Study Circle in High School

Dear EBWN,

I am a teacher in a Scientific High School here in the south of Italy and thus the greater part of my time I pass with my students.  Therefore, they really have become my friends and collaborators….

In my High School new projects are given much importance and so I elaborate one which contained a title, objective and clear outcome, with the goal that a Study Circle was created on Ruhi Book #1.

The project was then written into the official document of the Class Council, together with other various programs and projects suggested by the teachers and students.

During one of the meetings of the Class Council, where all the teachers,  the representatives of the parents and children were present, I was able to present and explain the project.  Once approved by the Class Council it was then explained to the classes.

The project immediately created the enthusiasm of the students and I told them that if they desired to participate they should have the authorization of the parents to participate in the project by signing an authorization paper which I had drawn up. (see below)

I then presented the project to two of my classes and in one class of 19, 10 asked to participate.  However, after the first session, three more students asked to be admitted as they had seen the enthusiasm and excitement of their fellow classmates, making a total of 13!  In the other class 12 out of 21 students enrolled in the project.  Thus these Study Circles began in February and continued until finishing at the beginning of June.

As the encounters were held in the classroom of the school, rooms which are truly not very attractive, we decided to make the environment more pleasing, welcoming and joyous.

The meetings began with readings from the Writings, a poem or a meditative reading on man’s relation with God.  The first part of the Study Circle contained Ruhi Book #1, the exercises, reflections, sharing and then an artistic moment which included designs, sharing of short themes by the participants, etc.  The second part was dedicated once again to the Book #1, the exercises, reflections, sharing of thoughts  and at the end a lovely refreshment – the social part!!

Generally each encounter lasted 2 hours and each group had 11 to 12 encounters.  At the end, with great sadness, the course finished.

At the beginning of May in an encounter with the parents of all the students, many of those parents whose children had participated in the Study Circle expressed their profound gratitude for having done this course on spirituality with their children.  Once during the artistic part I asked the students if they desired to write a message to one of their school mates:  one girl wrote special messages to all of her friends in the Study Circle.

At the end of course each group wrote me a letter of gratitude, expressing all their enthusiasm for having had such a wonderful opportunity and the desire to continue in the autumn, with the knowledge that there are 7 Books!!

As this outside activity gives special grades for the students I decided to make a ‘diploma’  for their participation which serves as an integral part of their scholastic documents.

The experience has truly proved to be positive and enthusiastic.  The youth who participated in the Study Circle have all expressed a great joy in learning of the Writings of Baha’u’llah and His Writings and Teachings.

With love and gratitude,

Afa

SYNTHESIS OF THE PROJECT

Type of Project: The spiritual dimension of the human being

Responsible: professor A. Parsa.

Intended for: Students of the High School class in section A.

Goal: Assist the youth in the knowledge of their spiritual nature.

Measurable Objective: Develop the capacity to read Sacred Scripture and meditate on its significance, to know it’s spiritual dimension.

Methodology : Reading of texts and questions on the texts read and sharing with the others their understanding.

Eventual relations with other institutions: The National Institute Board of “ Ugo e Angeline Giachery”.

Phase      Length      Objectives                Contents               Activity             

I          2 months    Understanding of the      Reflections on the     Texts and questions 
                       two natures of man..      Live of the Spirit     on the texts
                                                                                            

II         2 months    The necessity to know     Prayer and its         
                       one’s spiritual reality   benefit for each       
                       in order to cultivate     human being             
                       and assist in its growth                         Groups
                       through the Sacred Word                          Seminars
                                                                        and sharing
                                                                        of ones
III        3 months    Comprendere lo scopo      vita dopo la morte     ideas and
                       della vita umana e la     e il progresso         experiences
                       continuazione della       dell’anima  dopo la    
                       nostra vita spirituale    separazione dal corpo  
                       dopo la morte              
                                                                                            

Eventual collaborators and its qualification/professional title:

Franco Ceccherini - Trainer and member of the Board of the Institute

Cristina Scalambra - Trainer and member of the Board of the Institute

Nasrin Yazdani - Psychologist and Trainer and member of the Board of the Institute

Ways and means

Useful materials for the project:

Photocopy: 200

Video material: 2

Text and magazines

Field trip for further knowledge

Computer, internet, etc.

Il Responsabile del progetto,

Prof Afaghiyeh Parsa

 

To the Head Master of the ‘G.Galilei scientific, classic and language High School of Paola, Italy.

I, the undersigned student ________________________________________

Frequenting class ________________________________________________

Request to participate in the project “ The Spiritual Dimension of Humankind”, which will be presented by Professor A. Parsa, for the formative project which has been offered. 

I recognise and understand the content, terms and procedure of this project has been approved by the Class Council.

 

Date ________________                                    Signature ____________________________

 

To the Head Master of the ‘G.Galilei scientific, classic and language High School of Paola, Italy. 

I _____________________________________________________

parent of student _____________________________ frequenting class __________________ authorise my son/daughter to participate in the project  “The Spiritual Dimension of Humankind”, which will be presented by Professor A. Parsa, for the formative project which has been offered.

I understand the content of this project which has been approved by the Class Council.

I, attest that my child is covered by the required insurance policy for those who participate in extracurricular and exonerate the school and the administration of public instruction for any responsibility for damages which could be incurred.

 

Date ________________                                    Signature ____________________________

 

 

N.B. – The signature of the parent must be witnessed by the person responsible for the project
        (The acceptance of the terms stated for the parents is standard procedure here in Italy.)