December in Kindergarten

As the temperature cools outside, a warm glow of excitement is shinning in our kindergarten class. The children are filled with anticipation as the story of Chanukah unfolds in our classroom. We began our study imagining what life was like when all the Jewish people lived together in Israel. We learned that the Beit Hamikdash was the beautiful Holy Temple, and the center for Jewish ritual and life. As the children closed theirs eyes, they tried to envision what the Beit Hamikdash looked like as I described the appearance of the beautiful structure to them. We tried to feel the happiness and pride the Jewish people felt as they lived their lives together in their homeland so many years ago.

We learned that inside the Beit Hamikdash was a truly beautiful gold menorah. This menorah had 7 branches and was lit by the High Priest each day. The glow illuminated the beautiful Temple. The children were intrigued that only the purest of olive oil was used to light the menorah. I asked the children, “Where do you think the High Priest got the olive oil?” The children responded, “olives!” “Yes, I said, but where did they get the olives?” “From the olive trees”, they said. Finally, I asked, “How did they get to where the olive trees grow?” It was through this dialogue, that the children began to understand how precious olive oil was all those years ago. Certainly, they did not go to the local supermarket to buy it! Rather, they deduced, they had to walk or ride a camel to the olive trees, pick the olives, and travel back with them. Only then could the olive oil making process begin! And, after all that, only the very first drop of oil from each olive could be used to light the magnificent menorah.

Keeping all these ideas in mind, the Kindergarten met with the Pre-K class, and together we wrote up a plan to recreate the Beit Hamikdash based on how we imagined it looked! Many ideas were given, and the children got busy designing and creating walls, a floor, a ceiling and a golden menorah! As our Holy Temple began to take shape, we met again and discussed our progress and the jobs that still needed to be done. This planning session, the children decided to start making a beautiful door worthy of the Beit Hamikdash. The children’s enthusiasm and imagination has fueled this beautiful project. We can’t wait to showcase our finished project at the start of Chanukah!

Our new shared reading book, Duck and Hen, has prompted us to think about what it means to be a friend. What do you do if a friend does not want to play what you are playing? What can you say or do so both friends are happy? The children brainstormed ways they can handle this situation! They offered these ideas: “first play what you want, then play what your friend wants”, “one day play what you want and the next day play what your friend does” and “find something to play that you both like!” By thinking and planning ahead about these situations, we are better able to handle them when they arise! We also learned two new sight words from the story: “Do” and “Went”. We all enjoyed playing sight word bingo together with all the words we know!

A fun new math game was introduced using two dice. The children roll the dice and “add” the two numbers together. Then, they record their responses on their individual bar graphs. Finally, they compare their results to those of their partners! We also used dominoes to help us practice adding and recognizing different ways to add numbers to get the same sum! The concept of lighter and heavier was also explored using a pan balance scale. The children have really enjoyed using the scale in their play as well!

As Chanukah approaches we will be exploring the many values the Chanukah story teaches, as well as engaging in many wonderful projects, which I will share with you in the next blog!


Be sure not to miss these fun Chanukah family events: Build it with Daddy, Monday the 14th at 8:30am and The Chanukah Bubble Party next Wednesday, the 16th at 4:30!