As Chanukah is approaching, we are incorporating the special holiday in all centers of our classroom addressing all modalities of learning and various skills. 

We experienced the Chanukah story, by reenacting the story with our friends from Class Gimmel.

The Macabees marching around the classroom...

...finding the small jar of sealed olive oil. The Kohen (priest) used the olive oil to light the menorah in the Beit Hamikdash. 

Creating the Menorahs was both meaningful and a positive learning experience for the children.

The children created their menorahs out of clay and used various art mediums to embellish their menorahs. While working on their Menorahs, the children demonstrated signs of confidence, independence, and creativity.

Each Menorah is special and unique. The children are SO proud of them and can't wait to use them on Chanukah!

Squeezing olives to make some olive oil. 

Spin the Dreidel Art.

 The children practice spinning the dreidels dipped into paint, and created their own beautiful splatters of paint on their artwork. 

Chanukah puzzle:

The children practiced pouring oil from a pitcher into the eight bulbs of the menorah. 
It was a great fine motor activity that required the children to focus and practice hand-eye coordination. 

Our friends were so excited to show their Chanukah items from home during "Show 'n' Share".

Oil Painting:

The children mixed olive oil and paint to change the texture of their paint to oil paints.

Pre-Math Sequencing Cards:

 The children used sequencing cards that required the children to put three step directions in order.They demonstrated knowledge in the process of making olive oil and latkes.

Matching Colors

Chanah was super proud of her accomplishments.

In the spirit of Chanukah, we added some green olives to our 

Challah this week.

Happy 3rd Birthday to Geffen! 

May she grow with much health and happiness, and give much nachas to her parents and family. 

The children are involved in making cupcakes for Geffen's birthday.

What a week! We've been really busy getting ready for the 

Shabbat dinner; as we began our learning about Chanukah.

The children explore Chanukah items and practice spinning the dreidel.

Squeezing olives in order to create olive oil.

Weekly Highlight:

Class Bet friends and Class Gimmel friends joined together to watch a Chanukah play performed by the Morahs and Friends as an introduction to the Chanukah unit.

  The friends watched as their Morahs and friends transformed into characters from the Chanukah story.

Here, Morah Mushka acts as King Antioches's messenger. She's telling the Jewish people that the King does not allow them to learn Torah, Keep Shabbat, or do Mitzvot. 

Of course, the Jewish people did not want to listen to the King; they only wanted to listen to Hashem! So, along with their Alef-Bet papers and some dreidels, they quietly hid  in a cave where they could learn Torah.

When King Antioches's messenger found them in the cave, they quickly put their Alef-Bet papers away and took out their dreidels. 

The children were truly experiencing the story!

This week, clay was introduced to the children. They enjoyed sculpting the clay, and feeling its moist texture. The friends used their creativity as the molded their own clay sculptures. 

Our sensory box was filled with moon sand and coins for Chanukah Gelt.

The children were really excited to host the Shababt dinner for all the  Mommies and Daddies, therefore, they decided that we should clean our classroom for Shabbat. 

Here Chloe and Charlie are preparing the bottles with soap and water.

Busy cleaning the classroom.

 The children decorated their Challah covers using liquid water colors and eye-droppers. While droppers are fun to use, they can also be difficult. But, the children mastered the skill pretty quickly.

Fine motor skills: beading.

Open-Ended Painting.

Next week - along with hearing more of the story,

 the children will begin to make their own Menorahs.