FROM MISS LISA
Winter We are talking about the new season of winter (so I am expecting an unseasonal hot snap to hit So Cal as per usual.) If you come into our classroom you will see all sorts of decorations,photos of frozen landscapes and animals, and snowflakes hanging from above. We removed our fall beads from the hanging branch. The students worked their bimanual and eye/hand coordination to string winter themed beads for our “snow tree.” We have salt with pretend ice chips and winter animals in our sensory trays. Salt is fun because it sifts and goes down the funnels so quickly. Many friends are pouring it onto their hands and arms to feel the delightful tactile coolness. Creation Station Like clockwork in my 3 yr old classroom, the writing center has “popped!” I told Miss Deja the majority of the kids aren’t really interested, then after winter break it becomes a hot spot that I need to expand to accommodate more students. We offer scissors, masking tape and tongue depressors along with markers and pens. The creativity has been amazing to behold; as is the task persistence and fine motor improvement. Sometimes they go in with a plan while other times they determine what it is when they are finished. It’s all good in the hood! The initiative and self esteem is wonderful to see. Thank You Miss Deja and I want to thank you all for our Chanukah thoughtfulness! You are so kind and we appreciate the appreciation you showered on us. Movement Mora Mimi is now teaching in the two year old classroom. Mora Chanie will be doing our Judaic curriculum. Please remember to write your child a Mitzvah note daily as the children are very proud to have it read to the group during Davening time. Important Starting next week we will no longer be napping. This is often the time of year when the children can no longer fall asleep independently and are outgrowing the long nap period. Expecting three year olds to lie still and silent in the dark for an hour and forty minutes is unrealistic and essentially impossible. So you no longer need to send bedding to school. We will still have a “rest time” during the day. I will turn off the lights and have a story time with an option to lie on the rug or in the cozy area. We will also do quiet, sensory activities and some yoga so they still have some much needed down time in their busy day. We are now learning about the blessings we make on different foods. We started with Hamotzi (the blessing for bread, challah, matzah, wheat tortillas, etc.). We looked at a stalk of wheat and wheat kernels. We also made challah dough—we loved mixing the eggs and touching the flour! We read the book From Wheat to Challah by Meish Goldish. We also spoke about this week’s Torah portion, Shemot. This marks the beginning of the story of the Jewish people in Mitzrayim (Egypt). We read the book A Little Girl Named Miriam by Dina Rosenfeld. The book talks about how Miriam took care of her brother Moshe ( Moses). We spoke about how Moshe asked Paroh (Pharoh) to let the Jews leave Mitzrayim (Egypt) and Paroh said "No, No, No, I will not let them go."
Have a great weekend and Shabbat Shalom!
