Shavous Unit
The Jewish Holiday of Shavous, is right around the corner! The day Hashem gave us the Torah- an ongoing gift expressing His love for us and the precious tool we have to connect with Him in our practical everyday lives!
Why a mountain?
A circle time experiment helped answer this question. All our friends sat on the floor like a mini crowd. Faiga held a siddur with Alef Beis. All of a sudden we heard Ari in the back, "I can't see!" Menachem complained, "I'm being blocked."
The children then figured out on their own why Hashem chose a mountain, "So everyone could SEE this special event!
At circle time we looked at pictures of many different terrains...flat sand, valleys, fields and then mountains. We asked the children which would be the best option that would allow for all to be able to see the Torah being given?
Sometimes we place circle time pictures on our door for children to review among themselves at a later time.
Deeper lesson on a mountain.
Hashem wanted to teach us an important lesson on how we must live our lives. By choosing a Mountain (that stands tall- as opposed to a valley) Hashem is reminding us that we each have something worthwhile to contribute to our surroundings, and that our sense of self worth must be healthy. This a skill that starts at a very young age.
We learned there is a healthy pride as well as a non-healthy one, like boasting or putting others down to make someone feel big.
This was a beautiful lesson that came to life as we posted two different mountains and the children were invited to place different scenarios on the correct mountain.
This lesson came into our play time as Evan announced how he was so good at making a spaceship. He used it for the good by sharing his technique with his friends and we watched the children creating their own with his encouragement!
Menachem chose a toothbrush to create his mountain.
Dovi and Mendel covering rocks with play dough to create their mountains.
Hannah PROUD of her mountain mitzvah note!
Now we were ready to learn the Shavous story. Hashem chose Mount Sinai which was not one of the tallest or widest to teach us about humility.
Rozie role played Har Sinai who was gifted with the growth of flowers during the giving of the Torah. She was very excited she came into school that day with a flower headband!
Flower art using cup cake holders as the center.
Tie dyed baby wipes!
What a fun and different way to create flower art by using baby wipes and water colors!
The older children had fun putting the rubber bands on themselves.
Motty decided to do a different technique and roll up the wipe.
Documenting our project was a great way for our friends to come and visit and see the process of their work.
Bela Riva and Evan trying to get flowers and stems out of the ice mold.
Working together on their Mother's Day project!
Good Shabbos!
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