Hard Work in the Haifa Class

For our second day of class, we worked very hard on a number of projects!
We can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!
-Alison and Sauci

Meet Haifa's Stick Person!

Meet Leo, Haifa's first stick person!

In the Haifa classroom, we have a pail filled with sticks with each child's name on a stick. At the beginning of each week, we pick one stick from the pail, and that child becomes our stick person. The stick person has different jobs to do during the week, such as being our line leader when we go to different places, being the first person to choose a free choice location to play, and on Fridays, getting to take home our yet-t0-be-named stuffed elephant.

We are hoping that everyone in the classroom will get to be the stick person twice!

-Alison and Sauci

Rohan Turel

My philosophy in working with children is based on a lot of ideas , beliefs, experiences and my love of children. I believe in process vs. product. and open ended projects. I like to create curriculum and develop it through and from the child's interest. My favorite activities for the children are hands on activities. I believe this is the best way to learn through experience.

Since nature is all around us, it's great to use all (almost all) natural materials in the classroom, such as wooden toys, fabric toys, wooden furniture, painting with pine cones, painting with leaves (and more). Let your imagination lead you!

In respecting children, I believe that furniture around the classroom and the school should be on children's level, even teachers. While engaging in play with the children I like to sit on the floor (or very close to it). I believe that children tune in to the most to calm and respectful tone of voice and I try to stay calm as often as possible so that children feel valued and respected.

Meet Teacher Teddy and Teacher Hadley

When is bathroom time, not just bathroom time?
What could we do to occupy our time while we wait for everyone to use the bathroom? We decided to play a 'guessing' game.

First we needed to think of a category. ( Think of grouping ~Animal, book, or person)

Second we needed to give 'clues' so the other boys and girls can identify what the teacher was thinking. ( perhaps where it lived, perhaps describe it)

Sometimes teachers needed to give more than one clue.

Can we hear everyone at the same time?
What could we do so that everyone important ideas are heard.

That's right we raise our hands wait until the teacher calls on you to answer.

Glad to report we were able to identify all the animals and people and had fun thinking of categories and our accomplishments in guessing all the possibility of answers.

Paint but no brushes?! What!?

Unicorn class arrived today to a giant painting easel... but no brushes! How can we paint without brushes?!? hmm...

I think these Unicorns are on to something:

There were sticks, small branches with leaves, rocks, and seed pods! Jared found the pipe cleaners that were out for a different art project and showed us that they could be used to paint too!

What else can become your paint brush?!?

Playing and Working Together!!

Eli and Jacob worked as a team to put together floor puzzles. Molly showed us that clean up time can be fun too, as she danced and twirled around the room. Ezra, Molly, Dylan, and Lily enjoyed making chocolate pudding, chocolate rocks, chocolate snakes and chocolate bars with the play dough. Everyone seemed to enjoy the day even our Tel Aviv babies. Dylan and Lily (otherwise known as "Katie the Mom" and "Dylan the Dad"), were happy to feed and take care of their baby Samantha. "Mom" and "Dad" seemed to enjoy talking to baby Samantha in a loving, sweet, soft voice! Samantha is one lucky baby, that is for sure!

A Busy First Day for the Tel Aviv Children!

The Tel Aviv All Stars first day was BUSY! Jacob created a foot with the lime green play dough. Dylan and Max built an "old elevator from New York". Molly spent some time drawing a colorful picture at the easel. Hannah and Eliza created a "tunnel slide" with magnets and kindly informed us that "it is only for kids".