We also discovered that by counting the Omer each day, we are learning a valuable math skill. First, we count out one cube for each day of the Omer. Next, we group the cubes into groups of seven, to represent the number of days in a week. This helps us to understand that days build into weeks, and we can express the Omer in weeks and days!
Through our discussions, we came to appreciate 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, “Slaves do not get to make choices! They do what they are told to do! Even when they get to eat!” “The Torah has rules and stories to help us make the right choices!” “Hashem loves us and wants us to do the right thing! That’s why Hashem gave us the Torah!” To further help the children understand how rules help us, I read, No Rules For Michael by Sylvia Rouss. The children all agreed, rules keep us safe and help us know how to act the right way! The Torah is truly a most special gift from Hashem!
The children had an opportunity to reflect upon ideas they expressed two years earlier 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 a Haiku expressing 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 mixed with glue and paint to create the mountain, and painted the sky. The children added a bed of green grass paper and flowers from tissue paper and collage materials to decorate their part of Mount Sinai. The children collaborated making big bolts of lightening! Finally, we added their puppets: Moses, Miriam, Aaron and the Jewish slave at the foot of Mount Sinai! Our wall includes our Haiku poems.. The children’s pride was evident as they encouraged their families to stop in and see their work!
The children are surely looking forward to our Shavuot Celebration, this Wednesday evening, June 8th at 5pm! Please join us to hear the reading of the 10 Commandments and share in an ice cream party and dairy buffet!
