Life is a Series of Moments

Masterclass:
Read together from The Courage To Be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi, discuss the chapter “Life is a series of moments,” and complete the conversation between the Youth and the Philosopher.

Key Takeaways

• Reject the “kinetic” life model (a linear path to a future goal) for an “energeal” one (finding fulfilment in the process itself).

• Live in the “here and now” by shining a “bright spotlight” on each moment, which makes the past and future irrelevant distractions.

• Assign your own meaning to life; it has no inherent purpose. The “guiding star” for this is the contribution to others.

• Change yourself to change your world; it’s a personal responsibility that requires courage to start, regardless of others’ cooperation.

Topics

GSA & Learning Forward Updates

• Sandeep Dutt reviewed the GSA website (schooleducation.com) to clarify the oorganisation’smission and programs.

• Mission: Personal and social development across 10 attributes (e.g., identity, communication).

• Core Belief: Schools should focus on service, skill, sport, and study.

• Programs:

  • Teachers Academy: Saturday 3 PM sessions for school faculties.

    • Cost: ₹10,000 annual donation per school.

    • Capacity: Currently serving 6 schools; can accept 1–2 more.

    • Recent Session: “Ecological Wisdom” with Project FUEL.

  • Masterclass: Saturday, 5:30 PM book club.

  • My Good School: Sunday session.

  • Brewing Knowledge Fridays: Friday session on learning and assessments.

• Resources:

  • YouTube Channel: Redesigned for more straightforward navigation.

  • Impact Study: Now live on the website.

  • Special Projects: Page updated with the Dune School Old Boys’ Society.

Recap of Last Session: Shalini Gupta summarised the key takeaway from the January 10 session:

• Disruptive behaviour, especially in children, often signals a need to be seen and heard.
• Adults can normalise abnormal behaviour by seeking superiority.
• Adlerian foundations for a healthy self: freedom, contribution, and belonging.
• True self-worth comes from contributing to the community, not from seeking recognition.

Chapter Discussion: “Life is a series of moments”

• The discussion contrasted two views of life:

  • Kinetic Life (Linear): A path to a future destination (e.g., a mountaintop).

    • Problem: The majority of life becomes a “tentative” period en route to a goal, making happiness dependent on a future outcome.

  • Energeal Life (Moment-by-Moment): A series of complete moments lived in the “here and now.”

    • Analogy: “Dancing”—the act itself is the goal, not a destination.

    • Principle: Each moment is complete and fulfilling on its own, regardless of the final outcome.

• The “Bright Spotlight” Metaphor:

  • Focusing on the past or future creates a “dim twilight” that prevents earnest living.

  • A “bright spotlight” on the present moment makes the past and future irrelevant distractions.

• Assigning Meaning:

  • Life has no inherent meaning; individuals must assign it themselves.

  • The “Guiding Star”: Contribution to others.

    • This provides a compass for a free and happy life, independent of others’ approval.

• Personal Transformation:

  • The world changes when an individual changes.

  • Analogy: Putting on glasses for the first time reveals a clear, vivid world.

  • Adler’s Advice: “Someone has to start... You should start. With no regard to whether others are cooperative or not.”

Next Steps

• All Participants:

  • Join the “My Good School” session on Sunday, January 18, featuring Karthik Bajoria.

  • Attend the final chapter reading (the afterword) on January 24, Tuesday, January 24.

• Sandeep Dutt:

  • Host a reception at the book café on Monday, January 19 (5–7 PM) for Governing Council members and guests.

• Khushi:

  • Invite Principal Srividya Ma’am to the Masterclass session.
    
    Notes courtesy: Fathom AI

Learning Forward Saturday

ACTION ITEMS ✨

Run wrapper-label activity w/ Class 4; report to Neelashi next session

- Gulabee (2)

Run shop activity w/ Class 4; share photos w/ Neelashi

- Mamata devi

Run shop activity w/ Class 1; share photos w/ Neelashi

- Saroj

MEETING SUMMARY ✨

Review recent teaching experiences and introduce a new, immersive activity.

Key Takeaways

Active learning is effective: Teachers shared successful activities using manipulatives (math balls), real-world objects (English wrappers), and spontaneous "teacher moments" (a butterfly for Hindi).

Behaviour management requires empathy: understanding a child's home environment (e.g., a grandfather's language) is key to addressing disruptive behaviour constructively rather than through punishment.

"The Shop" activity integrates subjects: A new role-play activity was introduced to teach math (money), English (vocabulary), and Hindi (writing) through a single, engaging experience.

Topics

Weekly Activity Review

Teachers shared recent successes, highlighting the power of active learning.

- Gulabee (Class 4, English)

Activity: Collected wrappers to list product info (price, dates, slogan).

Insight: A disruptive Class 1 student was using language learned from a grandfather. The teacher's empathetic response fostered cooperation.

- Mamata (Hindi)

Activity: Used a live butterfly ("Titalia") to teach a poem, turning a spontaneous moment into a lesson on observation and vocabulary.

- Sunita (Class 1, English & UKG, Math)

English: Used animal masks and role-play to teach vocabulary and movement.

Math: Used balls as manipulatives to teach number concepts (e.g., 3 + 2 = 5), proving more effective than abstract methods.

- Saroj (KG)

Insight: A student memorised a complex Sanskrit slogan, demonstrating a high level of observation and active learning.

Behaviour Management & Teacher Role

• Circle Time: A strategy was introduced to address misbehaviour by asking, "Why did you do it?" This prompts reflection and respect, shifting the dynamic from punishment to understanding.
• Teacher as Facilitator: The teacher's role is to guide students, not just deliver content. This was demonstrated by Sunita's "What's in my hand?" game, which built student engagement and observation skills.

New Activity: "The Shop"

A multi-day role-play activity was introduced to integrate subjects through a fun, real-world scenario.

Setup (Days 1–4):

Students bring simple, inexpensive items from home (e.g., kitchen utensils, toys).

Students form groups to set up "shops" with their items.

Role-Play (Day 5):

Each student receives play money (e.g., ₹50).

Students act as customers and shopkeepers, negotiating prices and making purchases.

Learning Outcomes:

• Math: Money management, addition, subtraction.
• English: Vocabulary ("How much?"), singular/plural ("a ball" vs. "two balls").
• Hindi: Writing and drawing about the shopping experience.
• Teacher Role: Facilitate the activity, guide interactions, and ensure learning objectives are met.

Next Steps

• All Teachers: Implement "The Shop" activity this week.
• All Teachers: Share photos and experiences from the activity in the next session.
• Gulabee: Report back on the wrapper-collecting activity.
• Rahima: Test the "What's in my hand?" game.

Heart Vs Mind - Sunbeam School Varuna

In every classroom, students often face a "heart vs. mind" conflict—whether to follow emotions or logic. Should they help a friend during a test or stay honest? Should they follow their passion or stick to practical choices? Just like Tom struggles between mischief and kindness, students experience similar moments. This video explores how teachers can guide children in balancing emotions with reasoning, helping them make thoughtful and ethical decisions in school and beyond.

Ankit Verma
Akash Aggrawal
Ranjana Singh
Alok Kumar Singh
Abhishek Pratap Singh
Sunbeam School Varuna

Here's How Can We Teach Kids Compassion - Pinkee Chouhan

We all want our children to be kind and have compassion in their minds.  But the biggest question here is how to teach compassion, kindness to the child.  Children develop different levels of empathy at different ages.  Compassion and kindness require the development of heart for human behaviour.  We should keep talking to the children on this subject continuously. 

The thing about children is that if they see kindness and compassion in our behaviour, they will behave the same way.  We will have to make many efforts for the development of sympathy.  Take the help of children to take care of any sick animal or bird.  Teach them to show empathy.  Encourage children to help someone in need.  Explain to the child why we should be sympathetic towards others.  If any classmate of the child is sick or injured, some person is poor or needy, some person is old or disabled, some animal is ill or hungry, then encourage the child to help, which will develop empathy and compassion.  And feelings of kindness will be infused in him.

The best way for kids to learn compassion is through watching models of this behaviour. Their teachers, parents, and other adults need to behave this way for children to see it as valuable and find approval in copying it. Finding compassion in moments of adversity is a skill that all adults should be working on mastering. The future generation depends on it.

Pinkee Chauhan

The FabIndia School

pco@fabindiaschools.in

Ishu Chauhan: Caring

Caring is a good trait to have. What is caring? Caring is when you do a good deed for someone because it is the right thing to do. When you care for someone, you make a difference in the world with kindness. I believe that caring for others is wonderful and noble.

The experience that stands out for me about caring was when my mother had a severe backache. It was in 2011, she had a severe pain in her back and because of that, she was unable to do any household chores. I used to help her in going to the washroom, taking bath etc. At that time I was in Ahmedabad and was having my board exams. It was the time when I understood that what does caring for others means.  As she continued to recover, I was always there for her.

I was filled with joy knowing that I helped my mother. I was really proud of doing that because it was a way to care for others. Caring goes beyond taking care of family members and friends. Caring is being compassionate and supporting people as they go through tough times. Caring is helping others at the time of needs. Caring is a good trait for everyone to have and the world will be a better place if we care for one another. So let’s find out a few moments of caring for others, that will become great moments for them.

Ishu Chauhan, The Fabindia School www.FabindiaSchools.Org

Why Kids Need to Tinker to Learn | MindShift

Why Kids Need to Tinker to Learn | MindShift

The Maker Movement has inspired progressive educators to bring more hands-on learning and tinkering into classrooms, and educator Gary Stager would like to see formal schooling be influenced by the Maker Movement, which has inspired young learners to tinker, to learn by doing, and take agency for their learning.