Weekly Glimpse. Shomrai Nursery

Transcription

1 Parshas Ki Seitzei Candlelighting: 6:56 PM Shomrai Nursery September 16, Elul 5776 Havdalah: 7:53 PM Weekly Glimpse As Kitat Rimon examined and studied apples this week we reflected on their properties. On Tuesday morning we tested whether apples float or sink. We discovered that apples float. If you hold it down it sinks. I sinked the apple, Lilly remarked. We tasted four different colors of apples: red, yellow, green, and red/yellow. Some of the comments about which they liked better and the taste were: Racheli: I just liked the taste of the red one best. Shmuel Reuven: The red and yellow was the best because it tasted like poison/fire. It tastes like lava. It s sour. Lilly: Green because it s sour. Temima: Red because it s sweet. Simcha: Yellow was best because it tastes like pear. Yaakov: Yellow because it tasted a little sour. It tastes like strawberries. Sheva: Red and yellow because it was sweet. Ahuva: Yellow because it tastes like pear. Green was most crunchy to bite. Shulamis: I like the red one because it s sweet! Suri: Green one was more sour, the rest tasted sweet. Akiva: Green because it wasn t so sour. Tzvi: Red was most crunchy. Rahm and Yakov Gedaliah liked the green best. Shayna liked the red best. We made applesauce this week and saved the cores. We are observing what happens to the cores. Comments heard about the cores included they re all brown, and they shrinked. We cut the cores in half and the children took out the seeds. Some were already sprouting! Students remarked that trees grow from the seed. Yaakov then profoundly pondered out loud, How do they make the 1st apple tree? We decided to ask Rabbi Rosenbaum when he comes. We will continue to observe our cores next week! Shabbat Shalom and Happy birthday Yaakov! Morah Naomi and Morah Yvette Daily thoughts, expressions, interests, communications, explorations, collaborations, adventures, research and discoveries, as experienced by students at Shomrai Nursery 2016 YISE SHOMRAI NURSERY

2 Building Community We started our school year with a focus on community, our classroom community, our Shomrai Nursery community, and our families. Each classroom was offered a letter and the challenge of beautifying it while working collaboratively in their own small group community. The classes worked on an individual letter to create our welcome Shalom sign, exemplifying how each of us contributes and brings something unique to our vibrant community.

3 Apples, Apples Everywhere When the children arrived to school yesterday morning they found an assortment of apples on the table along with peelers, an apple slicer, plastic knives, lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon and a measuring cup. What are we doing today? asked Rivka. Can I do this? Gavi requested. We explained to the children that we would make applesauce to eat. In order to make the applesauce we need to peel, core and cut the apples and then place them in a crock pot and then cook the apples. The children took turns as they washed their hands, sat at the table and began peeling or cutting. I know how to peel. I peel carrots at home and potatoes, Dina explained when she arrived and noticed the peelers not he table. I can peel, Emanuel shared when he saw the apples and peelers. He began to peel the apple. After several minutes, he had peeled an entire apple effortlessly! I want to cut the apple, Shoshana said. She took several apple slices, cut them and then placed them in the pot. Can I cut my apple now? Naomi asked. When all the apples were cut and put in the pot it was time to add the other ingredients. Would any one like to fill this cup with water? the Morah asked. I will help, Ami L. volunteered. Soon he had returned with the water and poured it into the pot. We added lemon juice and cinnamon. It was time to cook the apple mixture. A group of children came down to the kitchen to see how we would cook the apples. We placed the crockpot on the stand. Then we set the crockpot on high let it start cooking. By noon we decided to check on the pot of apples in the kitchen. When we walked into the kitchen we could smell the cooked apples. It smells like apple sauce, the children announced. The children took turns to climb on a step stool to see the apple sauce. They agreed that it was definitely applesauce. We ate the apple sauce during our Shabbat Party and it was delicious. Feel free to make your own applesauce at home the recipe is below. Shabbat Shalom, Morot Lisa, Devorah Sarah Ingredients 10 assorted apples 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup sugar (optional) Juice of half a lemon A generous sprinkle of cinnamon Instructions 1 Peel, core and chop the apples. 2 In a large saucepan, add the apples, water and sugar. Bring the apple mixture to a boil and simmer. 3 While the apples are cooking, add the cinnamon and lemon juice. Cook for minutes with the lid ajar, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft. 4 Remove from heat. With a wooden spoon, mash the soft apples into a sauce. Delicious served warm or cold. 5 Note: a food processor or immersion blender will help create a smoother texture.

4 Kitat Shalom s Friday Routine We would like to share Kitat Shalom s Friday routing with you as we prepare for Shabbos. During morning meeting, in addition to davening, giving tzedakah and reading mitzvah notes aloud, we sing Shabbos songs such as Bim Bom, I was walking on the way to Shul and Shalom Aleichem. Last week discussed the custom of saying Good Shabbos! or Shabbat Shalom! when we see our families and friends. We will continue to talk about Shabbos customs or lessons from the week s parsha. We are all eager to enjoy our delicious Shabbos Party! On the Back to School Night we provided you with a list of the Shabbos Party dates. Two families are assigned to each party date. Please bring your Shabbos party items to school on Thursday. Shomrai Nursery provides grape juice and thank you to A Capital Challah for sponsoring the sliced, whole wheat challah. We begin Shabbos party with the girls saying the bracha and lighting the Shabbos candles. We welcome the Abbas and Daddies home from shul and everyone says the bracha on the grape juice. Then we pick up a slice of challah and make hamotzi. We are teaching our students to use beautiful manners while eating at the Shabbos tables. After Shabbos party is over, we go outside and visit with Rabbi Rosenbaum. Our students are so thrilled to say hello or to share a story with the Rabbi. Rabbi Rosenbaum greets the students and shares a thought from the parsha. Then we divide our students into two groups. One group goes to music with Morah Leah while the other group plays outside. Then we switch. We enjoy playing instruments, dancing and singing with Morah Leah. We continue with our day in great anticipation for a Good Shabbos! Kitat Shalom Morot What is the role of Shomrai Nursery PTA? WE NEED YOU! HAVE AN IDEA? WANT TO VOLUNTEER? We are in search of a PTA President and volunteers to steer this year s efforts. The role of the Shomrai Nursery s parent teachers association (PTA) is to build a community within our school and help fund activities, programs, and school-improvement projects. Proceeds from PTA fundraising go toward enhancing our playground. Our most recent purchase was Outlast Blocks, which is a system of interlocking blocks and planks that elevate our children's imaginative play. They encourage child-directed cooperative play, builds social skills and large motor muscles and support our goals for math, science, language and critical thinking skills through play with loose parts. This year we hope to continue our fundraising efforts to enhance the playground. We are asking and encouraging every family to help support our school and our children by joining the PTA. We would be thrilled if you would be willing to volunteer your time, and would greatly appreciate your donation towards the PTA. What we did last year: - Mom s Night Out at the Pastry Oven Lag B Omer Raffle and Carnival - Teacher Appreciation Luncheon Teacher Appreciation Gifts - Winter Break Playdate WHAT ARE YOUR IDEAS?? Please Call Ruthie Cohen at the school office if you have any questions or are interested in volunteering!

5 Excerpts from the Parent Handbook: Nutrition Policy As educators, we are tasked with educating the WHOLE child, not only his or her cognitive and social development, but their physical development too. Considering the nation s trend in life threatening diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart conditions and other serious physical ailments, YISE Shomrai Nursery takes seriously the well being of our students, and in helping them establish eating habits and health awareness to protect their future. For this reason, our nutrition policy is as follows: Daily Morning Snack: Children will be served only whole grain crackers, cereals and other carbohydrate based snacks. A protein will be provided in the form of cheese, milk, chummus, hard-boiled eggs etc. A fruit or vegetable will be served. Low fat milk will be served. Lunch: YISE Shomrai Nursery is a peanut and tree nut free zone. Please send no food items with nuts or that are prepared on machinery that may have manufactured nut based products. Promoting self-help and believing in the competency of children means that we need to make lunch accessible to children. Please use containers that are easily opened by little fingers. Suggestions: Whole wheat bread sandwiches with cream cheese, cheese, etc. Whole wheat spaghetti, macaroni, rice, quinoa etc. Whole wheat pretzels with chumus Yogurt - without M&M toppings and other sweet candy toppings. Cottage cheese A fresh vegetable such as cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, salad, etc Fresh fruit chopped into bite size pieces Pickles and Chinese corn are favorites of many children. Drink - water or a watered down juice. Juice boxes are sugar laden drinks with very little nutritional value. In fact, we find that thirsty children remain thirsty after drinking juice boxes. If your child is already used to juice boxes, begin by giving him a water bottle with a mix of water and juice. Over time decrease the amount of juice added. We ask that you please do not send: Popcorn (choking hazard), Cake and cookies, Candy, Chips, Fruit Roll-Ups/Foot by the Foot & Candy yogurt toppings These items interfere with the child s willingness to eat his or her healthy lunch. Health Alert: There has a been a case of reported MolluscContagiosum and we have noticed what appears to be lesions on other students throughout the school. The skin virus spreads by direct person-to-person physical contact. Please be sure all lesions are covered with clothing (long sleeves, long pants) or with a bandaid. For more information, contact your pediatrician or visit Thank you for your cooperation in this important health matter.

6 Outlast Blocks in Action! Outlast Blocks is a system of interlocking blocks and planks that elevate our children's imaginative play. It encourages child-directed cooperative play, builds social skills and large motor muscles and supports our goals for math, science, language and critical thinking skills through play with loose parts.

7 Kitat Gefen Learns about Rosh Hashanah Kitat Gefen started to learn about Rosh Hashanah. We learned that Rosh Hashanah is the start of the Jewish new year and the birthday of the world. We sang Dip the Apple in the Honey using honey dippers during our morning meeting. We read Sammy Spiders first Rosh Hashanah as well as practiced the sound a shofar makes. We explored apples and enjoyed apples for snack. We all did wonderful observational drawings and paintings of apples. Shabbat Shalom, Morah Rachel and Chaya Sara Calling All Shofar Blowers! Next week the children will begin to learn about the sights, tastes, and sounds of Rosh Hashanah, including the blowing of the shofar. We need volunteers who can visit our classrooms to demonstrate the different shofar blasts. Dads and grandfathers are welcome! Thank you to our Shabbat Party Sponsors! Tamar Labell and Family Mimi Goodman and Family Yaakov Manheim and Family Kivi Karlin and Family Chaya Friedman and Family Esti Feldman and Family A Capital Challah

8 Children s Learning by Nancy Kohl These are photographs that depict children learning. I want to extend my gratitude to the teachers for sharing these great photos, which I hope will illustrate how children learn best. Let s see if we can reveal what these children are learning. Bear in mind that they are in charge of their own learning experience. Teachers facilitate learning by offering a rich variety of materials and experiences. The teachers are engaged and supportive, challenging each child s learning. They respond to questions, and may ask children to explain or reflect on their choices as they work on and complete their tasks. We are adding complexity to children s play with the use of materials that ignite thinking in just a few of many areas: design, engineering, math, construction, relationships with materials and with adults and peers. *In terms of materials: we see the development of the ability to select and follow one s interests which creates a more engaged learner who retains knowledge that they construct *The freedom to explore and follow one s curiosity *The use of critical thinking skills, required to create a functioning ramp system or to build a three-dimensional representation of an idea. *Problem solving *Working through frustration and mistakes *Building resilience and persistence *Building an understanding of cause and effect *Knowledge of inclines and use of slopes, speed, force, motion, height, balance and deflection - discovering the physics of inclined planes and tinkering with design and problem solving *Symmetry *Perceptual motor planning *Task engagement and completion *Uninterrupted time to attend and follow the flow of one s own creativity and ideas *The intrinsic value of emotional satisfaction of completing a task Here we see a small group engaged in a collaborative effort. They are sharing their ideas, communicating, and trying out their theories as they learn how to work together towards what becomes a common goal. The construction of knowledge is a process in which children communicate their ideas and theories though words, gestures, behaviors or representations. Children build and develop their knowledge actively through direction interactions and experiences. In short this how children learn best!

9 It s Rosh Hashanah Time in Kitat Simcha This week Kitat Simcha was introduced to the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. The morot explained that Rosh Hashanah is the world's birthday. We talked about dipping apples in honey. David and Avigail both remembered that honey is sweet. The morot explained that we like to use sweet things on Rosh Hashanah because we are hoping for a sweet New Year. Apples were placed on the table and the children were invited to draw what they saw. Dalia noticed the apples were red with a little bit of yellow, but she decided to draw the apple in orange. Goldie used purple to make many different apples on her page. "Apples for Rosh Hashanah," she said, pointing to her drawing. Ephraim was interested in the apples. He picked up a green crayon and began to color a green apple. Ephraim also noticed that his picture of an apple looked similar to a helicopter. Tehilla chose to draw her apple yellow, making large circles around her page to make the apple very big. One of the morot brought in a shofar to share with the class. First we practiced making the sounds with our hands and mouths. The shofar reminds us to wake up and do the mitzvos the morot explained. Kivi took the shofar and began blowing different sounds. Benjamin also took a turn blowing the shofar. Stay tuned! We have lots of different Rosh Hashanah experiences planned for the next few weeks. Happy Birthday Kivi! Have a Good Shabbos! Morah Yocheved and Morah Jessica Mrs. Graber Visits Shomrai Nursery We had a special visitor yesterday at Shomrai Nursery! Mrs. Graber came to visit our 3s and Pre K classes for a meet and greet with a bag of instruments. The students were fascinated by her presentation and enjoyed singing with her. She played a ukulele and melodica. We look forward to her next visit!