Which voice will you listen to?

Fall Unit part two

At the beginning of the week we concluded our Fall unit by learning the different parts of a tree. We focused on Hashem's wonderous ways of creation:  How it starts with a little tiny seed, and then grows into a big beautiful tree.

This was a great opportunity to help the children connect to what they were learning. We personalized it by bridging the knowledge they have of how each of them started off, (as a tiny baby) and of the potential us humans each have, to grow and become so great!

Real nature items on the easel to help learn the vocabulary of the different parts of a tree.

Painting nature items

Getting paint into a pine cone now that takes concentration;)!

Levi creating a picture of roots

Two Voices

This week's Torah Portion, "Toldos" talks about the twins that were born to our forefather Yitzchok and his wife Rivkah.

Role playing with puppets, the children were able to learn the different personalities that each of these twins had. Yakov, a sweet boy who loved learning Torah and listening to Hashem. Esav, spent his time hunting animals and not involved in such kind acts.

We all have 'Eisav' moments where we make mistakes or want to do something not right. However, the Torah teaches that deep down we are all like Yakov!  We have a stronger voice that represents our what our "neshama" wants.  We need to bring out the 'yakov voice' and do the right thing!

During the week we brought out the "Yakov" puppet, to help us in different scenarios that the children were dealing with.

Elizabeth and Chanie role playing an Eisav and Yakov scenerio with the puppets.

How 'Living with the times' comes to life in our classroom:

(Living with the Torah portion)

Devorah Leah and Elizabeth both wanted the pink space on our davening parachute. This was a great learning opportunity for our classroom,  so we stopped and discussed what would Eisav do and what would Yakov do in this situation?

With great pride they role played 'Yakov's way.' Elizabeth got up and sat on the green space allowing Devorah Leah to have the pink. We all clapped for Elizabeth and her face shown as all the children's did. How powerful to know we each have a Yakov voice ready to come up and make the right choice.

Boys singing the tzitzis song in the middle of the parachute 

Aron told me he wanted to zoom off on his bike but that's what Eisav would do. So he decided to wait till shua caught up like Yakov.

While waiting on line Levi Yitzchak decided  to give out hugs ;)

We want to wish Morah Leah a happy birthday ! The children were very excited to create a book to show her their love!