Beshalach Video

 

Bo Video

 

Vaera Video

 

Shemot Video

 

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.

A STEM Haggadah

Are you all ready for Pesach? Of course not! The list of things which require attention at Pesach time seems endless. I'm not here to help you clean, menu plan or decorate. I'm here to think about the children.

Small children always require attention.  And to be learning. And to actively engage in open-ended learning. And to have Torah values in all of their thoughts. And of course STEM learning. Since these priorities were all at the top of your Pesach prep list, I have helped you out with a STEM Haggadah and Pesach toy.

This Haggadah is a series of pattern block challenges. Pattern blocks were invented fifty years ago to enhance mathematical, geometric reasoning, critical assessment, and creative design. 

Hopefully you already own a set of pattern blocks. If not, Amazon can send them fast, like these or these. I made them for my students, die-cutting the shapes out of foam.  You could cut them from paper, but I am skeptical of the time and durability. 

Lay the pattern blocks inside of the Seder related images. Testing how to manipulate each of the six shapes to best create the picture. Creating their own images is part of the fun as well.

Children can use this Haggadah, before, during, and after the Seder to enhance their learning and keep them quietly engaged. You're welcome.

Print and enjoy!
Pattern Block Haggadah

Chag Kasher v'Sameach!

Using Love to Decontaminating the House: Pesach & Parashat Metzora

Parashat Metzora is a continuation on last week's tzara'at in Parashat Tazria. The horrible spiritual skin condition can also contaminate the actual structure of your house. And if this happens:

Vayikra 14:41. And he shall scrape out the house from the inside, all around, and they shall pour out the [mortar] dust from what they scraped, outside the city, into an unclean place.

We might not have tzara'at today, but this time of year some people go almost to such extremes, and not for the sake of a "parasha project". Ah the joy of Pesach cleaning! 

Here is a secret: I HATE CLEANING! 

Ok, maybe it is not a secret. But I do try to underplay my dislike for this task. Why? Why would I keep my hatred for cleaning a secret?

Because I don't want my kids to hate cleaning. 

Children pick up on our likes and dislikes, even if we don't verbalize them. 

Often when I get off the phone, the girls will say, "How is so-and-so?" 
"How did you know who I was talking to?" I ask, surprised. Their reasons include my tone, facial expression, phrases used, and topics discussed. 

Children observe everything. If I complain excessively about cleaning, there is no hope of me successfully encouraging them to do it. Then everyone will feel justified in their hatred for cleaning and no one will do it.

This extends to pretty much everything. If I complain to or in front of my kids about going to synagogue, cooking for shabbat, another person, or any religious practice, they will also think negatively of it. 

As I mentioned last week and last year, rabbinic tradition connects tzara'at with lashon hara. Something consumes your body and even your house, as a consequence of 'negative speech.' Guarding your tongue, thinking carefully about what you say, is crucial in preventing tzara'at, a physical/spiritual condition. We don't have tzara'at today, but careless speech causes educational/emotional/social (and spiritual) consequences. 

I still hate cleaning for Pesach! 
I can't smile and scrub at the same time! And I can't lie about it. 
I frame it and balance it. 

Framing it means saying things like: 
"I don't like everything about cleaning, but I love having a clean house!" 
"Cleaning the whole house is going to be a lot of work! I am so glad I have such good helpers!" 
"The cleaning can feel like a lot of work. Can you imagine what it was like to be a slave in mitzrayim?"
"Cleaning is not my favorite part of Pesach. _________ is. What is your favorite part?"

Keeping the bad attitude at bay for the kid's sake, will also keep it away for your sake.  Armed with a baby wipe, small broom or rag, toddlers love to 'help'. Or you can try even younger.






Balancing:
In my preschool group and later at home, the children had art time to make signs. Taking a break from cleaning to do something relaxing and enjoyable is crucial. 

Print, color in, laminate (optional), and the children are thrilled to put one on a completed room. They take pride walking past it, 'I made the sign, AND I helped get that room ready for Pesach. Oh! And I can't bring this cracker in.'

If you had spare time for a parasha project this week, the signs could easily be altered to "This Room is Tzara'at Free."

This really is just a cleaning break. You can even see the vacuum in the foreground. 

And now back to my not-so-favorite activity...


Shabbat Shalom!