This week we jumped right into Tu B’ Shevat with a book called, “A Tree is Nice,” by Janice May Udry. We did a science project with the children that included two types of fruit. We took a kiwi and a banana and cut the ends off both, then we attached them together from each end and planted them in soil. We are convinced a kiwi and banana will turn into a banana with a kiwi inside. “What if the banana turns into a kiwi?” “Can we eat it when it’s done?” Our discussion was ongoing and each day, the children have been checking to see the progress of our experiment.
A little deeper explanation of Tu B Shevat is that the letters of the word “Tu” are equivalent to the number 15, and Shevat is the name of a month in the Hebrew Calendar. So, Tu B’Shevat means the 15th day of Shevat. It usually falls in January or February in the secular calendar. While it may be cold and winter here now, in Israel trees are beginning to blossom. Tu B’ Shevat is an opportunity to teach the children to appreciate nature and the environment. We have started planting carrot seeds parsley and basil. Next week we will continue exploring nature by doing more planting in and outside of the classroom and by observing the trees and nature that is around us. In Israel, Tu B’ Shevat celebrates the beginning of the fruit crop. We have been talking about the different types of trees and why trees are important to us. Next week we will be making a fruit salad in the classroom. We would like for the children to bring in their favorite fruit for the salad on Monday, January 30th. On February 9th, all of Explorers will be having a Tu B’ Shevat celebration outside on the front yard. The children will have the opportunity to eat some of the traditional Tu B’ Shevat snacks: grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. A sign-up sheet will be provided to parents on Monday, January 30th. This week we have been also focusing on our Social and Emotional development (Emotions). It is important for children to learn how to understand their own emotions, and as they get older, we can gently help them to understand that other people have feelings too and to recognize the signs that show how another person is feeling. We started off by talking about different emotions, we read books, sang songs, and we made “emotional” pancakes using fruit as body parts. “I feel so happy, so I’m going to make my pancake a happy one,” “My pancake has a mustache,” “My pancake has hair, and she’s very excited.” We are really excited to start our unit on emotions and it will be exciting! We ended the week with a beautiful Shabbat with Aaron and his family. We hope you have a wonderful weekend. Reminders: Picture Day Tuesday January 31st @ 10:30am Friday February 3rd- Arianna is Shabbat girl Feb 6-10- Fathers and grandfather’s week
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