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 …
Tag Archive: building
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: …
May 30
Reflecting On Our Sukkat Shlomecha
Earlier this year during a Saturday special session, children in Anafim v’Alonim (“branches” for 4th grade and “oak trees” for 5th grade) built a Sukkat Shlomecha (shelter of peace) just for our kvutzah (group). We discussed what brings us peace as individuals and a community. To make our space cozy, children made pillows, added blankets, …
Mar 02
Peer interviews
As our שבת (Shabbat) projects take shape in ענפים (Anafim, “branches” for 3rd-4th grade children), the children are starting to interview each other to develop their artist’s statements. Sometimes the questions are spontaneous: “Whoa! How did you do that?” Sometimes, great follow-up questions grow out of answers to our set interview protocol: “Wait, that’s really different …
Feb 16
Thinking without words
As the children left the classroom yesterday, I took a deep breath. Wow. ענפים (Anafim– “branches” for 3rd-4th grade children) made a huge leap forward on their שבת (Shabbat) projects this week! Their own personal interpretations of שבת (Shabbat) started to take shape, as they made connections between different concepts and conversations we’ve explored over the past few weeks. Each …
Feb 09
Building on Shabbat Foundations
This week, I offered the children a new prompt: “Okay, ענפים (Anafim– “Branches” for 3rd-4th grade children). You’ve explored a lot of different ideas about what שבת (Shabbat) could be about, and now you are growing your own personal opinions about what שבת (Shabbat) should be about. Imagine that you could build a שבת (Shabbat) house, showing …
Feb 02
Big ideas
This week, ענפים (Anafim– “Branches” for 3rd-4th grade children) have been diving deeply into different ideas about שבת (Shabbat). In order challenge and expand their thinking, they’ve been taking turns interviewing each other about the buildings, drawings, and sculptures they’re creating. The questions ענפים (Anafim) are asking are laying the foundation for some amazing project based learning this quarter. …