February 14
During our Morning Work Time, your children had the opportunity to work with eye droppers, water, white absorbent paper towels, and colored tissue paper for color mixing, fine motor work, and creative expression. The children also enjoyed working collaboratively with the bristle blocks, specifically creating modes of transportation (thank you Arcady and Asher for helping your friends). I observed your children “flying” their airplanes as well as building a landing strip. I also observed (numerous times) the sharing of the wheels between your children! Another observation was the teamwork between Eitan and Ben as they worked to complete the twenty six letter alphabet puzzle. I am certain that both boys would have been able to finish the puzzle independently, though each discovered that working with a friend is quicker and very enjoyable. I observed them sharing and talking to each other while working. They were practicing more than puzzle work; they were practicing social skills and conversational language. We also looked at photographs of Hong Kong! Eitan’s father is on business in this city and all the children were interested in seeing what Hong Kong looks like! We looked at pictures of the business area, a clothing and a flower shop, and a restaurant.
Walking to the park this morning, we observed that the winter crocuses are beginning to open! Your children commented that they also were getting taller. Yosef Aryeh identified the type of bird that flew over us as we were walking as “a seagull!” We then stopped to listen to the starlings that were singing in the trees across the street from us. At the park, I watched how your children helped each other in a variety of ways and would come to their teachers if another child needed help. For example, Ben helped Max put his wolf hat on and Eitan came running up to me to tell me that Noa wanted my help! They are looking out for each other and showing each other the meaning of friendship.
During our Morning Meeting, we had four children share an item from home. Yael showed us her special kangaroo, Eitan showed us his Thomas the Tank engine, Asher spoke about his “number four train,” and Teddy told us all about his green ring. Show and Tell is an important time for the children to practice their public speaking skills, and for their peers to listen as well as to think about and connect with the information they are hearing.
During Yoga today, I observed your children balance and still their bodies to do the tree and the airplane pose. Mushka played a wonderful Hebrew domino game with your children before it was time to go home!
