In שׁוֹרָשִׁים (Shorashim– ‘roots’ for nursery) and שְׁתִּילִים (Shteelim– ‘saplings’ for kindergarten) we have become totally immersed in our first theme of the year, תְּשׁוּבָה (Teshuvah), which is about returning to the path you want to be on after making a mistake. These children already know so many ways to get back on the path you want …
Tag: building
May 09
Trades
I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with the children in Nitzanim (“Buds” for 1st-2nd) over the last week. Children have been building scenes to explore ideas about sh’mitah (“release,” the agricultural sabbatical year). Each pair of children has a building tray with different sets of loose materials such as corks, glass gems, and metal …
Mar 31
Pesach All The Way
There is a lot of excitement about getting ready for Pesach (Passover) in שׁוֹרָשִׁים (Shorashim– ‘roots’ for nursery) and שְׁתִּילִים (Shteelim– ‘saplings’ for kindergarten). We tasted foods that are on the seder plate. These children tasted maror (bitter herbs)! We have be getting ready for Pesach (Passover) by playing seder, using our 14 parts of a Seder …
Nov 11
A Text-Based Play Space Designed by the Children
This week in שׁוֹרָשִׁים (Shorashim– ‘roots’ for nursery) and שְׁתִּילִים (Shteelim– ‘saplings’ for kindergarten), we have been working on our theme project for Avraham V’Lot! The children have their hands in every part of the process of designing our paper mâché text-based play space. We began the process by asking children to look at different photos, explore …
Oct 28
We Have so Many Ideas About the Argument!
This week in שׁוֹרָשִׁים (Shorashim– ‘roots’ for nursery) and שְׁתִּילִים (Shteelim– ‘saplings’ for kindergarten), we have been doing a lot of thinking and building about Genesis chapter 13:7 (in our אַבְרָהָם וְלוֹט (Avraham V’Lot) theme), when an argument takes place between Avram’s and Lot’s herders. Some children thought that the argument was related to inequity between the …
Oct 14
Exciting Theme Beginnings!
In שׁוֹרָשִׁים (Shorashim– ‘roots’ for nursery) and שְׁתִּילִים (Shteelim– ‘saplings’ for kindergarten) we have started our first theme of the year! Children have been so excited to play about אַבְרָהָם וְלוֹט (Avraham V’Lot)! The first thing we did was read Genesis chapter 13. We heard that Avram is very rich, the land that Avram and Lot are …
Oct 08
New theme enthusiasm!
This week, children of all ages at the Enrichment Center started our new theme, אַבְרָהָם וְלוֹט (Avraham v’Lot)! To start off our exploration, children were introduced to the first part of the Torah text, Genesis 13, in which we hear that Avram is very rich, the land that Avram and Lot are living on “could …
Apr 27
COVID-19 and Bikur Cholim
Anafim (“Branches” for 2nd-3rd grades) children are deep into the heart of our Bikur Cholim (Visiting Sick People) theme. As in any other theme, children are bringing their unique perspectives and experiences into dialogue with our Jewish texts within a community of their peers. Throughout the year we’ve seen glimmers of the way that children …
Dec 16
Chanukah Collaboration
It’s Chanukah! Children in Anafim (“Branches” for 2nd-3rd grades) have been bubbling over with excitement about Chanukah. Their enthusiasm is contagious! Something that has brought me light this Chanukah was watching this gorgeous collaboration between two second graders who were working together on a Chanukah building. I hope it brings you joy, too! Child 1: …