As I walked past one of our three-year-old classrooms this morning the first vision I saw was children playing in the sand table with the Israeli flag in the background. This year it is our goal
to make connections to Israel in concrete and meaningful ways everyday. In April when we celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut, our children will have had many opportunities to "build a relationship with Israel". Follow our blog to see how we do this! Feedback is welcome and appreciated.
In the photograph above, the bulletin board is only several inches off the floor and includes a large map of Israel. As we travel around the children will identify all the places they visit. Tomorrow is our first meeting with Gal, our young emmissary from Israel and so the journey begins!
You could have things that represent Israel IN the sandbox as well, like plastic camels, pieces of Jerusalem stone, or Israeli coins, for example. By the time you get to Yom HaAtzma'ut, Israel will tryly hold meaning for your children.
ReplyDeletenice map of Israel for the preschool level; I'd love to buy it- could you tell me where you got it?
ReplyDeletethanks,
Rabbi Susan Lazev
Child's Way Jewish Montessori School
childsway.org
Hi,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea Max. We are going to put items that represent Israel in the sandbox, take photos and make a checklist for children to use on clipboards so they can check off each item as they find it.
As for the map - it is a great map, the website is www.zerach.com