10/22/10

This week has found the Bear’s class continuing on their adventure through Fall. On Monday we discussed what an experiment was. The children heard that experiments occur when you work with different materials, try new things and make observations about them before, during and after use. We then gave the children red and orange paint, corks and paper. While using these paints to create colorful designs on white paper, Charlie declared, “Look Morah Rhona, I am making orange!” On Tuesday the children worked on fine motor skills by tearing fall colored paper into small pieces and then glued them on large paper making colorful collages. Our painting adventures this week included painting with both acorns and pumpkins.

We sang our new favorite song and even taught it to the Owl class. When singing this song, you point to what is being mentioned, (pointing to your head when it says “nut”). Here are the words:

Toe- knee –chest- nut nose-eye love you.
(repeat twice, singing 3 times)
That’s what Toe- knee nose!

The spirit of Shabbat was present throughout the entire week. The children “read” the story A Holiday For Noah, as a flannel board story. We painted Jewish star pictures, using cookie cutters. The initial concept of performing a mitzvah and giving Tzedakah, was introduced to the children. We talked about the importance of helping others. We read the story The Very Best Place For A Penny. During lunch on Thursday, we were discussing the upcoming program which will honor a specific child each week during our school Shabbat program. The question was asked, “What do you like about Shabbat?” The responses were:

Bailey- Challah
Emily- Singing songs
Orli- Candles
Aidan- The thing you wear on your head (a Kippah)
Zev- Candles
Charlie- Saying the Blessings
Ben- Candles

Monday afternoon’s enrichment, Loving Literature, was fun filled from beginning to end. Our book of the week was The Rainbow Fish. We talked about the job of both the author, the person who writes the words to the story, and the illustrator, the person who draws the pictures. After reading the book, the children created their own rainbow fish, complete with shiny silver scales. There was a giant puzzle of the rainbow fish to be put together, and the class ended with a snack of rainbow colored Goldfish!

With so many fun and exciting activities going on, it is difficult to decide what was the favorite. That being said, the highlight of the week had to be music with Moreh Micah! The children sang and danced for well over 30 minutes. Unfortunately, once the morning session had ended, the music session did as well. But we know that Micah will reappear with his guitar before we know it!

Just a few other tidbits:

There is now a signup sheet posted for our Shabbat Child Program. We hope that each of you will be able to participate in this wonderful program.
We look forward to seeing you this Sunday morning for the annual Temple Ohabei Shalom Mitzvah Day.

Happy 4th Birthday to Aidan.

Have a wonderful week. Shabbat Shalom.

Morah Rhona and Morah Jessica