Purim and a Very Special Torah!

Purim is one of my favorite holidays! I love the costumes, the cookies and the story intrigues me. However, it is a tricky holiday to teach to this age group. If you try to get deeper then princess crowns and groggers you find the story is complicated and long and many of the themes are very adult really quiet sexual and violent when you really get down to it. So I struggle to find themes and stories that are age appropriate but still get at the heart of the holiday.

That said, here are some ideas: 

I like the book which I shared with the class on Sunday: 

Queen Esther Saves Her People 

If you want some info on basics of Purim Tablet Mag has a great FAQ: 
Tablet Mag Purim FAQ 

But, as I alluded to earlier the story of Purim has a dark, violent ending that we don't share with children and many adults I talk have not even learned about. It's not all costumes, playacting and cookies but it is still worth learning about. Read about it here:

My Jewish Learning: Purim, A Violent Ending



On a different note, on Sunday the kids and I were privileged to get to visit the Women's Torah Project Torah in the sanctuary. It is the first ever torah made completely by women. It is currently touring different congregations around the world and has made a stop at Isaiah. It is a beautiful piece of art. The children really enjoyed a close up visit with this amazing Torah and getting to hear its story. You can read more about it here:
 
Women's Torah Project 

Don't forget your costumes this Sunday (3/4) for the not-to-be-missed Purim Carnival. Check your email for details, and don't miss the Temple Isaiah's Purimshpiel on 3/7 at 6:30, it is big fun for the whole family!

-Shalom,
Suzan

Tu B' Shevat Love!

I thought I would do something a little different this week. Instead of giving you a whole bunch of little, different resources and thoughts, I am going to give a window into what class is like when you (the parents) are not there. This week we had a fun Tu B' Shevat lesson. I had the intention of taking a whole bunch of photos of the kids but I was too busy running around with the munchkins to remember to take out my camera. 


A lesson starts with thinking about the "big ideas" and objectives I want the students to walk away with. For example, last week it looked something like this: 

Big Ideas:

-tu b’ shevat is “new years of trees”

-tu b’ shevat is a time think about what we are grateful for in nature

-there are 7 traditional species of Israel that we celebrate on Tu B Shevat

Objectives:

Students will be able to… …students will learn a new Hebrew letter …students will be able to explain that Tu b’ shevat is the new years or birthday of the trees …students will be able name one thing in nature they  are grateful for ….students will be able name one of the 7 species of Israel they tasted today

 Then I come up with a schedule and activities that support those ideas and create routine, structure, and of course, fun in the classroom. For example last week it looked something like this: 

9:00-9:05: Welcome Activities

9:05-9:15: Circle Time: 

Split up: Julie/Talia with 2^nd in Room 103, Suzan/Rachel/Talia in Room 107

9:15-9:50: Tu b’shevat Activities:

K/1: Does A then B

2: Does B then A

A: Grateful Tree (15min): take a “Nature Walk” outdoors (5min)  and ask the children what things they like and find beautiful in nature.   Encourage children to see colors, shapes and use their five senses when appreciating nature. Give a few examples for children to follow (i.e. I like the smell of the brown falling leaves. Thank you G-d for the beautiful white and gray clouds that give us rain.) Write down (K)/Have them write (1-2)  the children’s ideas (with names) on  cut out leaves. TA’s will help tape “leaves” to the tree. You will need a lot of leaves for your tree so make sure each child gives several ideas.

B. Fruit Sampling (15min): 

Discuss the seven species of Israel and traditional Tu B’Shvat fruits and have children sample the fruits.  Children say brachot on the fruits and say a Shehechiyanu on any new fruits. (Explain when saying Shehechiyanu is appropriate.)   It is customary on Tu B’Shvat to eat a new fruit so try to provide a few exotic fruits for the children to sample.

Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom
She-heh-che-yoh-nu Ve-ki-yi-mo-nu Ve-he-gi-o-nu Laz-man Ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, Lord, Our God, Ruler of the universe, who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season.

The Seven Species of Israel (Shiva’at Ha’minim)

1. Wheat -- Chita
2. Barley – Se’orah

3. Grapes – Anavim
4. Fig – Te’enah

5. Pomegranates – Rimmonim

6. Olive -- Zayit
7. Honey -- D'vash

9:50-10:00 Grade Level Learning: Hebrew 

10:00-10:15: Recess/Snack Big Playground

10:15-10:35: Music w/ Joel in room 107

10:40: Tefillah in BK

The students really seemed to enjoy trying new foods, though I had tons of left over figs!

 We had an amazing view on our walk. We are so lucky at Temple Isaiah to have this view from our campus:

I was also really impressed with the ideas they come up with for things they were grateful for after we went on a short nature walk. This is the tree we created after the walk:

 On each leaf a student wrote (or dictated, or drew) something in nature that they are grateful to God for creating. Here are some fun examples:

I hope this was a fun little tour into our world! I look forward to seeing you this Sunday 2/12/11 for a Family Day! Please check the email being sent out on Friday for important details!

-Suzan