Posted in General Studies

Guided Relaxation in Kindergarten

This guided relaxation video has become very popular amongst the Kindergartens!

There are many guided relaxation/meditation videos and scripts available for kids – Teaching kids mindfulness can help them fend off negative thoughts and behaviors; build self-confidence, attentiveness, and self-control; and even learn to treat others and themselves with respect. Try it at home!

https://youtu.be/JEdAMZ4NQtc

 

Posted in Jewish Studies

Chag Hanukkah Sameach!

Happy Hanukkah!

In the Gan we have been very busy learning all about Hanukkah, how and why we celebrate.

We used a KWHLAQ chart for the yeladim to guide the learning.

(What do I know? What do I want to know? How can I find out? What have I learned? What action will I take? What further questions do I have?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were a lot of questions!

Why was King Anitiochus evil?

Why do we spin dreidels?

Why do we eat food with oil?

Why do we eat chocolate coins?

Why do we need a Chanukiah?

Why do we light the candles?

Why is there a helper candle?

Why DO we celebrate Hanukkah?

Then I asked the yeladim HOW can we find these answers?

Popular suggestions were to ask people (Ima and Aba, Morah Shira, a friend, G-d, the Shinshinim, a Rabbi, people in Israel), ask Siri, look on a computer/Ipad, look in the Torah, and look in a book.

Next came the action. We began with Why do we spin dreidels? As this covers the first part of the story of Hanukkah.

I told the yeladim all about King Antiochus who wanted the people to be like him and follow his religion. We already know that Jews don’t pray to idols and only believe in one G-d. So they gathered in secret to continue to learn Torah and when Antiochus’s soldiers came by, they hid the Torah and pretended to be playing with dreidels.

We applied this learning by acting out the story and making our own dreidels.

Here they are in action:

K1

K2

Posted in Jewish Studies, Reminders

Our Upcoming Hanukkah Celebration!

Dear Kindergarten Parents,

Happy Hanukkah!

We are so excited to celebrate with you at our school wide party December 6th at 6:00 pm.

There have been a number of questions that will hopefully be answered in the following information.

  • All students will be sitting with their class and teachers.
  • The show will be roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour and will end at around 7:15 pm.
  • All new OJCS families will be invited to the front with Rabbi Finkelstein to light the Hanukkiah.
  • Students are asked to wear shirts or dresses (for the girls) that are the colors of a flame (either orange, red or yellow).  
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
The Kindergarten Team