Teaching Geography

"The Supreme King of all kings has created different planets and places of habitation where living entities are situated in terms of the modes of nature and work, and He has created their different kings and rulers." -SB 3.5.8

"Lord Krishna is the chief King of all kings, and He has created different planets for all kinds of living entities. Even on this planet there are different places for

The Elements of Writing

The following is taught in "Understanding Writing", a one volume writing course by Susan Bradrick. This list can be useful as is for the basics to teach about writing or for planning or editing a piece of writing:

I. CONTENT
A. General topic - This means choosing a topic in general. What you want to write about.
1. Limited topic - This means narrowing the topic down to something manageable. It

Childhood Lore

Stuff every child should know.

OUTDOORS
SWIMMING
Early on, pour water on child's face during baths.
Get out swimming as often as possible.
Let them play most of the time. "Helping a child relax and have fun in the water is more important than teaching strokes."
Underwater masks or goggles encourage swimming and sticking the face underwater, learning to float, and so on.
If a child takes an

Math Memory

MATH FACTS
There are a variety of ways to memorize math facts and other math skills- computation races, holey card drills, math fact song tapes, fact families...

SAXON’S DIVISION OF MATH FACTS
The Saxon Math course divides fact cards into manageable groups:
adding 0 to a number; subtracting 0 from a number; subtracting a number from itself
adding 1 to a number; subtracting 1 from a number

Teaching Math

ATTITUDE
I used to think math was my worst subject, but when you become a devotee, so many zeros suddenly have a one in front of them by adding Krishna. They become worth something. I started to see things I didn't see before. For example, the orderliness of numbers and how they can go on for infinity. In that sense they are eternal and therefore spiritual.

Our own attitude is so important when

Useful Math Tools

Whether homemade, found online, or store bought, the following are some helpful math aids and manipulatives:

A HUNDRED NUMBER CHART
is a useful tool for counting forward and backwards, skip counting, adding one to a number, subtracting one from a number, adding ten to a number, subtracting ten from a number, and so on.

MULTIPLICATION TABLE a little different than the above but just as useful.

Prabhupada's Bhaktisastri Exam

Taken from a letter in Srila Prabhupada's folio CD. Note how merciful Prabhupada is in the grading scheme below:FIRST YEAR BHAKTISASTRI EXAMINATION September 4th, 1969time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 NoonJanmastami CeremonyAnswer any ten of the following questions with reference to the context of scriptures like Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Brahma Samhita and Isopanisad. The full mark for each question is 100.1

Teaching Science

Collected notes on science teaching:

WHY TEACH SCIENCE?
Here are some reasons that make the teaching of basic science worthwhile:
FOR EXPANDING VOCABULARY

The modern world uses a lot of scientific words such as cranium, photosynthesis, chlorophyll, mutation, migration, erosion, and so on...
Srila Prabhupada also refers to the scientific process and other topics for the purpose of preaching

Science Fun

(this is still under perpetual construction as I add links and activities:)

Whether its to introduce a topic, after the fact or at any time, science demonstrations give a nice break for both teacher and students from ordinary, routine study. There are many ideas available on the Internet. Look for those that are easy to execute, requiring only simple items from around the house. Also there are

The Meaning of Religion

Suggested topics along with some notes:



GETTING IN LINE

Getting in line isn't just courtesy; it's what separates us from chaos. Following rules and regulations is a sign of human civilization
Obeying the laws of God given in scripture.
Submission leads to understanding our constitutional position of servant to the Supreme
Getting in line with the will of the Lord.

THE LAWS OF GOD

Religion

The Writing Process

Collected notes:

First and foremost, a writing teacher must write. That way we are more able understand how to help young writers.
Writing requires patience for it to come together. Sometimes it can be very puzzling, or we discover a gap in our knowledge or some uncertainty about a topic, but that is how the act of writing helps us learn.
If you lack experience, preprepared writing courses are

Biblical Vedic Parallels

Some scholars see so many similarities between the Biblical and Vaisnava traditions that they consider it to be a Biblical borrowing from the latter. Christians may try to argue it is the other way around, but not very likely since the Vedic tradition is much older, better established, and fills in the details the Biblical version lacks.  Furthermore, the strict brahmanas in Vedic culture would

Comparative Theism

more collected notes:



VAISNAVISM, THE FIRST MONOTHEISTIC TRADITION

predates all other monotheistic teachings.
covered by voidism and impersonalism for some time
now re-emerging all over the world.

FULLY AUTHORIZED AND SCIENTIFIC

gives transcendental knowledge preserved through a disciplic succession
is understood without interpretation or mental speculation
gives a scientific process for

Worship of the Supreme Deity

It is interesting to note that there is no prohibition in the Bible against worshipping the transcendental forms of the Supreme Person. Confusion on this point may arise, however, because the Vedic and Christian idea of heaven is different. According to the Vedas "heaven" is material and the demigods or angels, although they have earned fantastic lifespans and opulent living standards due to

Buddhism

Although Buddhism is also atheism, it is at the same time a special case. By giving them sub religious principles for gradual elevation, Lord Buddha is the savior of the atheistic class, provided they follow the principles He has given. He rejects the Vedic scriptures outright, but for a reason. Here's a few more notes on this topic:

 THE VAISNAVA CONCEPTION OF LORD BUDDHA AND BUDDHISM

Sahajiyaism

Some notes on this topic:



DEFINING SAHAJIYAISM
Sahajiyaism is so-called bhakti without any yoga or connection with the Lord.



SOME HISTORY
During the time of Bhaktivinoda Thakura's appearance,  the sahajiyas appeared had degraded Vaisnavism to what Vivekananda called a "sex religion".



SIGNS OF SAHAJIYAISM



Concocted devotional service instead of following the standards laid down by

The Question of Mystic Power

Sometimes the question is raised how one could possibly have a body "ten miles long" (as in the case of Putana), what to speak of the many other amazing feats presented in the Vedic scriptures that today are written off by nondevotees as "mythology". Here's some points to share with students:

THE CORRECT CONCEPT OF TIME
The Judeo-Christian theory of linear time is incorrect.
The cyclical time

Ostrich Philosophy

A few notes on existentialism.
Gita says “Those who are seers of the truth have concluded that of the nonexistent (matter) there is no endurance, and of the existent (spirit) there is no cessation. This seers have concluded by studying the nature of both.” Jean Paul Sartre had this backwards; he considered the soul non existent or “no- thing”  and described in man an innate craving for

Religious Worldviews Intro

A study of religious worldviews is automatically done if one continues to hear from Bhagavad gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, etc.

Srila Prabhupada did not recommend nor indulge in unnecessary criticism of other religions. His focus was to present Krishna consciousness for those who sincerely want something better.

Bhagavad gita is a reservoir of information about the different mentalities and

Atheism

According to Bhagavad gita, there are two main divisions of living beings- the divine and the demoniac. Atheism in its numerous forms stems from the demoniac mentality which is against God. Basically, all nondevotees are delusioned and enslaved by the lower modes of nature. Here are some points regarding the demoniac nature, many cited by their extremes. More details are found in Bhagavad gita,

The Question of Evil

Why is there evil and suffering in the world? Why does God allow it? Some notes on an important topic:



NATURE'S LAWS

There are natural laws meant to keep universal order.
Breaking these law results in suffering.
The laws are very stringent; ignorance is no excuse.

OUR CHOICE IS TO ABIDE OR NOT

We get what we deserve according to our past activities, also from past lives.
Even if we can’t

Stories From Mahabharata

This is still under construction. These are just the stories from my memory until I can get myself another copy of Mahabharata, since I'd hate to miss anything.

I really liked the edition by Kamala Subramaniam, but only because of her word choices and the way she weaves the events together.

EARLYDAYS
Santanu and Ganga, Appearance of Devavrata,
Santanu and Satyavati, Bhisma’s vow and his

The Importance of Sastra Study

“Men become strong and stout by eating sufficient grains, but the devotee who simply eats ordinary grains but does not taste the transcendental pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu and Krishna gradually becomes weak and falls down from the transcendental position. However, if one drinks but a drop of the nectar of Krishna’s pastimes, his body and mind begin to bloom, and he begins to laugh, sing

Mayavadism

Considered more dangerous than Buddhism which decries the Vedas outright, Mayavadism uses the Vedas to support an atheistic view. Some notes on this topic:

IMPERFECT KNOWLEDGE
A mayavadi thinks his appearance in the world is lila, but Lord is never forced to appear.
Krsna didn’t have to take lessons about His divinity
He performed super human acts even as a small baby.
If I think that I have

Outline of Gita Verses

This is taken from a pamphlet long ago, author unknown. It's a good idea to do your own outline, too. One should become thoroughly familiar with the Gita's layout.

CHAPTER 1
Observing the Armies
1-11 Comparison of the opposing armies.
12-19 Blowing of the conchshells by both armies.
20-27 Arjuna observes the opposing army.
28-46 Arjuna laments, refuses to fight, and gives his reasons.

CHAPTER 2

Divisions of the Vedas

Excerpt from BTG March/April 2000

SRUTI (revealed writings, or “that which is heard”)

I. The four Veda Samhitas: Rg, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva
II. Brahmanas
III. Aranyakas
IV. Upanisads (more than 108 books)

SMRTI (tradition, or “that which is remembered”)

I. Itihasas
Epics, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, which includes the Bhagavad-gita

II. Puranas (histories)
A.Eighteen

Teaching Grammar

Grammar. You gotta love it. Grammar knowledge, along with a knowledge of literary terms, gives students the special language they need to discuss writing as well as specific ways to improve their own.

FIND A GRAMMAR TEXT
Unless you are already an ace in grammar, it's a good idea to get some kind of English grammar text to teach from, or at least have an English grammar and composition handbook

Ideas for Writing and Speaking

Encourage writing everyday, from a word to an essay. Here's some more suggestions. Many are good for speaking practice, too:


THE BASICS
Practice writing and expanding sentences and writing paragraphs:

Change a general sentence to something more specific. For example: "The
man did something nice" can be changed to: "The pujari arranged new
backdrops for the altar". or "My father ate maha 

Notes on the Natural Method

The natural method (Charlotte Mason, Beechick...) of teaching writing and language has always fascinated me, but unfortunately I was not taught grammar or much about writing or literature when I was in experimental schools in the 70's. I had to learn these things alongside my children with an English text book and a couple of teacher guides including one about literature. Nor did I know anything

Handwriting

Writing begins with handwriting. Children's beginning lessons focus on how to make their letters, then words and so on.

USING THE RIGHT HAND
Start early on handing things to the child, encouraging him to take it with his right hand and also eats with his right. This not only makes teaching handwriting later on easier, it's also a part of Vaisnava etiquette.

As soon as a child is able to pick

Homemade Booklets

ideas for student writing:RECYCLE AND REVIEWMake a booklet in relation to a topic being studied. A really easy way to do this and that makes a good review is to:1. Cut pictures out from a finished workbook that may form a topic for a booklet. 2. Glue them onto pages of construction paper that have been folded, cut and stapled together to form a booklet.3. Write a sentence(s) or a caption for each

Thinking About Thinking

To formulate good questions, its it is helpful to study the kinds of thinking involved. Here are notes gathered in this regard:

 FOUR KINDS OF THINKING QUESTIONS
Thinking may be broadly grouped as literal, inferential, critical and creative thinking. Literal thinking questions can be answered with facts and details directly stated in the text. Inferential thinking questions require the reader to

Who's Got a Question?

Various kinds of thinking can be taught in all subjects by the use of questions. Socrates had a method of always questioning his students instead of telling. Students get more involved this way. Continuous questioning teaches them to raise their own questions as well as question themselves. Balance this with teacher explanations. Questioning is to get them thinking about what they already know

Vocabulary Building

Doing stuff, going places, reading, listening and discussing, as well as dictionary skills, all help build vocabulary. Here are some notes in this regard:

 EXPERIENCES AND DISCUSSION
Much vocabulary is learned or reinforced via experiences. There are day to day experiences and also:
Field trips- Every new place you go can become one.
Multi media experiences- These are provided by books,

Spelling Matters

Spelling workbooks for children to use each year are recommended, but not totally necessary. In any case, it is good to know the following to best help your students:

 SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW TO STUDY A WORD
1. Show students how to study a spelling word by looking at the word, then covering it to see if it can be spelled without looking. Check to see if it was spelled correctly. In this way a

Research and Report

Real research is to search out the Lord. In the meantime, report writing gives important practice in many areas such as gathering information; sorting, organizing and outlining; editing; synthesizing the material into a new, original creation; and then looking back and evaluating what got done, what was learned and so on.

SUGGESTIONS FOR GOING ABOUT THIS:
START SMALL:
Take advantage of