Dear Parents, 

    This week we started our Gratitude/Thanksgiving Unit along with Parsh Vayeria. Here are some highlights 

        Parsha 

We learned that Avraham and Sara helped other people who were traveling through the hot desert.  The tent they lived in had 4 doors and their doors would always be open so they could see all travelers coming from all directions.  Once their guests were fed and had water to drink Avraham would tell them about the ways of Hashem.  One week Avraham was not feeling well, suddenly Hashem appeared to Avraham to help him feel better.  Although Avraham was grateful that Hashem came he wanted human guests to come so he could serve and teach them. Soon after this Avraham saw three travelers in the distance.  Not wanting to miss the opportunity he ran out to welcome them in.   Once Avraham and Sara got them settled the travelers told them they were special messengers sent from Hashem.  They were there to heal Avraham and to tell them they were going to have a baby!  Sara laughed, being so old she didn't expect to have any babies.  One year later Avraham and Sara welcomed their baby boy, who they named Yitzchok, meaning laughter because he brought such joy to the couple.  After eight days Yitzchok was the first baby boy to have a bris milah, a mitzvah for Jewish boys ever since.

Blocks
In the block center our friends were invited to create their own tent just like Avraham and Sara.  We used some big loose parts such as foam noodles and cardboard pipes to construct the frame work of a tent and big airy fabrics to go on top.  The children crawled through and sat inside and practiced inviting each other in.

                                                                          Table Top Manipulatives

This week our friends focused on  pouring water for guests and themselves.  This is a great practical life skill to have.  Our friends built concentration and working on a tray defines work space.  Children notice mistakes, (like spilled beans) quickly and are willing to correct on their own, this is known as control of error.


This week we also worked on making our own juice out of clementines, lacing napkin holders, and folding napkins.

Gross Motor

  Our friends were invited to paint with pumpkins this week.  We set out butcher paper, pumpkins, and orange and brown paint.  The Morahs encouraged the children to dip the pumpkins into paint and then roll the pumpkins on the butcher paper to create pumpkin paint marks.  First the children enjoyed using the pumpkins to stamp the butcher paper they joyfully examined the blotchy print the bottom of the pumpkin left behind. Once the children become more comfortable with the material they started rolling the pumpkins across the paper and then the Morahs tried to catch the pumpkin to roll it back.  Pushing and swinging the pumpkin helps strengthen the shoulder, arm and leg muscles.  Balance and flexibility are also improved as the children work to focus on getting the pumpkin on the paper and rolling it hard enough to make its way across to the end of the paper.  Lastly, gripping the pumpkin helps strengthen the hand muscles needed for holding a pencil.

Next week we will continue with this unit and we hope to see all of you at our annual Thanksgiving lunch Wed. Nov. 21 at 11:30 a.m.  We hope you all have a restful Shabbos,  Morah Felicia and Morah Menucha