This Week in 2nd Grade
November 18, 2018
BACK IN ACTION!
We made the most of our time together this morning, starting with a quick review of what our class has done with Sylvia the past 3 weeks. Here are some highlights:
* We heard the story of "The Fish Who Looked for Water." In the story, a fish overhears some children on the beach talking about how beautiful the water is, and of course the fish wants to see this beautiful water. Along the fish's journey to "find" water, he learns that - just as we can not see the air that surrounds us - fish can't see the water that surrounds them. So, too, is it with God. God is everywhere even though we can't necessarily see or touch God. Ask your child about the special fish art project s/he did. What are some ways s/he and you know that God is everywhere?
* We started to learn the Hebrew alphabet! So far we have learned the letters shin, bet, and tav. Ask your child what sound each letter makes and if s/he remembers how to write the letter.
* We started to talk about prayer and how we pray, paying close to attention to the things Jews often wear to pray (i.e. kippot, yamulke) and use (siddur, Torah).
* We studied the Shema, the guiding prayer of the Jewish people. Ask your child what the Shema reminds us as we recite it. We also learned that Jews traditionally recite the Shema twice a day, once upon awakening and again right before bed. Ask your child why Jews do this. The kids started decorating their own Shema pillowcases to bring home next month to help remind them to recenter their minds by reciting the Shema in the morning and at bedtime.
After reviewing the fun they had had while I was gone, our class moved the holiday wheel ahead to Chanukah and reviewed the story and traditions associated with the holiday. We acted out the story of Chanukah and especially enjoyed "destroying the temple" - our classroom. :) We did a very special Chanukah art project which you should plan to pick up during Chanukah University on Sunday, December 2nd. (See below for more information regarding that morning.)
December promises to be another busy month for us and will include a very special visitor on the 16th.
Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! I am beyond thankful for my Sunday mornings with your children!
Best,
Jennifer
CHANUKAH UNIVERSITY - DECEMBER 2ND - 9:00AM~10:45AM
TODAH RABAH, SYLVIA!!!
A special shout out to our amazing madricha, Sylvia, who seamlessly took over the class with the help of a substitute teacher and covered so much material! I left her with a lot of ground to cover, and she did it flawlessly, even while dealing with an injury of her own! Thank you, Sylvia!!! You truly are my right hand woman, both figuratively and literally! :)