Dear Parents, This week we spent time learning about Shavuot. The children learned that "Shavuot" means "weeks" because it falls seven weeks after the second day of Passover. We read books, told stories, and looked at different pictures that explained Shavuot. As the children became aware that this holiday marks the day that the Torah was given to the Jewish people and Moses came down from the mountain to read the Ten Commandments, they were filled with many questions. They were quite fascinated with the Ten Commandments and made their very own connections that they were like “Rules” that they must follow. As a learning experience during group time we showed the children the tablets that the 10 Commandments were written on. We sat with the children and had them come up with their own rules for the classroom. “We must share with our friends,” “Respect everyone,” “Keep our hands to our own body,” “Be happy with what you have,” were just a few of what they said. Next, as a collaborative art project the children cut and glued on colored paper squares to resemble a mosaic tablet. We then displayed this in the classroom. Following this, the children had the opportunity to work with clay. As an extension from the first project, we thought it would be nice for each child to create their own stone tablet. As they rolled, pinched, cut, and molded the clay, they all formed very creative tablets. We included a picture of a stone tablet that had the first ten letters of the Hebrew alphabet, with the number associated with that letter. The children were eager to discuss the Hebrew letters, relating them to shapes and Hieroglyphics that they learned about last month. With a clay tool, they began to inscribe different letters on their tablets. Such unique, creative works of art were made. Shavuot also celebrates the Spring harvest and the offering of the first fruits. We took the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather, go on walks and look at all the beautiful flowers blooming. The children created decorative head pieces by coloring different flowers and gluing fake ones on. Throughout the week we discussed flowers and the different parts of them. “How are they different?” “How do some of their parts look the same?” As a great lesson to talk about preserving nature we did an experiment with fresh flowers. We wrapped them up with a rubber band, hung them upside down, and put them in a dark cabinet, and slowly watched as they dried out. This was a fun and educational activity that taught the children patience and the love and appreciation of nature. The children were so impressed by the dried flowers, we thought it would be nice to put them to use. On a very large canvas, the children worked together by gluing sticks and flowers, creating a masterpiece of nature. What a busy week! Shabbat was celebrated in the classroom with two families, James Ghodsian and Siena Ghiyam. What a nice time to come together after a long week and share this special time. Thank you for joining us and making this day more memorable. Shabbat Shalom, Lindsay and Vera REMINDERS: May 25th- Shabbat Girl- Eden Ghodsian May 28th- Memorial Day- NO SCHOOL May 30th- End of year gathering- 9:15am June 6th- Last day of school June 7th- Pre-K Celebration
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TK
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