Where can we find seeds?

Before planting, we wanted to know where seeds came from. 

The children were interested to see which fruits and vegetables had edible seeds and which did not. 

   

We cut up tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, strawberries, and apples to find and inspect their seeds. We also looked at some seeds from packets like carrot and broccoli seeds which are not seeds we normally see when eating the respective vegetables. 

We then took to the garden to get rid of some of the pesky weeds that have sprouted. The children were enthusiastic to remove the weeds that take water and space to grow away from flowers and other plants!

Ganon Classes Work in the ECD Garden

Now that it finally feels like Spring, it's a perfect time for working in the ECD garden.  Each class has a plot of land for planting flowers or vegetables.  This week the children and morot from Ganon Aleph and Ganon Bet were busy weeding and preparing the soil, after which we planted some radish seeds.  We also have some bulbs which should be growing into beautiful flowers very soon.  Come by in a few weeks to take a look!

ECD Bereishit Fair

The children learned all about the seven days of creation through songs, books, felt board stories, pictures, and midrashim.  As a culminating activity they enjoyed our Bereishit Fair in which all of the early childhood classes participated.  Each ECD classroom became a different day of creation which the children visited to work on different projects relating to that day.  These included shadow puppet play for Day One, sensory activities with water and shaving cream for Day Two, planting seeds for Day Three, creating edible sun, moon and stars for Day Four, decorating birds and fish for Day Five, doing animal exercises and creating self-portraits for Day Six, and making challah for Day Seven.  What a wonderful, hands-on way to learn about the creation of the world!

Spring Has Sprung in Ganon Bet

                                                     Up, Up And Away We Go!!!

                                              Cleaning our garden for Spring planting!
                                              We planted Radishes and Mesclun seeds!

Ganon Aleph & Bet Planting in Our Gardens

Ganon Aleph & Bet's gardeners were hard at work today planting red and yellow peppers, tomatoes and flowers in our garden plot! We can't wait to see it grow!!

Bereishit Fair

Yesterday, the EC classes initiated our first ever Bereishit Fair! This amazing learning experience was completely developed and implemented by the collaboration of our model team of teachers. Each classroom was set up to represent a different day of Creation, along with hands-on projects and activities. For Day 1, children made shadow puppets and frosted black and white cookies.

On Day 2, a water table was set up for play, and children made clouds with shaving cream.

Children planted seeds on Day 3, and made collages of trees and grass. Day 4's classroom had stars projected on the ceiling, and children created original designs of stars, moon, and sun. For Day 5, real fish were available for observation, and children played a matching game with various types of birds and fish.

On Day 6, the children dressed in animal costumes, and held races and dances.

Back in their own classrooms, children learned about Day 7, our very own Shabbat, which of course we celebrate every week in school.

A Tree Grows in Ganon Aleph

As a follow-up to Tu B'Shevat, the children in Ganon Aleph did some planting! They collected seeds from different fruits and vegetables that they had eaten at home. We planted these seeds this week, along with seeds from flowers, grass, pumpkins, and beans. Our plants are on our windowsill, and we are patiently waiting to see what will come up first!

Planting in Ganon Bet

We made terrariums with soda bottles and planted Marigold seeds.The water within the soil rises because of the heat(from the sun) in the enclosed bottle. the water then rains down (like a cloud) to water the seeds. In addition to reinforcing our understanding of how plants grow this experience gave us first hand knowledge of how the "water cycle" works.

Growing and Growing in Gan Aleph

Gan Aleph was so excited to come back to school after a week long break. We began the week by continuing our unit on Brachot. In order to fully understand the concept of "Boreh Pri Ha'adamah" Gan Aleph planted our own indoor garden. The children examined the different types seeds that we had on hand- tomato, cucumber and parsley. The children planted the seeds and watered the soil. The children will be caring for these plants by making sure that they have enough water and adequate sunlight. Have any good indoor gardening tips? We'd love to hear from you!

Gardening In Ganon Bet

Gardening in Ganon Bet
The children began to clear their own plot of in the playground. It took a lot of hard work for them to get the land ready and they understood firsthand, the difficulties faced by the Pilgrims. Since it's Fall we aren't able to plant vegetables like the Pilgrims did so we decided to plant flower bulbs which we will enjoy in the Spring.