10/27/10

Our class this week began with a special treat. The children had the opportunity to take advantage of the wonderful weather, and we spent some time on the playground. This gave the TCEE children and the ARS children the chance to socialize with each other.

We continued to work on our special project which the children began last week. Since some of the children have yet to complete it, we will hold you in suspense until our next blog before you find out what it is!

We added a little bit of “math” into our lesson when we examined the Star of David. We counted how many points it has, and the children discovered that the answer is 6. We looked at it closely, and saw that you can create a Jewish star, or Star of David, by placing a triangle upside down, on top of a triangle which is right side to. The children were given both small and large triangles, a sheet of construction paper, and a glue stick. They then made their own Jewish Star collages. As a reinforcement of the importance of literature, we read the book The Ghabbat Box. As usual one of the highlights of the week was our music class with Morah Arielle. The children are really beginning to remember the words to the songs that she teaches us!

Just a reminder that there is NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL next week, November 3nd. This is because it is election day and the Brookline Public Schools will be closed for the day. We look forward to seeing you in 2 weeks.

Morah Rhona and Morah Jessica

10/18/10

The Pre-K children began exploring some of the traditional symbols of Shabbat. We saw a beautiful picture which displayed candlesticks, candles, kiddush cups, wine, challah, a challah cover, flowers, and a siddur, or prayerbook. We discussed how many families begin their Shabbat celebration with a special dinner. Our craft project was one which will take several weeks to complete, so we will not yet reveal what it is! In the upcoming weeks and months, we will examine each of the ritual objects and learn about them.
Two of the optional activities during the class were coloring pictures of Noah’s Ark as a follow up to last week’s lesson, and using foam stickers of the Hebrew Alef- Bet, or alphabet, to make pretty designs. As usual, one of the highlights of the day was our music session with Morah Ariel. The children are comfortable enough with her to constantly make requests!

A great day was had by all. Until next week,

L’Shalom
Morah Rhona and Morah Jessica

10-13-10

Everything was kept afloat in the ARS Pre-K class this week. The children were read two different versions of the story of Noah. They heard how God ordered Noah to build a large boat, called an Ark. Once the ark was built, God sent two of every type of animal on earth to climb aboard. The boat we full of animals and the members of Noah’s family. The door was shut and the rain began to fall. Rain it did, for forty days and forty nights. There was thunder and lightening all around. Once the rain stopped a dove flew from the ark, and returned carrying a branch. Alas there was dry land!
Most of the day’s activities were “animal oriented”. This included animal rubbings on the writing table, animal puzzles on the rectangle table, and our Farm animals on the circle table. Our craft was creating our own arks, complete with animal stickers. The wonder of stickers of course contributed to each individual ark housing more that 2 of each type of animal! The day was capped off by serving animal crackers for snack! A great day was had by all.

Have a wonderful week.

Morah Rhona and Morah Jessica

Welcome to Pre-K!

The first 4 weeks in the Pre-K class at the Ansin Religious School have been wonderful. The children who attend the Diane K. Trust Center have welcomed our new friends into the classroom and have enjoyed sharing their teachers, materials, and “space”. All of the children have adjusted well to the afternoon program. So far we have learned about the recent Jewish Holidays and this week the children heard the Torah portion Bereshit. They learned about the story of Creation, and how it took God six days to create darkness and light, heaven and earth, the land and the sea, the sun, moon, and stars, birds and fish, animals, and of course man and woman. Once he had created all of these wonderful things, he declared that the seventh day would be Shabbat, a day of rest.
Our weekly routine includes free play time, circle, stories, crafts, snack and a weekly music lesson with (I don’t know the teacher’s name!). Our student helper is Charolete. We look forward to many more wonderful Tuesday afternoons! Have a great week.
Morah Rhona and Morah Jessica.