Shavuot

As kindergarten counted the Omer each day in anticipation of Shavuot, we were reminded of the importance of preparing for special events with diligence and intention. By preparing in this way, we appreciate the holiday’s unique and special meaning. The children contemplated the familiar ways in which they prepare for upcoming events and holidays: We prepare to “go on vacation by packing, for performing our Passover puppet show by practicing, for the first day of school by buying the things we need, for Shabbat by cleaning, washing, and cooking, and for long drives by knowing where we are going and buying snacks!”


We came to understand that the Jewish people needed time to prepare to receive the Torah both physically and emotionally. After having been slaves for so long, it was important for the Jewish people to have the time to understand that with the new freedom, came responsibility. The children explained, “When we were slaves we were told what to do. Now, we would have to make our own choices.” Hashem gave us the Torah to help us learn and grow to become our best self by making good choices. Hashem loves us so deeply; that is why Hashem have us this gift.

The children had an opportunity to reflect upon ideas they expressed last year when we read their Shavuot book, The Humble Mountain. They revisited their ideas about how the different mountains boasted about being “the best” mountain upon which Hashem should give the Torah. Then, they thought of better ways the mountain could express pride, without being boastful. Finally, they wrote what the mountain could say instead. As we explored the idea of humility: being open to learning and growing, on a constant path of self-betterment, we role-played different scenarios that demonstrated how we can be proud of ourselves with being boastful, and maintain a sense of others. The children practiced giving each other compliments as well as receiving compliments graciously. We tried very hard to be mindful of how we spoke throughout the day to our friends and Morah.

As we felt great pride preparing for and performing our Passover Puppet Show, we decided to use our puppets again in our Shavuot project. After studying a picture of Mount Sinai, each child made one piece of the mountain on a panel. Working from the piece before, each child sketched his/her portion of the mountain. We used modeling sand and paint to create the mountain, and painted the sky. The children added green sand for grass and made flowers from tissue paper to decorate their part of Mount Sinai. The children collaborated making the Ten Commandments, lightning and fire! Finally, we added their puppets: Moses, Miriam, Aaron and the Jewish slave at the foot of Mount Sinai! Our wall included our writing responses to the boastful mountains. The children’s pride was evident as they encouraged their families to stop in and see their work!