B”H

Dear Kindergarten Parents of the Purple Room,

Kriyah

Kindergarten have been reading the 15 Simanim of the Pesach Seder (Order of the Seder) this week. They have been creating labels for each page of their personal Haggada and continued the activity of adding nekudos to each word on their own. This has been an excellent opportunity to reinforce their knowledge of all the nekudos (vowels).

Art

The children are very familiar with a possuk (Torah passage) which is found in the Haggada. The possuk states that today one must consider him/herself as if he/she were personally freed from Mitzrayim (Egypt). The children included themselves in the illustration of this possuk.

The children used many mediums in art projects this week: puff paint to decorate their ‘Matzah covers’, paint dropper art to illustrate Shulchan Aruch (the 11th step of the Seder), and paint stamping with any one item from the classroom with which they beautified the benchers for Bairach (the 13th step of the Seder).

The children each created their very own K’oro (Seder plate) which they will be able to use to beautify their Seder tables this Pesach. They correctly placed each item of the K’oro with Mod Podge (a very sticky affair) and then covered it with tissue paper (an even stickier affair).  

Pesach

Kindergarten have been enjoying ‘baking’ Matzos in the Matza oven. Kindergarten wishes to thank the Peach room for loaning them the oven.

The children know that there are 3 Matzos at the Seder table under the K’oro (the Seder plate): the top Matza represents the Kohen, the next the Levi and the bottom Matza represents the Yisroel, all three types of Jews. When they created the Yachatz page which comes fourth in the Order of the Seder, the children ‘broke’ (aka cut with zig zag scissors) the middle Matza and put the larger piece away for Afikomen. It took several minutes for some children to discern which was truly the larger piece.

They know that Eliyohu Hanovi visits every Seder table whether we see him or not and are eager to create a cup special for him.

Kindergarten learned that the first night of Pesach is called Leil Shimurim, the night that Hashem guards us especially. This is the night that the Firstborn of the Egyptians died but the Jewish People were saved.

As they neared the last step of the Seder, the 15th step, Nirtzah, the children each thought of a Mitzvah they could improve in to help bring Moshiach sooner. Their notes are affixed to the pictures of themselves as they ‘daven’ at the Kosel (Western Wall).

Parsha

This week Kindergarten learned a house could also be afflicted with tzora’as  but it could be for a good reason too. They know that the good reason could be that there was a treasure hidden in the walls of the house and this would be Hashem’s way of revealing it to the residents of the house. When they would remove the brick that had tzora’as on it they would find a treasure!

Shabbat Shalom!

Morah Perline

B”H

Dear Kindergarten Parents of the Purple Room,

Kriyah

Kindergarten has added to their Pesach vocabulary. In addition to reading the Seder Plate items they have added words that they use for hints for the Mah Nishtana question. For example    מטבילין means ‘dipping’ which reminds them of the question, why do we dip twice at the Seder table.מטבילין matbilin - we dip/dipping

•  כלו kuloh – only (ie we only eat Matzah – and not bread)
• ירקות  yerokos – vegetables – on this night we eat Maror
• יושבין yoshvin – sitting
• מסבין  mesubin – leaning

Kindergarten has incorporated many opportunities for Kriyah as they create their Haggada for the Seder night. As they sound out the words in the Haggada they insert the correct nekudos (vowels) – on their own! They are very proud of themselves as they figure it all out.

Kindergarten has been practicing the Mah Nishtana in Hebrew and English and are becoming quite proficient.

Art

Kindergarten so enjoyed the art style of Pointillism that they used it for the cover of their Haggada. The children are enjoying creating the Haggada and can’t wait to bring it home to use at the Seder table. They are eager to share what they know at the Seder.

Parsha

This week Kindergarten learned about being kind and considerate to others, to be thoughtful and not hurt people. The mitzvah of Lashon Hora (aka slander) requires of us not to speak badly of others to others for this hurts three people: the one who says it, the one who listens and the one who it is about.

Parsha Song:

No lashon hora should be said

From the time we wake up

Till the time we go to bed

No lashon hora! Mm Mm 2x

Parsha Song:

https://www.chabad.org/555322

Speaking badly of others is not a kind act
For once you hurt someone, you can’t take it back
As punishment for lashon hara, a terrible deed
The sickness of tzoroas, was then decreed

If a white spot was found on the body or neck
A man had to go to the Kohain to check
If it was tzoraas beyond any doubt
From the camp of Yisroel, he had to go out

Seven days completely alone were spent
For the things he did wrong, he had to repent
If his t’shuvah (repentance) was honest and real
At the end of the week he was totally healed

In eight more days if his skin was still clear
After bringing korbonos and serious prayer
He then returned to his family and friends
And was careful not to speak lashon hara, again

Shabbat Shalom!

Morah Perline

B”H

Dear Kindergarten Parents of the Purple Room,

Welcome!

Kindergarten warmly welcomed Sylvia Fletcher to the Kindergarten this week. The children were kind to her and invited her to play with them. They hope you come again soon to learn with them, Sylvia!

Kriyah

Kindergarten is gearing up for Pesach and have begun reading many Pesach words including           פסחPesach, מצה Matzah, קערה K’arah (Seder Plate), and the items on the Seder Plate: זרוע Z’ro’ah (shankbone),   ביצה Beitza (egg), מרור Moror (bitter herbs), חרוסת Charoses (mixture resembling cement), כרפס Karpas (vegetable),   חזרת Chazeres (lettuce ‘moror’).

Art

Pesach - To remember how it all began Kindergarten explored the idea of heavy and difficult work that the Jewish People had to do in Mitzrayim (Egypt). They sponge painted bricks, created bricks and walls with play-do they made themselves, contrasted heavy items with light items, and worked together to build a pyramid.

Parsha

This week Kindergarten learned about the mitzvah of Kosher food. They know the signs for a kosher animal: chews its cud and has split hooves. They also know the signs for kosher fish: fins and scales.

Parsha Song (link: https://www.chabad.org/555269):

When we say that food is kosher
Do you know what we mean?
We may eat only certain animals
That are tahor, which means (pure) clean

The Jewish people all gathered to learn
In the Parsha of Shemini
That we must eat only Kosher food
So to Hashem, holy we can be

All of the animals which we may eat
Must have split hooves on their feet
And they must chew their food over again
We know the animal is Kosher then

Moshe taught us in great detail
That Kosher fish must have fins and scales
Most of the bugs or creatures that crawl
We may never eat at all!

Conversations Overheard

Jonah: My dad speaks some words in Hebrew.

Vella: That’s because he’s a man.

~  ~ ~

Nosson: My Mommy got married when she was 14. And my Tatty was 23.

~  ~ ~

Shabbat Shalom!

Morah Perline

B”H

Dear Kindergarten Parents of the Purple Room,

Kriyah + PuRiM

In addition to reading the names of the PuRiM story characters:    אסתר - Esther, מרדכי - Mordechai, אחשורוש - Achashverosh, ושתי  - Vashti, המן - Haman, Kindergarten also practiced reading the 4 Mitzvos of Purim:  מגילה – Megila (story of Purim), משלוח מנות - Mishloach Manos (food gifts to a friend),  מתנות לאביונים - Matonos Lo’evyonim (Monetary gifts to the poor), and משתה – Mishteh (feast). They recognized that each of the 4 Mitzvos begin with the letter  מ (Mem). They know that מ (Mem) has the Gematria (numerical value) of 40. When they added the digits of the מ, 4 + 0 it equaled 4 – the hint to the amount of Mitzvos for PuRiM!

Kindergarten wishes to give a big thank you to Rabbi Deitsch for loaning them his authentic Megila. Utilizing the light table, the Kindergarten were able to search the Megila for names of the Purim characters and recorded the incidences of each name mentioned. They marveled over how many times they saw the ‘code name’ for Hashem: ‘HaMelech’ (‘the King’).

Kindergarten knows how many times each Mitzva of Purim is observed and the details, too. Mishloach Manos Brachos sorter was a fun game that reinforced their knowledge of brachos (blessings) for many foods as well as how to fulfill the Mitzva of Mishloach Manos.

Purim Faces

Kindergarten has been surprising the other classes this week with fun PuRiM faces. On one day they wore colorful hats, on another day they wore exciting sunglasses and on yet another, masks (see CJP Facebook).

Art

Kindergarten continued working on their Megila for Purim. They added the Purim characters, with sequins, felt, feathers, tulle and more. Shimmy felt that Vashti was so mean (she was ☹) that he had to cover her face. They labeled the characters, carefully spelling the names.

Kindergarten created Hairy Graggers for the reading of the Megila on PuRiM. To ensure it makes noise, they filled them with rocks from their very own playground.

Parsha

Kindergarten learned how Hashem called to Moshe from inside the Mishkan and even though Hashem’s voice was so loud and powerful, Hashem made it so that only Moshe would hear it. Moshe was very dear to Hashem. Even though Moshe was the leader of all the Jewish People,  he was still the most humble of all.

Happy Birthday! We celebrated Moshe (aka Moses) birthday this week. In honor of this momentous occasion Kindergarten visited the Shul where Rabbi Deitsch kindly showed the children the inside of a Sefer Torah where Hashem called lovingly to Moshe from inside the Mishkan (Tabernacle). They saw a remarkable thing: the entire Sefer Torah is written most carefully and precisely by a Sofer with every letter sized precisely and equally yet there is one letter that is different in size from all the rest. In this week’s Parsha, Vayikra, the letter Alef from the word ‘Vayikra’ which means ‘and He called’, has a small Alef! This is because Hashem called to His beloved Moshe and Moshe was the humblest of men. This is represented by the small Alef. Thank you, Rabbi Deitsch.

Conversation Overheard
Nosson: I’m not going to marry you.

Batya: Why?

Nosson: Because it’s in a long time. But I’m going to get married in 20 years. My Tatty will be 65.

Shabbat Shalom!

Morah Perline

B”H

Dear Kindergarten Parents of the Purple Room,

Kriyah - Hebrew Reading

Purim vocab words abound in Kindergarten. Some words Kindergarten read this week are:           אסתר Esther, מרדכי Mordechai, אחשורוש Achashverosh, ושתי Vashti, המן Haman

Purim + Kriyah + Math
Kindergarten used sensory Alef Beis letters to spell the names of the Purim Story characters and then matched the Base 10 cubes to the Alef Beis letters according to their Gematria (numerical value of letters).

Art

Kindergarten have begun creating their Megilla utilizing Squirt Painting. After squirting many paint colors, they rolled the Megilla paper over the paint and Voila! – a unique and original design! They will complete the Megilla next week by illustrating the reverse side.

Rosh Chodesh Adar

The Kindergarten looks forward to every Rosh Chodesh because they know something special will be happening on that day. One month it was receiving the shiniest of shiny pennies for Tzedaka, another month it was a grab bag of fun toys. The month of Adar is no exception. Rosh Chodesh Adar brought extra joy with lots of laughs, giggles and fun when the children got giant bubbles to play with.

Parsha

Kindergarten knows that this week’s Parsha Pikudei discusses the clothes that were made for the Kohanim who worked in the Mishkan. They were so happy for Moshe when they learned that he got to build the Mishkan all by himself – it was a real nes (miracle)! It seemed as if the Mishkan built itself – all Moshe had to do was pick up a beam and the next thing you knew, the Mishkan was built!

Kindergarten was excited to visit each CJP class on Friday and give out challa dough that they made themselves. Being that Friday was also Rosh Chodesh Adar Beis, the first day of the month of the second Adar, they gave out extra fun dough – chocolate chip dough.

They surprised every class with a chant of ‘Chazak chazak v’nischazek’. Since we will have finished reading the entire book of Shemos (the second of the Five Books of the Torah) ‘Chazak’ will be chanted in Shul this Shabbat at the conclusion of the reading of the Torah.

Shabbat Shalom!

Morah Perline

hB”H

Dear Kindergarten Parents of the Purple Room,

Wonderful Kindergarteners

Morah Perline was sooooooooo very happy to be back with her Kindergarteners this week. She received so many lovely letters from them and was so glad to see the precious smiling faces on her return from (very windy and cold and snowy and…) Chicago.

Kriyah -  Hebrew Reading

Continuing the Israel theme this week, Kindergarten has been traveling to different cities in Israel on their El Al plane. They have been careful to wear their seatbelts and stow their hand luggage (aka lunch boxes) under the seat in front of them. They stamped their passports themselves as they completed their travel to the different cities and mapped every city as they traveled along. The children took turns being travel agents and can tell you what each city is famous for.

Parsha

Kindergarten were a bit perplexed when they found out that Moshe told the Bnei Yisrael (the Jewish People) to start building the Mishkan only now in this Parsha when they had already learned about the Mishkan in past Parshiot (plural for Parsha). Then they understood when it was explained to them that the Torah was not written in order like a story book. Hashem wants us to use the Torah as a guide to our life, not to tell a story. They learned about the importance of Shabbat and how there are 39 Melachot (forms of work) we are not allowed to do on Shabbat, even if it’s for building a holy thing such as the Mishkan.

Parsha Song:

https://www.chabad.org/549395

B’nei Yisroel gathered and they heard
Moshe told them Hashem’s word
In six days all work you must do
Shabbos is special for every Jew

Even work for the Mishkan
On Shabbos Kodesh must not be done
This job was done by Betzalel
Gifts were brought by B’nei Yisroel

They brought more than was needed
For the Mishkan to be completed
It’s purpose was fulfilled
Now it was as Hashem willed

When on the Mishkan the cloud appeared
The people knew Hashem was near
When the cloud lifted they could see
They should continue on their journey

Shabbat Shalom!

Morah Perline

Ben and Shimmy wanted to talk about space and planets this week so that’s what we did! We read about the different planets and what they are like. My voice is finally back and I was able to read to the class again.

We are playing a math game where they students have to identify the coin and how much it is worth. Students also have to identify coins to pay for something or receive money depending on the card they draw. If the card says “pay 5 quarters” but they don't have that many quarters they have t o figure out what the amount owed is and how to make that amount with the coins that they have. We also played a version of Yahtzee that requires making addition problems up to 12 with the dice.

Your child should have brought home their 2nd set of sight words. We will continue to review sight words by playing games. We play sight word bingo every week. This week we also started playing a version of chutes and ladders that also requires reading sight words. We finished the week by reviewing using commas when writing a letter.

Good Shabbos!

Morah Kristina