Dear readers of this blog...

I want to apologize for the lack of writing in this blog page lately. I just wanted to let you know that I am still here and will be continuing to write and add to this blog. Since the 2012-2013 school year I have been enrolled in a masters program. As you can imagine, recently, I have been concentrating on writing papers. I will try to post more during the year, and I may ask a few friends to add some of their ideas as well. 

Please stay tuned and thank you for your patience. 

Have a great school year everybody. 

Yael

Purim Day... What a Happy Holiday...

Purim day... Purim day... What a Happy Holiday...

Purim is a happy and a festive holiday.  I wanted to share another festive looking Purim basket with you.
We use hard paper (oak tag) for this basket.  This paper is sturdy enough so the children can carry it all around the schul, the school and the neighborhood without spilling any treat along the way.  For the two-year-old classes, we decorate them with dot paint, water paint, or tempera paint.  Or other times, before folding the paper into hamantashen, we cut tissue papers into little squares, and lay them on the oak tag and spray water on them.  This way the colors on the tissue paper bleed through.  When it is dry, we remove the tissue papers and voila, the beautiful tye-dye design created on the basket.

After we fold the paper into hamantashen, we add the pipe cleaner to make a handle to carry the basket. 

The kids choose any color for a tissue paper to put in their basket.  When the basket is ready they place the treat in the basket.
This basket is ready to go!

HAPPY PURIM!

Tu B'shevat Recipe

     Believe it or not, Tu B'shevat is on its way.  While we are still trying to manage the snow and the cold weather here in the States, Israel (despite its current record rains) will be getting its first spring buds soon. Then the first fruits will show up on the trees and we will eventually benefit from their nutritiousness. 

     In my classroom, I show pictures of all the different kinds of fruits that grow on trees. I bring in some dried figs, some fresh figs, some dates, and, of course, some apples and bananas. Then we have a feast while tasting all these fruits. 

     We also bake this simple recipe with bananas and dates. It's very easy to make. I let the kids cut the fruit and mix everything. All I do is just put it in the oven and take it out. 

Enjoy!

 

BANANA BITES (TU B’SHEVAT)

    Ingredients:

3 Ripe bananas

       1C. chopped dates

1/4C. oil

 2C. oats

 1tsp. vanilla

Directions:

1)   Cut two of the bananas into bite-size chunks.

2)   Mash the third banana.

3)   Combine all of the ingredients and stir until well mixed.

4)   Let it stand for 10 minutes.

5)   Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet.

6)   Bake at 350ºC for 15-20 minutes.

7)   Let cool before eating.

8)   Makes approximately 24 bites.