tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89489436241736567082024-02-06T21:40:26.108-08:00Morah JenMorah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-14288870102169040842021-06-21T12:57:00.000-07:002021-06-21T12:57:19.682-07:00Outdoor Magic<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bsPSX5UB2ItnUy0VJSsixffwuAKkGALIMhEQHX-cWCAzp73exUHDR0yP2ePoG-cZ0sBihZ2bHMF0GLmX8PYJTi0KwjFi0DpWACSQRngle6CUYcvYoHfjrRIYP38XC41-aty75mx8QB0/s2016/IMG_1435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bsPSX5UB2ItnUy0VJSsixffwuAKkGALIMhEQHX-cWCAzp73exUHDR0yP2ePoG-cZ0sBihZ2bHMF0GLmX8PYJTi0KwjFi0DpWACSQRngle6CUYcvYoHfjrRIYP38XC41-aty75mx8QB0/s320/IMG_1435.jpg" /></a></div>Early childhood educators have long known the<span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> </span><a href="https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2019/outdoor-play-is-essential" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2019/outdoor-play-is-essential">benefits of outdoor play</a><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">. To name but a few, outdoor play improves physical and mental health, provides meaningful and magical opportunities to explore and create with others, and presents chances for appropriate and necessary risk-taking. This year, which will always be known as the COVID year, with its many restrictions and surprising bright spots, we've seen for ourselves day in and day out just how much our children have benefitted from spending so much time outside. We've seen the theory play out in practice. If anyone had any lingering doubts that outdoor play was different from indoor play and just as crucial for children's healthy development, this year put those doubts to rest.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT69PzEv8DLX0NOKYpBILoKzisz8LER8-yJTZrzyG61QEupDJhXSnBC1xF61-ZSOG7Y0IRPD_rdrjKmtJTzR66bdAwQWVlW0Es7WPk5MENriT7z0LSjyuA8z4f2Ij-9Ji249DVAqs34E4/s2016/IMG_1392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT69PzEv8DLX0NOKYpBILoKzisz8LER8-yJTZrzyG61QEupDJhXSnBC1xF61-ZSOG7Y0IRPD_rdrjKmtJTzR66bdAwQWVlW0Es7WPk5MENriT7z0LSjyuA8z4f2Ij-9Ji249DVAqs34E4/w150-h200/IMG_1392.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Because we were told to be outside as often as possible, we went outside as often as possible. We ate snack and lunch outside. We did art projects outside. We played with legos and magnatiles and blocks outside. We went through tubs of sidewalk chalk and gallons of bubbles.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We </span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">planted and watered and weeded. One class planted bulbs during Sukkot and watched the daffodils bloom during Pesach. Another planted and enjoyed lettuce and cilantro. </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UPBc6NmqbzQX-jqm0YQPfcjMI2vAqByirVuXZeiKI1ksb8ZYVN-HYwOFoFdgfe8tTiu1BJxMtE-P1OwQdaSb7fpOg2kreRl0jbvchqJfgU458R5ogqV9JnY4fJ-xpKAS_sXM0ouIP1I/s2016/IMG_1396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UPBc6NmqbzQX-jqm0YQPfcjMI2vAqByirVuXZeiKI1ksb8ZYVN-HYwOFoFdgfe8tTiu1BJxMtE-P1OwQdaSb7fpOg2kreRl0jbvchqJfgU458R5ogqV9JnY4fJ-xpKAS_sXM0ouIP1I/w150-h200/IMG_1396.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>We played with sticks and dirt and rocks and built bridges and forts and habitats for cicadas. We discovered so many spaces around the synagogue building that we had to give them special names. We needed a shared language so we could talk to each other about where we were going. In addition to the sukkah courtyard and amphitheater, classes played in the secret garden, by the climbing tree, in the field, and in the forest.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVKT6cJtWTelBcd3SjUHboYsgn-sBa8_2dC1rPMHYVnY_sT5d3XDdhL-6X8fPaciz48n3ntpyYmBOoJOtAkL6z0BfalpfVGwjtWc0AphinD-BcIAN5P3T_pLAwepVj7pspkCuQ6xpfHs/s2016/IMG_1410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVKT6cJtWTelBcd3SjUHboYsgn-sBa8_2dC1rPMHYVnY_sT5d3XDdhL-6X8fPaciz48n3ntpyYmBOoJOtAkL6z0BfalpfVGwjtWc0AphinD-BcIAN5P3T_pLAwepVj7pspkCuQ6xpfHs/w150-h200/IMG_1410.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We also created new spaces. We hope you'll enjoy the Preschool Havdalah Herb Garden near the back parking lot and that you stumble upon the painted tree stumps in the secret garden behind the front parking lot. We worked with parent volunteers to enhance these spaces to make them even more beautiful and intentional. We have another project in mind, and we invite you to help us build it. We're planning on creating a Seven Species Garden in the grassy area to the left of the glass parking lot doors. We hope to build a new raised garden bed in the shape of a Star of David. We want to plant a fig tree and see if we can grow pomegranates. We imagine steppingstones and benches for wandering and resting. Like all the other spaces described so far, this will be another space that everyone in our community will be able to enjoy.</span><br /></span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGr5LvUX3Gau2aZDaCX1AHoH3hEZpESfXSPgazRRwPtAWqw3HSX2TdM5oeYmpFo9dYQkbv1-FhBmlNKl1YpTLrwRtJEQOrTZA_HD40K6A3FGHMn9VB2ybg6mmPGaKFA4e87e1ymkkjOUc/s2016/IMG_1431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGr5LvUX3Gau2aZDaCX1AHoH3hEZpESfXSPgazRRwPtAWqw3HSX2TdM5oeYmpFo9dYQkbv1-FhBmlNKl1YpTLrwRtJEQOrTZA_HD40K6A3FGHMn9VB2ybg6mmPGaKFA4e87e1ymkkjOUc/w150-h200/IMG_1431.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />We'll be looking for gardeners and carpenters and anyone with a passion for outdoor learning. Stay tuned for more details and thank you in advance. Have a wonderful summer and see you in September!</span></span></div><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="background-color: white;" /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-19739040077706485052021-05-14T12:42:00.003-07:002021-05-14T12:42:29.746-07:00Shavuot -- Do we really need all these rules?<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4SsL0iDVk7qaGZMWQEqORjeBqrGFk4yM5CdDfQ6FxWduK00ukTZY_EZ9qkt6oOmDS4Iuz_uOaMnoKvWtmp2dM0BorVJ1yJteM5u1XRE26m_7R_IRJ9B6Tv9IhimQHddO9oRCbUhaNLs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="574" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4SsL0iDVk7qaGZMWQEqORjeBqrGFk4yM5CdDfQ6FxWduK00ukTZY_EZ9qkt6oOmDS4Iuz_uOaMnoKvWtmp2dM0BorVJ1yJteM5u1XRE26m_7R_IRJ9B6Tv9IhimQHddO9oRCbUhaNLs/w400-h163/image.png" width="400" /></a></span></div></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We've quite literally been counting down the days until our next holiday, Shavuot, which begins in a few days. Starting on the second night of Passover, we count every day until we reach 50. Since we celebrate receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai on Shavuot, it makes sense that the holiday is linked to Passover. After leaving Egypt, the Israelites spent seven weeks in the desert before entering into the covenant with God.</span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><span>Most people know The Ten Commandments, and some assume that they are the foundation of the Jewish moral code. But the Torah actually contains 613 commandments if you count every time God says "Do this" and "Don't do that" to the Jewish people. Some of those 613 are now impossible for us to observe (bringing sacrifices to the Temple) and some probably seem downright ridiculous to many of us now (not wearing clothing made with both linen and wool). But there are many others in those 613 that are, in my opinion, just as important as The Top Ten:</span><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are commanded to pay workers the day they complete their work so as not to take advantage of them: "On his day you should give his wages, the sun should not set on it, because he is a poor man and his life depends on it…"</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Do not put a stumbling block before the blind," which can be interpreted to mean that we shouldn't put any kind of barrier in front of anyone on their way to success or happiness</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Love your neighbor as yourself."</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>Children can most definitely relate to Shavuot and its celebration of the Torah, which in so many ways is a how-to book of rights and wrongs. Children thrive when they know what the rules are, when clear boundaries and expectations have been outlined and are enforced. Children feel more secure knowing that there are limits to their behavior, as well as the behavior of others. They feel safer and become more confident as a result. </span><br /><span><br /></span><span>A great story to share with your children is<span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><i>No Rules for Michael</i><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>by Sylvia A. Rouss. Michael thinks school would be more fun without rules, so his teacher (wisely) suggests a day without rules. Quickly Michael becomes frustrated and sad. At the end of the book he says, "No one will listen to me. No one will give me a turn. No one will share. I guess rules are important. Rules show people how to care about each other."</span><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div>Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-67398925225667114632021-02-05T07:05:00.000-08:002021-02-05T07:05:15.248-08:00Shabbat Bags and the Family Prayer<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"More than the Jewish people have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews." </span></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">-- Ahad Ha'am</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnY-5n_1yAJAY2LMsuDJrFGquKbKnJAkHisfHj58UEYLuZfRI8vYklUuwZbfAHF3rcRu8LrsgII-RS1HOULZcAfa3UhFofxJXNOOj48sXDauHbdgylJeFKz7nGU5nqFKdxeOXKu8eQqmI/s956/Shabbat+clipart.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="661" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnY-5n_1yAJAY2LMsuDJrFGquKbKnJAkHisfHj58UEYLuZfRI8vYklUuwZbfAHF3rcRu8LrsgII-RS1HOULZcAfa3UhFofxJXNOOj48sXDauHbdgylJeFKz7nGU5nqFKdxeOXKu8eQqmI/w276-h400/Shabbat+clipart.png" width="276" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Over the past few weeks, our friends have been busy making kiddush cups, candle sticks, challah covers, and/or tzedekah boxes to fill their very own Shabbat Bags. In the past, each class has shared a Shabbat Bag, with a different friend taking the bag home each week. Things are a little different this year. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">Today, every child will go home with the ritual items and a copy of the blessings needed to make Shabbat, and every week we'll send a friend home with a bottle of grape juice, candles, and baby challahs from our neighbors at Great Harvest. We hope you'll take a picture of your family celebrating (or getting ready to celebrate) Shabbat and send them to your child's teacher to share on the class blog. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Whatever your family's faith tradition or level of observance, we hope you find this family dinner tradition as meaningful as we do. </span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;">In thinking about what we hope each family will take away from this experience, I could only think of the 'family prayer' we say at my house every Friday night:</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">We thank You, God, for enabling us to welcome this Shabbat day together.</span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are grateful for the happiness of our home and for our caring and loving family.</span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are thankful for the blessings of the past week: for life and health, for laughter and friendship; for the opportunity to work, to learn, and to grow.</span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Where these have been lacking, may the coming week be better.</span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><i>We pray that the peacefulness of Shabbat will refresh and inspire us so that the week ahead will be one of blessing and accomplishment for <b>each of us</b>. </i>(Emphasis added at my house!)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;">(from Siddur Sim Shalom)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shabbat Shalom!<br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;">a different version originally posted February 17, 2017</span></div>Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-2574420203768917432020-12-15T10:49:00.000-08:002020-12-15T10:49:08.166-08:00Three Reasons Why This is One of the Best Years Ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZzKAru2WCNmEjC6WAVRohJ3jE_jAJHLt_Lls5RFsYYD3lJ2mZYbjEXpHeG-8XucIL0pVwYsrgyzZFBS8i_rwwIqcu0lfjgCz0tavZ3XUgNEy5LYqy1ghbHaoaZh1L9x4rJMGV3T6Vf8/s511/tree+birds+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZzKAru2WCNmEjC6WAVRohJ3jE_jAJHLt_Lls5RFsYYD3lJ2mZYbjEXpHeG-8XucIL0pVwYsrgyzZFBS8i_rwwIqcu0lfjgCz0tavZ3XUgNEy5LYqy1ghbHaoaZh1L9x4rJMGV3T6Vf8/s320/tree+birds+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The 2020-2021 school year, which we approached with a lot of uncertainty and a degree of trepidation, has so far proven to be one of the best years ever. Parents and teachers alike have said numerous times that there's something special about this year. While we truly missed helping the children prepare food to share with their families at our annual Thanksgiving feast, and we've missed gathering as a whole school every week for Shabbat, there have been benefits to this school year that few of us were expecting.</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">We've slowed down.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ask any teacher what they wish for most and I guarantee the majority will answer "time." Teachers never have enough time. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This year, because we're cohorting, the same two teachers stay with the same small group of children all day long. In a more typical year, a child who is in school from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm might engage with ten different teachers and 20 different children in three different classroom spaces. Thanks to cohorting, the classes this year are more cohesive, and there are hours more opportunities every single day for the teachers and children to learn together. There are far fewer transitions during the day which creates a calmer atmosphere and allows everyone the time to really focus on the tasks at hand. Classes eat when they're hungry and nap when they're tired. Routines are more natural. Everyone feels at home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>We play outside all the time.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">All. The. Time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You might find us planting a garden. Or swinging from the "climbing tree." Or exploring the "fairy garden" behind the parking lot or the "field" by the rabbi's house or the "woods" across the street. Classes take walks around the block, even when it's pouring rain, and jump in every puddle they find. They identify letters and numbers on license plates. They wave at firefighters driving down the street. They look for butterflies and bees in our neighbor's natural habitat garden. The go swimming in giant piles of leaves and find bugs in the dirt and poke at funny looking fungi that grow out of tree stumps. All the while their bodies and minds are being challenged by these experiences. They're growing and learning in ways they simply can't inside a building.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">These spaces and these opportunities were always there, but it wasn't until we were compelled by necessity to spend more time outside that we realized what we'd been missing out on all along.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Our community has grown stronger.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There is a palpable element of trust and respect between the families and the school this year. The parents are grateful that we've reopened, and the teachers are grateful to be back at work. The children are grateful to be with their friends. We've all taken our commitment to each other's health and safety very seriously. Our communication is open, honest, and frequent. We know how lucky we are because not all schools have re-opened and not all school re-openings have been so successful. We know it is not a cliche to say that we're all in this <i>b'yachad</i>, together. </span></div></div>Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-70409170271709020522020-12-04T08:04:00.004-08:002020-12-04T08:04:39.551-08:00The Potential for Light<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Everyone knows the story of Chanukah:</span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #212121;">The Macabees, a family of Jewish freedom fighters, won a war against Israel's occupiers, the Syrian-Greeks. </span><span style="color: #212121;">The Jews reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated. </span><span style="color: #212121;">They set out to make it holy again, and so they looked for oil to light the menorah. But they found only enough oil to last one night.<span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span><span style="color: #212121;">Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, which is why, to celebrate Chanukah (which means dedication), we light candles and eat food fried in oil for eight nights.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #212121;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #212121; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVA75jLF94E5EFwCVfZMUo8MAfRDkciu3wgwVO45DfB0FP4IjwRKELCduLPzbWNjXTJfJTK7akJeEKGAEzbHToKfWTkoXIfHh23v98xi0Nuksw6BO9jw3yIQJuIdWwL5U5zpb7SIMEK4/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1600" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVA75jLF94E5EFwCVfZMUo8MAfRDkciu3wgwVO45DfB0FP4IjwRKELCduLPzbWNjXTJfJTK7akJeEKGAEzbHToKfWTkoXIfHh23v98xi0Nuksw6BO9jw3yIQJuIdWwL5U5zpb7SIMEK4/" width="320" /></a></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, we’re commanded to light the candles, but how? Two of the greatest sages of all time, Hillel and Shammai, debated the proper way to light the Chanukah menorah, or</span><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">chanukiah</i><span style="font-family: verdana;">.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #212121; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #212121; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shammai believed you should begin with the “days remaining,” meaning you start with eight candles. Each night you light one fewer candle. In this way, the light decreases.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #212121; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #212121; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hillel believed you should begin with the “days completed,” meaning you start with one candle and add one each night, thereby increasing the light each day.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #212121; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #212121; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hillel, whose opinion we follow, realized you should celebrate the<span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><i>potential<span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></i>of the commandment and the<span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><i>potential<span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></i>for light. Each night you light candles, you realize not only how many days you’ve celebrated, but how many days you still have to celebrate. The light never diminishes, it only increases, becoming more beautiful each night. As the light grows, so does your joy in the miracle. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #212121; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #212121; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It's important sometimes to take a moment to reflect not just on what's to come, but on what's been achieved. This is especially true when those big life transitions are right around the corner. So, each night before we light the candles this year, we should pause, think about and take joy in our past accomplishments, and then imagine what the future may bring.</span><br /></span></div><div><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-63001535810239728262020-11-13T10:10:00.001-08:002020-11-13T10:10:53.438-08:00Shabbat Blessings -- Our Children<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">A few weeks ago we started reading the first book of the Torah, </span><i style="background-color: white;">Breishit (</i><span style="background-color: white;">Genesis). It's in these stories that we meet the patriarchs and matriarchs and learn how the Ancient Israelites ended up in Egypt generations later.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wvKqjszI7btohBG0a0ofE_WFD8f1kKy9VCGpILIcIlevjEO_cg5RNbvRP0e-5c4-a7JhDnPxb7JZYUojaWc1MDXXSQchJa01wAPU2clYwcn_wn6K9lkVdrfITzq3xgcxuGdKQP19-6s/s255/Shabbat+blessing+children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="255" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wvKqjszI7btohBG0a0ofE_WFD8f1kKy9VCGpILIcIlevjEO_cg5RNbvRP0e-5c4-a7JhDnPxb7JZYUojaWc1MDXXSQchJa01wAPU2clYwcn_wn6K9lkVdrfITzq3xgcxuGdKQP19-6s/w320-h164/Shabbat+blessing+children.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">A lot of "blessing" goes on in these stories. Gob blesses Abraham, Isaac blesses Jacob (a blessing Jacob steals from his brother Esau), and Jacob blesses the sons of his son Joseph, Ephraim and Menashe. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">The "priestly blessing," known to many, refers to this blessing of Jacob's. </span><span style="background-color: white;">It has become traditional for Jewish mothers and fathers to give their sons and daughters this blessing on Friday evenings, often right after lighting Shabbat candles.</span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;">This can be a very meaningful moment for parents and their children. Parents often place their hands on their children's heads while reciting the blessings. In my experience, children, once they become teenagers, pretend to not like this tradition anymore. I think they secretly love it, because they know it's a demonstration of their parents' love for them.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;">In English, the blessings are:</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;">For boys: May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;">For girls: May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;">For both: May God bless you and keep you. May God's light shine upon you and be gracious to you. May God's face be turned toward you and give you peace.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;">To learn more, and for the blessings in Hebrew, check out the link below.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.bimbam.com/how-to-say-the-jewish-blessing-over-children/">Bim Bam</a> (video)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And check out this great article: <a href="https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-blessing-children-on-shabbat-models-unconditional-love/">How Blessing Children on Shabbat Models Unconditional Love</a>.</span></div>Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-82242537780879832212020-10-29T10:32:00.000-07:002020-10-29T10:32:44.232-07:00The Science of Shabbat Dinner<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Every now and then I’ll come across a study that seems to confirm the importance or validity of a Jewish tradition. This happened a few years ago when I read about the research promoting the importance of the family dinner and immediately connected it with the Friday night Shabbat meal. In addition to the traditional and spiritual benefits of celebrating Shabbat as a family, there are countless other benefits to simply sitting down together a few times a week to enjoy a meal together.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFzyLecOM18MQOeD41DHilPh7m6gB3j0nVKOcleo1_Fwi5Zi8BjUijiyH7e7I8GZpikN_H4eHRFX6VpcJvMQkmd9FTv260C4fhnV2PV7Ztpy4tFSXapoX-gmBRd0SQq1FK0GLTqz35l8/s956/Shabbat+clipart.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="661" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFzyLecOM18MQOeD41DHilPh7m6gB3j0nVKOcleo1_Fwi5Zi8BjUijiyH7e7I8GZpikN_H4eHRFX6VpcJvMQkmd9FTv260C4fhnV2PV7Ztpy4tFSXapoX-gmBRd0SQq1FK0GLTqz35l8/s320/Shabbat+clipart.png" /></a></span></div><p></p><div class="MsoNormal"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">From The Family Dinner Project (thefamilydinnerproject.org): <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">Over the past 15 years researchers have confirmed what parents have known for a long time: sharing a family meal is good for the spirit, the brain and the health of all family members. Recent studies link regular family dinners with many behaviors that parents pray for: lower rates of substance abuse, teen pregnancy and depression, as well as higher grade-point averages and self-esteem. Studies also indicate that dinner conversation is a more potent vocabulary-booster than reading, and the stories told around the kitchen table help our children build resilience. The icing on the cake is that regular family meals also lower the rates of obesity and eating disorders in children and adolescents.</span></i><span style="background: white;"> Shabbat affords families the perfect opportunity to reap these benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">While there are <a href="https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/shabbat-for-families/" target="_blank">certain customs associated with the Shabbat meal</a>, in my opinion there’s really no wrong way to celebrate Shabbat. Families shouldn’t feel so overwhelmed by the “do’s” and “don’ts” of Shabbat that they hesitate to give it a try. Start with what is familiar, and build from there. You’re worried that you don’t have time to make a traditional meal? Or no one will like it? If your kids love pizza, and if ordering a pizza gives you the time to sit down as a family, then order the pizza. And have Oreos for dessert. Maybe some of the meal’s rituals don’t resonate with your family for whatever reason. Don’t force it. Find or create traditions that do have meaning for your family. Maybe instead of reciting the traditional priestly blessing for the children you tell them something about themselves that makes you proud. Whatever your family make-up or level of observance, it’s about finding the time to be together as a family that’s most important.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">And if you'd like to join your friends at Agudas Achim for Shabbat, <a href="https://www.agudasachim-va.org/young-families-shabbat.html" target="_blank">visit our website</a>. We've tried to come up with a variety of programming to meet the needs of all families. Maybe we'll see you soon!</span></div>Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-24521601186887982902020-10-09T06:47:00.000-07:002020-10-09T06:47:01.526-07:00Here's to Another FANTASTIC Year<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdLjxYiaXxtrvgiIMls3DwbpvWTT6sB3xc4A7lGbndBOReIxaApQoZ0gr6b2c_h9ykMa2D1IwreMyvX48Ir1ywRgDwLbt_-_U0hhd_YpP9VU0wZzWzz5m1FJ_PaPpbsf4PZ97F7iUomo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdLjxYiaXxtrvgiIMls3DwbpvWTT6sB3xc4A7lGbndBOReIxaApQoZ0gr6b2c_h9ykMa2D1IwreMyvX48Ir1ywRgDwLbt_-_U0hhd_YpP9VU0wZzWzz5m1FJ_PaPpbsf4PZ97F7iUomo/w303-h320/image.png" width="303" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">As I wrote to the parents last June:</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><i>Our school year started on September 3. And then it started all over again on March 13. This has been a year none of us will ever forget. </i></span><p></p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This school year started on September 8, and I simply cannot find enough words to convey how happy we all are to be back at school. The children skipped into the classrooms with huge smiles on their faces (as evident by their twinkling eyes seen above their masks) and the teachers welcomed them with open arms (and virtual hugs). We're adjusting to new routines and procedures, but the sounds of joyful laughter and learning are once again being carried through the halls of our building.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We could not have arrived at such a successful re-opening without the efforts of dozens and dozens of people. A huge thank you to preschool vice-presidents Alex Perry and Melissa Siskind; all the members of the synagogue's 19-20 and 20-21 Boards of Directors; the synagogue's COVID safety committee; and the members of the preschool's re-opening group (Meg Whelpley, Hattie Gore, Doug Fagen, and Sue Finger).</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks also go to Barry Nove, Glenn Mays, Diana Weil, Rachel Goldberg, and KB the Magnificent (people who work in the synagogue's main office) for everything they did behind the scenes. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And to Rabbi Rein and Hazzan Dienstfrey, thank you for checking in on me and supporting me in ways I didn't even know I needed support. You have no idea what it meant to me.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Finally, to the preschool teachers and the preschool families, thank you for joining us on this journey this year. <span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We are a</span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span class="x_markeqbqs1jpp" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">kehillah</span> <span class="x_markr3qhhcps4" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">kedoshah</span></i></span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, a sacred community built on covenantal relationships. At no other time have these words meant so much. Families, you have entrusted us to care for your children during this time, and it is a responsibility and a privilege we take very seriously. </span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We are all in this</span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>b’yachad</i></span><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, together. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you for everything! Here's to a fantastic year.</span></span></div>Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-76795732209389017992020-06-12T00:00:00.000-07:002020-06-12T00:00:04.848-07:00Thank You for a FANTASTIC Year<br />
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<img alt="Readers Discuss Monarch-Butterfly Migration - The Atlantic" height="180" src="https://cdn.theatlantic.com/thumbor/y_fdqDAT9oDzGeO4YFplDnTBgNk=/0x31:3279x1875/720x405/media/img/mt/2019/07/RTSNR6T/original.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our school year started on September 3. And then it started all over again on March 13.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This has been a year none of us will ever forget. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I cannot imagine getting through this time without each and every one of you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To every extraordinary teacher, for going above and beyond in ways you could never have possibly imagined, meeting the challenges head-on, successfully, day after day, inspiring each other in the process: thank you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To every family, for being there for us with your kind and supportive words, for your patience as we learned something new, your donations, and your faith in us: thank you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To the synagogue lay leadership, for working with us to overcome challenges none of us could have anticipated and for supporting us in our mission: thank you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To the staff at the synagogue, for everything you have done, day in and day out, to help me personally and to enable the preschool to operate virtually: thank you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, most importantly, to the children, for sharing your smiles and your laughter and for brightening our days when we needed it most: thank you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a wonderful summer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See you next year!</span><br />
<br />Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-41434305519156013372020-06-05T09:16:00.000-07:002020-06-05T09:16:19.577-07:00Summer Time Outdoor Play Spaces<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRmVvVxee_xKPCLVhnl5NQQp7M6Fx32oB7zgJTb5PNoBSxnKuF1tndukHsomYpjuPJnOK1DV8fJ3Ytk7MT3i2CePRW0wvbIKWFnXZi27xORt_F1EHAV2dp_if_BauZRfUh9qMAZkWc40/s1600/Page+0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRmVvVxee_xKPCLVhnl5NQQp7M6Fx32oB7zgJTb5PNoBSxnKuF1tndukHsomYpjuPJnOK1DV8fJ3Ytk7MT3i2CePRW0wvbIKWFnXZi27xORt_F1EHAV2dp_if_BauZRfUh9qMAZkWc40/s400/Page+0001.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've always known that young children should have opportunities to play outside as often as possible. Now we're learning that being outside during this particular time helps mitigate the spread of coronavirus. Since most of us will spend most of the next few months at home, there's no better time to think about finding or creating outdoor place spaces for your children to enjoy this summer. No matter how small your yard, opportunities abound.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <a href="https://www.nwf.org/Home/Kids-and-Family/Connecting-Kids-and-Nature/Nature-Play-Spaces" target="_blank">National Wildlife Federation</a> has created an incredible and comprehensive guide for families: <i><a href="https://www.nwf.org/-/media/PDFs/Be-Out-There/NPatHome_Guidelines20120823.ashx?la=en&hash=29825E325AD8DEFE90093F629D5FA51EF44D5098" target="_blank">Nature Play at Home, A Guide for Boosting Your Children's Healthy Development and Creativity</a></i>. The guide explains the social-emotional, physical, and cognitive benefits of outdoor play and includes beautiful photographs and simple directions. Here are some examples of what you'll find inside:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><u>1 Shovel level of difficulty </u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<b>Loose Parts</b> (natural and not) include almost any found object or play material that increases play and
learning. To start, gather some of nature’s loose parts already present in your yard.
Children’s creativity is driven by anything that can be manipulated, changed, or moved around. Rather than
purchasing toys for your children play to with outdoors, consider recycling and reusing everyday objects
and taking stock of what nature provides for free!"</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91FdRCRXu9L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nature Play at Home: Creating Outdoor Spaces that Connect Children ..." border="0" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91FdRCRXu9L.jpg" width="283" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>2-4 Shovels level of difficulty</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<b>Adventure Pathways</b> create opportunities for repeated exploration
and adventure, even in relatively small yards. Pathways can be
simple: a footpath around the edge of the site sneaking around trees
and bushy plants. Complexity can be added with logs, stumps, rocks,
stepping stones, and other obstacles to balance, jump or clamber
around. A looped pathway is more enticing. To a child it feels like it
leads to a secret place.
In larger sites, other settings along the path increase the sense of
adventure and mystery. Settings such as backyard habitat, gathering
places, grass mazes or fairy villages work well along a pathway."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>4 Shovels level of difficulty</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<b>Vine Teepees</b> are structures of six poles, six to eight feet long,
made of bamboo, sturdy branches, or painted PVC. The poles are
secured at the top and covered with climbing vines. Teepees create
mysterious, natural, private, child-sized spaces."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another very similar and fantastic resource is <i>Nature Play at Home</i> by Nancy Striniste. For more on loose parts, perfect any time of year, check out <i>Loose Parts, Inspiring Play in Young Children </i>by Lisa Daly and Miriam Beloglovsky.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a great summer!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-77921087110868132942020-05-22T00:00:00.000-07:002020-05-22T00:00:02.129-07:00Such a Busy Week!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Memorial Day, Bike Day, and Shavuot, Oh My!</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Celebrate Memorial Day on Monday</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/american-flag-cake-recipe-2096905" target="_blank">Make an American flag cake</a> (and explore shapes, counting, patterning, and fractions at the same time -- if you use strawberries instead of raspberries you can cut them in half or in quarters)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Join Us for Bike Day on Wednesday</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Check your weekly email for all the details!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Celebrate Shavuot on Friday</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.michigan.gov/documents/explorelabscience/Ice_Cream_in_a_Bag_578220_7.pdf" target="_blank">Make ice cream</a> (and explore science and math concepts at the same time)</span></li>
<li><a href="https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/why-dairy-on-shavuot/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why do we eat dairy foods on Shavuot? Why not?!?</span></a></li>
</ul>
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<br />Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-17537520651860490382020-05-15T00:00:00.000-07:002020-05-15T00:00:00.524-07:00STEAM Challenge - A House for the Three Little Pigs<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This activity will keep you busy all week!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Read a variety of Three Little Pigs books. Ask your child how the books are the same and how they're different. Ask which one is their favorite and why. Act out the story together. Have them tell you the story in their own words. Write and illustrate a family version of the story together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Take a walk around your neighborhood and notice all the different kinds of houses. What do all houses have in common? How are some houses different from other houses? When you get home, draw pictures of the houses you saw. Draw a picture of your own house. Draw a picture of your dream house.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ask why the pigs' straw and stick houses blew down but their brick house didn't. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gather </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">straws, skewers, craft sticks, toothpicks, pencils, crayons, wood pieces, sticks, coffee stirrers, leaves, paper cups, etc.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tape, binder clips, rubber bands, glue, paper clips, staplers, etc.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">scissors</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Legos, blocks, K'nex, etc.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Build different kinds of houses using different materials. Predict which ones will blow down (and why). Test out your theory by trying to blow the houses down! Use your breath, a paper fan, or an electric fan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When the houses fall down, try re-building them so that they don't blow down the next time. Keep trying!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Remember, it's not about building a strong house the first time. It's about figuring out why some houses fell down and others didn't. What kinds of materials are strongest? Which design is sturdiest? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's also about overcoming frustration and realizing that we've learned something even when our experiment has failed. We learned what didn't work. (Thomas Edison usually gets credit for that quote.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As always, the best questions to ask during this process are: Why do you think that happened? What would happen if . . .? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From: <i>Making and Tinkering with STEM, Solving Design Challenges with Young Children</i> by Cate Heroman (NAEYC, 2017)</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<br />Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-58891193752280923302020-05-08T00:00:00.000-07:002020-05-08T00:00:02.411-07:00Staying Busy with Stuff You Have at Home<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Literacy</u>: Name Game</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On index cards, write each letter of your child's name</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mix the cards up and have your child put them in order</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once they've mastered their first name, play with their last name, their middle name, and family members' names</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Numeracy</u>: Egg Carton Counting</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Write the numbers 1-12 in the spaces in an empty egg carton</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Give your child raisins, cheerios, or other small items</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have them fill the spaces with the correct number of items</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Problem Solving</u>: What Will Grow?</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Talk with your children about how plants grow</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">See what they know and fill in the gaps in their understanding</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Conduct an experiment to deepen their understanding</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fill cups with dirt</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Plant orange and apple seeds, unpeeled garlic cloves, chunks of potatoes, beans, etc.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Also plant dried fruit, cereal, egg shells, cheese, etc.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Make predictions and see what happens! </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Motor</u>: Hot Lava Game</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Spread pillows or small towels around the floor</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have your child jump from pillow to pillow (or towel to towel)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't fall in the hot lava!</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Arts and Crafts</u>: Painting Without a Paintbrush</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Paint (or print) with toothpicks, cotton balls, Q-tips, cut-up sponges, plastic spoons or forks, bubble wrap, yarn, magnetic letters, etc.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Music</u>: Make a Shaker</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Decorate an empty water bottle and fill it with beans, popcorn kernels, buttons, pony beads, etc.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cut a paper plate in half and staple the edges together, decorate, and fill with same as above</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Drama</u>: Clean Out Your Closet AND Create a Dress-Up Corner</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Your child will LOVE dressing up in your old skirts, scarves, dress shirts, jackets, ties, costume jewelry, hair accessories, and shoes and playing with your old briefcases, wallets, purses, keys, and cell phones</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Social-Emotional</u>: Plan a Party</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Involve your child in planning a ZOOM party</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Who to invite?</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When to meet?</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Where to meet? (everyone's backyard or kitchen, a nearby park?)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What to eat? (everyone makes a fruit salad? or pizza?)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What to sing/play/or talk about? What's the theme?</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With thanks to <i>The Preschooler's Busy Book</i> by Trish Kuffner for the inspiration</span><br />
<br />
<br />Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-2361170350387057042020-05-01T00:00:00.000-07:002020-05-01T05:56:28.663-07:00More Resources for Parents <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week CNN partnered with Sesame Street for a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2020/04/25/entire-cnn-sesame-street-coronavirus-town-hall-part-1-vpx.cnn" target="_blank">Coronavirus Town Hall for Children and Parents</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From The Washington Post, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/04/27/life-lockdown-is-testing-parents-bandwidth-heres-how-protect-your-mental-energy/" target="_blank">learn how to protect your mental energy</a> by saying "I don't" instead of "I can't"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sign up for (free) webinars entitled <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/embracing-chaos-cultivating-presence-in-your-family-life-tickets-102610655232" target="_blank">Embracing Chaos & Cultivating Presence in your Family Life</a> offered by <a href="http://ayeka.org.il/" target="_blank">Ayeka</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From Washington Post, the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/04/28/parents-guide-education-resources-coronavirus/?arc404=true" target="_blank">"ultimate parents' guide to education and activities"</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From CNN, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/27/health/children-mental-health-quarantine-coronavirus-wellness/index.html" target="_blank">for reassurances that your children are probably doing just fine</a>, the unexpected effects of quarantine</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From The New York Times, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/30/parenting/children-helping-at-home-coronavirus.html?referringSource=articleShare" target="_blank">learn how to stop entertaining your child and turn them into a productive co-worker</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From Vox, <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/4/30/21233061/children-coronavirus-questions-child-specialist" target="_blank">read about why it's so important to be honest with your child about coronavirus</a></span>Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-86759263733383169852020-04-24T11:35:00.000-07:002020-04-24T12:54:48.039-07:00Not All Screen Time is Created Equal<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've known that I wanted to write about screen time for awhile now, so I was very happy to see <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/24/well/mind/screen-life-balance-computers-phones-quarantine-shelter-social-distancing-virus.html?referringSource=articleShare" target="_blank">this article in this morning's New York Times</a>. Catherine Price hits on all the points I'd wanted to make, and more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our notions of screen time have changed dramatically in the past six weeks, as have our notions about just about everything else. I've come to realize that not all screen time is created equal. There is a huge difference between spending time talking with grandparents and connecting with preschool friends on ZOOM and mindlessly playing video games. Watching a high quality television show together as a family can be a meaningful experience, whereas everyone staring at their own screen during dinner most certainly is not. Using the internet to find information or learn a new skill is not the same as watching YouTube videos all day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Price explains this by talking about the 3 Cs: consumption, creation, and connection. "<span style="background-color: white;">Once you’ve identified your screen time 'essentials,' it’s time to think about your leisure time (or what passes for it these days). Identify which of these 'C's feels good to you, and in what doses. Then brainstorm ways to do each both on- and off-screen. Bonus points if you ask yourself what kind of consumption, creation and connection makes you feel the best."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bottom line: Don't worry too much about screen time right now. It's how you engage with the screen that matters more than how much time you spend doing it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.acps.k12.va.us/acpstv" target="_blank">Go To Preschool/Kindergarten with ACPS every day</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/met-tours/storytime-in-nolen-library/virtual-storytime?=&eid=R002_%7BD07F2938-5E17-4797-AC11-A89592CFFC07%7D_20200423120000&=&program=Virtual+Events&location=main%7Cbreuer%7Ccloisters&startDate=4%2F21%2F2020+3%3A42%3A13+PM&page=1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Museum&utm_campaign=2020_0423_Met_VirtualEvents&cs=" target="_blank">Go to Storytime with the Met every Thursday</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/" target="_blank">Visit the Cincinnati Zoo</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams" target="_blank">Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://virtualtour.mountvernon.org/" target="_blank">Visit Mount Vernon</a></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Have you found other good virtual tours or online experiences? Please share in the comments section below.</span><br />
<br />Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-45983555291132473332020-04-20T05:18:00.000-07:002020-04-20T05:18:32.537-07:00Follow Their Lead<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Written a month ago (and sent to me a month ago by a colleague), <a href="http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2020/03/there-are-plenty-of-things-to-worry.html" target="_blank">this essay</a> still resonates. And yes, even though we're only five weeks into this new normal, some of what Teacher Tom says might seem outdated by now. But the overall point he makes remains true: "Young children were built for this. Young children are the masters of learning from whatever life throws at them."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been thinking a lot lately about what we mean when we talk about education, and I've realized that we're all talking about different things. For some, education is strictly book learning: reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic. For others, it's about learning how to be an important part of a family, a community, and a society. For most, it's somewhere in the vast in-between.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's very easy to feel stressed right now. As this crisis evolves, we're given new opportunities to feel anxious almost every day. But I believe what Teacher Tom believes, and that's that our young children will come through the other end of this just fine, especially if we follow their lead. Let them show you the way; let them show you what they're ready to learn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Eventually, I promise, they will show you that they're ready to learn their letters. But right now, in this moment, they might need to spend 30 minutes trying to figure out how to get a stuck toy out of a tree, and might literally throw everything they've got at it. Let them do it. Don't make them stop to do something else that you think is more important. Let them find their own solution to a real-life problem. Let them flex their problem solving muscles and practice those skills in a relevant and meaningful way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And when they come to you later, a little lost and needing a little direction, know that so much of what we have at home and do at home can provide delightful and meaningful experiences for young children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wash the Dishes</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fill the sink with soapy water, a sponge, and non-breakables and ask your child to help you wash the dishes. (motor and social-emotional skills)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do the Laundry</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ask your child to separate the lights from the darks, put the detergent into the machine and push the buttons, and match the socks and fold the dishtowels. (motor, language, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Set the Table</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Give your child the job of setting the table every day for every meal. Even if they're too young to carry plates, they can still put out the placemats, fold the napkins, and count the forks. (motor, numeracy, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills)</span></li>
</ul>
<br />Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-73041015329499979132020-04-07T00:00:00.000-07:002020-04-07T00:00:05.891-07:00Getting Ready for Passover - Make Chocolate Matzah!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This chocolate matzah is truly addictive. You've been warned!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Children can easily help with all but the middle steps.</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 375.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Line two baking sheets with foil (to help with clean up) and then put parchment paper on top of that.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Break <b>5-6 matzahs</b> into pieces and spread them out on the baking sheets, making sure not to overlap.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Melt <b>two sticks of butter</b> and <b>one cup of firmly packed brown sugar</b> in a medium-size pot on the stove on medium heat.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil (about 2-4 minutes). Allow to boil and stir constantly for another 3-4 minutes. You'll know it's done when the mixture pulls away from the pot a little bit.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">VERY CAREFULLY pour the very hot mixture all over the matzah. Use a spatula to spread it around, making sure all matzah pieces are covered.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Put the matzah in the oven and immediately turn the temperature down to 350. Let the matzahs bake for about 15 minutes. Check every few minutes to make sure they aren't burning. If they're browning too quickly, reduce the temperature to 325.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Remove from oven and sprinkle with <b>chocolate chips</b>. Give them a minute to get all melty, then use a spatula to spread the chocolate around. You can also add <b>chopped nuts</b>, <b>kosher salt</b>, or <b>sprinkles</b>.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Put in the freezer to give everything a little time to firm up. Break the matzah into bite-size pieces. Store in the freezer.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Try not to eat it all at once!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This version of chocolate matzah comes from Marcy Goldman's <i>A Treasury of Jewish Holiday Baking</i>, found on Epicurious (online), 2010.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-44933247710155247032020-04-06T00:00:00.000-07:002020-04-06T00:00:00.209-07:00Getting Ready for Passover - Make Charoset!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Charoset is one of the traditional foods served at seder. It represents the bricks the Hebrew slaves were forced to make in Egypt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Ashkenazi communities, it's usually made with apples, nuts, and spices. In Sephardic communities, it's usually made with dried fruits.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is super easy to make with children. Have fun!</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Peel and chop three <b>red apples</b></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chop a handful of <b>walnuts</b></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Add ½ tsp. <b>ginger</b>, ½ tsp. <b>cinnamon</b>, 1 ½ T <b>sugar</b></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Add 3 T <b>grape juice</b></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mix well and refrigerate for a hour or two before eating.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Eat for breakfast all week with matzah and cream cheese. B'tayavon!</span>Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-74798400840984213372020-04-03T00:00:00.000-07:002020-04-03T00:00:02.730-07:00Our Community Garden<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had such plans for our gardens and grounds this spring! We wanted to build new garden beds, clean up the flower beds, and create a beautiful natural play space for the children around the climbing tree.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3jfo_qqxBHFS34wXX4EBffibDNqsZuoAMcYbGXqaFNKTxq-y523WrdFz7xs8-rp_Db8SXg7Y2G3bE8Tmmt3KTCQbUyEGrfXXky144KqJk0qUkjaP60twLTlJ5HBPItFy7xcpZL79L1g/s1600/Community+Garden+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3jfo_qqxBHFS34wXX4EBffibDNqsZuoAMcYbGXqaFNKTxq-y523WrdFz7xs8-rp_Db8SXg7Y2G3bE8Tmmt3KTCQbUyEGrfXXky144KqJk0qUkjaP60twLTlJ5HBPItFy7xcpZL79L1g/s320/Community+Garden+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week, while on a walk that took me behind the synagogue, I saw the sadly neglected flower bed near the climbing tree play space. And I got an idea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're all taking walks and riding bikes and scooters these days. What if, when we went by the synagogue, we stopped for a few minutes to weed? I can prune the tree. And once the weeds are gone, I'll get some dirt. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then, maybe we can transplant a few flowers from our own yards, or pick up some annuals while at the grocery store, or even some herbs, and plant them in the bed. There doesn't have to be a real plan. I think a mishmash of sun loving perennials and annuals lovingly planted by our families during this time will be absolutely beautiful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As our community garden grows, I'll take pictures and post them here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy spring!</span>Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-66338635441666945502020-04-02T00:00:00.000-07:002020-04-02T00:00:21.249-07:00Sensory Tub<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Activity: <u>Sensory Tub</u></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Using materials you have at home, create a sensory tub</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Materials</b></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Large, flat bottomed plastic tub that fits on your table (an extra large Tupperware will do nicely)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We often use a mix of uncooked rice, beans, lentils, pasta, popcorn kernels, oats, etc.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If those are currently unavailable, try shredded paper, ribbons, cut-up straws, cotton balls, small toys like marbles, puff balls, magnetic letters, corks, bottle caps, aquarium rocks, etc., really anything that is small and scoop-able and pour-able</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you want a messy experience, try water (and ice cubes!), dirt, sand, or shaving cream</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can also order kinetic sand online</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scoops, cups, measuring spoons, bowls with and without lids, etc.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Questions and Prompts</b></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How many scoops will it take to fill that bowl?</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can you make me a chocolate cake?</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Help me clean up everything that fell on the floor!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Time</b></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ongoing</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Skills Learned and Practiced</b></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Social-Emotional - can be a very calming and soothing experience for some children</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Language - vocabulary development, conversation skills</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cognitive - math and science concepts, open-ended exploration and discovery</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Physical - learning to use all senses to take in information</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-14416135098774514242020-04-01T00:00:00.000-07:002020-04-01T00:00:04.935-07:00Bird Nests<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Activity: <u>Build a Bird Nest</u></b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Birds are busy building nests right now. Go on a walk and look for nests.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Notice the different materials the birds use.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Notice how big the nests are and how many birds and eggs fit inside.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Say, Hey! I wonder if we could build a bird nest just like these birds!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Materials</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pictures of birds and nests (find online)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Paper (to shred)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">String, yarn, pipe cleaners, toothpicks, etc.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Packing materials</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Small sticks, leaves (mud!)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Small rocks to represent eggs, a small toy or stuffed animal to represent the bird</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Questions and Prompts</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why do you think the birds chose those materials to build their nests?</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What materials do we need to build our nest?</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What shape should your nest be?</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wonder why your nest fell apart.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What would happen if . . . </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is your nest strong enough to hold one egg (rock)? Two? Three? What about the mama bird? Let's test it out!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Time</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">15-30 minutes</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Easy to revisit as the weeks go on and you notice more birds and nests in your neighborhood</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b> Learned and Practiced</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Social-Emotional - connecting with nature, learning about families and relationships</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Language - using descriptive words</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cognitive - learning more about animal habitats, problem solving, scientific inquiry, close observation, perseverance </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Physical - getting exercise, fine motor work</span></li>
</ul>
<br />Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-35558913905908662732020-03-31T05:38:00.000-07:002020-03-31T05:38:47.717-07:00It's a Box!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Activity: <u>It's a Box!</u></b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Give children boxes to build and play with and just step back. Their creativity will astound you.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Materials</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As many cardboard boxes as you have (delivery boxes, egg cartons, shoe boxes)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Scissors, tape, glue</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Extras like buttons, string, colored paper, markers, stickers, pom-poms, etc.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Questions and Prompts</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wonder what we could make with this box?</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wonder what would happen if . . .</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What do you want to make? How will you build it? What do you need?</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Time</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All day</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Extensions</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Design a city</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Make a model of your house</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Build a rocketship</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Skills Learned and Practiced</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Social-Emotional - this engineering activity will evolve into a dramatic play activity</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Language - vocabulary development, giving and following directions</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cognitive - exploring concepts such as spatial relations, balance, design engineering</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Physical - fine motor, hand-eye coordination, hand muscle strengthening</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-14602748962794865382020-03-30T04:54:00.000-07:002020-03-30T04:54:34.135-07:00Learn Something New, Together<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Following up on last week's post about sharing a skill or talent with your child, today learn to do something new with your child. Try a new recipe. Learn some Hebrew words. Find a YouTube video on making paper origami. The point isn't what new thing you learn to do, it's that you show your child how to learn something new.</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Start with a question (I wonder how you . . .) or a statement (I've always wanted to . . .).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do some research. Use the internet. Ask your spouse. Borrow a cookbook. Call grandma.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Build, bake, practice, experiment. Make mistakes. Try again. And again.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do some more research.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Keep at it. Make a goal. "When we get really good at baking, we should try baking our own challah" or "We're going to practice and practice with building and constructing until we're ready to build a birdhouse."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't give up. Persist. Let your child see that you're capable of learning, too, even when it's hard. All of us can always learn something new.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have fun.</span></li>
</ul>
Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-11082893887257593862020-03-27T05:18:00.000-07:002020-03-27T05:18:48.006-07:00Bird Feeders<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I woke up to the sounds of birds chirping and I remembered the bird feeders we have at school. The birds had just started coming almost every day and the children loved standing at the window and watching them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Activity: <u>Bird Feeders</u></b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AtclnI5ABg" target="_blank">these instructions online</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Such a great tactile experience!</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you don't have or can't easily find birdseed, there are lots of use-what-you-have-at-home recipes to be found online.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Materials</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Toilet paper roll</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Scissors and string</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Honey</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Birdseed</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Shallow bowl</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Questions and Prompts</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why do you think we need the honey?</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Where should we hang the bird feeder so the birds can eat from it but the squirrels can't? And we can see it?</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How long do you think it will take for the birds to eat all the food? We have to keep checking every day so we know when it's time to make another bird feeder.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Time</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">10-15 minutes to gather the materials and make the feeder</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thereafter, ongoing</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Skills Learned and Practiced</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Social-Emotional - teamwork, connecting with natural world, caring for animals</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Language - vocabulary, following step-by-step directions</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cognitive - planning and problem solving</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Physical - fine motor planning, development of all five senses</span></li>
</ul>
<br />Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948943624173656708.post-24803688441011068262020-03-26T00:00:00.000-07:002020-03-26T00:00:01.241-07:00Share a Hidden Talent or Skill with Your Child<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a lot that you know how to do. Your child doesn't yet know how to do a lot of things. And they love you and look up to you and want to be like you and want to spend time with you more than anything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Find 30 minutes today to teach them to do something you're already really good at. Playing the saxophone? Building a flower box? Making pasta sauce from scratch?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, they're young. Very young. But that doesn't mean they can't learn something from you. They'll take from the experience what they're capable of taking away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If nothing else, may this time remind us that it's moments like these that matter more than anything else.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Morah Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11329334713924614800noreply@blogger.com0