The Apple Tree's Discovery

After using apples for measuring oursleves,
Morah Mimi read the "Apple Tree's Discovery".
The Apple Tree just wanted stars to hang on his braches
like the other trees.  He wasn't satisfied with his
beautiful branches, shade he provided, and delicious apples.
It wasn't until G-d showed him his very own stars in his apples that
he realized he too has stars.
Morah Mimi wanted us to take a lesson from the tree
and recognize that we are all unique and special in our
own ways.

 

The chidlren were delighted to find the star inside the apple.

After reading the story, Morah Mimi asked the children
what makes them special.
What makes me special?
Hannah: I have a dog.
Sammy: Because my Mommy loves me!
Amanda: My Daddy loves me!
Chana: My Mommy loves me.
Aiden: I went apple picking with my friend.
Some of the children want to add....
Hannah: I can write my name.
Amanda: I love to play with my baby and my big girl toys
Jordan: I can play and paint.

Clay

It's amazing to see what happens when you give children some real clay and tools.

Pies

Hand tracing

Sculpting

Literacy

Chana forms a Chet on the easel.

Forming letters in paint bags.

Sink or Float

We all chose one item in our classroom to place inside the water.
Prior to our activity we hypothesized whether it would sink or float.
We were not sure why.

The children were amazed by what sank and what floated.
They felt special using the item they chose!

The children take turns.

Morah Mimi: Why do you think the markers and frogs are floating
but the animals, plate and sea shell sank to the bottom?
Hannah: Because they were heavy.
Morah Mimi: What happens to the heavy items?
Hannah: They sink.
Aiden had placed a vase in the water that was floating.
Morah Mimi asked Jordan and Hannah to add water to the vase
and as the vase filled with water it began to sink.
This really helped them internalize the concept.

We pass around a glass plate and plastic frog.  The children
use their knowledge to guess which will float or sink. 
After we placed them in the water.

The next day, as a follow up, I asked the children to find an object that will float and then an object that will sink.
As the children brought their objects, the other children made sure it was the right one.

Following our sinking and floating activities we discussed
what can sink and flow in bodies of water.
Sammy: People float in the water.
When Sammy suggested people, we used the opportunity to bring up
water and safety (which we'll bring up again spring time.)
We discussed what happens if we can't swim, we can sink (drown) and that is
very dangerous.  We can only go next to a (children gave the following ideas)
pool, bathtub, beach, ocean with an adult.
The children gave more examples of things that float in the water.
Jordan: Fish float in the water.
Amanda: Crabs float in the water.
Aiden: Frogs float in the water.
Hannah: Dolphins!
We also discussed vehicles that can float in water.
The children all shouted boats.
Morah Mimi: Cars?
Children: Laugh!! No!
Morah Mimi: Air Planes?
Children: Laugh!! No!
Morah Mimi: Actually some air planes can float in the water.
They are called sea planes.
Would you like to see one?
The children really wanted to see it.
We walked to the office to watch a sea plane land in the water.
Morah Mimi pointed out the pontoons they use to float in the water.
The children were amazed.

Values: Cranky Town/ Smiley Town

After reading the book "Cranky Town",
we decided that our classroom should be called Smiley Town.
Dina and David came to teach us another value along with that lesson this week.
After nagging, crying, being grouchy, loud and more, David realized
that no one wanted to be around him.
Dina reminded him the tone of voice
he should be using, RESPECTFUL WORDS instead of crying etc.
It was magical.  As he transformed all his friends wanted to play
with him again.
The children always find it very funny
when Dina and David forget their values.
They really relate to the lessons in this manner.
During the puppet show, they shout out reminders
to David about how he should be more respectful.

Apple Crumble

First, we peeled the apples.  We reviewed safety procedures.
Morah Mimi showed us the sharp edge on the peeler.
We reminded each other that we only use sharp objects
with a teacher or parent. 
Morah Mimi also
demonstrated how to use the peeler;
we peel away from our face and hands.

This was great for our fine and gross motor skills and the students did a great job.

Next the children cut the apples into small pieces. 
It was not an easy task with a plastic knife.

They were so proud of themselves.

After making the mixture, the children added the
crumble to the top.  The children were tempted to lick
their fingers.  We kept being reminded about the right hygiene
necessary in the kitchen.

Fall Art, Fall Colors, Creating Colors

Leaf Rubbing.....Discussing what colors they should use..

Our discussion prior to our acorn stamping art.
Morah Mimi: We're going to create beautiful fall art today using these things in the basket as stampers.
Anyone remember what they are?
Aiden: Acorns!!!
Sammy: They're the squirrel's food!
Morah Mimi: That's right.  It would be nice to use fall colors.
What colors remind you of fall?
Hannah:  Purple...I love purple!
Jordan: I love blue!
Morah Mimi: Those are great colors.  Let's look outside to see what colors remind us of fall.
Hannah: Red
Jordan: Gold...Yellow
Chana: Brown
Sammy: Green
Amanda: Orange
Aiden: Red

Coming back to the table...
Morah Mimi takes our our primary color paints.  Let's see which colors we have.
We realize we still don't have green, orange, and brown.
Morah Mimi explained the idea of primary colors and how we use them to make new colors.
Together we hypothesize which colors will make orange.

We try it out.  We take red and blue but...it turns purple.
Hannah is excited because she wanted purple:)

......and then we figure it out.
We make all the colors.

Skills: Follow directions, grip the acorn, color blending

Following our acorn activity, the children began asking to create palettes of paint for their art creations.