Shabbot Unit

This week we started focusing on Shabbos concepts.  What does Shabbos mean to you? What are some things we do on Shabbos? We kept these questions in mind as we set up our centers.  At the end of our Shabbat Unit our friends will take home their very own "Shabbat box"  with some essential pieces they can use each Shabbat, hopefully for years to come.  Our class will be making challah covers, candle stick holders, and Kiddush cups.  Here are some highlights

                                                        Dramatic Play
Let's go shopping for Shabbat.  This week we set up our dramatic play as a grocery store.  We also printed out grocery lists for our friends to take with them while they shopped as they found each item on the list they were able to check it off.  Our friends enjoyed pushing their carts with their babies in the front and hunting for their items to prepare for their shabbat meal.


                                                           Table Top/Loose Parts
We created shabbos candles by putting loose parts, such as buttons and bottle caps, on top of candle templates. We also got to identify the word "Shabbat" in Hebrew by tracing the letters (Shin, Bet, Tuf) on tile with loose parts!


On one of the tables during morning centers pictures of challah and braiding templates were put. The children were invited to braid their own play-dough challah by following the step by step instructions.

                                                          Sensory
On Shabbos it is always nice to have flowers on the table to beautify the Shabbat table. We practiced making flower arrangements in the sensory table using flowers and mason jars.

Perhaps the activity our friends loved the most this week was Grape Juice Making! On Shabbos we make Kiddush on grape juice.. how is grape juice made? Well, we found out what that process looks like by stomping grapes outside!

                                                            Group and community
Snack and lunch time discussions were focused on Shabbat.  We went over a Shabbos checklist and talked about all the things we do to welcome in Shabbat.. like cleaning the house, taking a shower, and making delicious food. We asked friends what they do on Shabbat.

                                                              Art
We painted glass candle holders using a new art medium- glass paint.  This paint was a different consistency than what we have worked with before.. our friends enjoyed blending the colors on the glass and then added gems for an extra sparkle.

Our friends made napkin rings with dot art and paint for our School Shabbat dinner. Thanks to everyone who donated cardboard rolls.

On Friday we made our own challah dough from scratch! The children got to explore what kind of ingredients are used to make bread, and had the opportunity to pour those ingredients, watch the yeast bubble, and mix the dough. After the dough was given some time to rise a little, we shaped our dough to put in the oven. We hope our friends enjoy their homemade challah this Shabbos that they worked so hard on!

We can't wait to see you all at our annual Shabbat dinner Friday the 24th. As always wishing a restful shabbos.  Morah Felicia and Morah Briele