Posted by Arpita Shah, English Teacher, Middle School.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Get to Know the Classics!

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Heidi by Johanna Spyri

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Peter Pan by Sir James Barrie

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

Any other classic is also acceptable. Look for abridged versions that will be easier to read.

Challenge

Rooftop Astronomer:Story about Maria Mitchell by Stephanie Sammantino McPherson

The Cay by Theodore Taylor

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (any book by Gary Paulsen)

The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg (Any books by him)

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Little House on the Prarie, The Long Winter, or On the Banks of PlumCreek by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Lost in Red Hawk Woods by Megan Stine

Earthquake Terror by Peg Kehret

My Side of the Mountain or One Day in theTropical Rain Forest by Jean Craighead George

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Frozen Fire by James Houston

Island of the Blue Dolphins, or Thunder Rolling in the Mountains by Scott O’Dell

The Tower Trick by Megan Stine

Rocks Tell Stories by Sidney Horenstein

Isabelle the Itch by Constance C. Greene

Slave Dancer by Paula Fox

The Double Life of Pocahontas by Jean Fritz

Snowshoe Trek to Otter River by David Budbill

Tornado by Betsy Byars

Sacajawea by Judith St. George

Journey to the Planets by Patricia Lauber

The Mystery of Mars by Sally Ride & Tam O’Shaughnessy

Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

The Watson’s Go to Birmingham by Richard Peck

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Extra Challenge

Snow Treasure,  Marie McSwigan

Anna of Byzantium,  Tracy Barrett

A View from Saturday,  E.L. Konisburg

The Midwife’s Apprentice,  K. Cushman

Walk Two Moons,  Sharon Creech

Tangerine,  Edward Bloor

My Side of the Mountain,  Jean George

Tuck Everlasting,  Natalie Babbitt

Canyons by Gary Paulsen

The Last Warrior,  Suzanne Pierson Ellisen

Twenty One Balloons by William Pene du Bois

Super Challenge

Johnny Tremain,  Esther Forbes

Dicey’s Song, Cynthia Voigt

Devil’s Arithmetic, Jane Yolen

Freak the Mighty, Rodman Philbrick

True North, Kathryn Lasky

Shoeless Joe, W.P. Kinsella

The War of the Worlds, H.G. Wells

Where the Red Fern Grows, W. Rawls

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson (any books by Katherine Patterson)

Sign of the Chrysanthemum, Katherine Paterson and Peter Landa

Feel free to choose other books from any of the authors listed. You may also find other international and Indian authors you like. Happy Reading!

Posted by Samia Khoreiche, Teacher

It is almost impossible to express what one feels when it comes to sharing one’s experience at Isha Home School.  I retired from teaching more than three years ago, and I thought I’d never go back to teaching and would find something else to keep me occupied.  However, when I came to Isha Home School two years ago, I was introduced to a completely different educational environment. All I could think of during my first term of volunteering was, “How happy those children are!” Their smiling faces and their twinkling eyes drew me closer to them and I couldn’t think of a more worthwhile place on earth where I would want to be.  When I was home for the end of year break I often felt the urge to go back to Isha Home School and experience ”innocent joy” at first hand. Since then I have been coming every term. I sincerely believe that I have learnt from IHS students more than all the knowledge I was able to impart to them.  I sincerely wish Isha Home School, students, faculty and staff all the best for many years to come. 

If I were to rephrase my experience, I would sum it in the following verse: 

Isha Home School 

It is with love and care that Isha Home School came to be

In nature’s arms its children cuddle and feel safe, happy and free

As days go by, they bloom and blossom like the flowers around

They flourish richly, and hold themselves steadfast to the ground

It is an experience beyond description; you simply have to be there

To witness the beauty, feel the magic and hear its music everywhere.

Posted by Arpita, Teacher

From the 17th till the 20th of October, the Isha Home School staff had a teachers’ retreat in Manampalli. Over forty of us spent time together at a cabin in the sylvan surroundings of a tropical rain forest.

We spent most of our time in solitude and reflection, imbibing the immensity of the nature around us. Among us, there were two wildlife experts and quite a few nature enthusiasts. They helped us identify the various flora and fauna, and enriched us with interesting anecdotes of our wildlife heritage.

Every time there was the slightest sound, we would all look in that direction. ‘Is that a crocodile lying on the branch in the river?’ Yes! ‘Was that the Indian Hornbill we just heard?’YES! On one evening, as we ate dinner by candlelight, Maheshwari Akka shared about her varied experiences in the forest, an almost second-home to her, and about the nature awareness clubs that she used to lead.

On another night, we took a night tour. Within the safety of our vans, and with the support of a forest guide and torch lights, we spotted various animals. During one of our sessions, we took a memorable walk beside the river … and came back covered in leeches!

Overall, the retreat was an opportunity for introspection and to bond together as a team. Everyone seamlessly worked together to make things happen. We learned a lot, laughed a lot and, of course, ate a lot (what we do best!). Our memories of the time spent together and the deep impression the forest made on us will be something that will long be cherished.

Posted by Shyamala & Sivakumar, Houseparents

Taking care of these children as our own, came very naturally to us. The children were lively and full of energy, that just by being around them brought a new sense of zest in us. Providing a warm and loving ambience of home while being firm with the boys was a challenge. Whenever we insisted something of the children, automatically the question arose in each of us “Do I have this quality?”. This brought a huge sense of awareness in us. Our chat sessions during Christmas decorating, Cook out, Forest treks, Sports meet and House times will never be forgotten! The love and affection that the children showed was so overwhelming. Thank you, Sadhguru, for opening this doorway for us.

Posted by Samia Habibi Khoreiche, Teacher, Middle School

On my flowing flight from Cochin to Beirut

Isha Home School was there in full pursuit

Of my thoughts, my feelings and my longing gaze

As I carried within a bunch of feelings in full blaze

Four months and a half I spent in a unique world

Where love rules all, and emotions are softly hurled

Where joy is in every inquisitive mind and seeking eyes

Where thirst for knowledge is wrapped in many whys

It is in such a place that one fully partakes and gives

Indulges in many queries, yet daily inhales and lives

I have a lot to live for at home, and much to care about

But I’ll give it all up and hurry back, there is no doubt

I have a lot more to impart, for much is kept in store

Till I dwell again amongst the sweetness which I adore

In two months I’ll say: Isha Home School, here I come

Just wait for me, there is still more to be said and done.