Working Together

Even our youngest children can work together to take care of our room. Colton and Noa were working hard to master the broom and the dustpan to pick up rice that had strayed from our sensory table. They helped one another by moving into position, and they were able to take turns, waiting, and then handing off the broom and pan to one another in a most agreeable and efficient arrangement!

Shabbat Is Here

Today Sauci gave us a beautiful Kiddush cup to add to our special Shabbat items. Luke was the first Shabbat helper to hold it up for the blessing and to taste the juice. The physical symbols are important to our learning and our celebration. On Thursday our housekeeping area includes a table set for Shabbat; we cover the challah with a pretty challah cover and practice placing the candles in their holders. Together we light candles, bless and drink wine (grape juice), eat challah, and sing Shabbat songs. We are learning that Shabbat is the most special day of our week.

Homemade Muffins

Something new was in the housekeeping area today; a cupcake tin, bowls, a whisk and mixing spoons. Cody and Luke knew just how to proceed, and Cody found the potholder to use when handling pans. At circle, we talked a little about baking, then set to work on some pumpkin muffins. Everyone examined the ingredients and took turns pouring and mixing. We could smell the muffins baking as we danced with Dancing Nancy, and later the children devoured the warm and delicious snack that they had made.

Something New

The Keshet children were seated around a large gathering drum as they met Dancing Nancy today.
We are fortunate to have Nancy at our school; she shares her nurturing spirit and her love of movement and music with the children. She helps us all to appreciate what our bodies can do; "Can you touch your knee with your elbow? Can you touch your shoulders to your ears? Can you push your body up to make a bridge?"  We enjoyed a warm and comfortable first encounter with a new friend!

Lunch bunch with Levana and Keshet

With the nice weather we had, we thought it be nice to have a picnic lunch to enjoy the wonderful fall weather. 

Way Up High in the Apple Tree...

 

A couple of weeks ago, the Keshet class started what turned into a multi-day project to make a class tree.  The children worked on the leaves of the tree using green markers and crayons and even glue and tissue paper squares.  We made the leaves more colorful by adding "fall colored" tissue paper as well--yellow, red orange.  Today we worked on the trunk of the tree using markers, crayons and Bingo markers.  We attached the leaves to the trunk, hung it up on the wall and introduced the tree during our circle time.  We all got up and sang the song "Way up High in the Apple Tree"at circle in honor of our class tree.

                                    

Shabbat Shalom

It's Thursday which means it is Shabbat in the Keshet class.  Our special Shabbat Helper today was Colton.  He successfully "lit" the candles, blessed the wine and blessed the challah.  The whole class got to enjoy the delicious challah during snack along with some juicy cantaloupes from Maria in the Ruach class.  Thanks to Colton and his family for bringing in the challah!

A Special Craft

Ellen came in today to start work on a special craft. Everyone enjoyed squeezing out lots of white glue to stick different items on to tiles.  In some instances, children helped each other work on these very special projects which are sure to delight families during the holidays.

"Basketball"??

Today the Keshet class played a new game--their own version of basketball.  They took turns throwing small balls into a big basket.  Some stood behind a "line" of tape that was put on the floor and tried to throw the balls into the basket.  Some walked up closer to the basket and placed the balls in.  The children enjoyed trying something new, and did a great job waiting for their friends and taking turns.  When they finished throwing the balls into the big basket, they even helped each other bring the balls back to the line of tape for the next friend to have a turn throwing.

Peek a Boo

The game of Peek-a-Boo is a very simple way to build connections.  The predictability of the game, its rhythm, the anticipation of the "boo!", and the giggles that follow add up to a connection between the players.  Sophie certainly enjoyed a few rounds this morning.  Look at the joy on her face - priceless!

Dance...then fall down!

The teachers turned on some music and then invited the children to join us on the rug and dance.  Some twirled on their own and some joined hands in pairs.  The group grew slowly and we circled up and danced around and around.  Cody suggested that we "fall down".  The group was cooperative and we all giggled when we hit the ground.  We danced and fell again and again.  Perhaps next time we'll sing "Ring Around the Rosie" while we dance.  Thank you for the fun idea, Cody!

Duplo explorations

We saw the children working diligently with the duplo blocks, animals, and vehicles.  It was fun to see the different ways they used them.  Fitting together the blocks, snapping vehicle hitches together, and bending the little figures all require fine motor skills, including finger and grip strength.  These are precursors to writing.  So many aspects of play contribute to abilities down the road!

A Joyous Shabbat Celebration

Cody led us as our Shabbat helper this morning.  We shared the blessings together during circle, then enjoyed the delicious challah and grape juice.  The children are getting used to the idea of taking turns with the role of Shabbat helper.  Several of them are very interested.  We set up a table before the children arrive on Thursday with the candles, kiddush cup, and a plastic challah and its cover. There are kippot available should anyone choose to wear one.  Together we welcome the joy of shabbat into our bodies, our hearts, and our souls.  Shabbat shalom to everyone!

Not a Box

The large box that the Keshet children have been exploring with was put to good use again today.  It presented physical challenges: climbing in and out takes some planning, coordination, and balance.  It was also a way to play close to one another and a place to hide.  Was it a boat, a rocket ship, a train, or a hideout?  Perhaps you could ask your child!

Solo Play

There were all kinds of opportunities for creative play this morning.  You'll see that each of the kids shown in the photo has found materials to create something new: a tower, a road, and a garage.  Imaginations are hard at work in the Keshet classroom.

Visiting with Rabbi Jay & the Torah

Busy Day

The Keshet class celebrated Shabbat today, as Bailey led us in the blessings and shared a wonderful challah. Gathering for Shabbat is the highlight of our Thursdays, and an opportunity to come together to sing, pray and eat. Earlier, there was a lot of activity throughout the room, as children built with magnetiles, engaged in housekeeping play, explored our box with lots of pushing, dragging and climbing, worked at the easel, and enjoyed the rice in the sensory table. The children showed great focus and stamina, and we enjoyed a full week together.

New Heights

Colton occupied some prime real estate on the rug today while he showed what persistence can achieve!
It was interesting to see how much movement was involved in this project; Colton began in a sitting position, shifted to his knees as his magnetile structure grew, and later stood on tiptoe, stretching to add the final levels. He accepted a steadying hand on the tower just for a "photo-op moment", clearly proud of the results of his work.

Unexpected Coloring!

Today on the playground we had paper set up on (and under!!) the climbing structure! We had paper under the landings, on the bottom part of the tunnel and on some of the poles. These unexpected coloring areas were a huge hit as children from all different classes came together to reach up high and color!  Some colored with one hand, others both! Many of the younger children were fascinated that the older one's could color under the tunnel.

Both Ben G. and Zach S.  tried to jump in order to make a dot. Having a dot on the paper helped them feel accomplished as they added to the tunnel's decorations. It was neat to see how coloring was not only a creative activity but a physical one too. Kids needed height or strength to reach up high. Also many of the kids were squatting under the climber. This activity forced them to be aware of how their body fit in space, which can be a very tricky skill.

Keshet and Levana kids loved painting the poles. Noa and Alex L. Spent a lot of time making sure that all the white was filled in. it was so nice to see how proud Noa was to show off her communal drawing at pick-up. It was a beautiful day filled with wonderful community created art.

 Hopefully we can do it again soon!

Special Visitors

The Keshet class was honored today to have a visit from Rabbi Jay and the Torah. Simchat Torah is a wonderful time for children to begin learning about the Torah; for our youngest children, the visit was a close-up examination of the physical aspects of the Torah. We learned about the beautiful "clothes" of the Torah, that we can use the yad to guide our reading, that we do not touch the writing with our hands, and that we can look forward to a lifetime of Jewish learning through the stories that the Torah brings us. Thank you, Rabbi Jay, for spending time with us and inviting us to begin this learning that never ends.