Dear Parents, 

  We had such a blast this week celebrating Purim with Spirit Week and welcoming our new friend, JJ, to the Blue Room! This week our friends created Mishloach Manos baskets to exchange with their friends, created palaces and Hamantashen out of play doough, and ended this short week by dressing up and partying at our Purim carnival.  Thank you all for your contribution of treats for our Mishloach Manos basktes. We enjoyed learning about the mitzvot of Purim.  Please remember to check out the private CJP Family Group on Facebook for pictures of our week.  

Wishing you a safe and fun Purim, 

                        Morah Felicia

 Dear Parents,

     This week in the classroom we introduced our Purim unit.  We used peg puppets to introduce the main characters of the Purim story, King Achashverosh, Queen Vashti, Queen Esther, Mordechai, and Haman.  They joined us during Davening time and even snack time. Here are some more highlights of our week

                                                             

                                                                          Playdoh/Fine motor

Our friends use homemade playdoh to create their own crowns and use gems to embellish the tops of the crowns. Our Blue friends worked their fine motor skills as they pushed small beads into the playdoh.  

                                                                

Basket Design 

One of our fine motor activities on Friday was basket weaving. We practiced making Shalach Manot baskets for our friends, one of the mizvot of Purim.  Our used friends cut up pieces of foam and empty baskets to weave the strips of foam through the holes of the baskets.  Through weaving our friends learn patterning, critical thinking skills, and problem solving.  Weaving in and out in a pattern, helps to refine their eye/hand coordination.  They also cross the midline, which reinforces brain development between the right and left hemispheres.

Sensory

This week we explored salt trays and gems.  Using a  salt tray is an excellent way to promote writing skills incorporated with sensory experiences.   Our friends drew circles and lines around the gems..

 

Tzedakah

One of the four mitzvahs of Purim is giving Tzedakah.  Our friends practiced their fine motor skills as they were invited to give Tzedakah as an activity.  Tzedakah is giving to those in need.   The children were fascinated by the sound the coins made as they hit the bottom of the can.  They noticed the sound changed as the can became fuller.

Next week we will continue our Purim unit and have Spirit week! Enjoy your weekend,

Morah Felicia

 Dear Parents,

Here are some highlights of our week:

                                                               Blocks

Our friends work together to construct their own castle out of loose parts and legos in the block center.

Art/Dramatic

In preparation for Purim we are turning our dramatic play center into a Persian Castle. Our friends are creating a colorful kingdom!

                                                             

Math

Matching memory game. Our friends took turns flipping over 2 cards at a time to try and find a matching pair. When the cards were not a match they had to turn them back over for the next friend's turn

                                  

Next week we will dive right into our Purim unit. A list was sent out of items that your child can bring for our class Mishloach Manot baskets. Make sure to check out the FB group or Brightwheel to know what to bring. Thanks for a great week. Wishing you a restful Shabbos and beautiful long weekend, 

Morah Felicia 

Dear Parents, 

Here are some highlights of our week:

Process Art/Group Project

Our friends enjoyed an open ended art project.  They were invited to look at a picture. After that we discussed what they saw.  Next, they were encouraged to create their own abstract piece.  This was a two step process.  First they glued shapes onto their canvas then used watercolors to add more dimension. 

Lia-"Mmmm, a mouth, and eye.."

Luka-"Mouth, shapes."

Through Process Art our friends gain confidence to realize their own ideas, embrace experimentation, ask questions, and encourages creative and critical thinking skills.

                                                                  Block/Small World Play

This week in the block center a small world was set up inviting our friends to play. Abigail had so much fun imagining giraffes could drive and she created a "grocery store" to take her people friends to go shopping. Giving our friends the opportunity to act out experiences through small world play supports the development of their personal, social and emotional skills. When children take on and act out another role, it supports their language development, confidence building and self-esteem.

Sensory/Fine Motor

We grew grass in our sensory bin! Now it's time to practice some fine motor skills by trimming the grass with scissors. Our friends were so surprised when the lid was lifted and they discovered a bin full of grass. They felt the texture and examined the parts of the plants including the roots and blades.

Dramatic Play

Our friends have been really interested in babies and taking care of them. This week they focused on feeding and putting baby to sleep. They all show great care for them.  Next week we will extend on caring for baby. 

Thanks for a great week.  Wishing a peaceful Shabbos, 

 Morah Felicia