Tzedaka and a new discovery

As Zev was taking out a coin from his Tzedaka bag he noticed the coins were making a noise.

We listened quietly as each of the Yeladim dropped their coins into the Tzedaka box.

Morah Esther: "What is making noise?"

Zev: "Cuz I'm dropping it!"

But then it got quiet again. So Morah shook the Tzedaka box and then we all heard the noise again!
The Yeladim started jumping every time they heard the noise.

 

 

 

At Snack:

The Yeladim started stomping their feet.

Morah: "Hey your feet are making NOISE!"

Zev: "Because we are moving them."

 

An amazing conclusion that Zev came up with on his own!!

(In other words...)When there is Vibration there is Sound.

Noise in the kitchen

 

 

 Shmuli: "look at my noise!" (fork on cup)

 That's when the Yeladim looked around to find all sorts of things to bang first their forks on and then Morah drum sticks.

 Zev tried drumming with his hands, "ouch that hurt!"

 That's when a whole drum/music center emerged...Sign and all!

 

Sound in the Sensory table

With all sorts of bottles and containers the Yeladim set to work filling,spilling,shaking, refilling and pouring all the pasta pieces in the sensory table.

 Expirament: Which container do you think will make more noise?

Zev trying the experiment on his own:

 Shaking the pasta filled container and listening to the sound.

Friendship time - Including others

The new Friendship time was focused around including others in our exploration. Whether it be in an imaginary game, blocks, or at the water table we focused on modeling and 'inclusive behavior' (as opposed to exclusive behavior) using the Yeladim's toys to bring the concept to them in a very concrete way. As Dina & David were acting out some of the very scenarios that take place in our classroom Binyamin felt very sorry for Dina while she was describing her feelings when David said she could not join in his game, and jumped up to give her a hug. At the end Zev opened up and said that sometimes he is left out of his older brother's games at home. It was amazing to watch how the Yeladim analyzed the situation so objectively. It led to a great brief discussion.

Baking with a 'Frienship Theme' - Including others

From the very beginning of the process to the end. Measuring, counting, smelling, tasting, spooning, and taking turns adding all the different ingredients all the way until the dough was completed and ready for shaping.

After the Yeladim watched Dina and David role play some very familiar daily scenes in our classroom the Yeladim made friendship cookies - gingerbread man shaped cookies but none stood alone! each one was holding the hand of another thereby including them. It feels good when we are included in a game or even when we look out to include other in our games and that's why the Yeladim added hearts inside all the little 'cookie people.'

A glimpse into the classroom at Dramatic Play

These are just a few photos I caught throughout the Yeladim's interacting at the Dramatic Play center.

Dramatic Play is one of the essential preschool activities for children. Kids aren’t just living in what many adults would call a fantasy world, instead most of their play has deep roots in reality, and it offers them a chance to practice social situations, adult roles and even play out fears and anxiety in a safe place. 

Mitzvah Notes

Mitzvah notes are essential in bridging the values & lessons we want to impart to our children and students from school to home and vice versa. It brings everything they learn full circle into a 'wholesome' education. In addition the children experience such pride and healthy self esteem through highlighting the good choices they have made to do the right thing. I know its not always easy when its gets busy while taking care of them, but if you take a short few minutes to jot something down on any random paper you can find it will be well worth your effort!