Sukkot

Shalom,
This year's rain and wind didn't let us sit in the sukkah as much as we wanted.  We went to the school's sukkah as we planned with snack and everything.  Even though it was lightly drizzling we stayed and sat in the sukkah.  We sang, danced and ate our snack.  We even joked that with the rain we took a shower in the sukkah!  The kids loved this idea because it was very funny, and they couldn't wait to tell their parents.

For little kids a sukkah doesn't have to be outside only.  There will be days that you won't be able to get there.  But the mini sukkah in the classroom is a lifesaver, and it is fun to make and play in.  This way the kids can sit in the sukkah and decorate it anytime they want.

This little sukkah was made in my friend Jo's classroom by two years olds. (Just a little tip: Now that all the big stores are into recycling boxes, it was hard to find a box this year.  I think we teachers should let the stores know ahead of time so when they get the shipment they can save some boxes for us.)
The teacher opened a few slits on the top of the box with an exacto knife (to see the stars).  Then the children tore some green paper into schach and glued the pieces all over the box.  Of course, let's not forget the decorations that go in the box or wherever you want.

After using a box for a sukkah I always keep it for future projects. In the same year, a box can start as a sukkah, then turn into a firetruck, then a puppet theater, and then an aquarium.  As we all know, sometimes when a child receives a new toy, the box is the best part to play with.

Enjoy creating boxtastic ideas.
Hag Sameach!

Yom Kippur for younger children

Shalom once again,

The children in my classroom this year are starting to turn three now, and they come to school only three days a week.  Teaching them about Yom Kippur is not as easy as teaching older children.  This year I decided to concentrate on the idea of the shofar.  I wanted them to recognize the shofar and know where it come from and how it sounds.

I like using the following activity for almost any holiday or season in my room.  It's fun.  It strengthens their fine motor skills.  It lets them work as a team. It also helps them develop problem solving skills.

First, I taped the shofar cutouts to the table and added "Challah Bear" cutout in the middle.

Before the children came we covered the table with a soft paper, and placed crayons on the table.  I like these melted crayons, they fit in their hands perfectly, so it's easier for them to hold and rub with these.  

We told the children to start rubbing the crayon on the paper to see what happens. As soon as they started rubbing they discovered the shofars.

After discovering a few shofars we told the children that the challah bear decided to play hide and seek. So they need to rub the whole paper to be able to find the Challah Bear. 

Of course, we didn't want the fun to end just there. We decided to share it with the whole school. 

We cut the paper and hung it on our hallway wall to give the other kids chance to find Challah Bear. 

I wish you could see the excitement on their faces when they found Challah Bear. 

We will need to convince Challah Bear to play hide and seek again sometime soon.