While Morah Perline has been enjoying time with her daughter and new grandchild I have been spending the day with the Kindergarten class. Since I don't read Hebrew we have spent the day on English work. We started working on community helpers this week. We have talked about park rangers, vets and zookeepers, and firefighters. We also learned about using the comma when writing a letter. We are practicing by writing letters to our friends. When we played sight word bingo I was really impressed by how far the students have come in knowing their sight words. 

We are learning about money in math. This includes learning about needs versus wants and the difference between goods and services. We are playing games to learn to identify the coins and also they value so we can add up amounts. We have played bingo and a board game to practice this skill.

I have tried to add some fun art projects this week. The kids loved when we learned about pointillism and asked to do another project. We made a forest with a park ranger in pointillism style. We made fire trucks with boxes. We practiced our critical thinking skills by putting together a fire truck puzzle. We painted using match box cars instead of paintbrushes.

Focusing on social emotional skills we have been talking about how it is more important to be kind than to be right. We have talked about how when you are right it is important to be gracious. We also talked about how there is no need to argue to prove you are right if it is hurting another person’s feelings. 

Good Shabbos!

Morah Kristina

B”H

Dear Kindergarten Parents of the Purple Room,

CJP Shabbat Dinner

Kindergarten did an outstanding job at the CJP Shabbat Dinner. They were whizzes with the Parsha questions, answering loudly, clearly and correctly so all the parents could hear, and they shared many interesting Shabbat facts with the parents as well! Kindergarten had all their Shabbat artwork and crafts beautifully displayed. Truly impressive. We are so proud of them.

Kriyah -  Hebrew Reading

Kindergarten is learning about Israel and we are incorporating more Ivrit words into their daily vocabulary. Words such as בקר טוב (Boker tov) – Good morning, תודה (Todah) – Thank you,  ארץ (Eretz) – land,  ישראל (Yisroel) – Israel, and many cities in Israel. There are street signs all over the classroom of different places and cities Kindergarten will be ‘visiting’. They already have a plane with which to fly from Arizona to Israel. It’s an El Al plane, of course. Parents are welcome to come see the plane before it ‘takes off’ but please remember to bring your ‘passport’. The Kindergarten children are already prepared with theirs.

The children are going to visit the holy city of Yerushalayim and the Kosel/Kotel which they know is the last remaining wall of the Beis Hamikdosh. They painted their own Kosel and after looking at pictures of the real thing decided which colors they would use for their class Kosel: some thought it looked gold and some thought it appeared light brown. The class Kosel was painted both. It now hangs at the Tefila Circle area and the children are taking the El Al plane to daven there.

Parsha

Kindergarten has been entranced this week with a particular item the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) wore when he served Hashem in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Choshen (breastplate) caught their intense interest. It possessed 12 different beautiful gems engraved with the names of the 12 Shevatim (Tribes) in addition to those of our Patriarchs. Kindergarten was very curious to know which gems represented which son and played a game with a giant ‘choshen’ (breastplate) matching the gems to the names and putting them in the correct position. This was a very enjoyable way to integrate Kriyah (Hebrew reading).

Parsha Song:

https://www.chabad.org/549284

V’atoh tetzaveh
The Jews were told by Moshe
To bring shemen (oil) for pure light
For the Menorah to burn bright

Chorus:
Aharon was chosen to be
The Kohen Gadol from Shevet Levi
He wore many special things
And a Choshen (breastplate) with gold rings

The Choshen was made for him
It had the names of the twelve Shevatim (tribes)
All the clothes had to fit just right
He served Hashem with all his might

Chorus:

Shabbat Shalom!

Morah Perline

hB”H

Dear Kindergarten Parents of the Purple Room,

Kriyah -  Hebrew Reading

Kindergarten reviewed Shabbat words this week:   שבת (Shabbos),  דג (dohg) – fish, בשר  (bosor) – meat,  יין (yayin) – wine, חלה  (challah),  נרות / נר (ner/neros) - candle/candles, שמור  (shamor) – guard, זכור (zochor) - remember. They learned about the gematria (numerical value) of many of the Shabbat words and found that when they added the digits of the words they came to 7! What a hint to use these items on the 7th day of the week, Shabbat!

Shabbat

Creating Challah plates, Kiddush cups, Shabbat Art, and Havdala items such as Havadala candles and besomim boxes were just a few of the many creations Kindergarten made this week. They had so much fun spray painting the tablecloths and making napkin rings for the CJP Shabbat dinner. Spray painting has been strongly requested to be repeated. The Kindergarten created special Shabbat necklaces for their moms to wear at the dinner...,.

Kindergarten is eager to share at the CJP Shabbat dinner interesting facts about Shabbat. For example: why we light at least TWO Shabbat candles, and why we have TWO challos for Shabbos. They can’t wait for the Shabbat dinner!

Kindergarten learned about the ‘goodbye service’, aka Havdala, we make to say goodbye to Shabbat at the end of the Shabbat day. They know that we receive an extra neshama for Shabbat and when that goes away at the end of the Shabbat day, we feel a bit sad. We therefore inhale the delicious invigorating smell of the besomim at the Havdala ceremony. They learned how at the Havdala service we light the Havdala candle and then later put it out and see the difference between light and dark which reminds us of the difference between holy and mundane, Shabbat and weekdays.

Parsha

Kindergarten learned about many items that were made for the Mishkan (Tabernacle). One of these items was the Menorah. Kindergarten visited the Chabad shul to explore the Menorah they found there. There are many different ways of making a menorah but Kindergarten learned that the shape of the menorah that was built for the Mishkan (used in the desert) and later put in the Beis Hamikdash in Israel had 7 straight branches, in addition to cups that faced downwards and pretty flowers on the branches, too. They know the menorah had SEVEN branches with the three flames on either side of the center bent toward the center flame. What a nes (miracle)!

Shabbat Shalom!

Morah Perline

B”H

Dear Kindergarten Parents of the Purple Room,

Kriyah -  Hebrew Reading

Kindergarten integrated tray painting with kriyah (reading), blending colors and reviewing Shabbat words - lots of sensory fun!  Some words Kindergarten learned this week were: שבת (Shabbos),  דג (dohg) – fish, בשר  (bosor) – meat,  יין (yayin) – wine, חלה  (challah),  נרות / נר (ner/neros) - candle/candles, שמור  (shomor) – guard, זכור (zochor) - remember.

Shabbat

Shabbat is in the air! Kindergarten has been using paint in many different styles to create Shabbat Art. In addition to tray painting, they greatly enjoyed marble painting which will be used for more Kindergarten art. Kindergarten combined pastel drawn Shabbat candles with paint.

Parsha

The children learned that Hashem gave us many mitzvos. Some mitzvos Hashem gave us the reasons for and some He didn’t. One of the mitzvot we learn from this week’s Parsha is kosher, not to mix milk and meat together. They played a sorting game, separating milk/dairy and meat items.

Parsha Discussion:

What is the reason Hashem gave why we shouldn’t mix milk and meat together?

Jonah: It would make Hashem sad.

Nosson: Because one is watery and one is not.

Ben: I don’t know.

Shimmy: It could make people allergic.

Vella: I don’t know.

After discussing it the children found out that we really don’t know why because Hashem didn’t give us a reason for keeping kosher! We don’t know Hashem’s reason. We just keep the mitzva because Hashem told us to. The children discussed how when their parents tell them to do things, they sometimes give a reason and sometimes don’t, but the children have to listen to their parents anyway.

Kosher Song

https://youtu.be/7BHhRTjv_sU

All the animals that I eat,

Must chew their cud and have split feet.

Kosher meat just can’t be beat,

So I want only kosher.

So every time you’re in the market

Only buy food with a kosher sign on it.

It’s good for me and it’s good for you

And what do you know?

Hashem loves it, too.

All the chocolate bars I eat

They taste real good and taste real sweet

But I’ll make sure to look and see

The sign that says it’s kosher.

So every time you’re in the market,

Only buy food with a kosher sign on it.

It’s good for me and it’s good for you,

And Hashem, He loves it, too.

Conversation overheard as the children are drawing pictures:

Ben: Look, the giraffe is wearing a skirt.

Nosson: No, it’s not.

Jonah: He’s using his imagination.

Shabbat Shalom!

Morah Perline

B”H

Dear Kindergarten Parents of the Purple Room,

The Kindergarten greatly enjoyed the Grandparents Day Tu B’Shvat event. There was so much to explore, create, taste and experience. The amazing art work they created ‘Tree Art by Kindergarten’ which graced the event now proudly hangs on the Purple Room Bulletin Board in the hallway. A very grateful thank you to the Pollack Family for giving the CJP children such an amazing playground where the children imagine, create, jump, play and strengthen muscles and friendships.

The Kindergarten conducted a Fruit Tasking Survey at Grandparent’s Day. After tasting many different fruits – a selection of over 15 different fruits – participants chose the one they enjoyed the taste of most and placed a sticker on the Fruit Taste Graph. The Kindergarteners counted the stickers for each and found that most people liked the melon taste best since it had the most stickers.

Kriyah -  Hebrew Reading

Supporting Kriyah, Kindergarten created their own card flowers, complete with Hebrew letters and Nekudos (vowels). Later in the week they created words with letters and nekudos in ‘mud’ slime.

Parsha

The children have been learning about the Aseres Hadibros (Ten Commandments) this week. They played ‘Ten Commandments Charades’ and acted them out for their friends. Ask your child to sing these songs with you:

Parsha Song:

https://www.chabad.org/549277

(TTTO: The Little Bird is Calling)

I am your Hashem, I brought you from Mitzrayim
No other shall you serve, my Mitzvos observe
You shall not use in vain, Hashem’s holy name
Remember the Shabbos day, keep it a special way.

Honor your parents too, long life Hashem will give you
You shall not kill, that is Hashem’s will
You shall be moral and true, believe in the Mitzvos you do
Do not steal, when with others you deal

False witness never be, you must live truthfully
Don’t be jealous of your friend’s life, his things or his wife
The Torah Hashem did give, a guide for us to live
To Hashem always be true, because you are a Jew

Parsha Song II:

(T.T.O. This Old Man) ,

אנכי ד אלקיך  (Onochi Hashem Elokecho) I am Hashem the only One,

לא יהיה לך (Lo yi’hi’yeh l’cho) There is no other, not the stars nor the sun.

לא תשא (Lo ti-soh) Do not swear

זכור את יום השבת (Zachor es Yom HaShabbos) The Shabbos day is  dear.
כבד את אביך ואת אמך (Kabed es ovicho v’es imecho) Honor your parents and show them you care.

לא תרצח (Lo tirtzach) Don't end someone's life

לא תנאף (Lo sin’af) Don't take someone's wife

לא תגנב (Lo signov) Don’t kidnap or steal

לא תענה (Lo sa’aneh) Don't lie or tattletale

לא תחמוד (Lo Sachmod) is number ten, Don't be jealous of your friend

These are the Aseres Hadibros, written on the two Luchos.

Shabbat Shalom!

Morah Perline

This week were learning about feelings. We used our journals to write about how we feel when we are happy, mad or sad. We practiced identifying different emotions by looking at faces. We played memory and charades.  

We started learning about subtraction this week. We are learning to identify how the words in math help us to know if a problem is addition or subtraction. They did a great job!

On Thursday the kids were really in a creative groove. They all were really involved in their own projects and I let them continue uninterrupted. I enjoy watching them play and it gives me a chance to make observations about their thinking and who they are as a person.

Good Shabbos!

Morah Kristina

Dear Kindergarten Parents of the Purple Room,

Kriyah -  Hebrew Reading

Kindergarten is anticipating Tu B’Shvat next week and have been practicing reading words connected with this day. Some words Kindergarten learned this week were the names of the  שבעת המינים Shivas Haminim (The Seven Kinds) that Israel was blessed with:  חטה  chitah (wheat), שעורה se’orah (barley), גפן  gefen (grapes), תאנה te’aina (figs), רימון rimon (pomegranate), זית zayis (olives), and תמר  tamar (dates).

Parsha

It was interesting to learn that the Mon that was given to the Jewish People when they were in the desert could taste like any food they wanted. Kindergarten said if they got Mon they would like it to taste like their favorite food:

Jonah: Applesauce

Shimmy: Carrots

Ben: Watermelon

Vella: Chocolate

Nosson: Chocolate ice cream

Morah Perline: Tuna sandwich on rye with crispy lettuce and tomatoes

The children had fun guessing the tastes of different foods when they were blindfolded. Shimmy guessed right when he tasted the orange juice. Vella thought the grape juice was orange juice. Nosson guessed right when he tasted the lemon juice and grape juice. Ben thought the lime juice was grapefruit juice and guessed the orange juice correctly. Jonah enjoyed the orange and grape juice.

Parsha Song:

https://www.chabad.org/549237

To the promised land
Through the desert sand
A cloud guided them by day
At night fire led the way

To the sea the Jews fled
"Chase after them," Paroh said,
When the Jews saw Paroh’s men
"Save us!" they cried to Hashem

Hashem split the Red Sea
Our people now were free
Moshe sang a song of praise
To Hashem and His mighty ways

Song II:

Sing a Song with Moshe

(TTTO: Sing a Song of Sixpence)

Sing a song with Moshe,

Walking through the sea,

They went through the dry land,

Then they all were free.

When the Jewish were singing,

The birds began to tweet

Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp
Cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep

Twitter to the beat!

Tu B’Shvat and Trees

Kindergarten learned about parts of trees, then collected parts of trees from the playground to create Tree Art. After creating trees, they made a frame for the artwork made of leaf prints. Their artwork will be proudly displayed at the Grandparent’s Day on Tu B’Shvat, Monday, January 21.

Shabbat Shalom!

Morah Perline

This week were learning about trees. We started our week by going outside to look at trees and write about them in out journal. We drew a picture to go with what we wrote. Everyone is doing an excellent job of using capital and lower case letters when appropriate and writing within the lines provided.

We learned about the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees. We are creating a book with the information that we are learning. As part of this we have learned about chlorophyll and photosynthesis.

We learned about a hypothesis in an experiment and wrote in our journals about what we think will happen when we put celery stalk’s in water with food coloring.

Our lesson on symmetry was one of our favorites of the week! We practiced out fine motor skills by tracing and cutting half of a tree on folded paper to get a full tree.

Good Shabbos!

Morah Kristina