Parshat Nitzavim and Geography Project

So I haven't actually had time to do a parasha lesson with my girls this week, but I still wanted to post this idea for future reference.

"He will bring you together again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. Even if your outcasts are at the ends of the world...And the Lord your God will bring you to the land that your fathers possessed" (Deutoronomy 30; 3-4)

This is a great conversation starter for what it means to live in the Diaspora and the significance of the Land of Israel.

It's also a great place to introduce a geography lesson and expand it into a lesson on Jewish culture across the globe. 

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I love the idea that the Montessori method uses by incorporating geography boxes. 

Since we didn't actually do this yet, here are links to some people who have:

Click here for great visual geography lessons 

And for a Jewish spin on the topic, Click Here

Yom Kippur: Scales and Weights

Continuing on the theme of the High Holidays, we discussed the concept that the month of Elul is a significant time to reflect on who we are and on our actions. Many use the metaphor of a scale to help us understand that we want our good deeds to outweigh our bad ones.

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So we started our day talking about scales in general:

We weighed ourselves.

We weighed our food and watched the numbers go down as we took parts away from the fruit.

  

We weighed our toys using this homemade scale. Got the idea from this great site. 

Targeted vocab: heavier, lighter, equal, compare

Targeted Concepts: bigger doesn't mean heavier, neither does more pieces.

Then tried to piece this all together with Yom Kippur, but my girls were not feeling it. So I completed the craft myself just to share with you guys:

Used pipe cleaners to add a weight to our "nice" and "not nice" action cards.

 Will leave this hanging around so we can revisit the concept of wanting to do more "nice" actions. 

Blog Recommendation for Montessori and Holiday Activities

Anyone looking for ways to incorporate a Jewish Montessori style education into their home should check out one of my favorite blogs: http://jewishhomeschool.blogspot.com.

She also has holiday activity packs that she created: http://jewishhomeschool.blogspot.com/2012/08/high-holidays-activities.html

And check out the right side bar on her site for more holiday and parasha ideas!

Jewish Farm School

Today we got to visit a real Jewish farm in Putnam Valley, NY.

They run a program for homeschoolers and today's session focused on the life of a seed.

 

The girls made a seed ball of dirt, water and seeds that will be used for planting.

They then made edible seed balls by mixing peanut butter, sunflower seeds, oats, and sugar.

They helped plant and water a blueberry bush.

They enjoyed running around a chicken coop and holding a fresh egg.

More fun on the farm:

Finished the day rocking out with their improv band. 

If you would like more information about the farm check out their website: http://www.jewishfarmschool.org/

FYI: They are having a festival this Sunday that is open to the public. 

Parashat Ki Tavo: B'rachot and Painting with Food

"You shall take some of every first fruit of the soil, which you harvest from the land..." and give it to the priest in charge in that time (Deuteronomy 26:2).

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In addition to the above commandment of bikurim, this week's Torah portion also has a long list of blessings and curses that would be bestowed upon the people of Israel depending on their deeds on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal.

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So we combined the idea of crops and blessings into a lesson on blessings we say when we eat vegetation.

Thank you to my best friend, Natalie, for sharing this link with me  which inspired our food stamping craft.

While my little one napped, big sister sorted through the fruits and veggies by placing them in separate bowls. 

 We started with veggies dipped in finger paint.

We painted on pieces of sand paper to add texture to our "soil".

We then dipped fruit in paint. 

The weird shape on the left is a potato I cut to look like a pomegranate since Rosh Hashana is approaching.

We stamped the fruit onto a tree I outlined.

Notice the pomegranates in the center.

Our B'racha Mural:

 When the mural was complete we reviewed the b'rachot we say for the foods that grow on trees and for the foods that grow on the ground.

When our little one woke up, I incorporated her into our lesson on vegetation by having her sort fruits and veggies by color. 

 I've been trying this with her for a while and today she finally got it. 

Sorting is such am important critical thinking skill. You can have your kids sort by categories, function, color, texture, etc. Very helpful when it comes time for putting away toys and clothing.

Since I was so excited to see her sort, I searched through our pantry to find other objects for her to organize. I pulled out these cans and a ton of accidental learning ensued.

They sorted by color    

Made patterns

Divided cans evenly among the 3 of us 

Built a castle

Introduced the word cylinder and discussed why it rolls

This was all so great and was another reminder that kids really don't need so many toys. I own color toys, pattern toys, math toys, building toys, shape toys, but NONE of them engage my girls as much as these cans did!

And to finish off our day talking about fruits and vegetables, we make rice krispy apples (also in honor of Rosh Hashana).

 As cute as they are, making these was super messy. My girls spilled rice krispies on the floor and then proceeded to walk all over them. Needless to say, after vaccumming and sweeping, I still feel the snap, crackle, and pop when I walk through my kitchen. On that note, good night!