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.

Matzah Ball Fun

In honor of Rosh Chodesh Nisan, Mrs. Cohen came in to play a fun game with the blow-up "matzah ball" she gave to our class. To the tune of "Mama's Little Baby", we sang Mama's little baby loves matzah balls while the children passed the ball around the circle. Whoever ended up with the matzah ball had to think of a food item which is "chametz". This game reinforces our knowledge of which foods we are and are not allowed to eat on Pesach. We plan to continue playing this game in our class. We always have fun with Mrs. Cohen when she comes to visit our class!

You've Got To Have Heart

March 3rd was our 100th Day of School. After joining the other kindergarten classes in the cafeteria for a special celebration consisting of Bingo, 100 invigorating exercises and working with children from other classes to make something out of 100 objects, we returned to our classroom.

The festivities continued as we enjoyed the delicious chocolate cake made by our own bakers. Then it began - our scavenger hunt for paper hearts. It was decided that we would work collaboratively to find the 100 hidden hearts. For five minutes the class exhibited team work in their search for the hearts. They cooperated with each other as they searched in every nook and cranny in the room. The count began, "97 - 98 - 99". We were one short. The children were happy but a little disappointed. Gan Daled began to clean the room and a minute later Jacob Horn shouted, "I found it!" and waved the 100th heart in the air. The cheering resounded through the Early Childhood hallway. A little heart went a long way in showing Gan Daled how working together pays off.

100th Day of School

We had fun celebrating the 100th day of school. We made special headbands and sashes. All of the gans got together in the cafeteria to celebrate - playing bingo, exercising, and making objects of art using 100 different things. In our classroom, we counted out 10 different kinds of snacks - 10 each. Counting by 1's, 2's, 5's, and 10's to 100 was the order of the day, including Joey giving Morah Marcia 100 hugs. In addition, the class went on a special treasure hunt - finding 100 pennies that were hidden around the room. We completed the day with the story "Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten." Wouldn't you like to be in Gan Gimmel?

Gan Aleph celebrates the 100th Day of School!

Ladies and Gentlemen ...It's the moment you have all been waiting for... THE 100th DAY of SCHOOL!!!!
This week, we celebrated the 100th day of school with movement, food, math and a whole lot of fun!
We began the day by filling bags with one hundred snacks! There were 10 plates on the table with a different snack on each. The children counted by tens as they filled their bags with 10 of each snack in order to make 100 snacks!
Next, we put on our hats and necklaces and joined the other kindergartens for a 100 day celebration! We played 100 number bingo, did 100 exercises and worked with our friends from the other classes to create something out of 100 of a certain item (paperclips, cups, pipecleaners etc.).
We ended the celebration by filling a poster with the number 100 on it with pennies we had brought from home. This money will be given to tzedakah!
When we returned to the classroom we played a game in which a group of children sat with a 100 number board. They took turns rolling the dice and added the two numbers together. They crossed out the number combined by the dice on their board and kept doing so until someone reached the number 100! Other children worked on a different type of chart in which they were provided with a board with the numbers 1 through 100 on it. They were also given stickers with different numbers on it. They worked together to match the stickers to the correct number until the whole board was filled!
We ended the day with a cake and are looking forward to the next 100 days of school!

The Power of Play

Abundant research affirms again and again the powerful impact of play in every area of child development: cognitive, motor, emotional, social, and language. At its best, play is child directed and open ended, giving the child limitless opportunities to manipulate and learn about the world around him/her.

Children playing with simple building materials learn to negotiate for pieces, collaborate, observe each other's work for new ideas, and learn first hand about balance, symmetry, and spatial relationships. Children like Rebecca, who pretend to read, actually learn important concepts about print and the pleasure that books can bring. Card games can teach children to take turns, sharpen focus, and build math skills.

Of course, along with growth come some bumps and challenges. A good teacher uses conflict between children to guide them toward independent problem solving, empathy, fairness, and assertiveness.

Tapping into our own sense of play can help in making sure that our children take full advantage of this special time in their lives. What did you like to play as a child? Do you remember how it made you feel? I'd love to hear your responses.

Waffle Wednesday

Every Wednesday, the children of Gan Bet prepare a pancake or waffle batter that Morah Carol cooks up for them. What goes on while she flips them in the pan? Here, Rosalie and Jonathan are playing Hebrew games that Morah Shira created: Rosalie is matching aleph bet blocks to a printed page; Jonathan is using a picture cube to dress a paper doll in winter clothing, using the Hebrew vocabulary for each piece (Morah Yael is standing behind him, lending support as needed). Jo-Jo is working on his individualized computer reading program; and Hannah S. enjoys the first batch of chocolate chip pancakes!

Because cooking is an activity that is associated with home, regular classroom cooking promotes a warm, secure environment. In this setting, children comfortably test their independence, making their own choices of learning activities, friends to join, and materials to use. These children are particularly lucky to have teachers who have manipulated the environment to make sure that every choice is full of meaningful, constructive learning.

Part 2 - The Siyum

Gan Daled celebrated the siyum (completion) of Beresheit the first book of the Torah, with much joyful singing and dancing. A kiddush was enjoyed by all of us. The children baked a cake, which they decorated to look like a Torah. The cries of Chazak, Chazak V'Nitchazek rang loud and clear.

In celebration of the siyum, Gan Daled compiled D'vrei Torah for each Parsha and illustrated them to make a book. Gan Daled also played a special Beresheit Parsha quiz game. The children showed their knowledge when answering Torah questions. Everyone was a winner!

Basketball

These kindergarten boys organized their own basketball game, naturally including anyone who was interested. They are developing some amazing skills. Look at the body strength that they're using, the agility, and eye-hand and spatial reasoning. What you can't see is the wonderful sense of sportsmanship, teamwork, and the absolute joy of play.