Adventures in Books: Pinkalicious

The best part about our pajama party (other than the ice cream) was snuggling up together for some classic stories.  This term we are continuing this interest by exploring everyone's favorite books. 

Each child will chose their favorite book (I have some veto power) and we will spend a day or two experiencing the book. 

Orlee chose first, bringing in Pinkalicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann.  For those of you unfamiliar with the book, it is about the dangers of artificial color. 

The free choice activities were connected to the book.

Pink play-dough cupcake making.

 Pinkalicious coloring pages.

 Efforts to help Pinkalicious reach the top of the fridge.

Everyone was enjoying these activities when students began to ask, "Can we make real cupcakes?" 

Of course!

With the ingredients, we practiced math and taking turns while we began to bake. 

 What color should we make?

 "Pink!" They said.

 Pink!

 Pink!

 Pink!

They really did turn out pink!

 Everyone gobbled up a cupcake. 

And then the strangest thing began to happen.

 Faces turned pink!

 Hands turned pink!

And bellies were the color of a sunset!  (We didn't really look)

After showing everyone we had turned into Pinkalicious and Peter, we went to the library to enjoy more books.

Tomorrow we will embark on Judah's favorite, The Foot Book. Stay tuned!

Hanukkah- Oil The Good Things

First the students enjoyed the story of the oil miraculously lasting for eight days.

Then they used 'real' clay to make their own small [oil] pitcher. 

Hopefully yours made it home. They were VERY delicate. It is truly miraculous that even one survived in the Beit Hamikdash.

Then we explored oil.
The students compared three very different types of oil, using their five sense.

The students like olive oil, but were most impressed by the "sesame noodle one".

Then we did a science experiment with the oils.

The students examined a vessel of water. The students discussed many of the properties of water, where it is found, and the many ways water is needed. Everyone enjoyed naming another living creature that needs water. "And for swimming lessons!" Michal added. "We NEED water for swimming lessons."

We looked at oil and discussed its properties. Everyone said it was important for cooking. "But I don't want the sesame noodle one in a cookie. That wouldn't taste right," Chaya pointed out. 

Each student got a cup with a small amount of oil. They selected a food coloring bottle and added 3 drops to their oil. 

The students gently stirred the color and oil.

Then it was time for the magic.

Using a pipette, the students dropped their solutions into the water. 

 

The colors slowly disperse, in a very beautiful way. 

We used the remaining oil and food dye to make art. They dripped the color onto sevivon shaped papers.

The squeezing is great for artistic fun, fine motor coordination, and muscular development in pincher fingers. 

We ended the day by eating oily bumuelos. Only the real Sephardi kids liked them. Many kids wouldn't try them and those who did threw them in the garbage after a bite. :(. 

I can teach many topics, but not taste. :)

Black Ice Fun

All grown ups are terrified by the prospect of driving on black ice.
But children love playing on it!
When I first realized there was ice on the playground, I worried about safety. But instead of forbidding the area, the children were cautioned so they had the opportunity to experience and learn.
First they were hesitant.

Then they loved it.

Then they fell.
No one cried from their fall because they were informed and prepared for the danger.

Parasha Plays

These parshiyot of Beresheit, recounting the stories of the avot and imaot, are very dramatic. I used to teach them as a dramatic performance, acting out different roles with small costume changes. Although the classes always learned and enjoyed, this year I switched it to hand puppets. Then I left a puppet theater and my puppets out for the students during free play. The results were amazing! They love performing the stories from the parasha. They prove their interest, retention, and love for Torah every time they reach for a puppet or sat raptly in the audience. 

 This interest in puppets will be extended by sending home the same puppets for use at home as well as introducing another sort of puppet to the class. The new puppet will be highlighting social emotional growth.


We also explored sulam Yaakov, Jacob's ladder in many ways.
Here we took turns rolling a die and adding its number as popsicle stick rungs to the ladder. In this was we practiced many mathematical principles, like number recognition, counting, and one to one correspondence.