“Wow! Look at our palace!” “Hey, those are the pillars we made!” “This is so cool!” These were the excited exclamations made by the children as they entered the classroom on Monday morning. This response was, exactly what I had hoped it would be! Purim, after all, should elicit this type of excitement and joy!
It all began the previous Friday. I had shown the children several different pictures of pillars. I asked the children if they knew what they were. “They look like they are from a castle!” said one friend. “Yes, they are so pretty.” We discussed that they are called pillars, and like the pictures,
they could be made from different types of materials, be in different colors and shapes. The children liked the look of a marble pillar the best! “What do you think it is made from?” I asked. “Stone?” replied one child. “What kind of stone?” I prompted. “Something shiny!” “I know, it’s made out of marble!”
they could be made from different types of materials, be in different colors and shapes. The children liked the look of a marble pillar the best! “What do you think it is made from?” I asked. “Stone?” replied one child. “What kind of stone?” I prompted. “Something shiny!” “I know, it’s made out of marble!” After deciding which we liked best, I told the children I had brought in some cardboard, and wanted to make our own pillars. The children could not wait to get started. “But,” they said, “We want marble pillars.” We discussed how we could make our pillars look like marble. The children decided on painting them. We looked at different tools we could use, (brushes, sponges, rollers) and decided on sponges to get the best “marble like” affect. Then we choose our colors and got to work!
Their pillars became the entrance to our palace! They were so proud to see their pillars standing tall when they came into class on Monday. They could not wait to interact with all the props in their new palace. Of course, no story of Purim would be complete without Mordecai’s home! Another area was created as Mordecai’s home, complete with Jewish ritual objects, like candlesticks, a Kiddush cup, Kippot, and prayer books.
Later in the day we sat together and began to create a KWL chart. We listed all the information we “KNEW” about Purim. I told the children to think about what we wrote, and what questions they may have about Purim. The following day they came prepared, and we listed all the things we “WANT” to know about Purim. Their questions included, “Why do we give extra tzedakah?” “Why do we give gifts of food?” and “Why does Hashem not appear in the story of Purim?” We were ready to learn!
In keeping with the excitement and fun of the holiday, we invited the Pre K class to join ours, as the Morahs “told” the Purim story as a “play” using beautiful, large characters against a vibrant backdrop. As the play has unfolded, we have revisited our questions, to see if we can now answer them! At the end of the story, we will again, look over our questions and answers to see that we have an authentic understanding.
Music is a must for every Purim celebration! We are delighted to have one of our moms come in and help us learn some new Purim songs. We are looking forward to sharing them with our Zimmer family at our Purim celebration!
Purim story basics have been the topics of our morning journal questions. Each morning the children read the question and respond in writing in their journals. They illustrate and label their pictures as well. The children have been so enthusiastic in writing their responses!
Next week we will put our learning into action! We will be creating a class “Story Map” of the Purim Story which will then become each child’s own Megillah. We will be making beautiful mosaic cases for their scrolls as well. By recalling our Chanukah Haiku writing, we will now each create our own Purim Haiku! Plus, there are a few more surprises along the way!
Don’t forget to join us for The Chabad Community Purim Party! It will be held on Sunday, March 20 at 4:30 PM! Everyone is invited, there is an RSVP at zimmerpreschool.com or you can speak to Rabbi Yitzchok at 908-604-8844 ext. 228. Our school Masquerade will be on Monday, March 21. The children are encouraged to dress as characters from the Purim narrative.
Happy Purim!
