Week Six (May 31 - June 3)

Outdoor Adventures with Morah Jessica (Tuesday)

What a wonderful week of weather! This week, during our Outdoor Adventures Enrichment, the children were artists, making pictures using spray bottles filled with water and liquid watercolor paint. Paper was hung on the wall and the children mixed colors and discovered that when they sprayed close to the paper, a smaller amount came out but was darker. When they sprayed a little farther away, the color was lighter and spread further out. The final pieces were beautiful and the children really had a blast painting in a new way!

Amazing Artists with Morah Larissa (Wednesday)

This week, we continued our shape exploration by looking at squares in art. It was exciting to delve into the intersection between art and mathematics. We began by looking at prints of paintings again. The children feel proud to look at and discuss real “grown-up” art, and they have come to be able to enjoy aesthetic qualities in art for adults. This week, we viewed some cubist works as well as some of the works of Piet Mondrian. Then we looked for squares in the world around us. We found square blocks, square tiles on the floor, and even tiny squares on plaid clothing. Next, we created art with squares in three ways. Some of the children chose to use geo-boards and rubber-bands to create “temporary” art. Others experiments with markers and graph paper, creating patterns and other designs. We also tried some simple weaving with paper, noticing the squares appearing as we worked. We discovered much mathematics in weaving, as the children used a pattern “over-under-over-under” to guide their work, and then discovered that their work created a color pattern! One of the children even noted that weaving was a little like braiding a challah, in that we need to move our hands in a pattern.

Around the World in 8 Weeks with Morah Rhona (Friday)

On Friday, we visited the far away land of Kenya! We read a book called Planting the Trees of Kenya, which tells the story of how this country was once filled with beautiful trees – fig trees, olive trees, crotons and flame trees. We then heard the tale of a girl named Wangari. She came to the United States to go to college. When she returned to Kenya, she sadly discovered that most of the trees had died or been cut down, which destroyed the land, the animals and the ability to grow food. She set out to replace the trees, first one by one, and then in large groups. She got help from mothers and farmers and their families. We talked about the importance of preserving the land. As our craft, the children first planted a “seed” in modeling clay and then they made a collage with helping hands in grass seed. We even got the chance to plant our own grass seed!

Week Five (May 23 - 27)

Sing a Song a Day with Morah Rhona (Monday)

We read the book I’m a Little Teapot and sang the song too. In the book, the teapot imagined what it would like to be or where it would like to go. Following the story, each child decorated a paper teapot by drawing a picture of where their imagination took them. Some of the answers included strawberries, rainbows and outer space!

Outdoor Adventures with Morah Jessica (Tuesday)

On Tuesday afternoon, the children were finally able to spend it outdoors. The children went on a scavenger hunt, their mission to find the following items: acorn, pinecone, leaf, rock, flower, ant and acorn cap. The children were off collecting their items in buckets, some working together with their friends. Many of the items were found and some children collected more than one of each item. The children had a sheet of paper with the picture and word of each item they need to find, and used it as their guide. They were so excited during this hunt that we may have to do it again!

Around the World in 8 Weeks with Morah Rhona (Wednesdsay)

This week, we read the book I See a Kookaburra! by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. Rather than travelling to one specific location, our journey took us to 8 different animal habitats around the world, including the jungle and a coral reef. The children then had a chance to explore various animal themed activities, including examining insects with mirrors and magnifying glasses, playing with sea creatures in the water table, taking a trip to the jungle where there were many different animals, and working cooperatively to assemble a large floor puzzle displaying underwater sea creatures.Music and Movement with Moreh Micah (Thursday)

This week, we got to have music time outside on the playground! We kicked off the sing-a-long with a couple new Raffi songs, "Listen to the Horses" and "Six Little Ducks That I Once Knew." After music, the kids were shown how to dribble a basketball. It was our first time having music outside!

Amazing Artists with Morah Larissa (Friday)

This week, our artists explored with circles. First, we looked at and discussed images of several famous paintings, searching for circles in them. Next, we searched for circles around our school. Finally, we created art with circles in two ways: through collage and through printing with recycled, circular objects.

Spring Enrichment (Week Four: May 16 - 20)

Sing a Song a Day with Morah Rhonah (Monday)
This week, we tried our hardest to forget about all of the precipitation that was falling from the sky. We sang the songs “Mr. Sun” and “You Are My Sunshine.” Each child then made a bright and beautiful golden sun. This was done by coloring a large cardboard circle bright yellow. There were multiple yellow collage materials available to the children to further decorate their suns. These materials included constriction paper, tissue paper, felt and yellow art tape. Each sun was completed as the children glued on many rays around the perimeter.

Outdoor Adventures with Morah Jessica (Tuesday)
This week was more like Indoor Adventures than Outdoor Adventures! On Tuesday, the children took a walk around our beautiful synagogue and we spent some time in the large sanctuary. Many of the children had never been in there before, and were amazed at how big it was, how loud our echos were and the giant dome that they recognize from the outside of the building. They enjoyed looking at the stained-glass windows, sitting in the velvet seats and comparing this bima and ark to the one in the sanctuary. Once back in the classroom, the children palled Cranium Hullabaloo, a fun movement and listening game. Let's hope the sunshine remembers that it is May for next week!

Amazing Artists with Morah Larissa (Wednesday)

This week in Amazing Artists, we moved beyond discussions of 2-dimensional art to begin learning about sculpture. First, we looked at photographs of four familiar sculptures (including the "Make Way for Ducklings" statue in Boston, one of Degas' dancers and Rodin's "The Thinker"). We experimented with two forms of sculpture, using glue/wood pieces and clay. The children created som beautiful pieces!

Music and Movement with Moreh Micah (Thursday)
This week's music and movement class featured one of our best renditions of "The Super Kids" to date. Everyone got a chance to show off their moves in the middle of the circle. "Hey Diddle Diddle" and "5 Little Ducks" are songs that have allowed us to begin work on singing nicely in unison together. I am really impressed with everyone's memory of all the words, especially during our movement game, "A Tooty A Too." The children have also been working on playing tambourine and moving/clapping to the beat.

Around the World in 8 Weeks with Morah Rhona (Friday)
This week, the children had the opportunity to see a real passport. Many of the children are fortunate to have their own real passports and have and will continue to travel to many wonderful destinations! We read the book People of Corn, and then we travelled to Guatemala. Because the people of this country depend so much on corn for survival, this was the focus of our lesson. Each child had fun husking an ear of corn on the cob. They then used this corn to paint colorful pictures, by dipping the corn in the paint, and then either using it as a “brush” or rolling it around the paper. We capped off our adventure by feasting on tortilla chips and salsa!

Week of May 9 - May 13, 2011

Sing a Song a Day with Morah Rhona (Monday)

The song of the day was the alphabet song.  All of the children enjoyed singing the alphabet song in both English and Hebrew.  We read two books, A Was Once an Apple Pie, and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.  During our craft portion of the class, the children each made their own replica of an alphabet tree.  This was done by gluing together the parts of the tree, and then decorating it with a wide variety of letter stickers, including black, colored, shiny, foam, and puzzle piece shaped letters.  Many children enjoyed searching for the letters in their names, while others worked on finding the letters in alphabetical order!

Outdoor Adventures with Morah Jessica (Tuesday)

Another nice day for outdoor adventures enrichment. This week, the children were artists and they made beautiful pictures with chalk.  Many of the children traced their friends body and then would add clothes, hair and facial features. Children practiced writing their names, and working together to create their pictures. 

Around the World in 8 Weeks with Morah Rhona (Wednesday)

Where else would we travel during the week when we celebrated Yom Ha Atzmaut, then to Israel?  The children all gathered their passports and boarded the plane to Tel Aviv!  Once we were there we travelled to many historic spots, including Tel Aviv, Caecasrea, Masada, Eilat, a Kibbutz, and of course Jerusalem.  We read the books It’s Israel’s Birthday, and And Shira Imagined.  For our craft, each child designed their own city, based on the architecture in Jerusalem, the city of gold! Of course, before we boarded the plane to return to Brookline, we sang Happy Birthday, in both English and Hebrew!

Amazing Artists with Morah Larissa (Friday)

Our budding artists began their art this week by looking at art in our own synagogue.  We walked down to the chapel and carefully examined the beautiful stained glass art.  This supports the children in learning to understand that art is always around us.  We then came back up to the classroom and used tissue paper squares and clear contact paper to create our own stained glass designs. 

Spring Enrichment (Week Two: May 2 - 6)

Sing a Song a Day with Morah Rhona (Monday)

This week, we read two different versions of the book The Itsy Bitsy Spider. We also read Sammy Spider’s First Shabbat. The children sang the song “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” using hand motions to express what was happening! As a craft, each child created his or her own spider web, by gluing colorful yarn onto paper plates.

Outdoor Adventures with Morah Jessica (Tuesdsay)

This week, the sun was shinning again for us during our Outside Adventures enrichment. The children were on the hunt or bugs! No bug was safe. Many ants and little gnats were found and the children had a blast collecting them in their pails. Children also loved tracing each other with sidewalk chalk and practicing writing their names.

Around the World in 8 Weeks with Morah Rhona (Wednesday)

This week, each child created his/her own “passport.” The picture on the front represents the country in which the traveler resides. This passport will be stamped each week, following our imaginary trip. On our “trip” this week, we travelled to England. We read the book Madeline in London. As a group craft, the children painted a large cardboard box, which became a castle, home to every King and Queen!

Music and Movement with Moreh Micah (Thursday)

This week, we introduced new songs, such as "Slippery Fish" - a sea creature adventure, and "Hey Diddle Diddle" - the classic nursery rhyme. Each child got to show how s/he likes to play the tambourine and we ate SO MUCH CANDY (make believe candy, of course!) during our silly version of "Going on a Lion Hunt." Classics like "Super Kids," "Aikendrum," "A Tooty a Too," and "The Green Grass Grows All Around" were also sung and performed.

Amanut: Amazing Artists with Morah Larissa (Friday)

This week, our young artists have focused on learning about lines. We started by talking about what a line is. Next, we talked about different kinds of lines. We all enjoyed a line hunt, walking around the synagogue looking for different kind of lines. Then, we engaged in a few different experiences with lines. We used geo-boards and rubber bands to create less permanent art with lines. Then we used craft sticks to create collages with lines. Finally, we created a second collage with paper lines of varying lengths and thicknesses.

Spring Enrichment (Week One: April 26 - 29)

Outdoor Adventure with Morah Jessica (Tuesdsay)

What a beautiful week for the Outdoor Adventure enrichment to begin! The sun is finally out to play, and we hope it stays for a while. This week, the children worked together to create a mega sand city/castle/mountain landscape. There were many different castles, mountains and even a river with some turtles swimming around. Some of the activities for next month include scavanger hunts, nature walks, obstacle courses and outdoor art. Let the adventures begin!

Around the World in 8 Weeks with Morah Rhona (Wednesday)

This week, we talked about what country we live in. We also discussed some of the things that we know about other countries, including Israel, France, Italy, England, and Taiwan. Surprisingly, we know someone who is from each of those countries! Shayna was a big help in naming most of them! We talked about the fact that you need a passport to travel from one country to another. Zev shared what happens with your passport when you do travel, that “the man takes it and puts it under the red light. Then he puts a stamp on it.” We also talked about packing a suitcase to go on a trip. We read the book Curious George, where George travelled from Africa to a new country to live in the zoo. Following the story, each child decorated their own suitcase. Next week we will create passports, and travel to another new land!

Music and Movement with Moreh Micah (Thursday)

This week's class featured animal charades. In this game, each child gets to act like an animal and the other kids have to guess which one s/he is. Kylan used his finger to portray a rhinoceros' nose! This week also introduced new songs such as, "Baby Beluga" and "I'm in the Mood for Singing." We had some great sing-a-longs together! Of course, "Super Kids" and the copy game "A Tooty a Too" were big hits as well. The children had really creative ideas regarding which foods will make up the face of "Aikendrum" this week!

Amazing Artists with Morah Larissa (Friday)

This week in the Amanut, the children studied Monet. We continued to begin our weekly sessions by looking at the artist of the week’s paintings and talking about what we see and how the paintings make us feel. This supports the children in learning to carefully observe art, and also learning to respond to it. We then read a favorite children’s book about Monet, Linnea in Monet’s Garden, by Cristina Bjork. Finally, we created our own impressionist art, inspired by nature. We enjoyed using a variety of materials to experiment with different kinds of brushstrokes.

Week Seven (April 11 - 15)

Springing Forward with Morah Rhona (Monday)

We ended our Springing Forward Enrichment unit by celebrating the warm sun of the season. As the bright sun comes back to Boston to stay, we created visors to protect our eyes. The children loved decorating them with sports balls and flower stickers and wearing their creations for much of the afternoon.

Cooking with the Alphabet with Morah Jessica (Tuesday)

Cooking with the alphabet has been so much fun! The children were able to try new foods, and create some old classics. For our final week, we ended with the letter M, and what better way to combine this enrichment with Passover than to create chocolate covered matzah! The children had a blast spreading yummy chocolate over the matzah, and of course eating it too! Overall, this enrichment was such a blast and I hope the children continue their love of cooking!Amazing Artists with Morah Larissa (Wednesday)

This week, we studied Pablo Picasso! We began by doing a “Look and Talk” of some of Picasso’s portraits. The children looked at a series of his portraits, and they took turns raising a hand to talk about what they noticed. One thing that they began to notice is that many of the portraits looked “wrong!” There were noses next to eyes, big eyes, little eyes, and even funny mouths. We read a book about Picasso’s life and art, and learned that he liked to do art “his way.” (This phrase might sound a little familiar to those of us who spend extended time with preschoolers!) The children then used a variety of two- and three-dimensional objects to create a portrait of a face “their way.”

Music and Movement with Moreh Micah (Thursday)

This week, we got ready for the Passover celebration, singing "Dayenu," "Mah Nishtanah (The Four Questions)," and "Take me out to the Seder." We welcomed Cindy and Shaine into the class by showing them "The Super Kids" and "A Tooty a Too." We also brought back an old favorite where each child becomes a super hero and has to get the bouncy ball from Moreh Micah. Happy Passover to everyone!

Week Six (April 4 - 8)

Springing Forward with Morah Rhona (Monday)

In this Monday’s enrichment, we celebrated the official symbol of Spring in Boston, the opening of Major League Baseball! We read the book Fenway 123. All of the children then worked cooperatively to create a large poster cheering on the Red Sox. Everyone used scissors to cut pictures of Red Sox shirts and hats, the team logo, and of course the best mascot ever, Wally the Green Monster. The pictures were glued onto red poster board, which is now on display in the hallway.

Music and Movement with Moreh Micah (Tuesday)

This week we welcomed Auren into the circle with high energy performances of "A Tooty a Too" and "We're the Super Kids." We also practiced our numbers, jumping and dancing during "The Numbers Rumba." All the children love having a turn to click the "magic claves" (an instrument consisting of two wooden sticks) together and sharing one thing that they love with the rest of the class. After putting our arms around each other and singing, "The More We Get Together," we closed the session with a round of "Snack Monster." "Snack Monster" gives each child the chance to defeat the snack monster by dodging his grasp, confusing the snack monster as to his/her whereabouts, and then causing the snack monster to fall to the ground by simply saying, "boo." Words don't exactly do this part justice. At the end of each class, we put our hands in the middle together and do a cheer. This past week it was, "1-2-3 Super Kids!"

Amazing Artists with Morah Larissa (Wednesday)

On Wednesday, we continued our study of Eric Carle in the Amanut, or Art Studio. We read two favorite Eric Carle books, Today is Monday and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. We talked about the work of an author as compared to the work of an illustrator. Next, we went to the Amanut to begin our own illustrating! Many of the children chose to create animals, like Eric Carle. We learned to first outline our picture, and then to use painted paper squares to create a colorful collage in the interior of the picture.

Cooking with the Alphabet with Morah Jessica (Thursday)

This week, the children put a new twist on a classic dessert: pudding! For snack, the children were able to make their own kabobs of fruit to represent the letter K. From melons to strawberries, they were not only colorful but very delicious! Then the French side of the children really kicked in as we made a lemon trifle, TCEE style. To represent the letter L, the children mixed up some lemon pudding, layered it with vanilla wafers and some whipped cream to finish it off. The children were able to make their own trifles by doing the layering and choosing of the ingredients. These snacks were great tasting and the children were able to create them independently. Next week is our last week of cooking through the alphabet; so far it has been a delicious experience for all!

Counting on Books with Morah Larissa (Friday)

This week we read One Hundred Hungry Ants, by Elinor Pincez, a fun book about different ways to count to 100. Then, we counted to 100 together! We used a hundreds chart to look at the numbers and noticed some patterns. Then, we practiced counting some of our toys. It sure took a long time to get to 100. Last, we created some original artwork with…100 dots on it!

Week Five (March 28 - April 1)

Springing Forward with Morah Rhona (Mondays)

In this week’s class, we read the book Rooster’s Off to See the World, by Eric Carle. As Rooster travels, he meets up with various animal friends, including a turtle and a frog. We also read What’s Inside by Mary Jane Martin and the children were excited to see that it too contained frogs and turtles in the story. For our craft project, each child spent a long time painting wooden cutouts of frogs, turtles and butterflies, each of which reminds us of spring. Now that they are dry, Morah Rhona will be turning them into magnets which we hope that you will enjoy displaying in your home!

Cooking with the Alphabet with Morah Jessica (Tuesdays)

This week, the children made their very own jam crumb bars and they even made their own ice cream! For letter J, the children made raspberry jam crumb bars. The children worked together mixing all the necessary ingredients and they waited patiently until it was their turn to add their ingredient. Once those were in the oven, it was time to start the ice cream making process. None of the children had ever made their own ice cream and they were extremely excited to work together to make it. In one bag, milk, sugar and vanilla were added. Once that bag was sealed shut it was placed inside a bigger bag filled with ice and salt. The children worked in pairs to shake their bag in order for the liquid to solidify. The friends worked very hard, and toward the end some of their mixtures hardened. The children all got a taste and we took a poll about whether or not they liked the taste. The results were that six friends liked the ice cream, and one did not. Overall, it was a very successful afternoon cooking with the alphabet!

Amazing Artists with Morah Larissa (Wednesdays)

In the art studio this week, we studied a different kind of artist – an illustrator. We read two books illustrated by Eric Carle: Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do you Hear (both written by Bill Martin Jr.). We looked at the beautiful colors and textures of Carle’s art. We then looked at photographs of his artistic process. He first paints patterns on tissue paper, and then cuts the paper to use for collage. We painted many colors of paper! Next week, we will continue our study of Eric Carle and create some collages of our own.

Music and Movement with Moreh Micah (Thursdays)

This week, each child shared their favorite thing to do at home. Moreh Micah then used that information to create an improvised short song for each child. We had our most energetic "Super Kids" performance to date and practiced our singing with "The Sharing Song." Each child decided what superhero they were going to be before they each tried to steal the bouncing ball from Moreh Micah. The singing of “The More We Get Together" was very cute this week, as the children felt connected to each other while swaying side to side. I hope to see everyone at Tot Shabbat tonight!

Counting on Books with Morah Larissa (Fridays)

This week, we read the book Pattern, by Henry Arthur Pluckrose. We created patterns with our bodies, through clapping and moving. Then, we went on a pattern hunt, finding patterns in our clothing and our classrooms. We then created patterns using pattern blocks, manipulatives, and even bingo dot markers.

Week Four (March 21 - 25)

Springing Forward with Morah Rhona (Mondays)

Once again, we read the story Franklin’s Baby Sister. In the book, several signs of spring are mentioned. One of these signs is when seeds which had been planted begin to sprout from the dirt. During a walk outside of the building, the children looked at our own garden. Despite all of the dirt and sand on the surface of this garden, the children observed that indeed our flowers which had been planted in the Fall, have begun to show themselves above ground! We will continue to monitor this garden to see when actual flowers appear. So far, what we have seen is the beginning signs of the stems and leaves, which are bright green. There was a sense of Spring inside of the classroom. For the craft portion of the class, the children used liquid watercolors to decorate paper plates, which were then transformed into beautiful flowers.

Cooking with the Alphabet with Morah Jessica (Tuesdsays)

Tuesdays are by far the most delicious day of the week. The alphabet continued with letters G and H. The children made homemade granola bars and were excited to add their ingredients. There was a lot of mixing that needed to be done! The children worked together to hold the bowl and help their neighbor stir and they were all patient until it was their turn to put in the next ingredient. Once those were baking, for letter H, we made honey milk balls. The three ingredients were honey, powdered milk and soy nut butter but we also added some raisins. Each child was given a piece of the mixture to mold and shape until they ate it! Next week, we'll be cooking with the letters I and J. Until then, Bon Appétit!

Amazing Artists with Morah Larissa (Wednesdays)

This Wednesday in the Amanut, the children enjoyed a wonderful book by Lois Ehlert, Planting a Rainbow. We then decorated large terra cotta pots. The children learned how to carefully handle the heavy terra cotta pots so that they would not break. We used a rainbow of tissue paper squares and glitter glue to cover the pots.

Then we filled them with soil and planted a variety of flower seeds inside. We are looking forward to watching our rainbow grow!

Counting on Books with Morah Larissa (Fridays)

This Friday, the children read two books featuring shapes. We used our Shape Finders to walk around our school looking for triangles, squares, rhombuses, circles and ovals. We then played with the pattern blocks, making pictures, patterns and designs with shapes.

Week Three (March 14 - 18)

Springing Forward with Morah Rhona (Mondays)

In this week’s class, we read the book Franklin’s Baby Sister by Paulette Bourgeois. In this story, Franklin learns about some of the signs of spring. We then discussed some of the signs of spring in Brookline, including that the snow goes away, the days are longer and flowers grow. It was explained to the children that when the daylight hours begin to increase, one thing that we have to do is to change our clocks, by “springing ahead” and that in the fall, as the days grow shorter, we “fall back.” As a craft, each child decorated his or her own clock, complete with moving hands!

Cooking with the Alphabet with Morah Jessica (Tuesdays)

This week’s Cooking with the Alphabet was a lot of fun! The children made elephant ears for the letter E. With biscuit dough in hand, the children were able to form it into their interpretation of an elephant’s ear and, most importantly, put a little cinnamon and sugar on top. Many of them had never eaten an elephant’s ear, however, rumor had it that they were very delicious. For snack and the letter F, the children were able to create their own fruit parfaits! There were a wide variety of berries and granola that the children shared amongst their friends and they were able to scoop it into their own yogurt bowl.

Amazing Artists with Morah Larissa (Wednesdays)

This week in our Amanut, we studied Marc Chagall. First, the children looked at some images of Chagall’s work. We discussed what we saw in the pictures, and how the pictures made us feel. Then we read a book about Marc Chagall’s life as an artist. We used oil pastels on construction paper to create our own images inspired by Chagall’s work. We talked about drawing something that is from our imaginations and from our feelings. The children came up with wonderful ideas, including a flying cow and a person in the clouds! Be sure to check our their work which is hanging outside of the Owls' Room. Finally, the children had some time to experiment with materials from the collage bank. The available materials and time to work on something open-ended nurture the children’s creativity and enthusiasm for art.

Music and Movement with Moreh Micah (Thursdays)

Ava and Kylan have been wonderful additions to our Music and Movement class. The children practiced singing “Five Little Ducks” and sounded wonderful. There was a special energy to the “Super Kids” song this week as each of the students wanted to show off the special song to Kylan, who had never heard it before. Songs such as “Aikendrum” and “Green Grass Grows All Around” give the children opportunities to insert their own lyrics into the songs. Last but not least, “A Tooty A Too” served as a wonderful and exciting song that reinforces memory and repetition.

A Special Science Giants Day with Morah Kate

On Thursday, we took advantage of the beautiful weather by scheduling a special back-to-back enrichment session. After the children had finished with their Music and Movement class, they were treated to some Science Giants time! Back by popular demand, the children did some ice excavations and sink or float experiments. After we had snack, the Extended Day students talked about how different it looks outside now from when we last saw the beautifully colored leaves, acorns falling onto our playground and squirrels running everywhere. The children noticed that many of the leaves are now brown, some evergreen trees are still green, the acorns have been hidden away by the squirrels and that many of the animals have been sleeping or have headed to a warmer home for the winter. We then took a nature walk to investigate what everything looks like now before we start to see the blooming of spring. We collected such wonderful things on our walk and in our playground. When we returned to the classroom, each child captured their objects in a contact paper collage. They loved looking at everything with their magnifying glasses!

Counting on Books with Morah Larissa (Fridays)

This week, we read two books about sorting. We tried sorting ourselves out in different ways: girls and boys, children wearing different colors, etc. We worked as a group to try sorting various toys. We then worked independently, sorting various manipulatives by color, size, shape and type.

Week Two (March 7 - 11)

Springing Forward with Morah Rhona (Mondays)

This week, we talked about bumblebees! Seeing bugs reminds us that Spring is coming. We read Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose. Each child created a bee to bring home using liquid watercolors, glue and construction paper. Ava taught us all that bumblebees suck nectar from flowers.

Cooking with the Alphabet with Morah Jessica (Tuesdays)

The children had a blast on Tuesday as we continued to cook through the alphabet@ This week, the letters C and D were highlighted. Of course when one thinks of the letter C, one food can only come to mind - CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES! The children had a lot of work to do, as there were many ingredients and a lot of stirring required. There were measurements to be made and the children had to take turns and help one another by holding the bowl for their friend next to them. Once the cookies were in the oven, the children had a little free play until it was time for snack. The children helped to make some delicious dip for the letter D. With a variety of different vegetables to choose from, it was then time to eat! Overall, this week was another success with cooking through the alphabet. Next week's letters are E and F...who knows what your children will be cooking up next!

Amazing Artists with Morah Larissa (Wednesdays)

In our Amanut (art) Studio this week, we enjoyed a fun book about art, the eponymously titled Art, by Patrick McDonnell. We then created some art together. We decorated a large puzzle piece that will hang in the Brookline Town Hall, along with art created at other early childhood programs in the area. The children were so excited to create art that would be hung up for so many people to see! First, we used oil pastels and then we used liquid watercolors. Working collaboratively is a great way for the children to learn from each other and to build cooperation skills.

Music and Movement with Moreh Micah (Thursdays)

This week, everyone got a turn to click the "magic sticks" together and say their favorite thing to do at home. Our copy movement/memory game "A Tooty A Too" has proven to be a class favorite! The lullaby style "5 Little Ducks" has given the children a chance to work on their singing abilities and they are sounding great. Songs like "The More We Get Together" and "The Sharing Song" are encouraging team-building and strengthening bonds. I hope to see everyone at Tot Shabbat this Saturday morning (March 12) at 11 am!

Counting on Books with Morah Larissa (Friday)

This week, we read Ten, Nine, Eight, a backwards counting book written and illustrated by Molly Bang. It is important for children to learn to count both backwards and forwards, as this develops their number sense. We went on "Number Hunts" in the classroom, collecting objects and counting them backwards. We even created our own backwards counting book together as a group!

Week One (February 28 - March 4)

Springing Forward with Morah Rhona (Mondays)
In this week's enrichment class, we discussed some things that remind us of spring: baby animals, warm weather, flowers, etc. We read the book, Five Little Books and then each child created his or her own baby duckling by cork painting with yellow paint and adding collage materials from our new Amanut (Art Studio).


Cooking with the Alphabet with Morah Jessica (Tuesdays)

The first week of cooking with the alphabet was a great success! The children were ready and eager to bake some delicious treats, the chef in them really shone through. We made Ants on a log for the letter “A,” and we made delicious Banana bread muffins for the letter “B.” The children used celery and pretzel rods to create their “logs” and cream cheese for the raisins “ants” to stick on. There were definitely lots of sticky fingers and big smiles!

Amazing Artists with Morah Larissa (Wednesdays)

The Owls and Bears were so excited to have their first enrichment class in our new Amanut, or Art Studio. This week, we studied the color white. First, we tried using white chalk on white paper, and we couldn’t see a thing! The children had the idea to try a different color of paper. Indeed, using white chalk on green paper make a big difference. Then we read It Looked Like Spilt Milk, and admired the many white pictures on blue background in this book about clouds. The children then each created their own cloud pictures, using a blot painting technique. We saw an owl, a cake, and a butterfly in our paintings! Finally, we experimented with powdered tempera white paint on colorful paper, using real painter’s brushes. The children had a great time choosing their own colored paper and experimenting with different brush strokes.

Music and Movement with Moreh Micah (Thursdays)

This week's session brought back new favorites like "Aikendrum" and "The Green Grass Grows All Around." These two songs, among others, offer the children the chance to add to the story of the songs by raising their hand and adding fun details. The snack monster made an appearance as well as a fun ball game with Moreh Micah.

Counting on Books with Morah Larissa (Fridays)

This week, we will read The Doorbell Rang, by Pat Hutchins. This is a great book about division! It tells the story of a family baking cookies. The children decide how to divide up the dozen cookies, but then the doorbell rings! Guests come, and they have to divide the cookies again. This happens again and again. We will make our own cookies and decide how to divide them up. We will also act out the book and practice doing some simple division with manipulative toys.