After having a Shabbat meal---even though it was Monday---some of the Tel Aviv All Stars discovered one of the pretend "fruits" which they had trouble identifying. They thought we should show it to children in the other classes and see what others thought it was. Time was short as we were about to celebrate Havdallah. Great problem solvers that we are, we took the object to Havdallah. On the way we ran in to Ellen and Jeffrey B. Ellen thought it was a cantaloupe, and Jeffrey said it looked like a pomegranate. Responses from children in the other classes included: pineapple, watermelon, a green pumpkin, grapefruit, cheese, and playdough! The majority of students polled thought the object was a cantaloupe. The shape, coloring, and design on the skin were the defining features. Thank you all for participating. A special thanks to Aaron S. for asking the question, writing down the responses, and carrying the materials around with us throughout the Center.
The Lunch Bunch crew had fun sliding down the slide in all their snow gear! Hadley called out to me, "Lauri come over here and see how fast we are going down the slide!" Sam P discovered a huge rectangular block of snow and repeatedly jumped off of it...Each time, "Jumping higher into the sky!"
Today at circle, we re-read One and talked about what "taking a stand" sounds and looks like. Then we cut out circles and numbers to act out the story of One in the classroom with friends.
There was a table full of fun at lunch bunch today. Avram used his hands, spreading the smooth shaving cream over the tops. Jacob preferred to use paintbrushes, spreading it around the table. Ryan's area was filled with polar bears and penguins as they moved through the soft and snow-like cream.
The Scientists had a very exciting day today! We were thrilled to welcome Alison S. to our class today as our new 5 day a week teacher. In celebration, we baked a cake, and then decorated it with "Welcome Alison." It was such fun to listen to the sounds in the words, and to then write the letters on our cake. And everyone thought that our cake was delicious! Alison's energy and enthusiasm will be a wonderful addition to our class! Welcome Alison S.!
This was the most fun that our kids have had in the snow since the beginning of the winter. They couldn't believe how high it was! They took great pleasure in the fact that they were taller than I was when they were standing on top of one of the piles. Budding scientists that they are, they commented on the fact that they couldn't sink in to the snow since it was too cold and icy for that. That also seemed like a very reassuring fact since the snow was more than twice their height. With the sun out it felt great to get some fresh air when the temperature wasn't too low. Let's hope for other sunny early mornings without much wind and bitter cold. See you on the slopes!
We have continued to focus on identifying feelings and emotions in ourselves and others, problem solving, and building successful relationships. This past week the children worked together on creating a friendship mural which is now hanging in the classroom. This coming week we are all going to contribute to a pot luck fruit salad and vegetable soup as we read Stone Soup, a winter favorite. In the center of this collage is a tree that the children made during our celebration of Tu B'Shevat. Every time a child recognizes an act of kindness performed by another child, we are going to add a "leaf" or "fruit" to the tree. The children already painted and cut out a number of shapes to be added to our tree over the weeks and months to come. They are just waiting to be attached as we practice recognizing acts of kindness (gemilut chasidim) in others. Children during the preschool years show a kind of thinking which is egocentric. They have great difficulty taking the perspective of another person. This is a limitation in their cognitive ability which is developmental in nature, and not a sign of selfishness. We are helping to gently guide them towards being able to see things from the perspective of another person. When this happens, they will have the ability to be empathic young people. That is why we are encouraging them to identify acts of kindness that they observe in their classmates rather than in themselves. We fully expect that our tree will blossom and look more full and beautiful in the spring!
And since we've no place to go Let Snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
The Sunshines have been singing a new song whose lyrics appear above. And with all the snow we're gotten this winter, it seems more than ever on target.
Sara, Ryan, Ali, Hannah and Eliza are painting a snow scene using the ends of romaine lettuce as brushes. It's kind of silly but lots of fun.
Leo, Eli, Ryan and Avram are playing a counting and matching mitten game that takes concentration, cooperation and turn-taking.
After having a Shabbat meal---even though it was Monday---some of the Tel Aviv All Stars discovered one of the pretend "fruits" which they had trouble identifying. They thought we should show it to children in the other classes and see what others thought it was. Time was short as we were about to celebrate Havdallah. Great problem solvers that we are, we took the object to Havdallah. On the way we ran in to Ellen and Jeffrey B. Ellen thought it was a cantaloupe, and Jeffrey said it looked like a pomegranate. Responses from children in the other classes included: pineapple, watermelon, a green pumpkin, grapefruit, cheese, and playdough! The majority of students polled thought the object was a cantaloupe. The shape, coloring, and design on the skin were the defining features. Thank you all for participating. A special thanks to Aaron S. for asking the question, writing down the responses, and carrying the materials around with us throughout the Center.
