Shomrai Nursery. The Power of Our Words

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1 Parshas Tazria-Metzora Candlelighting: 7:40 PM Havdalah: 8:43 PM Shomrai Nursery April 28, Iyar 5777 Weekly Glimpse The Power of Our Words This week's parsha, Tazria, deals with the unusual affliction of Tzara'at, which leaves its victims impure and forces them to undergo a complex process of purification. As is well known, the Midrash identifies a Metorza (one who has been afflicted with Tzara'at) as one who has spoken Motzi Shem Ra - a type of Lashon Hara. The affliction is meant to give the speaker of Lashon Hara the time and understanding to comprehend the power of the spoken word and to be more careful to use their words in a positive manner. That is why Tzara'at can only be diagnosed by the Kohen saying the word tamei (impure). Even though a Torah scholar, or even the afflicted person himself, may recognize that he has Tzara'at, it does no good. Only the Kohen's words can diagnose him and begin the treatment for the affliction, thus giving us a powerful lesson on the power of the spoken word. The lesson for us as parents is that we, too, must be careful with our words. The laws of Lashon Hara are no less applicable when speaking about it to our children. While we can speak about potential issues with our child's teacher or another professional for the good of our child, even this must be done with carefully, and never done in front of the child. Children know when they are being spoken about and can feel hurt, self-conscious, or embarrassed. We have a responsibility to be careful with our words even if we are feeling tired, frustrated, or angry. We have to remember even at these times that discipline means to teach - to be instructive and constructive, not destructive. The guidance and discipline that we give our children needs to be clear and concrete, always going back to our values and rules. While we have a right to our feelings as human beings, a careless word can affect a child's outlook for years to come. And in the times of the Beit HaMikdash, that was demonstrated by the negative words leaving a literal mark: Tzara'at. Daily thoughts, expressions, interests, communications, explorations, collaborations, adventures, research and discoveries, as experienced by students at Shomrai Nursery 2017 YISE SHOMRAI NURSERY

2 Creating Our Own Israeli Flag Kitat Gefen has been carefully examining the Israeli flag for the last few days. After noticing the colors and shapes, we offered the salt they had previously dyed blue, to sponge and sprinkle to make their own representation of the flag. They used glue and a sponge paintbrush to draw the lines on the top and bottom as well as the Magen Dovid in the middle of the flag. The Morah explained that the Magen Dovid is made by making two triangles in different directions. Then the children used their pincer grips to sprinkle the blue salt all over the glue. After they were done they shook off the extra salt into a bowl. They did a great job covering up all the glue with salt and creating their own Israeli flag. We are excited to use our flags when we celebrate Israel's birthday next week. Shabbat Shalom, Morah Belana and Morah Chaya Sara Pre K Parsha Questions Shulamis: Why did Hashem say we can t speak Loshon Hara? Avi: What if someone spoke Loshon Hara? Why did they get Tzara at? Mimi: Why did Hashem make Tzara at? Ami S: Why did Hashem put Tzara at on the clothes? Naomi: Why did Hashem make Aveirot? Ami L :Why did the Kohen check the spots? Morgan: Why are white spots Tzara at? Tzvi: How could the house get sick? Chaim Yitzy: Why is Tzara at white spots? Shayna: Why didn t the Kohanim have a stethoscope and other things to find out what the sickness is? Thank you to our Shabbat Party Sponsors Akiva Shinensky & Family Chana Fraydel Kerchner & Family Gavi Silver & Family Naomi Simon & Family Leba Walter & Family Natan Warmflash & Family

3 Gardening Initiative in honor of Morah Anna A H Monday, May 1, the 5th of Iyar marks the first yartzheit of our beloved Morah Anna, a h. Inspired by Morah Anna s love of gardening with children, the staff has chosen to deepen our ecological experiences with the natural world at Shomrai Nursery. Morot Miri, Chaya Sara and myself attended a workshop presented by garden atelierista Jake Ifshin, Executive Director of Everybody Grows and founder of Ifshin Gardens. Together with gardening experts and early childhood educators, we talked about how to more fully integrate nature and gardening in our school community. We learned about innovative technology; including hydroponic indoor growing, collaborative garden design, and composting, along with how to support parallel learning processes for both teachers and parents. We are excited to share that several of our teachers volunteered to form a leadership team and will soon meet with Jake and his team. As a staff, we look forward to this exciting learning opportunity to bring all of the benefits of nature-based experiences, along with the deep joy of gardening, to our children and families.

4 Kitat Shalom Explores the Israeli Flag In a preparation for Yom Ha'atzmaut, we brought an Israeli flag for our students to explore. "A Jewish star, said Michal pointing to the star in the middle on the flag. "It's an Israeli star, added Esti S. "This is a flag, said Seth. "It's a flag of Israel! said Yaakov. "I see two stripes, said Akiva. "The stripes are on top and the bottom and the star is in the middle, said Michal. "The star has lots of triangles, observed Shalom. "The flag is blue and white, observed Leba. After talking about what our students saw, we invited our students to create an observational drawing of the flag. We look forward to using our flags in our Yom Ha'atzmaut parade next week. Wishing everyone Good Shabbos! Kitat Shalom Morot

5 Kitat Tamar Prepares for Yom Ha atzmaut This week the children worked to prepare for Yom Ha atzmaut, Israel s Independence Day. One group of children went to the STREAM and the second group mixed and painted with blue and white paint. On Wednesday morning, the groups swapped activities. The children poured their paint into their palettes. One, two, three, stop, the morah demonstrated. Can I paint today? Talya requested as she entered the classroom. Talya quickly took care of her belongings and put on her smock. Morah Lisa, look, Talya said as she showed her painting to the Morah, Morah Lisa, I made an Israel flag. I made a rainbow, Morgan described. A flag, Mimi announced. Is that the Jewish star? the Morah asked Mimi. Yes, Mimi answered happily. I made an alien spaceship, Naomi declared. This Week's Stream Room Activity: In the stream room, the children were given a challenge to collaborate and assemble a map of Israel with found loose parts. Let s use blocks for the sand, Dina suggested to her group. Blue for the dead sea, Eliana decided, Morah, I am making the sea with blue magnets, Morgan said enthusiastically. I m helping Avi make the Dead Sea, Talya exclaimed. Our intention with this challenge was to activate the children's critical thinking and problem solving while they work cooperatively. We wanted to introduce mapping to help strengthen their spatial awareness and to offer them a direct experience which would help them to understand how to think about creating a map, what a map is, and how a it can be used. As we asked them questions and they made comments during the process, we saw evidence that they were thinking in a new way using these materials to represent what they knew about maps and the country of Israel. At this age, children are developing an understanding of significant concepts such as: scale, symbols, and perspective, as well as that maps are tools people use to locate themselves within space. You can continue and build on the thinking skills and mathematical concepts at home by doing a few activities with your child: Map a map together of room in your house. Ask your child if they could make a map of how to get from your front door to their bedroom, as if you had a guest coming and they would need to know the way without being told. Work together with your child to see if they could make a map of a favorite park or place in your neighborhood. Ask your child to hide some treasure, and then ask them to draw a map to help you find it. Shabbat Shalom, Morot Lisa and Devorah Sarah

6 Bourekas and Butterfiles in Kitat Simcha Kitat Simcha baked this week in honor of Rosh Chodesh Iyar. We decided to prepare potato bourekas to be shared with the whole school in celebration of Yom Ha atzmaut next Tuesday. We had quite a big task ahead of us so we started first thing in the morning. The Morah poured potato flakes into a bowl. The students took turns adding the rest of the ingredients: margarine, soy milk, salt, and pepper, as well as some hot water. "Be careful!" Effie exclaimed, helping the Morah remind the children to stay away from the hot kettle. Chana Fraydel began to mix the ingredients together, and then passed the bowl to Goldie. Kivi asked for a turn and soon everyone had their chance to help mix. The children each received one square piece of pastry dough. The Morah dropped a spoonful of potato in its center and demonstrated how to pinch the dough together to make a traditional Israeli boureka. The children loved working with the dough and soon mastered turning their square into a triangle. Avigail worked diligently to make sure her boureka was sealed tightly, pinching the edges with determination. We baked them in the oven and then placed them in the freezer. We can't wait to share this special treat with the other classes next week on Yom Ha atzmaut! The new month was not the only addition to the week. Morah Ruthie presented us with baby caterpillars in a special cup habitat. The Morah brought the cup to our afternoon meeting, and asked the children what they thought was inside. David: Caterpillars Dalia: Butterflies Avigail: Butterflies Shai: The butterflies Shira: Butterfly Effie: Caterpillars Tehilla: Ants Kivi: Looks like applesauce The Morah explained to the class that Effie and David were correct that there were tiny caterpillars inside the cup. The Morah described how quickly caterpillars grow, turn into chrysalises, and eventually become butterflies. Avigail corrected herself stating, "they are not yet butterflies." Effie excitedly counted out six caterpillars. The teacher explained that the applesauce-looking stuff on the bottom of the cup is food for the caterpillars. "They're moving," Shai announced. We are excited to observe how our caterpillars develop and grow in the next coming weeks. Have a Good Shabbos! Morah Yocheved and Morah Jessica

7 Getting Ready to Celebrate Israel s Birthday in Kitat Rimon We began our preparation for Yom Ha atzmaut as we do each investigation, with a web of information we know and questions we have. In a class meeting Morah Naomi asked the group, What are some things that you already know about Israel and what are some questions that you have? Shayna knew that Jerusalem in the capital. My Mémé brought this kippah (referring to the one he was wearing) from Israel, Shmuel Reuven shared. Meanwhile, Temima knew that a kibbutz is a place where people work together. Why is Israel a Jewish place? Akiva wondered. Why is Israel so special? Simcha and Yaakov inquired. Why do we like being in Israel? Tzvi contemplated. Why did Hashem give the Torah in Mitzrayim ([Midbar]) and not in Israel? Shayna asked. Why do we daven at the Kotel? Suri wondered. And why do we stick notes in the Kotel? Is it a mitzvah to pray at the Kotel? Sheva wondered. Why is there only Kotel left of the Beis HaMikdash? Shayna wanted to know. This week we spent time exploring blue and white paint. We used our artwork to create a banner for Israel s 69th birthday. We read several stories about Israel including And Shira Imagine by Giora Carmi, Sammy Spider s First Trip to Israel by Sylvia Rouss, and The Chicken Man by Michelle Edwards (about life on a Kibbutz). We will soon build an airport downstairs and get ready for our school trip to Israel on Yom Ha atzmaut. Shabbat Shalom, Morah Naomi and Morah Yvette

8 YISE Shomrai Nursery invites you to a LAG B'OMER CARNIVAL Sunday, May 21 10:00AM-12:00PM Shomrai Nursery 813 University Blvd West Admission: $5 child under 12 $15 family max Arts n' Crafts Moon Bounce Face Painting STEM Activities Raffle Drawing...and more! Cotton Candy Watermelon Waterslide! Please park in rear of church parking lot