Making the Mishkan

For perashat Pekudei, we made a 'replica' of the Mishkan.
I explained how the frame was wood covered in gold, but that since we didn't have spare gold at TDS, we would be covering wood with silver. Small people inevitably confuse these two colors anyway.

With aluminum foil, the students began the task of covering our blocks. This builds skills in logistics, coordination and fine motor development. And of course it is super fun!

 When we had a large pile of shinny blocks, construction began. There were pictures of the Mishkan around the room if they wanted a guide, but I only provided one directive: "The Mishkan can only be built if everyone works together."

 Working all together was challenging at first. Everyone wanted to build their own Mishkan or to work only with a select group. Several separate construction sites began.

 "We don't have enough blocks," they began to complain. "That is because you need to work together. If you work together and make one Mishkan, there will be enough."

 Slowly they began to work together.

 And a beautiful structure took form.

 More valuable than learning about the form of the Mishkan, was the lesson that great things can only be created if everyone works together.

Painting Outside the Box

Painting is fun, but it was time to extend this activity. 
First the students drew pictures and then painted them.

 The kids enjoyed this and it is what led to our playground adventure last week.

Then we changed the paper and colored on foil, creating a mural. Everyone loved this group activity!

The painting was so enjoyed that during recess, Yitzy and Yochanan asked for paintbrushes. "We need brushes and water," they explained. "We are painting our ship."

Other 'fixer-men' came to help. A 4th grader said, "You know that isn't really painting. Soon it will disappear." They were not deterred by this comment. "It is turning it black now. If the paint comes off, we will paint it again!" 

A Different Playground

The lack of enthusiasm about our outdoor time has not only been noted by the staff. This morning, during free play, Yochanan drew and painted a beautiful picture.
"This is a playground. But not the one for recess. This is a really fun one. There is a high slide, and a merry-go-round, and really fun things," he explained. 
This clear and stunning request needed to be granted. We went to the park!
The whole preschool went, the weather was stunning and everyone had a blast! 
The park looks a lot like Yochanan's picture!

Sounds Like Fun on the Playground

On cold, wet days the playground lacks appeal. We  know the importance of being outside and having gross motor play time, so we have been brainstorming ideas to make recess time more fun. We have many ideas, but haven't brought them to fruition yet. Last week, some of the older students took care of it for us.
During a shared recess, they had band practice!

 Izzy on drum, Jacob on ukulele, and Donny using drum sticks on the playground equipment combined, making something exciting for the preschool. 

 For weeks, preschoolers had not climbed onto the play structure and now they were all eagerly on it.

 Or on the ground, dancing to the music.

 Or on the structure, dancing.

 The audience was rapt.
"Is there a certain song you would like them to play?" I asked Ori, as he sat transfixed by their sound.
"No, I love everything they are doing," he replied.