Lessons from our founding fathers!

GIVING Thanks. 

Through puppets and props we learned the story of the Pilgrims. How the founding fathers of our Country had to find a new place to live, as the King did not let them pray to their G-d.
When they arrived in America, they felt quite out of place and shy. The Indians made them feel at home and helped them out. The pilgrims were SO THANKFUL to them, they decided to make a festive meal!
To help the children apply living lessons from the story- we had some great discussions with the children on what each of us might have felt like- being out of place, or different. We focused on how good it does feel when someone helps us out and is kind.
  
The main big idea for this week was "HAKARAS HATOV"  Recognizing the good, and being thankful for it!
 
There are so many opportunities for the children to express their thanks and we mindfully practiced that all week!
 

 

 

 

 

Pilgrim and Indian puppets to tell the story.

 

 

Putting our gratitude and kindness into practice:

For a young preschooler, it is very age appropriate to be on the "receiving" end and constantly want things for themselves!

One great way to show kindness is by doing for SOME ONE ELSE. 

We chose to make pumpkin pies for thanks giving- but this baking experience had a twist that included a teachable moment!

The children are used to their Challah's that they braid and bake every Friday and then receiving it at the end of the day. And enjoying it the minute that they are allowed ;-) (Its not always easy to save it for Shabbat!)

After Baking the pies, some children asked "when can we eat it??"

This pumkin pie was going to be for a delivery for a local senior. It was a great opportunity for the children to understand this concept and they did so well!!

 

Math: 

We used our math skills by following our recipe card and adding the correct measurement to the bowl.

 

   

We noticed Evi having fun mixing the different spices (all spice and cinnamon) and seeing what would happen and smell like. This is the natural Scientist within!   :)

 

 

Personalizing our Thanks:

Each child had a chance to come up to the board and draw different things that they thank Hashem for.

Such beautiful responses such as their family members, friends etc

We will be using their answers in our thanks giving project.

 

 

 

 

 

It is heartwarming to see as the months go by, the interest level of their friends... curious to see what each other answered!

 

 

 

Levi had a lot to say!

 

 

 

Leaving out the puppets was a great provocation for them to review the story among themselves. Of course with some embellished details ;)

 

 

 

Watching the big idea unfold...

At the end of snack-time, the children know to put away their lunch boxes in their individual cubbie's.
Shua wanted to do a favor for his friend Aron and help him put his lunch box away.

 

 

 Aron ran over to Shua and gave him a big thank you hug!

 

 

Chani and Elizabeth in their 'Mayflower' boat

 

Pumpkin sensory

Corn starch and pureed pumpkin make a great texture, offering the children a unique sensory experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pumkin cookies

 

 

 

During the week I noticed a couple of the children fascinated with the items in our big recycling draw. 

(Thank you to the moms who keep it well stocked with cans, jars, paper towel rolls and more!)

We use these items for center play, projects etc.

 

 

 

The following morning we placed a whole bunch of items for THEM to figure out what they want to do with it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levi found a empty spice container !

 

Mmmmm...Smells interesting!

 

 

 

Telescopes!

 

Thank you Levi A's Mommy for giving us a surprise box of items!

The children loved being part of the process and figuring how to open while guessing whats inside.

 

 

 

 

Enjoying the contents: balls!

Liam and Levi playing a game of baseball together!

 

 

 

Bats don't have to only be for baseball ;)

 

 

Gross motor skill practice: Obstacle Course

 

1. Taped two strings onto the floor in a direction that they slowly get wider and wider.

 

2. Then went the balancing beam.

 

 

 

3. Ramp. some did summersalts, rolling..

Evi and Max just loved the elevation,

 

 

They chilled up there for some time chatting.

 

 

 

 

4. Ball pit. Also a great way to follow instructions since at first it was SO tempting to throw the balls everywhere but after catching on quickly to the rules they enjoyed 'swimming' with their friends.

 

 

Levi found one with holes.

 

 

Torah Portion of the week: Toldos

 

This week we learned about the twins that were born to Yizchak and Rivka.

Yakov- the forefather of all the Jewish people loved to learn Torah. So we connected the big idea of "hakaras Hatov/recognizing to good", to these Characters. 

We asked the children do you think he would say thank you ?

 

The Torah tells us that Eisav was not such a good child.  He loved to hunt and would hurt others.

 

We took Yakov to be our role model and acted out scenerios of all the kind of things he would do.

 

 

 

Yakov saying kind words to all of our friends

 

 

 

We have twins in our class!!! :) Shua and chani!

Both adorable and kind!

They helped us learn what twins are, and had a lot to say about each other.

 

 

Creating Eisav and Yakov puppets

 

 

 

Learning Outdoors:

Max enjoying climbing.

 

 

Shua working hard peddling up the hill.

 

 

 

Levi controlling the speed going down the hill.

 

 

Some times its fun to work alone ;-)

 

 

When was the first Shabbat Party celebrated?

Every week we look forward to our Shabbat party. A time when we gather together, set the table beautifully and sing favorite songs.

Ever wondered when this all started?

We have been talking about Avraham & Sarah the first Jews ever! Avraham was the one who taught the world the idea that "Hashem is Everywhere, in everything!"

When we ask the children, "Where is Hashem?" they immediately answer, "EVERYWHERE!" 

The Tent of Avraham & Sarah was the address of the VERY FIRST Shabbat Party! We learn in this weeks Torah portion about 3 miracles that existed in their tent as long as Sarah was alive! Her Challah's remained fresh, her Shabbat Candles remained lit, and there was a Cloud on the top of the tent protecting it. 

It is from Sarah that we learn the beautiful traditions that Jewish women across the world have been practicing for thousands of years. In fact-- if we want peace and light (Hashem's presence) in our homes all week long (just like Sarah) we have the tools to draw it down! 

Observing these Mitzvah's of Challah & Shabbat Candles- we bring a special light into our home- Just like the very first people to observe Shabbat!

Our Weekly Shabbat Celebration looks like this...

Each child has a chance to place something on the table, in preparation...

Lighting the candles!

Making Challah...one of the highlights of our week!

Instruments accompanying our favorite songs...

Song: The Shabbat Angels 

(ask your child about the fun movements we do to accompany this song!)

WORDS: The Shabbat Angels, are peeking through my window. 

Mommy lights the candles, and Daddy goes to Shule! x 2

Shabbat Shalom, Shabbat Shalom, Shabbat Shalom, to every one of you!

Levi peeks through his chair window!

Animal Shabbat Shalom Song! (Ask your child about "walking down the street...and bumping into animals, and wishing them "Shabbat Shalom!"

This week we focused on Avraham and Sarah's son Yitzchok. 

A very special Jew who was now old enough and ready to find his wife.

Children love puppets, so through a puppet show, these characters and the story came to life! Avraham sent his helper Eliezer to where his family lived to help find a suitable match.

We focused on the kindness Rivka had, a girl that Eliezer met at the well.
Before taking water for herself, she offered it to Eliezer and his camels.
 

 

 

 

 

We wanted the children to experience "living" this kindness, so we role played that gesture in our classroom! It was also a chance to reciprocate the invitation that we enjoyed last week, being invited to the Mitzvah Menches class (when we enjoyed cookies and milk!)

 To reflect and give back- each child decorated a cup and we poured water for each child in the other class.

 

It was a real challenge for some to wait to drink before we served the other friends, but once they gave it to a child in the other class their face showed how worth it was!

 

 

 

 

 

Morah Rebeccas class pretending to be the camels at the well.

 

 

 

Rochel even had two humps!

 

 

Mock wedding!

 

Yitchak and Rivka's marriage was the very first Jewish wedding! what a great way for the children to learn about the different customs we do at a Jewish wedding!

 

Chanie the flower girl sprinkling flowers in honor of the bride and groom

 

 

Evi the Brides father helped her walk down the isle to her decorated chair

   

 

 

 

Levi Lang and Menucha were 'Yitzchoks' parents

 

 

Covering Rivka with a veil

notice the backdrop that our class worked hard decorating :)

 

 

 

 

 

Chuppah

 

 

 

Max was the ring bearer who helped Yitzchok give Rivka a beautiful ring.

 

 

 

Mazel Tov! After stepping on the glass, It was so much fun to dance!

 

 

 

Evi being DJ

 

Enjoying delicious wedding cupcakes!