Curriculum
About Curriculum
Our curriculum is developed and organized by stalwart teachers in ISKCON worldwide and is predominantly based on the philosophy of Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. We constantly strive to improve our learning program to support the overall development of the children. The curriculum provides a well-rounded, hands-on way of learning spiritual values and practices. It encompasses reading, writing, and critical thinking skills and includes many educational activities such as word searches, language puzzles, art activities, and songs to accommodate a range of different learning styles. For some courses, the students will receive a workbook, which is full of wonderful stories and activities. They can be discussed with all family members.
Structure
The children are divided into age groups. Each age group has its own set of programs designed for that particular age group. Each group is called one of Krishna’s names.
They are as follows:
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Gopal Class 4 – 5 year olds
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Madhava Class 6 – 7 year olds
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Damodar Class 8 – 9 year olds
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Keshava Class 10 – 11 year olds
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Madan Mohan 12 years and above
Children join a group according to their age and other relevant factors as decided by the teacher and stay in that class for the entire year. Age groups will be combined at the discretion of the program coordinators if there is not a sufficient number of children in a particular group.
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Each school year is comprised of FOUR terms based on QLD school term dates.
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Each term is composed of around TEN weeks
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Classes are held every Sunday during the ten weeks from 9 30 am to 12 30 pm at Centenary State High School, 1 Moolanda Street, Jindalee Qld
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Vedic wisdom classes are held from 9 30 to 11 00 am
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The following additional classes are provided at an extra cost and are optional.
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11 10 am to 11 40 pm - Mridangam lesson
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11 50 am to 12 20 pm - harmonium lesson
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Study materials
All children are required to purchase a copy of Bhagavad Gita As It is by Srila A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad. In addition, children in the Damodar, Keshava, and Madana Mohan group the Vaishnava Acarya songbook. Any other books that children are expected to have will be informed by the class teachers.
What to bring for the class
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All study materials/books provided
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Prescribed texts relevant to the group
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A notebook (A4 size ruled on one side and blank on the other side) and a pen/pencil
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Colour pencils/sketches/crayons, glue, and scissors
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Chanting beads on a bead bag.
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A bottle of water
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A small towel/handkerchief for their personal use
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Any other material as requested by the class teacher
Dress Code for Damodar and Madan Mohan group
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Boys - Dhoti and kurta/ Pyjama and kurta/ Long trousers and shirt
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Girls - Long skirt and blouse/ Punjabi salwar Shorts, short skirts and sleeveless tops are not permitted.
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Girls must tie their hair.
Music and Drama Class
Music
The power of sound is profound and tangible. The joyous feelings awakened through the melodious glorification of the Divine gradually awaken a spiritual understanding of the self and the Supreme Self, or God, in this day and age. Kirtans (commonly referred to as mantra meditation or sacred chants), the ancient call-and-response practice from devotional traditions involves the rhythmic singing of mantras or poetic names of God. The chanting of mantras and other devotional hymns is accompanied by simple musical instruments. At GGG we engage children over 7 years in kirtan and offer optional classes in harmonium and mrdanga. A culture of singing is encouraged in the school with some form of singing happening in every class.
Drama
Drama and performance are an integral part of Vedic studies. Kids who are 8 years and above and who have an aptitude for drama can participate in plays that are performed during major festivals
The amount of work that teachers and students put into these dramas is significant. Through participation in the plays, students learn to face their fears, overcome their nerves, and learn to relinquish the limelight to others. Teachers carefully select plays and roles so that students have the chance to meet and develop aspects of themselves in the characters they are chosen to play that may seldom otherwise have the opportunity to arise and be seen. Aspects of the children’s social-emotional health are strengthened and developed each year through class plays and drama lessons.
Festivals
Festivals are an integral part of Krishna consciousness. We encourage GGG families to participate in all our festivals as best as they can. With the myriad of colorful decorations, multi-course feasts, elaborate rituals, kirtans, dance, and dramas, the festivals make spiritual progress a fun-filled experience for children and their families.
