Gurmat Studies
Courses
The selection of Gurmat courses at Dasmesh Khalsa School is something you will not find at any other school. Our curriculum includes 7 different Gurmat Studies courses, 2 of which are daily classes, the others being spread at various intervals throughout the week. We have created our own course materials specifically for children, which are not provided by any other institutions. See our courses below.
Punjabi
Kirtan
Gurbani Santhya
Gurbani Memorization
Gurbani Veechar
Gurbani Vocabulary
Gurmat Class
In the Gurmat Philosophy module, we give our students extensive knowledge of theological topics like reincarnation, Naam, the concept of Vaheguru and Guru etc. In the Sikh History module, we will be providing our students with a detailed history of our Gurus and their times and the post Guru period that saw the rise and fall of the Sikh empires.
Our Gurmat program will enable the graduates to remain steadfast in Sikhi regardless of any situation that arises in their future life. By answering the most existential questions and personalizing the Gurmat experience, we believe we can arm our students with unshakable faith in Vaheguru ji and Sikhi.
Gurmukhi
In Punjabi class, we start from the Gurmukhi alphabets and cover every stage up until children are able to read independently. Children then progress from reading simple and easy "Dharam Pothis" to more difficult works of literature, such as Gur Prataap Suraj Granth. Part of the Punjabi curriculum also focuses on writing and penmanship. Older and advanced students will learn how to respectfully copy Gurbani Shabads on electronic slates, eventually moving on to writing their own Gutka Sahibs.
Kirtan
In Kirtan class students will start off learning basic Sargam and simple Shabads, then moving onto an introduction to Raags such as Kalyan, Bilaval, Bhairon, etc. Our teachers have been trained by one of the top experts in Sikh Sangeet in the world. In the future, we hope to add training in classical Sikh stringed instruments (Taanti Saaj).
Pothi/Paath Class
This is a daily class that gives students the chance to connect with Guru Sahib and Gurbani on a daily basis. Beginner students start out by learning to read Nitnem, then moving on to Sri Sukhmani Sahib and the rest of the "Panj Granthi" Banis. Once they have completed these two stages, students will sit with the rest of their classrooms and participate in a collective, ongoing reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji from Pothi Sahibs. The format of this is as follows: the teacher rhythmically reads/sings one Pangti (line of Gurbani), which is repeated by the students collectively, continuing on in this way for the remainder of class. This is an excellent way for students to become fluent readers of Gurbani and to become familiar with all of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.
Gurbani Memorization
In this unique daily class, students will fulfill Guru Gobind Singh ji's Hukam to memorize Gurbani, by learning and applying techniques of memorizing Shabads and Banis. We use a highly structured approach, and we also incorporate fun tunes which make learning and memorizing effortless and fun.
Gurbani Veechar
It is important not only to read Gurbani, but also to attempt to understand its message. That is why we have included this once-a-week class in our curriculum for the older students. In this class, students will learn the meanings of Gurbani at an in-depth level, and will also learn the application of these teachings to our daily lives. Students will start off establishing a basic foundation in Gurbani Viyakaran (grammar) and Gurbani Pingal (rules of Sikh poetry), and then move on to the interpretation of Gurbani under structural context. The teachings of Gurbani arth (definitions) which we use are based on the laborious work done for many years by our founder, Bhai Kulbir Singh ji, in interpreting and explaining much of Gurbani.
Gurbani Vocabulary
We believe that the basis of learning any language is first learning vocabulary. In order for students to understand Gurbani, they first need to develop their vocabulary. In this class students will learn approximately 200 words per year in a fun, creative way using our specially designed activity sheets and stories. Every child will walk away with an increased vocabulary, which will help deepen their understanding of the Guru's Word.
