but the hands will touch the study materials.
Then we need to clearly tell them that our family, class, follows certain culture, behavior and slowly teach and train them to adapt to it. It is like a daughter-in-law's fresh married life ,whenever a kid travels through various ages of life.
Parents must be the role models. Especially for boys ,from 6+fathers,uncles,cousins are expected to be at home often and live as nice role models.
Do not misguide your kid.
Example: There is a couple who got separated, the child is with the mother. In grade 2 ,I gave the names lessons of Indian family. Next day the mother send a letter saying,
'' Please do not teach my son the term FATHER''.
Let me share an another example.
There is a boy of 7 years. His note book is in a very damaged condition. I send a note to the parents 5 times. There was no reply. Then I send a cover with chart paper. For a week there was no respond. Yesterday when I checked the class work the child cried. I asked the reason. He said that he felt guilty to face me that he cant get the help of anybody to help him to cover his note book in his home even though I gave the materials to cover. Then I did the covering and rang up to his parents, they replied,
'' sorry sir, we both are always in our car traveling across the states for for business''
Why they need to marry and have a child?
There are many children who refuse to come to class. Let me share a nice example to show how we are living very very selfishly only for our comforts.
When I asked 3 graders to make an album about the farm animals, one child did not do it even after 4 reminders. The reason she said was,
'' my mother said ,we need not do all these work''.
I said.,'' explain your mom that it will help you to draw, write and name the animals easily'.'
She said,'' sir, I have already explained, but mom said she do not believe in this work'.'
Dear parents, here comes the main problem between teachers-children--parents.

Please believe your child's school. For you it is easy, boring but for the 6+ it is the first experience. You are plugging away their roots of development and interest.
Yesterday when a 4 year kid was just closing her palms, I asked what was there. She said that the teacher has asked them to bring dolls for Navarathry [ ten days festival in India at the month of October ] festival, she did not have a doll which can be brought and she picked up few pebbles from her garden and holding very carefully.
this is the order and law of the 6+ age children. For us it is very silly, but for her it is very important. It is equal to our golden jewels in the locker. So try to understand, please do not apply immediately your adult development and judge them.
If he picks up the bat and ball do not say'' haa...are you a Tendulcar. Go and study''.
He need not become a Tendulcar , but on his own he will shine.
So this age group is very very sensitive. we need to shed our ego and go along with them. Explain them the reality without bribing and when unacceptable behavior was expressed give them the consequences without hurting them. But do not withdraw away from your consequences.
Let them know the family setup, culture, reality of finance.. but do not show too much of family issues. Let the parents handle very sensitive issues in privacy.
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Important mile stones 4- The real Montessori great grand mother

2008-09-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

A REAL MONTESSORI MOTHER

I was blessed to visit one of the senior citizen of this great nation on last Sunday. I am teaching Tamil to master Adithya Krishna. He is in grade 3. His mother Ms.Gayathri is a business woman cum classical musician in Madras. She was very often talking about her grand mother Srimathi. Sulochana.
So many times we have planned to visit this great lady who is in her 77th year. She has started learning the traditional Tanjavore art from a teacher at the age of 60. Her husband is her strength.
She has a very big home. It is not a home but it is a temple of arts. She is working every day with her creativeness and imagination to bring all the forms of Hindu gods and Goddesses on canvas. Her home is decked with all her craft, art and unique objects.
She welcomed me with true motherliness. She first thanked me for recognizing her art and said she is an electron in this ocean of art. Her politeness is the very first lesson. She is trying all forms of arts.
She took me various halls and rooms which are named with various names of rivers, temples etc. She said that there is no one on this earth to learn every aspect of any art form.
She got educated in Coimbatore city till grade ten. Then she got married and shifted to Madras. At that time Dr.Montessori was living in Madras. Her school in Adyar Allcot Momorial place was so famous. So she has admitted all her 4 children under Montessori system.
She felt proud for sending them to Montessori school and said that newspapers often communicate about Dr.Montessori’s talks in Adyar and her husband has visited few times.
She said that her children grew with confidence and chose their own path and living happily. Adithya’s grand mother [one of the daughter] is a dancer. She studied Bharathanatyam under SrimathiRukmini Arundael in Kalashetra. She has seen Montessori for many times.
We were talking about many aspects of family life, schooling, children, devotion etc. I asked a very important question:
‘’ What is the difference between children of your era and today? What we want to implement in our school?’’
She has answered as follows: ‘’ Please expose our children to Indian culture and tradition. They need to follow various social values like forgiving, politeness and patience…’’
She said that every work has to be dedicated and devoted to God. The work has to be exercised and practiced regularly. This is the most important feature of Montessori system also.
We had a very divine time. Then she gave me few photo copies of her paintings and she never gets money and blessed Namma Veedu School.
Let us implement the great message to this great grand mother through the art sessions in Namma Veedu. First we need to create the interest in villagers to listen _ view _ and appreciate the classical arts.
So we have planned to play the classical Veenai string instrument and Flute through our audio sessions. Then we are also putting the various paintings of various styles. First I have started collecting the drawings, paintings and scribbling of my students and Pranav [ Pradheep’s son].
Let the children first admire their own age work. In this context we thank Ms.Gayathri for making this visit to her grand mother’s home. Let the children appreciate the art and be peaceful in their mind and behavior.
Thank you!!!

History Of Namma Veedu Montessori Schools-16

2008-09-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

IMPORTANT EVENTS OF NAMMA VEEDU MONTESSORI HOUSE OF CHILDREN- SEPTEMBER, 2008.

2.9.08 VINAYAKAR CHATHURTHI FESTIVAL- Lord Vinayakar is the for most God of our Nation. He is the symbol of our bio energy and the initiation point of intelligence.

All over the country we celebrate the occasion of VINAYAKAR CHATHURTHY- Birth day of this deity. This year we celebrate the festival on 3rd of September. But as we have a holiday on this day our HOC have arranged for a grand function on September 2nd itself.

On 1st, HOC children have decorated the house in traditional way. Sacred bath was given to the Vinayakar idol and children did simple poojas to the God.

We have offered steam cooked rice balls called ‘’KOLUKATTAI’’ and cooked grams- ‘’SUNDAL’’. Many fruits were also offered and gave to children.

• Ms.Shanthi has narrated the legend behind this Lord to our children. We thank Usha amma for cleaning and cooking all these sacred food beyond her health problem.

• Children have broken the sandal paste stone which is 15 years old. We are in need of new mats also.

• We are going to celebrate OONAM festival soon.

5.9.08- FIRST TEACHERS DAY CELEBRATION IN HOC.

Today we have celebrated our first Teachers day in HOC. As there is cell phone communication, I have rang up to Bodhini and wished all the staff.
After some time HOC called me back and every child wished me. Their English was clear. Teachers in HOC also wished me.
Mean while Mr.Jayaraman has send a good bouquet with a greeting card along with sweets. His sister Miss.Kalaiselvi went to HOC and wished every one. On this occasion, we have honored Dr.Montessori behalf of her birth day also.
MESSAGE FOR THE DAY: PLEASE LET US PROVIDE THE BEST AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO OUR VILLAGE CHILDREN. TODAY ONLY RICH ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE BEST IN ALL AREAS.

8.9.08 – We have purchased few important Montessori materials in Coimbatore from Danush Educational Materials.

1. Arranging the circular blocks according to the size which is a related material to Pink Tower.
2. Sound boxes.
3. Color tablets.
4. Shoe lace set.

12.9.08- THIRUOONAM FESTIVAL IN HOC: ThiruOonam is one of the ancient festivals of South India. But today only Keralites celebrate this festival. It is the festival to conclude the monsoon and enjoy the harvest. The legend behind this festival is about King Mahabali who was made to surrender to Lord Vishnu. So the teachers have presented the legend as picture story for 2 weeks to make the children familiar with the concept of shedding ‘’selfego’’.

We have arranged the entrance of our HOC with flowers in various patterns and also on ThiruOonam day we have made it to the maximum level of joy and happiness. Prayers were performed by teachers and children and also special porridge was prepared by Ushma amma and special Oonam food feast was also offered to HOC children.Children rang up to Kerala and wished me and PradheepKumar. We all have shared many greetings to every one.

14.9.08 – Miss.Bodhini is getting engaged on this day for her wedding and we are planning for a next teacher.

21.9.08 – We have initiated the Montessori materials which were bought in Coimbatore. Saravanan was alone there with us in the HOC. I gave the concept of ‘’OIL BATH AND HEALTH’’. The awareness behind traditional oil bath was experienced by all of us with Saravanan’s case during the treatment for autism.

Again today he was given an oil bath after severing massage. Ms.Kalaivaani has joined in HOC again. We had a very open talk about the marriage, family life and child birth.

Then we have set GOLU for next week NAVARATHRY festival. It is a rehearsal only. The concept behind the GOLU, Navarathry was explained. Teachers were initiated to express their talents also.
Saravanan was very eager to come along with me to Madras, but we have doubted for pox virus. So I have to leave the child who was totally disappointed because of that.
27.9.08- A teacher got relived: Today HOC functioned with 8 children. Today Miss.Bodhini got relived from the HOC for her wedding life. We had a good emotional good bye to her. Teachers shared positive views about her as,

1. She has considered the work in HOC is the social reformation in the tiny village.
2. She is very clear about what she is doing.
3. She has sheded her ego with children.
4. She is ready for any adaptation.
5. She has adopted herself to the Montessori Method soon and followed to her best.

New Report Format for This Term: Then we spoke about the new format of our report for term three. We have decided to express the personality development of the child first. Then the report will be giving a clear idea about the language and Math skills of the child.

NAVARATHRY CELEBRATIONS: We have planned for a grand Navarathry festival for 10 days. We are going to perform rituals to honor Mothers as ‘’MAATHRU POOJA’’ on next Saturday after a PTA.
Simple but clear invitation was designed and we are going to issue on Monday. Teachers have prepared the clear name slips as pointers for every doll. I have explained the main concepts of the festival and asked them to practice.
Teachers will be honored on the last day of Navarathry which is considered to be the important day when we can start all of learning skills in various areas.

THE POOREST BOY WITH MANY PROBLEMS: Yes! Saravanan was medicated for his pox and again for his new skin rashes by us. The poor boy is just left out by his parents because they need to search for the bread from morning 6 A.M.
Jothy aunty prepared the neem and turmeric paste for the boy. He was smeared with the paste for 1 hour and then we gave a long massage with oil and then he took bath. He was also made to undergo many tough exercises based on Yogasanam to increase his lymphatic circulation and immunity. He was waiting for the Madras, but I could not take him just because of his father’s attitude. He has not met us and gave the permission letter. I left the village with the worries about the child.

History Of Namma Veedu Montessori School-12

2008-09-25T16:14:00.000-07:00

IMPORTANT EVENTS OF MARCH 2008
1.2.2008: We have offered the very first new dress to the little poor boy Saravanan. After studying his family situation we have decided to adopt him as our child.
He will be given special snacks for improving his weight and deficiency of malnutrition. So we have given good cashew nuts to the school. Twice in a week he will be given this. Slowly we are planning to give a badam and an egg per week.
His 2 brothers were also gifted with good dresses.
2.2.2008: 5 more children have joined in our school.
1. Sujeesh – 2.25 years. He has booked his seat for June now itself.
2. Nidarshana – 1.5 years from Bombay have temporarily got admitted in our school.
3. Mohanapriya – 3 years have joined.
4. Goutham – 1.9 months old child have joined along with his mother. She is Ms.Laxmi who will be our temporary helper.
5. Ravikumar – 2years old, Saravanan’s younger brother has joined with us.
6. Chandru – 7 years old, Saravanan’s elder brother has joined for week end programme.
STUDENTS WHO ARE IN NAMMA VEEDU:
1. Reema
2. Keerthana
3. Rajashree
4. Mohanapriya
5. Nidarshana - left
6. Saravanan
7. Ravikumar
8. Chandru
9. Sujee
10. Logeshwaran
11. Balamithran [part time]
12. Chandru [part time ]
13. Goutham - left
14. Vrindha sarathy - left
15. Sugeesh - left

• The last 3 children may continue.
3.3.2008: Ms.Poornima Mani from USA has visited our school today.
7.3.08: We had the nature walk to the local pond which is slowly drying and also to the dried river. The children were excited about the walk. On the way they got into the big pit and experienced the concept of high – low and also what is under the Earth. Elder children saw the roots protruding inside the soil and they learned the concept of ‘’deep rooting’’. They have collected many roots along with the soil.
They enjoyed the bird watching session near the pond. They were unable to digest that the pond is getting dried slowly, because few weeks back they have observed the same pond with water.
Morning they did shell sorting activity and they got the chance to collect many tiny shells with weeds too. Some saw the frogs also. They were able to relate the need of water for all after seeing a goat, bull, crow and their water bottle with water.
On the way they saw many tribes harvesting tamarind fruits. Children got their permission and took only one for each. They went and settled on a big rock in the mid of the river. They felt sad also for no water. They observed few tiny fishes. Elder children questioned where they will go after the river gets completely dried?
We had the snack session. Lokeshwaran a child who is in need of complete confidence and love was asked to serve the apple. They learned to wash the fruit and observed the cutting activity.
The great attention seeker: Our child Saravanan was so quiet and calm while we were walking and he was enjoying my hugs and pampering. He likes my childish talks to him. Teachers said that after my last week arrival, he has settled more and opened himself from his shell of fear and distrust. He is doing more activities along with his younger brother. His elder brother is also exploring and making use of the week ends in our school very well. He likes to see Madras and beach.
After our trip to pond we came back. I gave food to Saravanan and he has started sleeping. Many children slept well because of the tiredness and got up and played then left home. Saravanan’s mother said that he was rushing to school from early morning to see me. The love, affection, care, trust and food have made him bright and chubby looking.
Today one more new helper Ms.Jothylaxmi has joined with us. She is good in her work and lovable to children. Let her continue for ever.
8.3.08: Today we took an auto towards a remote place 2 KM away from Sendurai called ‘’ Vanji yuthu’’. The auto trip was very short but created many excitement within the children. Saravanan was with me. Logeshwaran was also with me seeking for my love and care openly.
From the local hospital we started walking deep into the woods to see and canvas a tribal community who survive by wood cutting and honey harvesting. The look of the women was pathetic. Many were wearing very worst cloths. Children were almost naked and just simply playing. They were looking dirty, dusty but with deep love and respect.
We spoke about our school and showed our children and spoke about their development. They have assured to send their children to our school.
Then 2 local tribal boys Thirupathy and Mookandi guided us towards the Vanjiyuthu spring. On the way we had many learning as follows:
• Children saw a very big spider web.
• Children saw various leaf patterns.
• Children learned to share slippers.
• Younger ones were also made to walk.
• We learned the strength of many children.
• Saravanan started showing his naughtiness.
• He was left alone when he refused to share his slippers to his brother and he spoke a bad word.
• Very often he cried and screamed to seek my attention so that I will carry him.
• But he walked well and I too carried him and cared him.
• He wanted me to hug, lift and play and I did all to him.
• His spoken language is very slang and we need to change that.
• His nose is filled with continuous mucus and cold and very often I was cleaning the nose and he was shouting for that.
• In the spring we saw many tiny creatures and plants.
• We saw deep calm woods on mountains.
• We saw the tribal women with goats and cows.
• Logeshwaran cared the snack time. The 2 tribal boys were thanked and treated as our guests.

After our walk we went into a village called Palanipatty and canvassed for admission. Then we came back and had lunch. Many children went fat as sleep. Later we presented decanomail square to Saravanan, Chandru and Logeshwaran. Then they were playing with toys.
I had brief meeting with the teachers and left Sendurai with light and heavy heart. I wish the rest 5 days to go soon.

15.3.08: We have appointed Miss.Renuka a +2 school passed girl in our school to assist the teachers and to get trained slowly. But she will be appointed only till June first. She is very quiet and calm and she is lovable to all kids. She needs to come out of the shyness and mix with the environment soon.
The same day we met Saravanan’s parents regarding the scholarship. We have directed them to produce the letter based on our format.
Saravanan got adorned with 2 different dresses and he left for local festival. The child was very particular in inviting me as their guest in the vehicle. He brought the sacred prasdham and pongal sweet.
The children learned to use umbrella and stood in rain. They observed the nature while it was raining.
16.3.08: Today Saravanan was very noisy and screaming to attain my love and warm hugs. So I was unable to give lessons to Chandru and Bala. Then Kalaivani took him away. Then after some time he settled down and we had many other presentation and also fun. Today many kids climbed on me and had fun. I made them to dance by standing in one leg and taught many games. We did English imitation programme with few kids. Saravana’s younger brother Ravi was staying for long time. Very often he has to be feeded and took long sleeping sessions. He is just 1.5 years old. His mother said that she was very happy and peaceful in sending her kids to the school and leaving for job. Saravanan had a very long sleep. By 3 5 P.M, it was raining we need to leave; I just took him from the bed and he started screaming and we changed his old dress and put one lollypop and said good bye. I was heavy hearted to get separated from these kids. May Amma give one more chance to visit them next week.
The doll presented to kids has made deep emotional impact and they are caring for it as a baby.
This week Pranav has send lollypops and children have enjoyed. I gave the story of Gananasambandhar. During lunch Saravanan was eating and eating and he showed that he likes very good food. Soon I pray that Usha amma must leave to Sendurai especially for Saravanan. I want to adapt an orphan child for our school.

21.3.08: GOOD FRIDAY.
I was very eager to see the children after 4 solid days. It was heavily raining. I have opened the doors and started the work. Slowly all teachers came and as usual Saravanan has to be tamed. After the prayer the group was presented with the story of orphan child and Krishna story. I showed them the laminated photo of Sree Guruvaayoorappan’s child form and children explored the photo. Every body called Saravanan as ‘’nandha lala’’. Then he has started working well. Today I was able to observe the real settlement from the children with all materials. Teachers were just behind their work observing them.
The accident: When I saw the windows of the reading room got opened I want to close because they were infected with termites. But suddenly one window just fell on my forehead and started bleeding heavily. I thank that non of the children were affected. Immediately Mani’s parents arrived when Kalaivani ran and gave the message. Bodhini applied turmeric powder and father took me to the local doctor. Luckily it was a small accident. We just removed all the other infected windows.
Children were affected with fear after seeing the accident. I was much worried because I could not feed them at lunch time. Than that my mother has send ghee to mal nutrition kids for the very first time.
THE SACREDMOST TOUCH……..
I asked the teachers to put spoon full of ghee to Saravanan and feed him. He was just staring at my head and looking scared. After my medication I came to the school and took Saravanan and he started crying and released his fear and also touched my head and asked was it pain full. God has cured my pain!
Then the day proceeded with many work and afternoon play time with dolls and toys. The teachers gave the presentation of ‘’Christ and his service to earth’’. We showed the real photo of Mother Mary with infant Christ in Velankanni. We tried to relate the feeling of mother in all religions. Few alterations were done in EPL hall. Show case was decorated with some toys and dolls. Children were able to adjust with one another and no clash was going between them regarding the toys. We have sent the kids soon. Elder children were given remedial work in language and Math subjects. It was raining heavily…………..
23.3.08: Today it was raining heavily and I came and waited before the school gate to get opened. It was morning 9, no teacher has arrived. Then Bodhini came with key and we opened the school. Immediately Saravanan’s elder brother Chandru came to school.
Today we have prepared Chappathy and potato as Pranav wished to offer to these children. Teachers came late and Kalaivani has not yet come and no information was send too. Then I explained the need of opening the school on all days except on some unavoidable situations. I said that even one child is coming we need to open the school for him. The regularity in sending the child, leave taking and other things were discussed. Two teachers came very late because of rain and I explained how I go promptly to ABACUS even during cyclone days. Any thing cannot be taking it for granted. I do not want this school to be a centre to relax for a child and for an adult. It is a temple and learning centre and than that the ‘’home for all little ones who need calm, love and peace of mind away from home’’.
The true love never gets regretted:
Slowly by 10 A.M, other children also came and we were running the environment. We had the grand warm lunch with Chappthy and potato dish.
Balamithran also wanted to be spoon feeded by me with a story. Balachander also came and sat near to me. Saravanan was on my laps. I fed them with ghee, nuts an dates and lunch was so grand. We thanked Pranav and Mani’s mother for offering this. Children relished the food. Saravanan ate only rice with more ghee.
Lessons according to the weather:
The rain was heavy and we gave the story of Krishna lifting the Govardhanagiri to protect all cowherds from heavy rain by connecting Sendurai’s geography and weather. Some children showed Panduranga’s idol and asked whether he lifted the hill and protected the people. We gave the lesson of ‘’ rain and water’’.
23.3.08: By morning 7 A.M, I got an intuition to rush up to the school. I took a small soon bath and rushed up to the school with few flowers and keys.
Near the gate I saw the 3 brothers…. Chandrakumar _ Saravanan and Ravikumar waiting for my arrival. When Saravanan saw me he started crying and he asked me to lift him and I obeyed. When we opened the doors the boy said it is gate and I gave the lesson of a door and gate.
The 3 brothers took the transport toys and started playing. Saravanan was so happy and he did not cry at all. Slowly teachers came and we started the school. Today we had full attendance.
Chandrakumar narrated the story of Krishna lifting the mountain to save his people from rain and we gave the painting of that scene also.
* We saw Reema playing with the 2 baby dolls and giving her hidden motherliness.
* Few kids refused to sleep and worked.
* Saravanan showed his crying attitude to me and Bodhini in a toy case and we taught him the lesson of ‘’ no crying attitude’’.
* Children saw a parrot chick and observed the bird behavior.
* Later we had a walk to our farm and land. Kalaivani gave the lesson about sunflowers.
* Then we all sat on piles of logs and sang the songs.

We met Suji’s, Balachander’s mothers regarding their fees and scholarship.
I felt very happy that Saravanan has believed us and started showing his compassion to me and wanted me to care him more.
The teachers in the school need to equip their English knowledge and spoken skills. This evening I have rendered my thanks and prayers to Dindukal Maariamman and offered the first offering of the school Rs.150. I have also purchased 2 baby dolls and I basket ball set for the school and left to Madras.
29.3.08: Today we had the first video show – THE RAMAYAN CARTOON through lap top computer. Children were excited to see the lap top computer. Few wanted to touch the set also. Many children kept focused on the film and few younger ones left to work with EPL activities.
Children were introduced with Ram, Seetha and Laxman. They were more furious when Ravana took away Seetha. Saravanan’s mother was also there to enjoy the show. By 10.30, we chanted the slokas and cut the pure rum cake and relished.
Many kids wanted the second share also. Saravanan had 5 pieces of rum cake. Then we all went out side to our land to do the presentation of spikes and leaves. Before that we all stood in row for the very first time and saw the height order.
Then we set out our journey. We found the fresh anthill near our land within a week. Kalaivani and Bodhini gave the lesson of various houses. Then we had the observation of a cactus spikes and children were made to feel the sharp edge.
Then we moved to our land and did few warming up exercises. Then slowly we did the verb game. Then we went to a near by pit and observed the red soil and jumped into the pit. Children saw the nearby fence with many butterflies and few plucked the flowers and started smelling the fragrance.
Then we did the exercise of ‘’walking on a straight line’’. One of the one foot path naturally created became our line and many were able to do the walking properly.
The greatest chance:
The 1.5 years old boy Ravikumar, showed the various spikes across the path and related to the previous presentation. We have admired the absorption mind of the child. This child has started talking clearly in this week after a month work in the environment. He has started settling soon also.
The greatest proof:
After our walk I saw Saravanan sneezing with good hand gesture. He has learned how to use his right hand to sneeze. This is the proof for the teachers work in the school.
The poor boy who do not know the language to express himself:
Saravanan got up at 6 A.M and asked his mother to make him ready for the school because he was expecting me. But when I came he cried and screamed. Teachers said that he is very different in my absence. This is the symptom for attention seeking child.
We felt that he needs my hugs and passions but he cant express it. When I went to change his dirty orange shirt he cried and shouted because he could not express that he likes that color. Then I cleared his mind and just left him. The boy was so calm and did not participated in any activity and he was just enjoying the love and affection given by me. His younger brother and Logeshwaran were offered with a good looking dress.
The box of anxiety:
By noon I gave food to all these kids with a long story. Saravanan ate more and added more ghee. Teachers felt jealous of him and we all laughed. Then we all opened the elephant material wooden box and children handled the elephants very carefully and started exploring the animal. They felt bad for a broken elephant and thanked Mr.Jayaprakash. Then we made them to sleep and few were working. Teachers wrote the observations. Miss.Renuka will be leaving the school after her 9 days work because of her nursing studies. May god bless her!
The first issue: A parent is making simple issues based on the comparison of children, caste and work. The parent has cultivated all the unwanted behavior within the child and the teachers are struggling to treat the child in good way. How ever we treat the child, it is the parents’ duty to take the child in right path. We just kept silent and observed the parent behavior. I have told the teachers that no one can insult or disrespect. It is the human right to treat each other equally.
30.3.08 Awareness never fails:
The boy was admitted at the age of 3. But I never believed that. I saw him as an underdeveloped growth to his age. Slowly many symptoms were observed by us. He is suffering from sever ‘’ attention syndrome and mental illness, because his mother leaves him by 6 a.m to work. His love has been taken away by his younger brother who is 1.5 years old.
But my awareness was more concerned with his pregency. His head is little large and he showed many symptoms like often getting mentally detattached from us, no language development and some times very high level of noise and shouting with cry.
Teachers said that he is behaving very babyish in my presence. He needs my warmthness but he can’t express any thing. He is just a doll in our hands. But his weight has increased after a month because of our care with special food, his rice smells badly.
I was waiting for more facts about the child. When ever I go first he enters with big shouting and cry then he expects me to take and hug and put on my laps to give mother’s touch, then he will be always with me and do his work. But he talks rarely. His growth and 1.5 year brother’s growth are the same. In these 10 days his brother has started talking fastly but he could not.
On 30th March we have asked his mother to come to discuss about the elder son’s education. While talking I just asked,’’ How was your second son’s pregnancy?’’
Immediately the poor lady started crying and narrated as follows,
‘’ When I got this kid in my pregnancy, mu husband treated me very rudely and every day troubled me after drinking. So every day was a fear because of my father – in – law and husband. One night I just took a secret rail to my mom’s place in Bangalore. There my poor mother cared me and every day I waited to eat a lot.
By 7.5 months suddenly this child got delivered in the home and he was just my palm’s size. My in laws and husband just left me for delivering this kid. My mother sold her lands and put him in a private hospital and for 3 months we cared him.
So he is special child. Later within a year I delivered the last one.
He has never taken even a drop of mother’s milk. So often he becomes ill….’’
Yes! All our doubts about the child got clarified. Yes this boy is not 3 years he is just 2.5 years. He is an immature child with traces of multiple syndromes especially Autism now. His pregnancy was very sorrowful because of fear and malnutrition. But God has showed him the school at right time and he is improving day by day physically.
Today he is showing few traces of autism and we are in need to care him with true dedication. He just needs our true love and care. Apart from that he is doing all Montessori activities, especially speech therapy.
Very recently we have observed him with urinary problems also. Today we want him get a complete scan and checked for normal internal organs. So we need help from our friends to help this boy. It costs RS.5000 for complete checkup and scanning.
So a child has a hidden child which will be brought out by nature. We feel empathy for the child and we want just to improve his personality and knowledge and to become normal. May God help us to care and treat more Saravanans in Namma Veedu Montessori House of Children’’.

History Of Namma Veedu Montessori School-9

2008-09-25T05:58:00.000-07:00

THE ROLE OF NAMMA VEEDU FOR POOR CHILDREN
[This is the report based on the observations which we made on March 1 and 2 -2008]

When the entire school was involved in chanting the prayers, Saravanan was brought by his mother. He was shouting and screaming out of insecurity. We have called for his parents to talk about his sponsorship.

I made him to sit on my laps and did shanthi therapy to pacify his mind and to control his emotions. Slowly he calmed down and got settled with the work. The teachers were seeing me and they learned how to handle a child who is lacking his mother’s love and attention.

Most of the villages are still having more than 2 children. They never think about the needs of the child. It is very sad to see such children who are not getting enough privilege from the home and society.

The poor mother with ignorance:
After some time Saravanan’s mother came for the meeting. She was so poor looking with a cotton old saree and her eyes were just filled with worries.

• She and her husband go every day for breaking stones in other villages.
• They may or may not get the job daily.
• The husband spends his wages for drinking.
• He beats her and the kids.
• There is an old grand father in the hut, his hands are paralyzed.
• He often kicks the kids when they do not obey.
• The first child is seven years old studying in a government school.
• He is very normal. The last child is 2 years old. He is also normal.
• But Saravanan is very calm and seems to be in secured because of his mother’s absence.
• He will be left in the school as early as possible and he needs to leave the school by 12.30 and he needs to live alone in his hut till evening.
• So his emotional level is not good. He is an attention seeker. We need to give the real mother care.
• So we have asked her to put her last son also in the school along with him, so that he will care his brother. Than that the last child will be safe from the working spot of the parents.
• From March first, we have extended our timing till 3 P.M. Children have their lunch in school. They may sleep or play with good toys and dolls.
• The school will be functioning on Saturdays and Sundays so that I can concentrate with training and guide the adults more.
• The elder brother was also allowed to attend the school on week ends so that he can improve his language, art and other skills.
• The 3 sons will be away from the hut for many hours in good environment especially from the father. They will be learning more morally and academically.
• The school has give concession to the last 2 kids. They can pay RS.100 per month.
• The kids will be given special food and dress.
• If they continue their studies, they will be sponsored in future for good education.

History Of Namma Veedu Montessori School-4

2008-09-24T08:51:00.000-07:00

TOUGH TIMES OF 2003
June 2nd – 2003 was the reopening day for us. We got into the school as if the beginners come to a school for the very first day. The day was very important for us because the Indian Institute Of Montessori Training – Bangalore got shifted to Madras –ABACUS School.
I admire my teacher Dr. Gupthaji and his wife who have arrived a week before to commence the course. Our school became another centre for training the adults. The parents and other teachers who were not involved in the course were so excited to see a large group of ABACUS staff who were ready for the training. Many of us gossiped about the various stress, money matters and training program.
ABACUS office became the class room:
The school timing got shifted. Senior teachers were given more responsibilities. We have to work from 8.30 am till 12.pm. After a short lunch we have to assemble in our office hall for the course. The office hall was arranged with many chairs and table for the trainers. Some of our friends reserved the last rows.
The training session started after a prayer. First 2 solid hours were dedicated to psychology and EPL. After a short break, we sat for subjects and by 4.pm we left to our primary section classes for the practical sessions.
Our children very often came to the entrance and peeped into the hall and looked at us. They laugh at us and often enjoyed our ‘’ students appearance’’. Poor children do not know that every day we are their children learning lot from them.
Every week 2 trainers came to Madras from Bangalore. I admire Ms.Gupthaji for her patience in listening to her husband’s long sessions. Every day our regular assignments were checked and we were unable to do because of schools work and other things. But Dr.Gupthaji gave us the flexible time to submit them. Ms.Amukthaji corrected them and wrote excellent comments and open frank remarks about our errors. We laughed, felt bad and corrected like our students. Every week end our pending files were listed out and put on the soft board. Our children saw them and made fun in class.
The only man of the class:
ABACUS teachers and outsiders attended this course. Many outsiders were excited to listen from us about the class room experience and training. It is true that we got that exposure in our school to exercise immediately the various aspects of Montessori education after the training every day.
There were house wives, mothers of challenged children, teachers from other schools, abroad students, school owners who attended the training. I was the only man in the session. I was given very special attention.
The uncontrollable sleep:
But for the first few days I could not control the sleep when we sat after the lunch. I was called and remarked about it. Many of us just behaved like college students. My present principal and good friend and guide Ms. Vaijayanthy Baskar very often passed her jokes and made us to get the spirit.
Atom bomb from the University:
We were always interested in sitting at back rows. I was very much stressed because of my mother’s health, research work in the pc got vanished and school work was heavy. I just planned to submit my thesis next year. But suddenly my great tutor and guide Dr. Eshwaran rang up and scolded that I have to submit the thesis within 10 days.
How to be humble?
My blood pressure got increased and I met Ms. Zai Whittakar [ a very humble principal who taught me how to handle many tough timings and made me stress free from school work]. She spoke to the director and Ms. Amukthaji allowed me to leave the school after the psychology and EPL sessions.
I just thank them. Their matured level of understanding the people has made many to change a lot. The title “Dr” before me is because of Dr.Pradheepkumar and these people.
I sat with Students Xerox Company for typing all the chapters of my thesis. Ms. Sengamalam made a good looking thesis and with in 3 days she typed every thing. I was rushing up with my proof reading and binding. Every day I slept around 2 am.
The school was moving towards end of second term and exams were nearing. Corrections, course assignments and thesis work stressed my life. My prayers gave me the spirit.
The cyclonic day:
It was October 28th, Madras city was expected to get struck with cyclonic storms and it was heavily raining. I got my 9 copies of thesis. I took them to Kanchipuram and Sreeperumbadhoor shrines for God’s blessings.
The rain was pouring. On October 29th, Mr. Rajendran [ from Sendurai family] helped me to take all the thesis to Thiruchy and I left to submit the thesis with all blessings and cheering ups from my family and staff. Dr.Gupthaji blessed me for the success.
On October 30th, my guide saw the thesis and blessed me and I left to Bharathy dasan University and submitted my thesis before the Controller Of Examiner. Haa!!!......thank God!!!
I came back without thinking about the thesis and its results to Madras. Again I joined with my group and rushed up with my practical classes. There were several assignments in pending and I was given time for completion. We have completed half of the course and moving towards the end. We just relaxed during December holidays and came back on January 2nd – 2004.
The natural change:
In this time my mind started understanding the essence of the course. I was able to realize the need for a Montessori adult to be trained. Every day the course has shaped me. But Math sessions were very hard for most of us. I enjoyed the psychology, Sensorial and EPL sessions of Dr.Gupthaji and Ms. Radha Nagarajanji. Today she is one of the great experienced trainers in Sensorial concept teaching in this world.
Many other trainers came and trained us. We enjoyed the snacks brought by others; we shared jokes, files, materials, experiences and plans. Many said that they will start a school. I was also commented that I will begin a school. I just laughed.
But there was natural change in my attitude towards children, adults, family, teaching and it was observed by others. I got confirmed by ABACUS with a letter of appreciation in understanding Montessori philosophy and implementing that in school teaching.
God has already planned for some thing in future!

History Of Namma Veedu Montessori School-1

2008-09-23T08:11:00.000-07:00

DECEMBER 25- 2007- NAMMA VEEDU MONTESSORI HOUSE OF CHILDREN BLOSSOMED.
I boarded the Thenkasi superfast express train in Madras –Egmore railway station on December 24th to Dindukal town. By 4.20 A.M the train dropped me in Dindukal. The December mist was heavy and chill. I got into the auto and reached the bus stand. I waited for the bus to go to Sendurai village till 6 A.M. Suddenly a driver said that the way to that village got damaged because of rain and I need to take an another route which is 15 Km more.
I have to do it. When I got down in Sendurai and reached Mani’s home , I got a very warm welcome from his parents. By 10 A.M I started transferring all the school materials from Mani’s home to our building. Nelson the young man helped us. Our teacher Miss. Kalaivani joined with us and we went into the home and started shaping the school.
Boxes were opened, materials were taken out and placed upon rolling cloth mats in the main hall. Books were properly arranged and a small bed was spreaded and the reading corner got created. Prayer hall was prepared with special Gods photos and a big lamp was placed in the centre. Our 2.5 years hard work in collecting the materials made us to change a home into a Montessori environment. Our 2 .5 years hard In this context I convey my regards to my Montessori trainer the ‘’ great aacharya’’ [teacher] , Dr. Rajendra Gupta sir in Bangalore Indian Montessori Training centre. He has 35 years experience in Montessori education all over the globe.
We started listing out the domestic needs from soap to needle and thread. Then the teacher got explained and presented with every Montessori material. We discussed the Montessori and Gandhiyan views on children and education. I said, ‘’ I am going to stay here till December 31. So every day we are attending the training session. , by May -2008 we are admitting the students’’.
But God had some other plan. Next day 2 children ran into our school building and immediately started exploring the materials as if they are very familiar to us. One little girl around 2.5 years old just started threading the wooden beads. Another boy just took the animal models and started talking about them to our teacher.
Yes! Namma Veedu Montessori School has started with 2 children on 26. 12. 2007.
I am like a light cloud floating in the sky. My mind was chanting all the chants to God to have a good start. I came to train a teacher, but the school has commenced. All our dreams became true after two and a half years work. Hard work never fails.
When the children took and started working with the materials, my eyes spilled tears out of joy and emotion. I stood near Dr. Montessori and Ms. Rukmini devi [She and her husband, Dr. Arundael brought Montessori to India] photos and thanked them. My heart prayed her feet to bless our service to this tiny village of India.
The untrained village tailor:
The schools got decorated simply with black color hanging cloths made out of 300 meters cloth threw away by my school in Madras. I have to thank Mr. Chettiyar, our village tailor who has done an excellent stitching work with this long cloth material within a day. He understood the needs of the school and gave suggestions about various shops in the village. He also took me to the shops and introduced me and the school to the shop keepers and got many things for cheap rate. Today our school got decorated with many hanging cloths and book hangers. The hanging cloths were pinned with many colorful photos and all main communication papers.
The tailor also gave a bag full of waste bits of cloth for craft work. He prepared the texture material with 8 different varieties of cloth pieces for our school. While working he has explored and appreciated the Montessori Method of education. He has stitched beautiful small bags for touch and feel exercise. He also gave many wooden rods and made our school banner to flutter in the chill breeze of Southern mountains around Sendurai.
Every day the environment made the children to explore experience and work with many essential practical life activities. They all did the exercises with their level of perfection. I am sharing very important observations in our school.
1. Reema is 2.5 years old. She is our first student. She just ran and entered into the house and shouted with joy and explored the materials. Immediately she picked up the threading activity and started working. She did not ask for her mother. She did not cry at all. She carried out her washing activity for 55 minutes.
2. Bala is 4 is old. He was waiting to join in our school but his parents have put him in a conventional school. When he came and explored the activities immediately he started crying and said that he don’t want to go to his school. Today twice in a week he is attending our environment. He urinated in the garden. So we called him and gave 5 minutes talk about toilet habits and ecology. Next day he went to the bath room and used it.
3. Keerthana is 3 years old. She came on the second day running into the hall with Reema asking for animals models. This child has started talking with respecting suffix in Tamil language immediately that evening after listening to our teacher’s language.
The school has become a magical paradise for these children. Their parents are happy about the work and method. Slowly our teachers Miss. Kalaivani and Miss.Rathi will bring out the perfection in Montessori education. The entire village is seeing our school. The villagers are excited to hear about the work pattern. Many children of various age groups stood out side of our compound wall and started watching our activities. The school is rooting on various areas of child development with God’s blessings. Let me share many more observations later. We thank Mr. Ayyannan and his wife Ms. Dhanam for warm love and service to our school. Let us celebrate this New Year and Montessori school centenary year with this happiness.
Let us serve the children!

History Of Namma Veedu Montessori School-3

2008-09-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

BANGALORE - THE MONTESSORI CRADLE IN MODERN INDIA
In 2002, January we met Ms. Amuktha Mahapathra from Orissa. She was one of our ABACUS founder and previous principal. She was working with many educational centers to promote child care, Montessori system and other things. She gave a brief talk about Montessori education to all of us. She wanted us to visit few Montessori schools in Bangalore city for 10 days observation. I was the first one to oppose that. Because I was having my mother in hospital for treatment. More than that my research was getting its final shape. But my director called me and requested me to attend the Bangalore program at least for 3 days.
So by January end about 15 of us from ABACUS left to Bangalore. We were given a very warm welcome by Amuktha and we had a very good stay in one of the convent with rich food and snacks.
My first liking for a school:
Next day we went to a beautiful Montessori school which is away from Bangalore city. It belongs to a great lady called Ms.Rama. She is one of the best Montessorian in this world. The way she has put effort to establish her school admired us. We had many questions and she cleared them. She has extended her service to middle class people in Bangalore by offering an acceptable school fees. This made me to think ‘’ why cant poor people do Montessori schooling?’’
The school was named as ‘’ SANSKRITHI’’. The name itself gave me some warmth in my mind. We went to an other school called ‘’GOLDEN BEADS’’ which is an other assert for me. For three nights and days we had many observations and interviews and finally we were taken to the great INDIAN MONTESSORI TRAINING CENTRE. It is located in the midst of Bangalore where I saw my great ‘’guruji ‘’ [teacher] Dr. Ranjendra Gupthaji. He has worked in USA with Mr. Jooston Montessori for 25 years and now got settled in India with his centre. He has produced many Montessori teachers from his Bangalore centre. His plans, system and teachings are very simple but depth in techniques and flexible to undergo. He was in his late 60ies, sitting among young rich Bangalore women who were practicing some Language materials. He gave a small session about grammar and we came to know that our Amuktha madam was also doing the pre- primary course. We admired her interest.
After 3 days I just came back to Madras and gave my observation reports to my director. We do not know for what purpose we were asked to do this observation. I just concentrated in my research and slowly a letter [at that time we all named as bomb] came to us.
What was that?
The Montessori Training Diploma Course. I was almost in the peak of frustration and tears. There were many questions. How to do? Where to do? How to pay for the course? How I will balance my research and this? I have understood from Pre-Primary Orientation course that it is not easy to do it. I knew many people who have left the course in between.
Most of us protested against this, I was prepared to even leave the school. Many of us became tensed. We were told that to work in the school it is very important to do the training. But we were not threatened. We were allowed to think about it. ABACUS gave a letter which said,
· The course will commence on June 1st.
· The school will help in payment.
· It will be for the age group 6 to 12 years [ combination of primary and elementary level]
· The course will be ending by March.
· We must implement the course in our elementary level.
· I was expected to try the Montessori techniques in teaching Tamil.
We all left for the summer vacation with stressed heart. My uncle Dr.Chidhambaram consoled me and advised me to attend the course. I just concentrated in my research because I have to submit the thesis by 2002- October. Let us see what has happened in June.
Thankyou!

History Of Namma Veedu Montessori School-2

2008-09-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

MAIN EVENTS OF NAMMA VEEDU MONTESSORI HOUSE OF CHILDREN
*2001 – March. Dr. Madeswaran family got shifted to Madras because of his mother’s health problem. He was also doing full time research in Thiruchy Bharathydasan University. He was also planning for a short trip to USA. But he could not go.
*So he has to settle down in Madras. He was guided by his uncle to see the local news papers for schools. He is very much concerned with school education and teaching. He worked in the school where he studied till +2.
*There was an advertisement from ABACUS Montessori school for Tamil teaching. He does not know any thing about Montessori. Just he went and attended the screening test.
* In ABACUS, the attitude of children with teachers, teachers approach towards children, class room planning, building and many things where different. This is the very first step for Namma Veedu.
*He got through in the interview and got the appointment as Tamil teacher.
*September -2001, 19th was the day he joined in the school and started getting exposed to Montessori system of education.
*After a short time he was confused with many class room situations which were totally different from a conventional school. He planned to leave the school to concentrate in his research.
*Every month he went to Thiruchy and submitted the papers on his research.
* Ms. Kamini Sundaram – the director of ABACUS Montessori School called him and discussed about the Montessori methodology. She has requested him to read and learn few Montessori teaching techniques from Ms. Sarramma [Senior Tamil teacher]. She taught him how to adapt certain Montessori techniques in teaching Tamil language. Teaching Tamil for non – Tamil speaking children was the greatest task. He struggled hard between conventional system and Montessori system.

*Slowly his interest in teaching, art, music and drama supported him to learn the most basic methods of Montessori system. He started believing in Montessori system and understood it is very special and unique. So he approached his director to help him to learn more about it.

· 2001- December. Ms. Kamini Sundaram asked Madeswaran to meet Ms. Uma Shankar in Madras. She is a senior most pioneer in Montessori education. She is the director of Chennai Montessori Training Centre. She is supported by many great Montessori trainers like Ms. Shobana, Miss. Sunitha, Miss. Chitra etc.

· The Montessori trainers gave him 10 week orientation training in Pre-Primary Montessori Education with a certificate. In this context we thank Ms. Tamil Selvi of ABACUS who took him in her car beyond many kilometers for the orientation training.

· So every day there was a new observation made by him and his method of teaching, approach towards children, adults started changing. But it was very tedious for him to balance his school work – Orientation training and research. God has made it for him.

· 2002 – January brought a change in his life. Let us see the next article for the excitement.

· Thank you!