Bursting with Excitement Omer Counting

The girls and I have created a variety of Omer charts, like the one here or here or here.
This time we have really made the very best, most fun, exciting, and educational omer chart ever! A Balloon Omer Counter!  I won't forget to count because all my children will excitedly remind me.  Every night before bed they will have a fun, bonding experience, do a mitzvah, learn something, work to improve ourselves, and giggle together. And the room looks like a celebration. Total win!!!
Each night we make the beracha together. Then one girl pops that night's balloon.

Inside the balloon are slips of paper. One paper is a meditation on that day's omer. One is a fun science fact. One is a joke. Sometimes there are stickers too.  I chose these inserts based on the girls interested. C is very into balloons and confetti balloons. G loves science facts. R loves jokes, especially if she can read them. T loves opening the unknown (like LOL dolls and Hatchimals). I wanted the omer meditation. 

If you want to use these inserts, this is the document I made.



I printed the inserts on different colored papers and cut them into strips. Then I gathered balloons, sharpies, yarn, and some helpers.

 The littles helped roll the papers and insert them into balloons. This was a numeracy experience as two papers are numbered. C blew them up and labeled each balloon in sharpie with the appropriate number. I couldn't have done it without her. I supervised and tied each balloon on with a slipknot.

Getting them upstairs and mounted was more challenging than we anticipated.

But it is done and so much fun!

Happy Omering!

A Giant Omer-bacus and other Torah STEM fun

Counting the Omer is a mitzva, a time for spiritual reflection, and marks our mounting excitement for Shavuot. In preschool it is an opportunity for numeracy and Hebrew number vocabulary.

I want to make counting the omer a very big deal in my preschool class.  Therefore we are making a giant omer abacus. A regular abacus is in base 10. For the omer it will be base seven.

Items needed:
pool noodles (ideally 7 different colors)
serrated knife (& cutting board)
permanent marker

strings and pushpins
OR
pvc pipe
wood
screws

First we sliced the noodles into rings. This was surprisingly easy and fun. I cut them approximately 3 inches thick.

Tova was very excited about the mounting pile of pool noodle beads. She quickly began collected them and stringing them onto the PVC pipes. The holes in the noodles were a little stiff on the pipes and I asked her to stretch the hole so it could slide more freely. 

 She began making patterns (STEM!). Ruti quickly joined in the action, making a more complex pattern.



We weren't ready for adding the numbers yet, but learning and fun were definitely happening.

When all the beads were cut (fifty plus a handful of extras in case we made a mistake adding numbers) there was still more noodle. 

These I cut into small rings and gave the girls a box of toothpicks. 

They loved building, using the toothpicks to fasten the noodles.

 This alone was wonderfully engaging. Then they began testing the ability to float their structures.
"We should use these for Noach!" Gabi exclaimed. Or bathtime.

 Back to the abacus.

At school, a teacher patterned the bead onto the tubes. The students loved helping, announcing which color would appear next. 

Finally everything was lined up and the teacher labeled each number. 

Meanwhile, the students painted the wood planks.

Finally, when everything was dry, the students assisted with using a power screwdriver and assembling the frame. This power is always empowering. 

Everyone is excited about the results.