This week we began the story of Purim. The children were so excited when we mentioned Purim. They remember stories from either carnivals or books their previous teachers have read. We introduced the characters and when we introduced Haman, the children began to yell, “Boo!” When we read the story, we mentioned Persia. Some of our children raised their hands to tell us how their parents were from Iran and it used to be called Persia. One child said that her dad told her Iran was very dangerous so he had to leave. Others told us that their parents were from Iran which brought up conversations about how that is why they know how to speak Farsi. The children brought up what they think they want to dress up as for Purim. They all remembered the yummy Hamentaschen, a cookie shaped like Haman's hat. Room 3 remains so engaged in our hot wheels tracks and cars, and the children have created works of art with their race tracks. The children are extremely creative, making loops and making the tracks go over tables and through the entire room. The office center has become a main focus for our friends in Room 3. They enjoy drawing pictures for each other and they tell us how it makes friends happy when we do that. It has been great to have a rain-free week to let the children play and run outside. They have been very involved in playing with the basketball hoop and shooting hoops during outside time. Reminders: We look forward to celebrating Shabbat with Remi and her family next week. Please remember to bring a Hallah for Shabbat. Your children have envelopes in their cubby regarding picture information. Please be sure to pick it up at drop off or pick up or check their bags. Conferences are on March 14th and 15th. Please look for an email from the school regarding sign ups. WE ARE A NUT SAFE SCHOOL. PLEASE MAKE SURE LUNCHES ARE NUT FREE
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The big news in room 3 this week is that your children all have their licenses, and they couldn’t be more proud. During our Hot Wheels unit, we have done many studies involving cause and effect. For example, the children learned what might happen if you drive on ice or in fog. What happens if you push something versus what happens when you pull? The children of room 3 signed up for their driver’s test by writing their names on the signup sheet. An obstacle course was set up with the Hot Wheels tracks and other means of roads such as tape, Legos and sand paper. This gave the children the opportunity to use the cars on different surfaces. They made their own signs; curvy road, stop, do not enter, pedestrian and railroad. Each child had their own turn going through the track while their classmates cheered them on. After the “test” the children spent time playing and building with the tracks. It was amazing to see what they could make. There were loops and twists and other things that they taught us how to make! They were all very creative. One afternoon this week, the children had a chance to create their own bridges. They used everything in the class as a means to build a bridge. Some chose tape to build bridges over the table. Others used blocks and magnet tiles. There were bridges going across the room. They named their bridges and they were able to tell us which bridges looked like Westminster Bridge (by Big Ben), Golden Gate and the LA Bridge. Rabbi Josh spoke to the class about President’s Day and told an amazing story about telling the truth. The children have since been making sure that everything everyone says is the truth, just like George Washington. During their time at the office center, the children have been making their own creations. Some made hearts for Valentine’s Day, and some made blue-prints of their dream home. The children have been bringing up the construction zone a lot and they are so engaged as they walk by it and see the progress. This has proven to be an exciting time for them, as they are able to see something they are so passionate about undergo a transformation, each and every day. Have a safe and dry weekend! Reminders: We look forward to celebrating Shabbat next week with Jordan and his family. NO SCHOOL- Monday February 20th. NO SCHOOL- Tuesday February 21st. Room 3 has had a wonderful week with our Fathers and Grandfathers. We had many special activities that we were so proud to be able to share with all of you.
On Monday, the children made their own snack. We set up a cooking station in the room for the children to make their own pizza. They took an English muffin and spread their sauce. They added their “perfect” amount of cheese and they were so excited to be able to eat it for snack. Tuesday we had PE with Coach Herold in room 8 to avoid the rain. We played a game where the children hid a ball in their hands and a friend had to guess who had the small orange ball. They absolutely loved it. Each friend had a turn to guess and to hide the ball. Wednesday was another very busy day in room 3. We had a special in-class music with Maestro and sang fun Tu B’shvat songs. The children sang one of their favorite Maestro songs, “The breakfast song.” They loved having music inside their classroom. One of our fathers had the chance to read us a book while other fathers and grandfathers sat and listened with their children. Thursday was a special day for the Trees! We celebrated Tu B’Shvat outside behind the temple. Fathers and Grandfathers joined us for the fun. The children tried different kinds of fresh and dry fruit. Some of the favorites were dried strawberries, dates, and dried mango. The children have been so interested in construction lately, and they have been constructing their own towers with legos and wooden blocks. We leave the structures up for the day so that the children may reflect on their work and discuss it with one another. At the end of the day, the children take down their projects, only to return the next day and resume, using what they learned during the building action of the previous day. This week we began our Speedometry drivers unit. Each child will learn about road signs and earn their own driver’s license. This unit will continue into next week as well. We will be creating an obstacle course on which the hot wheels will be driven. Friday was our special all-school Father's Week Shabbat. How exciting to see everyone in the temple. We really want to thank all of our families who came throughout the week. Reminders: February 15th is library day and we look forward to Jinous coming to read to our friends. We look forward to celebrating Shabbat with Simon and his family next week. Monday, February 20th- NO SCHOOL- President's Day Tuesday, February 21st- NO SCHOOL-Professional Development Day This week we began our unit on Speedometry. We spent much of our time focusing on the ideas and meaning of two words, “Push” and “Pull.” The children were given different words such as pinch, shove, poke, and they had to figure out whether the action was “pushing” or “pulling.” They used the hot wheels to illustrate the action. The children also listed the various activities they do in school and at home, and they then decided whether the action involved pushing or pulling.
During one of our class discussions, one of the children mentioned how they love their mom and dad because they give them money for Tzedakah. WOW! This brought on a rich conversation about giving Sova and Tzedakah. The children said that when they give Tzedakah and Sova, other people are happy which makes them happy. We talked about the fact that there are some things we do for us on Shabbat and some things we do for others. They agreed that we eat challah and drink grape juice for us, and that the Sova and Tzedakah was for someone else who needs it. We began our Tu B’Shvat journals this week. The children have been very interested in drawing trees. Each of them made different types of trees for their journals. Some made apple trees and some made lemon trees. Some even made palm trees! The children were able to tell us why we celebrate Tu B’Shvat and why we should be thankful for the trees. We had a fun session with Rabbi Josh on Thursday. Room 1 joined our class to hear the Rabbi talk about Tu B’shvat. He taught the children about the different kinds of prayers we say for different fruits and vegetables. It was fun for the children to guess which prayer was the correct match. For instance, ending the prayer in either “ADAMA” or HAETZ” depends on whether the food is from the ground or from a tree. During snack, we had apples and said the “Motzi” as we always do. One of the children reminded us that we are having apples, and that, therefore, we need to say “Etz”. Reminders: Fathers and Grandfathers week is next week. We would love for dads and grandfathers to join us at any point during the week for any of the following events/times and of course, please be our guests at a brunch and Shabbat service on Friday in honor of you! Monday- 9:30 Havdalah Tuesday- 9:30 PE Wednesday- 10:30 Music Thursday- 9:30 Tu B’Shvat Class Seder Friday- 10:00 Brunch in Zeldin-Hershenson Hall (just Dads and Grandfathers) followed by Shabbat Services with your child in the sanctuary We look forward to celebrating Shabbat with Noah and his family Friday. Our room mom will be sending you an email regarding the Tu B’Shvat fruit to bring for the Pre-K Tu B’Shvat celebration on February 9th. |
Pre-K Room 8Mari Greifer Archives
March 2020
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