Shana Tova Purple Room Families!

We hope you had a wonderful Rosh Hashana and a meaningful Yom Kippur. The Purple Room has been very busy with holiday learning! 

Yom Kippur Learning

On Yom Kippur we read the Book of Jonah. For the past week, we have been reading and retelling the story of Jonah, with which the children have been fascinated. We have read picture book versions, done felt story retellings, and done active retellings to act out the story. As the children listen to and retell the stories from the Torah, they learn to have a joyful relationship with the Torah, and also develop their early literacy skills.

Big Fish!

The children were very interested in what the big fish might look like. After reading and retelling the story of Jonah several times, we read Ocean Animals from Head to Tail, and discussed what features the big fish might have had-- arms like an octopus? A big fin like a sailfish? Flippers like a dolphin? We looked at photos of ocean animals and drew our own. Then the children used loose parts to create their own big fish.

Rylan: “I used buttons to make it have big eyes.”

Jonny: “This is its belly that is so big! This is where Jonah got swallowed!”

Shepherd: “My fish’s tail is so big it goes off the table. I used this big rock to make it balance so it does not fall down.”

Natan: “My fish has a little tail and big spikes.”

Ella: “My fish has the biggest tail. It can swim very very very fast.”

Yehonathan: “My fish is so big with two big eyes! It has lots of spikes like the blow fish in the book.”

Carmel: “I used so many things because the fish is so big! It swallowed Jonah!”

Daniel: “When this spike turns then the stick turns and then Jonah goes in the belly.”

Harvey: “My fish has a head, fins, and a tail. This red tangram is the fish’s tail. I used these metal parts to make an outline of my fish’s shape.”

Science Learning

The Purple Room talked about what Jonah’s boat might have looked like, and what it means to sink or float. They helped fill the sensory table with water, and then built their own boats with classroom materials. Learning how to attach items with rubber bands was a useful new fine motor skill! The children tested their boats, then went back to add to or alter their design. Some boats didn’t float, or tipped over. We talked about how scientists have an idea, test it, and then try again. This type of activity that allows children to fail and then try again is so important. Children need to know that mistakes are a part of learning, not a reason to quit!

Math and Literacy Learning

We changed up the math tree game this week. There are two new ways to play. One way is to use cards to match quantities to their numerals, and another way is to match addition equations to their sum.

We practice letter formation and letter sounds each day, and enjoy many stories together! We have class read alouds twice a day, and the morahs also read aloud to whoever might ask throughout the day.

Outdoor Learning

Children from several classrooms spent most of the outdoor time one day creating a birthday party. They set up the furniture, made a kitchen, baked cake and other treats, and then discussed how to share and celebrate together. This type of imaginative play teaches creativity, cooperation, and flexibility of thinking.

Shabbat Shalom,

Morah Shoshi & Morah Shayna