FROM MS LISA
Patterns We have been beginning to explore patterns this week. We used our glorious graph and colored circles to create simple A-B-A-B patterns at group time. The students picked up on it very quickly. On the third day I switched it up to magnatiles with a square-triangle pattern. This took a minute as the children were used to noting colors. Now the colors were irrelevant and could be next to each other so long as the shapes differed. They soon switched cognitive gears and caught on to the new pattern. We then played with an auditory pattern with a slap-slap-clap-slap-slap-clap pattern and an homage to “We will Rock You.” Through understanding patterns, children learn to make predictions, to understand what comes next, to make logical connections, and to use reasoning skills which is a higher level brain function. Creative Art The students had the opportunity to explore painting as well as creating collages with colored glue and foam letters and spring flowers and insects. As is always the case, my art enthusiasts can't get enough while my “Not a fan” kiddos can't be paid to do it. We are who we are right? Magnatiles Our work with Magnatiles has developed exponentially recently and not just with my block enthusiasts. Just about all of my students are gravitating to this task and the structures are becoming much more complex. They are as tall as a child or with different enclosures to separate rooms for their micro-dramatic people, animals, or vehicles. I have seen squares used to make triangle structures, cars being built and feats that seem to defy physics. And we still hold fast and firm that you only get to knock down your own work. If you break a friend's then the blocks are closed for you. Our consistent and logical consequences have resonated and our being respected…most of the time. We still have to test those boundaries to make sure that there is order in the universe, right? We are continuing our count, all the way to receiving the Torah. We know there are many rules and laws that are in the Torah. We said Na'aseh v’ Nishma, we will do and we will listen. We keep trying to do many mitzvot to bring the Torah. We started talking about our new holiday called Shavuos which is the day Hashem gave us a present, the Torah. We told a felt story about three mountains. The highest mountain and the widest mountain were fighting over which mountain the Torah should be given on. But little Har Sinai just stood there and sighed, “ I know I’m not tall and I know I'm not wide. The Torah can’t be given on me” he said. Because the tallest and widest mountains were not simple and humble, the Torah was not given on them. Hashem made the little mountain( Har Sinai) very beautiful because he didn’t hold himself high. He deserved to have the Torah given on him! We read the book: When the World Was Quiet by Phyllis Nutkis. Har Sinai song: I am a mountain so very high. I can reach way up to the sky. The Torah should be given on me because I am the highest mountain you see. Oh no! I am a mountain so very wide. I can reach from side to side. The Torah should be given on me because I am the widest mountain you see. Oh no! Little Har Sinai just stood there and sighed. I know I’m not tall, I know I’m not wide. The Torah can’t be given on me because I am the smallest mountain you see. But from all the mountains Hashem chose Sinai because he did not hold himself high. He had such simple and humble ways. From this we learn that humbleness pays. Have a wonderful Shabbos,
ב"ה
Miss Lisa & Morah Mimi - May 31, 2024
Friday, 31 May, 2024 - 12:41 pm
FROM MORAH MIMI
