Dear Parents, 

 Our week was filled with planting, finger painting and much more. Here are some highlights of the week as we continue our Tu B'Shvat unit:

Science 

Our friends planted their own seeds to take home for Tu B'Shvat.  First we filled our pots up with soil. Then sprinkled some herb seeds on top and finally sprinkled them with water.  We hope to see something sprouting soon. 

We also started our garden outside with a very special guest, Nina, The Garden Lady.  All the children worked hard during this process.  First the children had to clean all the rubbish and turn all the soil in the garden.  Then we scooped and add new soil for more nutrients.  Finally we could plant our seeds and flowers and add water.  We planted lettuce, corn, broccoli, carrots, radishes, and flowers to attract the bees. Our friends will be responsible for caring and watering the garden each day.  We can't wait to see what grows!

Blocks/Gross Motor

 This week we used our tape tree to balance as we tried to walk the maze.  This activity fosters postural control which is the ability to stabilize the trunk and neck while our friends work other limbs such as the legs. In addition the children had to work hard focusing on the tape as they walked along the tree.  After we walked the different parts of the tree, this activity extended into tracing the tree with all of our blocks.

 

Before eating lunch on Thursday, our friends were invited to try some fruits from a tree, figs and dates.   We know these are special fruits we eat on Tu B'Shvat.  Here is what they thought of them. 

How do the dates and figs taste?

Shmuel-"I taste at home with mommy"

Luka-"More, more, more of that."(dates)

Lia-"Tastes good." She also found the seed in her piece.

Abigail-" I don't like it. I don't like the figs."

We had a very busy week. Please check the CJP Family Facebook Group for more pictures of the many activities we did this week.  

Wishing you restful Shabbos, 

 Morah Felicia 

Tu B Shvat

Dear Parents, 

This week in the Blue Room we introduced the next big holiday coming up: Tu B Shvat!  Here are some highlights:

Our friends enjoyed sculpting and rolling "fruits"  and "trees" out of playdoh.  We used tree playdoh mats, gems, and wooden blocks to enhance their experience.  We discussed the different parts of the tree such as roots,  the trunk, bark, branches and leaves. Playing and molding playdoh can be extremely therapeutic for a child who needs to physically express their emotions.  In addition, their fingers are working to strengthen their fine motor skills and dexterity while their brain is working on their imagination and creativity.

Lia- "I did a tiny tree and made a flower"

Luka- "It's a trunk, 2 trunks"

Abigail- "I make a tree. I have apples at my home."

 

Sensory

This week, our sensory table was filled with soil, sticks, and alphabet letters.  Our friends were invited to dig and hide letters, create mud paste, and add seeds to our soil.  On Friday we added grass seeds to our table.  Morah Felicia asked "what do you think will happen to the seeds?  Will they stay the same or will they change when we open the table on Monday?"  Our friends guessed they will stay the same, we can't wait to find out on Monday.

 We asked our friends a question, what do you think grows in soil? Our friends shouted out answers, "flowers" "carrots." Morah Felicia explained to her friends that another very special holiday was coming up called Tu B Shevat.  Just like Rosh Hashana is the the New Year for people, Tu B Shevat is the New Year for the trees.  On Tu B Shevat we celebrate the trees and thank them for everything they give us.  What are some gifts our trees give to us all year long?

                                                           

                                                                           Fine motor

Shmuel concentrating hard to thread all of his beads on his string.

                                                                

                                                             

 Dramatic Play/Math

  The children had so much fun "harvesting" fruits and vegetables from our garden. Harvesting means when a fruit or vegetable is ready to  be picked to eat.  This center provided great conversations about what fruits and vegetables grow on trees and which grow in the ground. Our friends sort fruits and vegetables that grow from the ground and on trees.   This gives great opportunity to extend our play and create a farmer's market for the food we harvest.  

                                                      

Next week we will continue our Tu B Shvat exploration.  Please send a piece of fruit with you child for an activity we will be doing.  Wishing you a fabulous Shabbos, 

                                                          Morah Felicia

Dear Parents, 

 The Blue Room friends stayed busy this week. Here are some highlights:

Science/Fine Motor

Our friends enjoyed making their own playdoh.  First we measured and poured all our ingredients in a tray and mixed them together.  They were fascinated as they watched the powder cornstarch turn into a solid ball of playdoh before their eyes. 

Literacy

 

Our friends were introduced to the first letter of their names.  They were invited to trace the letters with their fingers and then with loose parts. 

Social Emotional/Community 

At snack we noticed Shmuel had something interesting on his bagel. We discovered they were seeds. This sparked an interesting  and adorable conversation.  This was also so perfect as a start to our unit on Tu B'Shvat next week.

Shmuel- "Apples start out as seeds. Then they grow."

Lia- "Yeah like flowers"

Lia shows us half of a tomato and says, "Look inside. There are coconuts."

Morah- "Abigail, do you think your chips have seeds in them?"

Abigail- "Yeah, um flower seeds."

Luka- "Mmmm, pears, yes from seeds."

Then as  we were cleaning up, Luka observed Shmuel's lunchbox looked like a "Present." 

Next week we will be starting our Tu B'Shvat unit. Check out our Facebook group for more pictures. 

Wishing you a restful Shabbos, 

         Morah Felicia

Welcome Back, Friends!

Dear Parents, 

This week we spent our time getting back into our routine after winter break.  We hope you enjoyed spending quality time with your families.  We were so excited to welcome all of our friends back to school, and they were just as excited to come back and be with us, their CJP family.  We also had the pleasure of welcoming a new friend to the Blue Room and the CJP family, Shmuel Bryski.  Here are some highlights of the week:

Manipulatives 

Shaving Cream Exploration

Our Blue Room friends were invited to explore shaving cream painting on mirrors.  Secret treasures were hidden under the cream. 

Thanks for another great week! As always wishing you all a restful Shabbos.

Morah Felicia