What happens when we DON'T plan?

As teachers, we love to plan curriculums that are inviting and fun. However, this week we decided NOT to plan. As a teacher it's a bit scary but as we learned this week, so very rewarding.

It was a week of LISTENING. The children's imaginations were the top priority. What is on their mind? When we usually have a 'topic' we get to hear a lot of very important other topics that are on their mind, but this week THAT is exactly what the topic was.

After a trip to New York for the Chabad world wide conference, we got into a discussion about planes. Where would you go if you were on a plane?

Chana rochel would fly far away to get treats. Arik told us about his family on a airplane.

Becoming Authors and Artists

 We created blank books to invite the children to create their very OWN book. Some of them gave us blank stares. They hear many books being read to them and now it felt like a daunting task to create their own. After some starter questions the stories began flowing. 

Mina wanted to make a book about her little baby brother.

Chanie wanted to draw about her father during supper time. 

Batya got very animated about the airport.

It was so rewarding to just LISTEN.

The follow up

The next day we had pictures printed out from what they mentioned the previous day. 

Moshe made a book about his parents and candy. We made sure to have an assortment of pictures of candy if he wanted to add it to his book. This was also a great message to our friends, that we are here to listen to them. Their thoughts and ideas matter and are so important to us.

Reading their very own book to their friends during circle time. This was a great practice on public speaking and self confidence.

Holding up the book so all could see their beautiful pictures was a learned skill.

Imagination art inspired by the book "Spilled milk."

Eli put white paint inside his blue construction paper and after unfolding it he told us what it looked like to HIM. "A Shoe".

Imaginations at play

Our favorite moments are during 'free play'. Their imaginations are hard at work and we love watching them put their ideas together to come up with a fun game or role play.

The children had fun putting on a concert of made up songs.

In our dramatic play area a train of chairs were off on a fun trip.

Moshe made a music speaker. Mendel made a sheep!

Torah, Torah I love you!

Watching the rain.

 Happy 3rd Birthday to our dear friend, Esther!

Parshat Beshalach: Split the Sea

Parshat Beshalach: Split theSea

This week we learnt about the Benei Yisroel leaving Mitzrayim (Egypt) . After they left Mitzrayim they arrived at the sea and the Mitzrim (Egyptians) were chasing them. Hashem made a miracle and split the sea. When Benei Yisroel crossed they were so happy and grateful they were singing and dancing and thanking Hashem for all the miracles. The children fed the birds that were singing above the.

This shabbat is called Shabbat Shira because Shira means a "song." The Benei Yisroel sang songs to Hashem to thank Him for all the miracles. Many people have the custom to feed kasha to the birds before Shabbos. Mitzvah Mentchies is very excited to feed them!

After the Yiddin (Jewish people) crossed the sea they were walking for 3 days without water. Some of the Yiddin complained to Moshe that they were thirsty. The way they complained was in a whiney voice and that made Hashem not happy with them.

From here we learnt a very important lesson when we want to say or ask for something we need to say it in a nice way.

At the end of this week's Parsha we learned that Benei Yisroel went to war with Amalek. Moshe held his hands up to the sky and when they were held up the Yidden were able to win over Amalek. When the Yiddin were davening to Hashem it was easy for Moshe to keep his hands up but when the Yiddin were not davening it was very hard for Moshe to hold his hands up. Aharon and Chur helped Moshe keep his hands up.

Yud Shevat The Rebbe Became Rebbe

Morah Avigayil brought into class some dirt, a rock and a silk worm. She asked the children, what is special about these 3 things?

The children didn't see anything special in these 3 things. Then Morah Avigayil put a plant near the dirt, a silk scalf near the silk worm and a gem stone near the rock.

Then the children were asked if they see anything special?

She explained that these 3 things look very simple but they have the potential to be turned into something very beautiful.

This is how the Rebbe sees us. He can see the potential we have inside. He can see our outside and our Neshama inside that is shining.

Silk is so soft and cozy!

Mendel couldn't wait for his turn to feel.

Rabbi Yosef came to our class to farbreng with us and tell us about the Rebbe.

The Giving Tree 

In honor of Tu Bshvat, we read the book "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstien.

We had a open discussion about the book and I asked the children: "If you were a tree and you had apples on it would you give your apples to a sad boy?"

Some of our children said yes they would give their apples and some of our children said that they wouldn't give their apples. Some children were thinking about what would they get back in return....

The children were also asked what they can give to someone that would make them happy and doesn't cost money.

Yisroel said he can collect shells and stones.

Rosie said she can make a card and draw a picture.

Dovi said he can go fishing and give a fish.

Saige said she can pick some fruit from the tree and give it to someone...

Other answers where: Hugs, flowers, nice words, friendship....

3-d painting trees, inspired by the giving tree

great hand-eye coordination

We are making special family trees to decorate our classroom. Motty is working so nicely on his family tree.

            Thank you Morah Malka for bringing beautiful plants for us to plant in our school.

                                         

Morah Beth read us a story in class one day

We love guest storytellers!

What are OUR roots?

Tu B'shvat is around the corner. After learning all about the parts of the tree, appreciating growth and the process of growing it was now time to learn a deeper lesson.

How as Jews, are we similar to trees? Specifically the roots?

Heading outdoors to look at the beautiful trees Hashem has created.

With all our strength we tried pushing down the tree.

"Why is it not falling down?"

Some answers we heard.
"Because the branches are so long."

"It's so heavy."

Under the big beautiful tree we learned about the purpose of the roots.
Under the ground are strong thick roots holding up this gorgeous tree.

We headed indoors to circle time to take our lesson to the next level.
We bought a mirror and invited each child to share with us what makes them feel strong.

Esther, "When I eat cheese."

Yanky, "Water makes me strong."

Mendel wanted to demonstrate how strong he was by picking up the mirror.

Emma, "When I'm with my family I feel strong"

While these were great and correct answers. It was now time to learn what makes a Jew strong!

THE TORAH!
The precious gift of the Torah was given to the Jews and it has kept us around for thousands of generations. By learning its beautiful lesson it will give us our 'roots' to weather life's storms.

There has been so much growth since the beginning of the school year. While talking about how strong and big they are, we had fun pointing out different areas where they have grown.

Yanky is now tall enough to reach his own backpack in his cubby!

Mina and Shalom stacking the chairs by themselves.

The big lego box was quite heavy. Two children started dragging it when we heard Moshe call out. "Hey lets get more friends to help us!" Friends started coming and working out on their own how to get the box to fit in the correct spot. While this showed how physically strong they were getting, it also showed us how their cooperation and teamwork has grown so much since the beginning of the year!

We opened a Torah and looked inside to see the Hebrew letters. Moshe counted all the Alefs he saw.

Mendel tracing the Hebrew letter 'Mem' for his name.

Working on our Tu B'shvat hats.

Chanie practicing her cutting skills by snipping blades of grass.

We noticed Mina helping Batya trace her arm and hand to make a tree.

Mina C. glueing on her leaves.

Rainy day fun bringing the bikes indoors!

Friday Shabbos party happiness.