Let's make something for Rosie's Place

On Friday, the Kindergartners were excited to explore the flour in the sensory table. As they started to feel the flour they shared their observations with each other.

Dylan: It’s so soft.

Brett E.: But dirty.

Zack: Not dirty, but messy.

They continued feeling the flour and experimented with the mixing spoons, measuring cups, and sifters. As they were playing, Brett S. developed a dramatic play scenario. He said, “We’re making this for Rosie’s place. For people who don’t have food.”  Zack, Dylan, and Brett continued preparing food for Rosie’s Place and asked that the teacher pretend to be the person from Rosie’s Place that comes to pick up the food.

Jesse: Hi. I am from Rosie’s Place. I heard you have something for me to pick up.

Brett Stone: We made eggs!
Dylan: Scrambled.

Zack: And here’s extra.

Brett Stone: We also have little sandwiches.

Rosie’s Place is a soup kitchen for homeless women. The Children’s Center at Temple Beth Shalom prepares Tuna casseroles for Rosie’s place once a month. This is an experience that Dylan, Zack, and Brett had when they attended the children’s center. When children engage in dramatic play, they demonstrate their understanding of the world around them. In this scenario, the children are revealing their experience with Rosie’s Place, their understanding of people who do not have as much food as we do, and the idea of tzedakah.  Together, we will continue exploring the idea of tzedakah and think about how we can help Rosie’s Place. 

Shamayim visits with Dancing Nancy

On Wednesday, we had our first visit with Dancing Nancy in the community room.  Dancing Nancy shared her huge drums with us.  She showed us how we could make all kinds of different noises using our hands and fingers.  Thank you Dancing Nancy. We look forward to your next visit .

Bingo

  
Jacob is the caller for the Picture Bingo game and the children helped each other  to match the cards.  This type of activity is a wonderful vehicle for children to learn how to take turns and it's exciting to watch as they learn how to play the game without adult support!

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.

Flip Trick 101

15 children 2 teachers ... it was time to teach the children how to put their own jacket on themselves!

"Flip Trick"  Steps

1. Place jacket on ground with the collar or hood in front of your toes

2. Put hands in sleeve holes

3. Flip  jacket over your head

As you can see Graham can do it!   Great demo Graham, thanks for your help teaching the "Flip Trick".

We would like all of you to have your children practice the "flip trick" at home.  Putting on their jacket is something your children can do all by themselves!

Do You Have Cutie Buns?

You never know where play in the imaginary forest will lead you.  Ellen brought us a tray filled with trees and mountains and pools and tiny frogs and turtles.  We have been creating some intense stories to accompany our play, including Rapunzel and magical turtles.   It turns out the Ruach class also has an imaginary forest.  When they discovered we also had one, their first question was "Do you have Cutie Buns?"   It turns out Cutie Buns are the special turtles in the forest.  During lunch bunch the Ruach children helped define the differences.  "Cutie Buns have spots," said Sophie S.  "And tiny heads," said Jack.  "And they are the most cute, and I love them" said Sophie G.  Sounds like a good starting point for some story sharing between classrooms!  Can you find the Cutie Buns below?