February 9
During our Morning Work Time, your children had the opportunity to visit the science table to examine the roots, bulb, stem, and flowers of a hyacinth. We also felt, smelled, and rolled the dirt between our fingers. Many of your children chose to work with the knobbed cylinders. I observed as each child finished one set, they would push it towards the person next to them for an exchange. Your children also worked with the clothing constructive items; specifically the longer zippers. The art table was active this morning using first watercolors and then your children added dot art on top of their work.
At our first Morning Meeting, we all looked at and discussed what we noticed at the science table. I mentioned that the hyacinth was a bulb and then brushed away the dirt to show your children. I invited each child to feel (if they hadn’t already) and smell the plant. I also said that we would continue to look for flowers (bulbs) that will be opening soon on our walk to the park.
Before going on our walk this morning, each child was asked to first get their own coats and then to put the coats on themselves. Nearly every child was able to accomplish this task! On our walk, we saw a daffodil that was open! It was very exciting because we had just examined a bulb and spoken about looking for these types of flowers. Yesterday at the play ground, Arcady had “attached” a vehicle to the one he was riding to make a type of dump truck. Your children had observed this imaginative play. Today, I noticed Eitan, Asher, Yosef Aryeh, Teddy, and Arcady get into a line and try to hook their vehicles together! Asher was able to accomplish this by using the lower and smoother vehicle that Yosef Aryeh was riding on.
At our second Meeting Time, I read, Living and Nonliving. I asked first, “Is the hyacinth plant living?” I received a mixed response from this initial question. Your children then quickly realized that the plant needed sun and water to grow (and get bigger); therefore, it is living. The second book I read, From Seed to Plant, showed beautiful photographs of the many things that we enjoy (and eat) that grow from a seed.
Mushka brought in a Torah for your children to hold and look at. After unrolling the Torah carefully and placing it gently on a mat, your children were invited to look for the Hebrew letters that they have learned. I observed your children becoming very excited and heard them say, “I found an aleph” or “I found a gimel!” Mushka also read a wonderful book for the children about the Ten Commandments. She asked your children to think about how they help at home to honor their ima and their aba.
Read Aloud:
“Living and Nonliving,” by Jenny Feely
“From Seed to Plant,” by Allan Fowler
