Three has become four

Lexi has smoothly integrated herself into the tight group of girls consisting of Mia, Julia, and Sandy. It is to the credit of all that Lexi is now an integral part of this group of friends. They run around together, dance, swing, role play, and chase the teachers across the playground. These girls love each other, school, and life in general. Go "La La girls!"

The YAD

The word Yad- יד -Pointer-Hand- was very popular today. The YAD Pointer is a long stick shape pointer for pointing to the words of the Torah reading. The traditionally made Torah pointer always has a pointing finger of a hand at the end of the long stick. Today we saw the YAD when Rabbi Jay pointed on the Hebrew script.  The Unicorns wash their YADYIM-hands- with the MAYYIM-water- מיים - Sometimes I get sooo silly when I sing " wash wash wash, wash your YADYIM-ידיים -wash wash wash, wash them with the MAYYIM........

It's the Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship!

How does a child become friends with clay? Easy, familiar friends-the kind of friends who fling themselves into each others' arms when they meet, who sit close to each other, who speak without words.  Over the past few days the Lunch Bunch children began building that sort of friendship with clay.  We took out the table in the dramatic play center to make room and placed a big white tarp on the floor.  In its center, we arranged a block of light gray clay.  Some of the children met clay yesterday, others were formally introduced today.
We said,"This afternoon we get to have another "play date" with the clay, with our whole bodies."

The children touched the clay with their feet and toes, introducing themselves to the clay and listening for the clay's response. We encouraged the them to be bold, to see if the clay can play games:  "You might experiment with standing and/or jumping on the clay.  It's strong and can hold you. See how it feels under your feet.  Can you use your toes to explore the clay?"

One at a time each child climbed up onto the clay and jumped off,they dug their toes into the clay, they stomped and hopped all over the clay. Slowly the clay changed shape, offering a response to the children's play!

Nathaniel, Joshua R. and Samuel leaned into the clay with their whole bodies, pressing their hands into it. Sam thought, "I wonder if you can roll this clay into a big roll." The boys began to roll, push and fold the clay until it looked like a large flat piece of clay all rolled up!

The Lunch Bunch children began a beautiful friendship with clay this week, offering themselves to the clay with generosity and great affection, learning how it moves and changes shape and receives their offerings.  Their friendship, born in exuberant physical play will deepen over the weeks ahead as the children and clay continue to encounter one another.

Not long ago......

Just like our ancient Jewish scribes, Unicorns practiced their Torah writing.

"It's Delicious"

 

What is an edible Torah??

It is all about food in the Unicorn Class!

To complete our Simchat Torah celebration we decided to make edible Torahs. We learned that "edible" means you can eat it.

You might want to ask your children what ingredients we used to make our Torahs. And what they needed to do first, second, and third in the preparation process, before they could say "It's delicious!

Such great chefs.

Simchat Torah Celebration

We created beautiful Simchat Torah flags and marched to the sanctuary to see the Torahs!
Rabbi Jay introduced us to the Torah Roll. All the children were able to hold the open Torah and feel the parchment paper, holding it gently underneath and look at the script. The Unicorns were fascinated as part of their Jewish tradition was brought up close and personal to them.

~More photos ~from Simchat Torah and Sukkot~