Finding ways to integrate Hebrew in the classroom

Our pre-kindergarten class otherwise known as Kitat Chamayim, just finished a Class Book of Patterns. Each child created their own pattern that was documented with a photograph. The colors were written in Hebrew and english to demonstrate their growing Hebrew vocabulary. These teachers are experts at looking for ways to integrate both languages. The book is in the library corner for all to see and each child got a copy to take home so that parents can learn the colors and reinforce what the children have learned at school. The class library is full of these types of books that the children can revisit all year long. The actual Hebrew is being printed as I blog this and will go next to the transliteration.

Singing and dancing with Miss Riki

The children look forward to spending time with Miss Riki during the week(our Hebrew teacher). The children are often up and moving learning so much vocabulary through song, dance,and movement in general. She taught them Letzan Katan just in time for Purim and now they are creating their very own clown to use as a game at the preschool Purim carnival.

Great Tree Resource for Tu B'Shevat

This is a great tree resource, the tree is actually a puzzle that goes together by size order. The pushing and pulling to put it togehter is a great fine motor activity. The company who makes it is Schleich.

Jewish twist on a fine motor activity

A Jewish twist on a fine-motor activity using mini challah counters and magen david pasta!

Color Song Kach Nolad

What do Bone Button Borscht and Stone Soup have in common?

The children in our three-year-old program are reading the old classic Stone Soup by Marcia Brown.Recently we received a copy of Bone Button Borscht by Aubrey Davis, from the PJ LIbrary. This book is a retelling of the Stone Soup folk tale with a Jewish twist. The children will be comparing and contrasting the two versions. The Jewish values central to this story are ma'akhil re'evim (feeding the hungry) and hakhnasat orchim (welcoming guests). The children are planning to make 2 pots of soup, one to share with the rest of the school and the Synagogue clergy, and one to take to the shelter in our town. Thank you PJ Library for this wonderful opportunity to compare an old favorite and make a difference in the lives of our children and the community we live in.

Car Invesgtigation leads to tzedakah for ARMDI

In our preschool there is an investigation all about "cars and trucks" right now. Our education director is also an EMT and he has volunteered to bring the ambulance to our school. The children will get an up close look at what an ambulance looks like both inside and out. This is going to lead to a discussion about our tzedakah project, raising money for American Friends of Magen David Adom (ARMDI)in Israel. Each class has a cardboard ambulance tzedakah box (see photo)and the children will have a real understanding about where the money is going and why.