Why did G-d need to choose a Mountain?

Shavuot Celebrates the Jewish People receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai 3,334 years ago! Every year on the holiday of Shavuot we renew our acceptance of G‑d’s gift, and G‑d “re-gives” the Torah. 

To make the story, the holiday and its traditions meaningful and relevant to our students- we enjoyed many discussions, sensory experiences and activities! 

 Hope you enjoy!

 

We turned our block center this week into a Mountain Range! 

(The children enjoyed painting and placing sand and dirt over the Mountains that were posted on the walls of this center)

 

We also used this opportunity for the more "nature" inclined learners to learn about Mountains and their properties.

SEE BLOG POST ON MOUNTAINS... we offered new books, projector displays and more...

During Circle time I used this center to tell the children the famous "story of the Arguing Mountains" of why G-d chose Mount Sinai.

At circle time the children were intrigued watching each mountain 'talk' and brag about why they were the best. 

Mount Sinai however, smaller than the others, was happy the way he was.  He didn't brag or feel a need to be boastful. He was humble, so G-d chose him to be the mountain for the Torah be given on.

I took this opportunity to talk about what it feels like if our friend brags, or  puts us down. They all agreed that it doesn't feel nice! 

G-d was showing us that we need to be like mount Sinai, humble- yet proud of who we are. 

(Our kindness jar has been getting heavier! I am so proud of all the children taking the lesson from circle time and really looking out for their friends!)

 

 

When introducing the Torah--- which represents the 10 commandments- I placed a shiny paper "covering" that included pictures of different Mitzvah's to show the children (who see the Torah everyday by circle time) what is IN IT! (they were surprised at the picture of eating vegetables ;) that is a Mitzvah too, eating healthy!!!!

The centerpiece of our Mountain Range/Block Center- is Mount Sinai! We created a small mountain with sand, blocks and props for the children to role-play and re-enact the scene of Shavuot! 

Next to this we also included an "AUDIO CENTER" where there were pictures of thunder, lighting and a shofar, alongside earphones and a CD player, for the children to LISTEN to the SOUNDS of this grand event in our history.

We are told there was thunder, lighting and the sound of the shofar as G-d gave us the Torah!

 The children setting the scene putting blocks 

(that had their own pictures as well as other Jewish childrens faces) around the Mountain!

 

It was intentional to place pictures, representing each child around the Mountain, as we are told that EACH OF OUR SOULS were at the very first giving of the Torah, and each year- on Shavuot, we Re-Receive the Torah, the greatest gift from Hashem.

Menucha making sure the people dont fall by placing sand around them.