Back in the Saddle

It's obviously been a while since I've communicated, and I figured it might happen, but I'm found a few minutes, and I'll just give some highlights of what's been going on in my classes since report cards came out.

In Kindergarten, grade 6, and junior high gym, my classes have been aided by a guest teacher, Michal, who has been doing amazing work in all three classes. She's an experienced dance instructor and I am very grateful to have her teaching me and the students a lot of new activities, projects, and games that make dance engaging and enjoyable.

In all the grades, of course, we are also working hard on Purim. In grade 9 we filmed a special presentation I am editing and can't wait to unveil at the assembly. In all of junior high, they've studied about the hidden role of God in the story of Purim and how we relate our lives to the state of the Jews in Persia. 

In grade 2, 3, 4, and 5, they have been studying from Tal Am materials, doing puppet shows, and playing all kinds of games that help them remember the story of Purim and all the traditions we have. 

In Art, grade 3 has made some clay sculptures and painted them. They have also been experimenting with art and soundwaves. I will post those pictures when the projects are finished, but they could explain it perhaps.

With grade 2, we have done a couple of art projects revolving around Bereshit, and we are about to begin some watercolor paintings.

In grade 4/5, their tissue paper mosaic group projects came out wonderfully, and they will be doing more advanced work with soundwaves starting tomorrow.

Finally, in grade 6, they are learning to use pixlr online graphic editor and WeVideo video editor to make stop motion animation. We've just begun and I will definitely post some of their videos soon.

In Options, we have begun to design 3D printable objects for our brand new 3D printer. It's super exciting, but also super frustrating, because it's a very finicky machine. It was built from scratch like an IKEA robot, and we've had to order a new part to get it to work again :( However, we've seen it in action and it's awesome and I can't wait to post all kinds of stuff we get done in the near future once it arrives.

SO as you can see, it has been excruciatingly busy, and the blog has fallen unfortunate victim to the balagan. However, it's still on my radar and I am still trying. Here are some photos, and I hope to put up some thoughts for parashat hashavua tomorrow.

3D designs ready for printing

Students assembling the 3D printer

miniature 3D printed kiddush cup

KG dancing with ribbons

New Chapters

In many classes, we are beginning new chapters in the Tanach as we look ahead to Purim and Pesach studies. This includes parashat Toldot in grade 3, Shmot in grade 4/5, and Chayei Sarah in grade 7/8. Grade 9s are continuing to read and research their chapters in The Israelis. In gym, everyone is starting to play hockey.

In grade 4/5 art, self portraits are getting finished up, and in Options, the 7/8s have switched over to my stocks unit while the 9s are working with Ben on musical instruments.

As a last note, I want to congratulate Sarah, Nathaniel, and Reuben again on their work as Tu Bishvat campaign leaders. As a school we planted over 120 trees in Eilat, and it was thanks to some dedicated leadership on their part. So mazel tov to them and to the school!

Jan 25-29: Tu Bish Whaaat?

Holy moly, as I look back on my day-planner from this week, I can't believe how busy it's been!

Starting in kindergarten, there was a big leap this week to station-work. Usually the whole class does the same activity at the same time all the time, but when they are independent enough to work in small groups, it's a whole new ballgame. Everyone can have more turns at every activity, and it's a much more efficient and MUCH more fun way to have a gym class. Even the scooter station was successful.

In grade 4/5, the self-portrait unit is really moving along, and while many have completed self portraits, a few have gone on to do portraits of others, one of which you can see below.

In junior high, dvar Torahs, Shabbat projects, and Ashkenazi reflections were being finished up, with all new units starting next week. Shabbat was amazing, really high energy, designed and led by the people in the selfie.

 Tu Bishvat was also a wonderful afternoon, my tree-planting station went very smoothly and the junior highs helping at my station did an outstanding job. Enjoy the photos and Shabbat Shalom. Oh, and check out the article written by our tree leader, Sarah, in the Jewish news.

Oh, one more thing, too, student Tu Bishvat memes. Very funny! Shabbat Shalom again!

Jan. 18-22 - More basketball and trees

Just a quick update to say the basketball game was a victory, and not to exclude the curlers, they had a win last week and a tie this week. I know the players playing both sports are having a great time with their after-school activities, and certainly did not mean to leave them out of this blog so far! I'm gonna get my hands on some pictures of the curlers soon and get them up here pronto!

The tree art is almost all finished, only grade 2 has to put the finishing touches on. Below are some pictures of the animal art that the grade 3s finished a few weeks ago, and come see the tree displays outside grade 5 and grade 3 later this week.

Happy Tu Bishvat!