Kita+Aleph+Update

=Kita Aleph Update=

May 14, 2010 - - - 1 Sivan 5770 Dear First Grade Parents,

Here are the weekly highlights…


 * Hebrew Studies:** We completed our study of ayin and began learning the letter kuf. We have nearly completed our study of the Hebrew letters. I am seeing lots of progress with the first graders in their reading skills since we have completed the reading marathon. Thank you for all your support in helping make it a successful and positive experience for your children. I am continuing to encourage the first graders to continue with their reading at home, although they do not need to log in their reading entries.


 * Tefilot:** The children are hard at work learning to lead all of the prayers for Thursday’s Chagigat Siddur on May 27. They are doing a great job and cannot wait to see the completed Siddur covers!!!


 * Shavuot:** Yesterday, we reviewed the Hebrew text for the Ten Commandments, singing a song with all of the words. We also reviewed the meaning of each commandment. Today, we celebrate Rosh Chodesh Sivan.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

April 30, 2010 16 Iyar 5770

Dear First Grade Parents,

Here are the week’s highlights…

• We studied the letters //pey//, //fey//, and //fey sofit//. • We read a story about a //pil// (male elephant) //pilah// (female elephant) and a //pilon// (boy elephant). The //pilon// does not want to eat food for an elephant (salat-salad). The //pilon// changes his tune very quickly when the //ima pil// says no salad, no pudding. Sound familiar? • We practiced writing the following letters in cursive: //kaf, chaf, chaf sofit, lamed, mem, mem sofit, nun, nun sofit//.
 * Hebrew Studies:**

• We learned a chant about places in Israel. Ask your child to teach it to you and try it at home…
 * Israel Studies:**

//Ashkelon, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv// //Ashkelon, Yerushalayim// //Ashkelon, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv (2 X)//

//Tsfat, Yafo, Tveriyah,// //Nahalal, Metulah (2 X)//

//Ashkelon, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv// //Ashkelon, Yerushalayim// //Ashkelon, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv (2x)//

//Nahariya, Hertseliya,// //Chedera, Afula (2X)//

//Ashkelon, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv// //Ashkelon, Yerushalayim// //Ashkelon, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv (2x)//

•We nearly completed our maps of Israel, drawing fish, animals, and children playing soccer.

• We hosted a group of visitors from Nahalal in Israel. Our Israeli visitors joined our class for Tefilot (prayers). They loved seeing the children express gratitude in Hebrew for //Elohim// (G-d), //abba v’ima// (dad and mom), //Torah//, c//haverim// (friends), and //mishpacha// (family).

• We saw pictures of Israeli fauna and wildlife including pictures of “le-ta-ot” (lizards), g’malim (camels), shafan sela (a cute guinea pig like animal without a tail), and various types of //prachim// (flowers).

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

PS. //Hamon todot// - many thanks to Yaniv and Jody for their wonderful presentation of Yael’s Hebrew name and for the scrumptious treat of strawberries, cream, and ice cream.

April 25, 2010 11 Iyar 5770


Dear First Grade Parents,

Thursday, May 6 - //Siddur Cover Workshop// 6:30 - 8:30 PM in my classroom (Adults only)
 * Upcoming Events:**

Thursday, May 27 - //Chagigat Siddur// 8:15 – 10:00 AM, JCC Lounge Friends and Family are cordially invited – This is one of the highlights of the year!!!

Here are the week’s highlights…


 * Hebrew Studies:** The Hebrew reading marathon is going well. Students are excited about reading, which is the primary objective – in addition to skill development. Many students are experimenting with reading harder texts, taking home books from our second grade Tal Am library. This week, we completed our study of the letter ayin. We read a story about getting caught in the rain while hiking. Hadassah and Hilel notice the //ananim// (clouds) in the sky look similar to an //ayin// (eye), //ugah// (cake), and a //na-al// (shoe). These are all words with ayin.


 * Israel Studies:** We read “//Ah Yom Ha’-atsmaut//,” (Israeli Independence Day) a cute story the children enjoyed. The adults in the story purposely mispronounce //Yom Ha-atsmaut// “testing the children” and the children correct them. Children tend to enjoy correcting adults. I have observed this many times in 20 years of teaching…

Like Morah Debbie’s class, we are also learning about maps: the map of Israel. The children are learning the names of places in Israel: cities, towns, and bodies of water. They are locating these places on the map including: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Eilat, Beer Sheva, Nahalal, Yam Kineret (the Sea of Galilee), Ha’Yarden (the Jordan River), Ha’Yam Ha’Tichon (the Mediterranean Sea).

The upcoming Chaggigat Siddur on May 27. The children are in so excited! On Friday, the children created watercolor interpretations of the tefilot. The level of focus and concentration during this activity was remarkable. The children’s love of tefila came shining through in their artwork. Enjoy the photos…
 * Tefilot/Prayers:** I assigned chazzanim to each of the prayers we will be reciting at

I hope your children are sharing with you their ideas for their siddur covers. I wanted all of you to have a good idea what you will be creating prior to the Siddur Cover workshop. Please e-mail me if you have any questions.


 * Homework this week:** We will continue with the reading marathon. However, since Morah Debbie is assigning a lengthy book report, there will be no book report in Hebrew this week. Thank you for all of your support!

Shavuah Tov – A good week, Aron

April 16, 2010

Dear First Grade Parents,

What a wonderful week it has been in kita aleph! The sun is shining, spring is in the air, and the children are excited about reading Hebrew. Thank you for all your support with our current Hebrew reading marathon. Many of your children are borrowing Hebrew books on tape for the weekend. I am encouraging children to read on Sunday and listening to a cassette tape counts towards our read-a-thon goals.

Please remind your children to place their books, the cassette tapes (if they borrowed one), and their reading log in their Hebrew homework folder and return all of their materials to school on Monday. I will check their log and award prizes on Monday. Good luck with the reading!!!

//And please continue to have your children bring their homework folders, books, and reading logs to school each day. I am checking to see how they are doing with their documentation.//

In addition, the children earned a “//me-si-bah// ” (party next week, as all the marbles are now in the second jar. Yofi, yeladim! Great job!!!


 * Upcoming Events:**

6:30 – 8:30 PM (//Adults only// ) –Please arrange for a babysitter.
 * First Grade Siddur Cover Workshop**
 * Thursday, May 6** (in my classroom) I will provide all the materials that you will need. I ask for volunteers to provide refreshments (grapes, juice, //hekshired// cookies, etc.)

Parents will present the siddur covers and siddurim (prayer books) to their children The first graders will lead us all in tefilot (prayers).
 * //Chagigat Siddur//** **–Siddur Celebration** (Friends and Family are cordially invited)
 * Thursday, May 27 (in the JCC)**
 * 8:15 – 10:00 AM**


 * Hebrew Studies:** We learned to read and write the letter ayin. The children are working hard on reading these days. We are doing quite a lot of reading with partners and it is exciting to see the children make progress in sounding out new words. For our yearbook page, the children wrote a Hebrew sentence describing their favorite activities.

We made flags of Israel and began learning the names of places in Israel such as //Yerushalayim// (Jerusalem), //Cheyfa// (Haifa) Tel Aviv, and //Eilat,// and bodies of water such as //Yam Ha-melach// (the Dead Sea, //Yam Kineret// (the Sea of Galilee), and //Ha’Yam Hatichon// (the Mediterranean Sea). We learned two new songs to celebrate Israel’s birthday: //Hey B’Iyar// (the fifth of Iyar is the day Israel became a Nation) and //Kachol V’Lavan// (Blue and white are the colors of the Israeli flag). We marched into the office with our Israeli flags and sang our newly learned songs for her. We also practiced singing Ha’Tikva, Israel’s national anthem. Next Tuesday, we will have a school wide assembly to celebrate Israel’s birthday.
 * Yom Ha’Atsmaut/Israeli Independence Day:**

We began practicing reading tefilot (prayers) from a siddur. The children are very excited to be locating various tefilot in the suddur, and reading the prayers. We learned new “Bracha” (blessing) for the counting of the Omer. Between Passover and Shavuot, there are 49 days. Each day we count the Omer as we approach the holiday of Shavuot. I explained to the children that the children of Israel were not ready to receive the Torah after being slaves for such a long time. They had to learn how to get along, be self-responsible and make the right choices as a free people. I encouraged them to think about ways they can prepare themselves for “//receiving the Torah// .” The children offered many wonderful ideas including being extra helpful at home, cleaning up one’s room without being asked, and getting along well with your classmates.
 * Tefilot:**

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

PS. We had a wonderful Kabbalat Shabbat and celebrated Ari Leflein’s birthday with delicious “glidah” (ice cream). Many thanks to Laurie and Shoshana Leflein for visiting our class, providing us with a scrumptious Shabbat treat, and presenting Ari’s name so beautifully. I am thankful to ALL of the parents who have come in to present their children’s name. This past week, Samantha Hendren presented Jessie’s Hebrew name Yael and brought yummy fruit salad. Thanks again to all the parents. We are looking forward to the rest of the parents who have not yet visited.

Dear First Grade Parents,

Welcome back! I hope you had a happy and meaningful Passover holiday. Our focus during this short week is on two curricular areas, Passover and Hebrew studies.

Next week, we will begin our homework program, which will include both reading and writing assignments. We are getting ready for second grade! On Monday, I will send home an explanation of the homework program.

== **Passover Studies:** We are reviewing concepts learned about Passover including: the four names of Passover, the order of the Seder, and various Passover songs.

We continue to review all of the Hebrew vowels. We also learned the names of the colors in the feminine gender and wrote the corresponding colors to nouns of a feminine gender. For example: //• Chanukiyah zehubah// - (a golden Chanukiyah) //• Gulah yerukah// - (a green marble)
 * Hebrew Studies:**

We completed our study of nun and nun sofit (final nun) and began our study of the letter samech (sounds like s). We read a story about //Savta Sima’s Sod// (Grandmother Sima’s secret.) In the story, //Savta Sima// plans a surprise birthday party for //Sabba Yossi//, who initially is not happy when he hears Savta Sima whispering the “sod” (secret) to Hadassah.

Tomorrow, we will commemorate Yom Ha’Shoah by reading an age appropriate story, //The Tattooed Torah// by Marvell Ginsburg. This story is a gentle introduction to a difficult subject. The author focuses attention on the plight of a Torah that was stolen by the Nazis in World War Two and “tattooed” with numbers for identification purposes. The journey of “Little Torah” concludes following the war when a Jewish father in search of a child sized Torah for his son flies to London. At the Westminster Synagogue, he locates Little Torah after it has been restored, and returns to the US with the perfect Torah for his son’s school.
 * Holocaust Remembrance Day-//Yom Ha’Sho-ah//****:**

Our focus is on the power and beauty of our sacred traditions and how we are thankful to be able to practice our religion freely as American Jews. We do not discuss the concentration camps. Nor do we discuss “numbers”. We complete the lesson by illustrating our own Torah with the Hebrew word “//Zachor//” (Remember). We will always remember how special the Torah is to the Jewish people.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

February 18, 2010 -4 Adar 5770

Dear First Grade Parents,

Purim is almost here!!! Here are upcoming events and the week’s highlights…

• Tomorrow morning: Megila reading by students and acting out of the Purim Story by HDS Teachers • Tomorrow afternoon: Purim Carnival • February Break: February 22 –February 26 - Return to school on Monday March 1 • March Parent Teacher Conferences
 * Upcoming Events:**

• We created Purim characters by tracing the contours of our bodies on butcher paper. Be sure to see your child’s work displayed in the hallway! • We learned a new Purim song that includes the names of all of the Purim characters. • The children were introduced to the four mitzvoth of Purim: 1. //Matanot la’Evyonim///Tsedakah 2. //Mikra Megila// – the reading of the Megilah 3. //Mishloach Manot// – Giving fruit and //Hammantashen// baskets to friends 4. //Mishteh// – The Purim feast • We created Mishloach Manot plates that will be handed out tomorrow.
 * Purim Studies:**

• We learned to write the letter lamed • We searched for lameds in the book //Laila Tov Bina V’Dov// • We reviewed all of the vowels • We wrote the words //Mishlo-ach Manot// and illustrated pictures • We read the stories: 1.//Ve’Nahafoch Hu// - (Teaches about the Purim “Turn Around”) 2//. Lichvod Purim Mi Ba’Kita –// (About Dressing up for Purim//)//
 * Hebrew Studies:**

• We continue to work on learning the Torah blessings and the trop for the first five verses of Torah. • We examined the text for the first five verses and the meaning of “//Tohu Va’Vohu.”// We will continue our Torah study with the second day of creation when we return to school following the break.
 * Torah Studies:**

1. What does the word //V’nahafoch hu// mean? //Hint: Why did the boys illustrate the female Purim characters while the girls illustrated the male Purim characters?//
 * Questions to Ask Your child:**

2. What types of items are sent in Mishloach Manot baskets?

Thursday, February 11, 2010 27 Shevat 5770

Dear First Grade Parents,

On Monday morning following art at 9:30 AM, the first graders joined the second graders (as Morah Debbie was not in school). The first graders were introduced to a variety of new prayers and participated actively chanting the prayers that were familiar to them. Together, we acted out the story of Purim as I read aloud from the Tal Am Big book. It was a fun and productive morning!

Here are the highlights of the week…

• We learned two new Purim songs, singing joyfully and enthusiastically. • We illustrated the characters in the Megilah: Vashti, Esther, Mordechai, Achashverosh, and Haman. • We decorated “ra-ashanim” (groggers). • We began reading several Purim stories in our listening center: 1.//Venahafoch Hu// (Turn it Around) 2//. Mishloach Manot M’Ariot// (Mishlo-ach Manot From Ariot) 3. //Lichvod Purim Mi Ba’Kita// (Who is in the class to honor Purim?)
 * Purim Studies:**

• The children worked in pairs to trace each other on butcher paper. Tomorrow, we will begin work to transform these body tracings into life sized Purim characters.

• We practiced writing the letters kaf, chaf, and chaf sofit. • We made the above letters with our bodies. • We practiced writing chaf with a variety of vowels on the chalkboard. • We read a story about Bina and her little bother, Dov.
 * Hebrew Studies:**

Questions to ask your child:

1. Why did Mordechai refuse to bow down to Haman? (He only bows down to G-d) 2. Who was given the honor of riding on the King’s horse? (Mordechai) 3. Why did Esther invite Haman and King Achashverosh to a //“mishteh//” (banquet)? (To tell the King of Haman’s plan and to reveal her identity as a Jew)

Tomorrow, we will celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat and discuss the Torah portion, Mishpatim. We will discuss one of the laws in the Parasha, to keep milk and meat separate and the law of not tilling the land in the seventh year. We are commended to rest on Shabbat, and to allow the ground to rest as well.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron =February 7, 2010 - 23 Shevat 5770=

Dear First Grade Parents, I am trying to communicate information in a slightly more condensed version with bullet points. Please send me an e-mail letting me know with a **//“Gotcha”//** that you received and read this week’s update as well as any feedback you have about the new format... //Todah// - Thanks! Please note that I am adding a section of questions to ask your child. By the way, the above image is intended to evoke thoughts of Mount Sinai and our Torah studies of the past week…

Here are the highlights from this week’s learning:

• We concluded our study of the letter kaf, learning words like //kad// (pitcher), //kotev// (write - masc), and //kotevet// (write – fem). • We focused our attention on the verb “//lichtov//” (to write), conjugating it in the present tense, masculine and feminine genders: //Shachar kotev. –// Shachar writes. //Sharona kotevet. –// Sharona writes.
 * Hebrew Studies:**

• We wrote sentences and illustrated pictures in our Hebrew journal with the words //kotev// and //kotevet//. • We continue to practice making all of the letter sounds.

• We practiced singing the new song I composed that includes all of the parts of the tree. • We completed exercises reviewing the parts of the tree, identifying the missing part.
 * Tu B’Shevat Studies:**

• We continue our daily practice of sending blessings of Refuah Shlema – a complete healing and a speedy recovery. • We continue to learn the words of Psalm 150, praising G-d with “Kol Ha'Neshama” all of our breath and soul – and musical instruments like the shofar and tof (drum.) • We illustrated pictures of Psalm 150, focusing on the “machol” (sacred dance). We continue to include a special choreographed //machol// dance as we chant the words to Psalm 150. The children really enjoy doing this!
 * Tefilot/ Prayers:**

• We studied //Parashat Yitro// in great depth, discussing Yitro’s advice to Moses to divide up the responsibility of leadership, the Israelites three days of preparation for the receiving of Torah, and thee sounds, sights, and smells that filled the air at Sinai. • We learned the 10 commandments by singing a song I composed to help the children gain familiarity with the Hebrew text of the commandments.
 * Torah Studies:**

1. What words have the letter kaf? //(kad, kotev, kotevet, kachol//) 2. If you could add an eleventh commandment to the Ten Commandments given to Moshe on Mount Sinai, what would it be? 3. Can you sing the song about trees that begins with the words: //anaf, anafim, shoresh, shorashim, aleh, alim, gezah//… (branch, branches, root, roots, leaf, leaves, tree trunk)
 * Questions to ask your child:**

Shavuah Tov, Aron

PS. Next week, we will begin our study of the upcoming holiday of Purim.

PPS. Thanks again for the generous gift, which I used to purchase whisper phones. Kudos to Morah Debbie for this great idea and to Stacey Lee for making the purchase and delivering the phones to our classroom. Todah raba!!! I also added in the final section of questions because I liked Morah Debbie’s weekly update format. Todah, Morah Debbie!

January 21, 2010

Dear First Grade Parents,

Next week, I will be out of town Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Shternie Zwiebel will be subbing for me. Shternie visited our classroom on Tuesday to get a “feel” for our classroom. She enjoyed watching the children express gratitude during tefilot (prayers).

Here are the week’s highlights:

We learned: • to write the letter yod • to read words with yod such as… //yoshev// (sit - masculin //yoshevet// (sit – feminine) //chagiga// (celebration) //yad// (hand)
 * Hebrew Studies:**

• to spell the words above • to make sentences with the words //yoshev// and //yoshevet//

We practiced: • making the sounds of all of the Hebrew letters • making all of the Hebrew vowel sounds

• We practiced singing the Tu B’Shvat songs from our Rosh Chodesh presentation. • We learned a new Hebrew song about the parts of a tree – (a Moreh Aharon original)
 * Tu B’Shvat Studies:**

• We are learning a new prayer – Psalm 150. This prayer asks us to praise G-d with your voice, musical instruments, and your whole soul. The children are learning that this prayer reminds us that the children of Israel used to play musical instruments in the Beit Ha’Mikdash (the Holy Temple) in Jerusalem long, long ago.
 * Tefilot (Prayer):**

• Tomorrow, we will learn about Parashat Bo and the last three plagues in Egypt. • We will celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat.
 * Torah Studies:**

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

PS. Thanks again for your generosity. I decided to purchase a set of whisper phones too. =January 6, 2010= Dear First Grade Parents,

Welcome back! I hope you had an enjoyable winter break. The children are back in the classroom and haven’t skipped a beat. The first graders are transitioning beautifully back to our regular school routines. We are thrilled to welcome Jessica Schwalb and her parents Jason and Samantha. Bruchim Ha’ba-im - Welcome to HDS!

//Rosh Chodesh Shvat – First Grade performance, Friday January 15, 8:30 AM, JCC lounge.//
 * Upcoming Events:**

The first graders will present a play about the upcoming holiday of Tu B’Shvat, celebrating the New Year of the trees. We have already begun to practice our parts for the play. We will work on this in school. The children are very excited about performing their play, which is all in Hebrew.

You are all cordially invited to attend our upcoming Rosh Chodesh presentation. Please bring extended family and friends too!

//Language Arts Fair - Thursday, January 14, 7 PM – HDS// The first graders will present Hebrew sentences that demonstrate in a written form their Hebrew oral language routines. Children will also describe what they are thankful for.

Today we spent time looking at the first pasuk (verse) in every Torah portion in the book of Genesis. Our focus is on locating the names of the Matriarchs and Patriarchs in the Torah text. We have been working on developing this skill since November. After our review, we had a test to assess how the children are doing locating names in the text. I encouraged the children to try their best. I always emphasize effort and individual progress as every child learns according to his or her own pace.
 * Torah Studies:**

We are expanding our oral language routines. The children are learning to say: //Ani talmid ba’kita.// (I am a (male) student in the classroom. //Ani talmida ba’kita.// (I am a (female) student in the classroom.
 * Hebrew Studies:**

//Ani ben shesh.// I am six years old (masculine gender). //Ani bat shesh.// I am six years old (feminine gender).

It is great to be back in the classroom with your children. They are wonderful!

Sincerely, Aron =Thursday, December 17, 2009= Dear First Grade Parents,

It’s been a fun and hectic week. We are all “winding down” from last night’s Chanukah program. I am so proud of the first graders and all HDS students for a wonderful presentation. Kudos to Morah Bev and the entire HDS teaching staff, administration, office staff, and parents for a splendid job of teamwork to make it all possible. Go team go!!!

Here s a brief update of this week in kita aleph…

• We re-read the Chanukah story from the Tal Am “Big book.” • We acted out the entire story in Hebrew. • We continued to light the Hanukah candles, reciting the blessings and singing Ha’nerot ha’lalu and Maoz Tsur. • We celebrated Chanukah with a fabulous class party planned by Stacey Lee and wonderfully led by Stacey, Laurie Greenberg, Laurie Leflein, Carrie Thorpe, and Hediye Batu. The children enjoyed a variety of Chanukah crafts, dreidle spinning, pin the flame on the Chanukiah, delicious sufganiot, apple cider, candle lighting, Chanukah songs and blessings and a heartwarming Chanukah story, “Just Enough is Plenty” by Barbara Diamond Goldin.
 * Chanukah Studies:**

• We completed our study of the letter, tet. • We practiced spelling the words Tov and Tovah (good, masculine and feminine form.)
 * Hebrew Studies:**

We began our study of Tu B’Shvat early so as to be better prepared for our upcoming presentation on Rosh Chodesh Shvat, Friday January 15 at 8:30 AM. • We learned two new Hebrew songs about trees. • We practiced reading the story that will be the basis of our upcoming presentation: //Rosh Ha’Shana La-Ilananot// – The New Year of the Trees. • We began learning the parts of a tree: 1. //gezah// –trunk 2. //ale// – leaf 3. //alim// – leaves 4. //anaf// – branch 5. //anafim// – branches 6. //perach// – flower 7. //prachim// – flowers 8. //Shoresh// – root 9. //shorashim// –roots
 * Tu B’shvat Studies:**


 * Kabbalat Shabbat:** Tomorrow, we will continue learning the story of Joseph, who becomes known to Pharaoh as a master of dream interpretation in Parashat Miketz…

Have a wonderful and restful winter break. It is an honor and privilege to teach your children. I am grateful for that daily opportunity.

Shabbat Shalom and //Chanukah Same-ach//, Aron

PS. When I came downstairs to check on the children before the Chanukah show, Morah Debbie was happily interacting with the children and managing the classroom. The first grade students were calm, engaged, and joyful. In my 20 years experience as a day school teacher, I have never seen any class be so relaxed and focused prior to “the big show.” Morah Debbie is a master teacher and we are fortunate to have her. I so much enjoy co- teaching with her! =Thursday, December 17, 2009= =12/10/09=



Dear First Grade Parents,

The children are looking forward to celebrating the upcoming holiday of Chanukah!

Brrrrr. It's cold! Please remember to bring snow pants, a warm winter coat, gloves, and a hat for your child - and please take the time to carefully label each item. Children often lose track of their belongings and if there is no name, chances are the items will be lost rather quickly, or begin piling up in the lost and found in the office. Todah! Thank you in advance for labeling your children's belongings.

• First Night of Chanukah: Friday, December 11 • Chanukah Festival Practice at Beth Emet: Tuesday, December 15 - 9: 15 – 11:30 AM • Chanukah Festival Wednesday, December 16 - 7:00 PM Please plan to arrive by 6:45 PM sharp! • First Grade Chanukah Party, Thursday, December 17 - 2:00 – 3:00 PM
 * Upcoming Events:**

//Many thanks to Stacey Lee for organizing and coordinating the class Chanukah party. Todah Stacey!//
• Rosh Chodesh Shevat: Friday, January 15 - 8:30 AM The first Graders will perform a Hebrew play about trees in celebration of the upcoming holiday of Tu B’Shvat. Please join us!!!

Here are highlights of the week’s activities...

We learned the letter tet and read a cute story of a //tabach// – chef who burns the toast while watching TV. We are working on honing our sight word reading skills by playing various games. Today’s activity was “reading aerobics.” The children took turns hopping around the classroom and reading various words. This was a big hit and a great way to practice our reading skills.
 * Hebrew Studies:**

We also played Hebrew letter bingo, helping the children to review and practice their recognition of letters and letter sounds in a fun way.

We practiced responding to the following Hebrew questions: Mah ha’shem shelcha? What is your name? (masculine gender) Mah ha’shem shelach? What is your name? (Feminine gender) The answer is: Ha'shem sheli _. (My name is __.)
 * Oral Language Skills:**

Try practicing this with your children…

• We are busy practicing singing songs for the upcoming Chanukah festival. • We are learning a Chanukah rap and other songs as well. • Tomorrow, we will practice reading “Chanukah words” such as //sufganiya// (Chanukah jelly doughnut), //liviva// (latke), //yehudim// (Jews), //yevanim// (Greeks), and //nes gadol haya sham// (a great miracle happened there.).
 * Chanukah Studies:**


 * Rosh Chodesh Shevat:** We began our study of eytsim – trees a little early, as the first graders will be performing at the next Rosh Chodesh assembly on January 15 soon after we return from winter break. We began reading the story that our play will be based on: //Rosh Ha’Shana La’Ilanot// – The New Year of the Trees.


 * Torah:** Tomorrow we begin our study of the story of Joseph. We will learn about Joseph’s coat of colors in Parashat Va’Yeshev.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

=12/03/09=

Dear First Grade Parents,

It’s been a great week! Here are the highlights…

• //chagigah// – celebration • //chadash// – new (masculine gender) • //chadashah// – new (feminine gender)
 * Hebrew Studies:** We learned the letter chet and words like:

• We read a story about Bina and her “//ach chadash//” (new baby brother). The whole family celebrates with a “//chagigah//.”

• We learned the concept of something being “//chadash or lo chadash//” (new or not new) At home, you may practice this concept by pointing to items in your house and asking: //Zeh chadash, oh zeh lo chadash?// Is this new or not new?

• We learned about the words chadash and chadasha as adjectives: Example:
 * 1) //Ach chadash// – a new brother
 * 2) //Achot chadashah// – a new sister

Hebrew Spelling: We practiced spelling the following words on the chalkboard:
 * 1) //Shalom//
 * 2) //chadash//
 * 3) //chadash//
 * 4) //chagigah//

Working on spelling skills in this informal kind of way is a new method I am utilizing this year. I want the first graders to practice these skills when they are not formally being tested. It helps makes the process of spelling to be more fun and less stressful. So far so good…

We played a game yesterday to practice reading words with one, two and three syllables and sentences. The goal of the game was to practice out sight word recognition skills in a fun away.
 * Hebrew Reading:**


 * Chanukah Studies:** We reviewed two new Chanukah songs and began learning the Chanukah blessings, //Ha’nerot ha’la-lu// (a traditional Chanukah song), and //Ma-oz Tsur//, the Chanukah hymn. We are also learning a Chanukah chant about //Yehuda Maccabi// (Judah Maccabi). Today, we worked on a fun project, creating our own Chanukiot out of Popsicle sticks, toothpicks, and various items.



We are currently reading three different Chanukah stories:
 * 1) //Ariot V’haSvivonim// –This story explains the difference between dreidles in America and dreidles in Israel.


 * 1) //Bina V’ha'Sugganiya// – This story tells about Bina’s love for lechem im riba -bread and jam, and for Sufganioyot im riba – suganiyot with jelly.


 * 1) //Chidot al Chanukah// - This story tells various riddles about Chanukah.

I am regularly sending home Hebrew books from our library for children to read at home. I am allowing the children to choose any book they would like to take home, whether they can read it or not. If they can’t read all of the words I just ask them to try.

Any feedback about how the reading is going at home would be much appreciated. A quick e-mail would be great... Tomorrow, we will celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat with Eli's parents Carrie and Simon Thorpe - unless some one made a switch... Shabbat Shalom, Aron

=11/19/09=



Dear First Grade Parents,

It’s been a wonderful week in kita aleph. Your children inspired me to change my lesson plans for the day. I was planning to complete our studies of zayin, which we began earlier this week. But this afternoon, the children began spontaneously singing a chant I had taught a week ago. This chant teaches a particular Hebrew language concept. The letter hey means “the” but unlike English, joins with other words as a prefix.

We focused on this chant in greater depth by dividing up the children in groups, illustrating the words to the chant, and performing it in the office for the entire office staff. They appreciated the children’s spirited performance.


 * Chanukah Studies:** We read the story of Chanukah from the Tal Am big book, discussing the response of the Jewish people to the restrictions imposed on them by the Greeks. We spoke about the meaning of Chanukah: - Dedication. This theme comes into play when the Jews have to rededicate the temple in Jerusalem after it was made impure by the Greeks with the presence of their idols. I use the core teaching of this holiday to reinforce the “basics” of teamwork, helping one another, and including all children in play. This is how we take the themes of Chanukah, and make it personally relevant for the children and our classroom as a whole. We also learned two new Chanukah songs. We performed these songs for the office staff as well.


 * Hebrew Studies:** We learned the letters vav and zayin and read a cute story about a mother and father goose and their “toddler” goose. The abba avaz and ima avazah teaches their little avazon that objects like mountains and houses do not move when you call them to come. We practiced oral language skills by saying the final questions and sentences while simultaneously moving our bodies in a variety of ways:

• //Ata zaz?// (masculine gender) Are you moving? • //Ken.// //Ani zaz.// Yes, I’m moving. • //Hu zaz.// He’s moving.

• //At zazah?// Are you (feminine gender) moving? • //Ken, ani zazah.// Yes. I'm moving. • //Hi zazah.// She’s moving.

I love the energy and enthusiasm of the first graders. What a wonderful class!

Tomorrow, we welcome Rachel Newman and Yossef Zekic for Kabbalat Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

=11/12/09=



Dear First Grade Parents,
I am looking forward to our parent conferences tomorrow and over the next few weeks. There is a lot of ground to cover in a short period, so please plan to be on time. Please knock on the door when you show up to let me know you are ready for your conference. I am looking forward to meeting with you.


 * Hebrew Studies:** We began learning the letter vav, making shapes with our bodies, finding vavs in the classroom, writing it, and finding it in a picture. We also worked on spelling. I asked the children to spell the words Ani Bakita using their knowledge of letter sounds. The children all took turns writing these words on the blackboard. The children reviewed the Hebrew names of colors with Morah Sherry Peller, and colored various balloons according to the Hebrew word written on each balloon.

We also learned the Hebrew word for yoyo. //Yoyo//! I demonstrated a yoyo in class, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. This word features a new vowel we are learning: //Cholam// (sounds like o in go).


 * Chanukah Studies:** We began learning about this upcoming holiday by reading a big book version in Hebrew aloud and singing a song about the eight lights of Chanukah.


 * Tefilot/Prayers:** Shternie subbed for me during rest time on Monday and shared how impressed she was with the children’s Hebrew reading and knowledge of tefilot. It is always nice to hear positive feedback about your class. Today, I asked if the children could sing all the words to the prayer, //Mah Tovu// without my help. They did so confidently. I was so proud of all of the first graders. This is quite a long prayer and they know all of the words. //Yofi, yeladim//. Great job!!!

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

PS. Many thanks to Rich and Myra Klarman for a wonderful presentation of Max’s Hebrew name Micha, and a scrumptious treat. The children learned first hand the Mitzvah of “Hachnasat Orchim” (hospitality) by acting out the Torah portion of Vayera where Avraham washed the feet of his guests. Did you see the pictures from Dina's Shavuah Tov newsletter? It was quite an event seeing the children washing and drying each other's feet...

=11/05/09=

= =

Dear First Grade Parents,

Teaching your children is a joy…

Here are the week’s highlights:


 * Hebrew Studies:** We completed our studies of the letter hey. We are learning a “rap” about the letter hey. In particular, its usage as the word “the.” In Hebrew, hey is used as a prefix to indicate the word the. It is not a separate word as in English.

Here is the rap:

Ha, ha--Ha, ha Lif-nei milabefore a word

Ha’gav, the back Ha’gan-the garden Ha’bayit ha’lavanthe white house Ha’gag, ha’balon-the roof, the balloon Ha’har ha’adom. -the red mountain

Ha, ha,-ha, ha Lifnei mila-before a word

We practiced several new language patterns:
 * Oral language Skills:**

Ata b’seder? Are you OK? (to a male) Ken, ani b’seder! ---Yes. I’m OK. Hu b’seder.--He’s OK.

At b’seder? -Are you OK? (to a female) Ken, ani b’seder! --Yes. I’m OK. Hi b’seder. -She’s OK.

• Ani ohev li-sa-chek ca-door regel. ---I like to play soccer. (Masculine gender) • Ani ohevet l’sachek ca-door regel. --I like to play soccer. (feminine gender)

We are continuing to practice singing and learning the verb forms in the song, “Eich lomdim?” –How do we learn? (makshivim - listening, kotvim - writing, metsayerim - drawing, tsov-im - coloring and sharim - singing). The children are getting really good at articulating the correct verb when they see me pantomime the corresponding movement or gesture. They get it right even when I try to trick them. What a bright group of children!


 * Hebrew Spelling:** We practiced spelling words such as har - mountain, dag- fish, dagim – fish, and shalom on the chalkboard. (See the photo above...)


 * Hebrew Reading:** During rest time, the children are actively reading several Hebrew books from our classroom library. We read two new books: “Boker Tov Bina V’Dov” - Good Morning Binah and Dov, and “Ha’ba-yit Ha-chi Tov Ba’rechov,” The Best House on the Block.


 * Assessment:** Each child had the opportunity to read with me one on one this week. I recorded the children reading. You will see a video recording of your child reading on my laptop when you come in for parent – teacher conferences. The children are so excited about their progress in reading!

The children are also examining and reflecting about the quality of their work. In particular, they are taking time to look through their Hebrew journal and choosing what they believe to be the finest exmaples of their Hebrew writing and illustrations. Orally, we discussed a rubric to help them think about their work. The handwriting rubric is focused on three elements: 1. the shape of the letters 2. the spacing between words, 3. writing is in between the lines.

In their pictures, the first graders are looking for the amount of detail, if they completed their work, and if they were giving their best effort. The children are just beginning to think critically about their work. This is a brand new skill! Today, I spent time with each child as they explained their choices. Each child received two Hebrew stickers which they placed on what they believed to be the best examples of their work. This process of self reflection is very important skill to learn and it is exciting to see the children begin to view their work from this thoughtful and personal perspective. My goal is to help the children begin to appreciate the qulaity of their work and better understand what a quality effort entails. I look forward to sharing the results of this process at the upcoming parent teacher conferences.


 * Torah Studies:** Tomorrow we will learn about Parashat Va’yera, where three “men” (angels) come to pay Avraham a visit as he sits in his tent. We will learn about the Mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim - Welcoming guests.

Many thanks to Stacey and Evan for a wonderful presentation of Jessica’s name and a scrumptious Shabbat treat. Tomorrow, we welcome Rich and Myra Klarman for Kabbalat Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

= = = = =10/29/09=

Dear First Grade Parents,

Our “rest time” is filled with the sound of first graders busily reading Hebrew books aloud on their rest mats. It is a wonderful sound to hear…

Here are the week’s highlights:


 * Hebrew Writing:** We completed our studies of dalet and began studying the letter hey. We made the letter hey with our bodies, searched and located the letter hey in the classroom, and practiced writing the letter hey. We wrote and illustrated the words //har// –mountain and //harim// – mountains, both of which begin with the letter hey.

//goz-rim// –--- cutting //kot-vim// ---– writing //tsov-im// – coloring, //me’tsai-yerim// – drawing, //kor-im// –- reading //mak-shivim// –--- listening and //sha-rim// - singing
 * Hebrew Vocabulary/Oral Language skills:** We continued to work on assimilating the many verbs used in the new song introduced last week: //Eich lomdim?// (How do we learn?) The children are making great strides in learning the new verb forms such as:

• Ask your children if they remember any of these words.


 * Hebrew Spelling:** We played a game practicing our spelling skills. The children took turns spelling various letter vowel combinations with alaeph, bet, vet, gimmel, dalet, hey and shin and the vowels patach, kamats, chataf patach – (all sound like the o in top) and chirik, chirik malei – (that sound like ee in see). We also practiced spelling words like //gag// – roof, //dag// - fish, //dvash// - honey, //imma// - mom and //abba// - dad. The children took their first spelling dictation to assess their knowledge of letters, vowels, and words we have learned thus far.

The spelling dictation was the first paper and pencil “test” this year. I explained to the children that if they were not sure what to write, they may “get it” next time and not to worry. I shared a story of riding a bike for the first time and how I fell many times before I learned to “ride.” I encouraged the children to think about their spelling skills in the same way. Persistence and effort is the key to growth and progress…

The boys say: //Ani rotseh l’hagid todah al//… (I want to say thank you for….) The girls say: //Ani rotsah l’hagid todah al//… (I want to say thank you for….)
 * Tefilah/Prayer:** The first graders take turns each day to say in Hebrew what they are grateful for.

The children are thankful for: //Abba v’ima// – dad and mom //Saba v’savta// – grandfather and grandmother //Mishpacha//- family //Prachim// - flowers //Etsim// - trees //Geshem// - rain //Shemesh// - sun //Yare-ach// - moon //V’et ha'kochavim// – stars //Chagim// – holidays //G-d//

And //Torah//.

It is wonderful hearing the children so confidently express themselves in Hebrew!

**Torah Studies:** Tomorrow we will learn about //Avraham// in the Torah portion, //**Lech Lecha**//. Abraham is told to leave his father’s house and the place of his birth for a new land. We will also celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat. If you are signed up to come tomorrow (I don’t have the list with me), please be sure to be in our classroom by 2:30 for your Hebrew name presentation.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

=10/22/09= Dear First Grade Parents,

What a wonderful week! Here are the highlights…


 * Hebrew Vocabulary:** We learned a new song that teaches the children a variety of verbs used in the classroom. The song focuses on the infinitive form and plural form in the present tense. The song is called: Eich lomdim? (How do we learn?) The song answers the question by saying we learn by listening, reading, playing, writing, drawing, coloring, and singing.

//Eich lomdim, Eich lom dim- Ha Morah eich lomdom?// How do we learn? How do we learn? Teacher, how do we learn? //B’vakasha l’hakshiv// - Please listen. //Ha’Yeladim makshivim, makshivim// – The children listen, listen. //Kach lomdim// – That’s how we learn!

//B’vakasha lik-roh// – to read //Ha’yeladim kor-im, kor-im// – The children read, read. //Kach lomdim// – That’s how we learn!

//B’vakasha l’ichtov// - Please write. //Ha’Yeladim kotvim, kotvim.// – The children write, write. //Kach lomdim// – That’s how we learn!

//B’vakash l’itsayer// - Please draw. //Ha’Yeladim metsayerim, metsayerim//. – The children draw, draw. //Kach lomdim// – That’s how we learn!

Other verbs include: //la’shir// – to sing, //sharim// – singing //lig-zor// - to cut, //gozrim// – cutting //lits-bo-ah// – to color, //tsov-im// – coloring We practiced writing the letter dalet, locating pictures of dalet, and forming dalets with our bodies. We acted out and illustrated one of my Hebrew letter stories: Dag Gadol –The big Fish. In the story, the “dag gadol” is hungry for his favorite food, dvash - honey. The “dagigim” (little fish) he samples look like “dvash but don’t taste like it. In the end, the dag gadol realizes that the three fish combine to form the word dvash. The fish get eaten but then the dag gadol sneezes and coughs up the little fish. The children loved acting this out and illustrating a picture from the story. Ask them to sing the Dag Gadol chant: //Ani dag// –-- I’m a fish. //Ani dag gadol.// - I’m a big fish. //Ani dag. Any ohov dvash!//-- I’m a fish. I love honey! //Ani dag.//- I’m a fish. //Ani dag gadol.// --- I’m a big fish. //Ani dag. Ani ra-ev m’od!// I’m a fish. I’m very hungry.
 * Hebrew Letter of the Week: //Dalet!// **


 * Tefilot/Prayers:** We learned the story of the sorcerer, Balam and the king, Ha’Melech Balak. Balak sends Balam to put a curse on the Israelites, but Balam refuses to follow his king’s command, choosing to bless them instead. Inspired by the Israelites respect for each other’s privacy (the commentator Rashi’s explanation) led Balam to exclaim: Mah Tovu – How goodly are your tents…


 * Torah:** We reviewed the days of creation and the first pasuk/verse in Bereshit. We utilized the children’s artwork depicting the days of creation, identifying the elements that were created on each day. We began learning about Noah and “Tevat Noach” (Noah’s ark.) Tomorrow, we will talk about Noah, “eesh tsadik,” a righteous man. We will talk about the flood, and touch on the reasons for the flood. We will act out the animal entering the ark two by two, read the first verse in the story of Noah, and reenact the rainstorm with finger snapping, slapping knees, hand clapping, and stomping feet.

Tomorrow, we welcome the Strauss family for their song Nachum’s Hebrew name presentation and //Kabbalat Shabbat// at 2:30.

Next week, we will learn the letter //Hey//.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron =10/15/09= Dear First Grade Parents, Many thanks to Stacey and Carrie for volunteering to be room parents. Todah raba! – (Thank you very much.) Here are the week’s highlights:


 * Hebrew Studies:** We completed our study of the letter //vet// and began learning all of the colors by singing a Hebrew color song I composed. The children focused on identifying the words for //shachor// - black, //lavan// - white, //tsahov// - yellow, and //adom// - red.

We are currently studying the letter gimmel and learned two new vowels: //chirik// and //chirik malei// (both sound like ee in see). We practiced writing gimmel and identifying gimmel by coloring the gimmels in the Ariot workbook. We learned words with gimmel including //gahg//-roof, //gav//-back, and //gan//-garden.

Today, we read a new Hebrew book: //Ma Yesh Ba’Olam?// (What is in the World?) which tell the beauty of God’s creations. The children are so excited about reading! They take turns reading aloud to the class, and eagerly await opportunities.


 * Tefilot/Prayers:** We are adding a new element in which the children say //todah// - thank you for: abba v’ima - dad and mom, saba v’savta - grandmother and grandfather, kol ha’mishpacha - the whole family, prachim - flowers, etsim - trees, ananim - clouds, deshe - grass, ha’shemesh – the sun. We also made "Refuah Shlema" cards for Lirit.


 * Torah:** We are busy illustrating the days of creation in the form of a puzzle that the children will begin assembling tomorrow. So far, we have completed illustrating the six days of creation. Tomorrow, we will illustrate Shabbat, cut out the puzzle pieces, and assemble the project. They are learning words such as //oh//r - light, //chosech//-drakness, //mayim// - water, //shamayim// -sky. The children are doing a great job!

Tomorrow, we will celebrate //Kabbalat Shabbat//, and learn the first //pasuk// – verse in this week’s Torah portion. We will also begin learning a song about the Five Books of Moses.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

=10/8/09= Dear First Grade Parents, It’s been another great week in kita aleph. What an impressive class! The children are SO excited about reading. Wow!!! Here are the highlights...


 * Hebrew Studies:** On Monday, I told the story of //“Vavi and Vuvu”// or //“How Bet was born.”// The children loved it! (This is one of my original stories of the aleph bet.)

Vavi and Vuvu are two vet brothers. Vavi like to climb and Vuvu likes to play basketball. Vavi convinces his brother to climb the mountain even though Vuvu is scared of getting rained on. In the end of the story, a drop of water splashes on Vuvu’s face and his letter becomes a bet with the new name “Bubu.” (This is a very condensed version of the story. I will send home the children’s Hebrew journals tomorrow and you can ask them to show the picture and tell the story.

We completed our studies of the letter bet in our Ariot workbook and began studying the letter vet.


 * S****ukkot Recap:** We ate in the sukkah and recited the blessing over the lulav. The first graders drew a picture of their own sukkah. The love singing the song: ve’samachta, v’chagecha, v’hayita, ach sameyach – which teaches us to be joyous on this holiday.


 * Simchat Torah:** We made flags to celebrate this upcoming holiday. On the flags, the children wrote the first word in the Torah: //Bereshit// – In the beginning. They learned that the last letter of the last word in the Torah Yisrae-el, combined with the first letter of the word Bereshit, form the letter, lev - heart. This helps remind us how much we love learning, reading, and discussing lessons from the Torah. Tomorrow, we will celebrate this holiday with the entire school at 9:00 AM. The children will take turns with other classes waving their flags and marching around in circles - called //hakafot.//

Next week, we will also begin a three-four day project of illustrating puzzle pieces that together, form the six days of creation and Shabbat.

Please let me know how it is going with the reading at home. The children’s enthusiasm in class is just terrific!

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

=10/1/09= Dear First Grade Parents, Another super week in kita aleph. I love the children's enthusiasm!!! Morah Debbie and I converse about the children every day. I am thrilled to have such an excellent educator teaching first grade general studies. We make a great teaching team!
 * Kabbalat Shabbat Sign Up:** Please remember to sign up for a date outside my classroom ASAP . Upcoming dates are October 9, 23, and 30.
 * Class parents:** Could you help make sure ALL parents are signed up? Thanks…

The first graders will be taking home their Ariot workbooks to show you their work. This week we learned the letter shin. Ask them to show you words and/or names they can read.


 * Hebrew studies:** We made shins with our bodies and learned the correct way to write shin. Some of the words we learned to read include: Shabbat, shalom, Shabbat Shalom, shachor (black), Shachar, and Sharona. The children illustrated pictures of their families celebrating Shabbat at home. We practice our oral language routines every day by asking and answering the following questions:

Questions: //Mah ha’Shana?// (What is the year?) Answer: //Ha’Shana Taf, Shin, Ayin.// (The year is Taf, shin, Ayin – 5770)

Questions: //Eizeh Chodesh achshav?// (What is the month?) Answer: //Achshav chodesh Tishrei.// (The month is Tishrei)

Question: //Eizeh Yom Ha’Yom?// Hayom yom rishon? (What day is today? Is today Sunday? Answer: //Lo!// (No)

Question: //Ha’Yom yom sheni?// (Is today Monday?) Answer: //Lo!// (No!)

Question: //Ha’Yom yom shlishi?// (Is today Tuesday?) Answer: //Lo!// ((No!)

Question: //Hayom yom rivi-ee//? (Is today Is today Wednesday?) Answer: //Lo!// (No!)

Question: //Ha’Yom yom chamishi?// (Is today Thursday?) Answer: //Ken! Ha’Yom yom chamishi.// (Yes. Today is Thursday.)

This is only a part of our daily routine. We also ask what day it is in the month of Tishrei, sing a song about the weather, and describe the weather in short sentences: //Yesh shemesh v’ananim b’shamayim.// (The sun is shining and there are clouds in the sky.) //Ha'Yom kar!// (It's cold today!) //Ein geshem//. (There is no rain.)

Ask your children to tell you the story of my former student who was an expert in puzzles and how this relates to the prayer. I explained that for a long time I couldn’t “see” that this student was gifted in assembling puzzles. But then my eyes were “opened.”
 * Sukkot Studies:** We are beginning to learn about Sukkoth. We read a book that teaches the names of the four species: Lulav, etrog, hadas, arava.
 * Tefilot/Prayers:** Today we learned one of the morning blessings, //pokey-ach ivrim//, thanking G-d for the gift of sight. I explained that the words actually mean, “opening the eyes of the blind, “ One student commented: “I get it. It’s like we are blind when we are sleeping and then we wake up and can see.”

Tomorrow we will celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat and continue learning about Sukkot. Next week, we will study the letters bet and vet.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

=9/25/09= Dear First Grade Parents,


 * Hebrew Reading:** What an exciting week in kita aleph! The children are very excited about reading Hebrew books. I’ve explained to the children that any child, who can read a book independently and without mistakes, can take it home and read to “abba” and “ima.” These beginning of the year books have a predictable pattern that makes for easier reading. The children essentially memorize the pattern. Nevertheless, they are thrilled to be reading! The children are taking turns reading with me and to the entire class. I am so proud of all my first grade students!


 * Tefilot/Prayers:** We are learning two new tefilot: Mah Tovu and Adon Olam. The children are learning these prayers so quickly and their enthusiasm is exceptional!


 * Yom H’Kippurim:** We discussed fasting and the age when boys can fast (13) and girls (12). I told the story of Jonah and the Whale, which will be read on Yom Kippur. The children especially enjoy listening to the many stories where the Tal Am first grade characters realize they made mistake or hurt someone’s feeling and take responsibility by saying “selicha.”


 * Hebrew Writing:** We completed our study of aleph and began studying shin. Today, the children learned to write shin and made shins with their bodies.


 * Kabbalat Shabbat:** We celebrated our first Kabbalat Shabbat by lighting candles, singing “Shalom Aleichem,” chanting the entire Kiddush (I am teaching the children…) drinking juice, singing a “nigun” (wordless prayer/melody) and eating challah.

May you all be inscribed in the book of life for a sweet and wonderful year!

Shabbat Shalom, Aron =9/18/09= Dear First Grade Parents,

It was an exciting week in kita aleph. Here are some of the highlights:


 * Hebrew Studies**: We are beginning to work on elements for our calendar routine that eventually will incorporate a variety of oral Hebrew language patterns for daily practice. We learned a new song about the days of the week. Here are the words transliterated:

//B’Yom rishon omrim shalom// – On Sunday, we say shalom //B’Yom sheyni omrim shalom// - On Monday, we say shalom //B’Yom shlishi omrim shalom// - On Tuesday, we say shalom //B’Yom rivi-ee omrim shalom// - On Wednesday, we say shalom //B’yom chamishi omrim shalom// - On Thursday, we say shalom //B’Yom shisi omrim shalom// - On Friday, we say shalom //Lichvod Shabbat Shabbat shalom// - On Shabbat, we say Shabbat Shalom //B’Rosh Ha’shana – Shana tova// - On Rosh Ha’Shana, Shana Tova!

The children are quick to learn new songs and sing enthusiastically. I love their energy!

• We read a Hebrew story that teaches the greeting for this holiday: //Shana Tova.// • We read a story that introduces the concept of Tshuva. In the story, Gila and Dina exclude Sharona from playing. When the girls see Sharona crying. They “think” about their actions, and eventually say “selicha” (sorry). I use this story to help remind the children of the importance to include all kids who want to play. • We continue to practice listening to and distinguishing between the sounds of the shofar. The children are getting quite good at identifying the different sounds: 1. //Tekiah// – One short blast 2. //Shevarim// –Three short blasts 3. //Truah// – Nine short blasts 4. //Tekiyah Gedolah// – One long blast • The first graders illustrated round //challot//, symbolizing the year “going round.” • In preparation for //Tashlich//, the first graders drew pictures and wrote words on transparency paper, describing ways in which they were not nice to others. On the flip side, they drew pictures to show their plan for fixing their mistakes and making better choices. After they put their transparency paper in a tub of water, they watched their words and pictures disappear. • We walked to Brown Park and did //Tashlich.// Thank you to all of the parents who helped out by accompanying us. Toda Stacey, Yehuda, Laurie, Sherri, and Hediye. I really appreciate your support! • We wrote the word “Tashlich,” and drew pictures capturing the children’s experience of throwing crumbs in the water at Brown Park. • We ate apples and honey and said the bracha, borei pri ha’etz. Watching the children eat their apples and honey with such gusto was sight to see. They loved it!
 * Rosh Ha’Shana Studies:**

We are learning about the variety of foods that we eat on Rosh Ha'Shana and engaged in a "simulation" to help the children become more familiar with these foods. My goal is to help the children better understand and appreciate the reasons for eating certain foods like pomegranates and round //challot// on Rosh Ha'Shana. We went on an “imaginary journey,” seeking round challot. The children imagined they were pomegranates seeds on a “Mitzvah mission." We learned that according to Judaic tradition, each pomegranate contains 613 seeds, reminding us of the importance of doing mitzvot in the coming year. We pretended to go into an “invisible “chamber," and then a "miniaturization machine" to become the size of seeds. We located round //challot// by the JCC that the children were excited to see. The children loved participating in this activity incorporating creative visualization.
 * Highlight of the week:**
 * Hebrew Folders:** I am sending home the children’s Hebrew journals. Please sit down with your child and ham him/her show you their work. I want to encourage all of you to write brief comments on the flip side of drawings that you especially like. Please be sure to have your child return their folders and Hebrew journals on Monday, morning.

Next week, we will continue to read Tal Am stories that illuminate the concept of “Tshuva.” The stories show the children recognizing when they make mistakes and saying selicha to parent at home, to children in the classroom, and to their classmates at recess. We will complete our study of the letter aleph and begin studying the letter shin.

May you all have a happy and healthy new year…

L’Shana Tovah U ‘Metuka,

Aron
=9/10/09= Dear First Grade Parents, We had a wonderful first week of school. What a great class! Please send me a quick “got it” indicating that you received and read the entire update. I want to alert you to a few procedural items as well as let you know about our first week of school and next week’s focus.


 * Hebrew Folders:** I have decided to send these home on a daily basis in order to simplify matters and help establish consistent routines. Since Morah Debbie is sending home her folder each day as well. I thought it would make it easier for both you and the children. On Friday’s, I will send home some of your children’s work so that you can see what we are working on in school. On a daily basis, please continue signing your child’s “Keep Track” record.

This past Thursday, I sent home each child’s Hebrew journal with a self - portrait they illustrated. I will have the children do several self- portraits throughout the school year. Comparing these self-portraits is often quite revealing about your child’s progress and development. Please be sure to have a look at your child’s work, sign it on the flip side of the picture (indicating that you have seen their work), and have your child place their journal in their Hebrew folder, and the folder in their backpack. We will be using the journals frequently so be sure to have the journals brought to school tomorrow. Thank you for your support!


 * Change of Clothes:** Please be sure to bring a labeled shoebox with a change of clothes specifically for my classroom.
 * • Please be sure to clearly label each clothing article.**


 * Code of Conduct:** The children worked together in order to create a comprehensive code of conduct for the school year. They brainstormed ideas in the following categories:

1. Respect yourself 2. Respect others 3. Respect property

I will send home a copy of the Code of Conduct this week.
 * • Please be sure to review it with your child, sign it, have your child place it in their Hebrew folder, and return it to me.**


 * Hebrew Homework:** This will not begin till the second semester. In the meantime, please remember to return your child’s homework folder each day.


 * Hebrew Studies:** Last week, we “blasted off” towards the Hebrew planet for the very first time on Wednesday. The children were excited to begin learning Hebrew. I explained to them the importance of watching me as I give Hebrew instructions. By observing my gestures, facial expressions, and “body language,” the children can begin to understand Hebrew without needing translation. I also explained to the children not to worry if there are some words they don’t understand and to concentrate on assimilating the overall message.

If your children come home saying they don’t understand Hebrew, please be sure to review the strategies described above. Above all, express confidence in your children’s ability to figure things out. So again, here are the steps for a fun and “stress free” Hebrew immersion language experience. Please review these steps with your children.


 * 1.** **Watch me as I give Hebrew directions**
 * 2.** **Pay attention to my gestures, movements, and facial expressions**
 * 3.** **Notice how others respond.**
 * 4.** **Ask a classmate for help if necessary.**
 * 5.** **Ask me for help.**

My Hebrew objective for the week was to introduce the Tal Am curriculum and begin our Hebrew routines. The Tal Am curriculum integrates Hebrew instruction with the Jewish holidays and Torah study. The Tal Am curriculum is organized according to the Jewish calendar and introduces various concepts In Hebrew and Judaic studies, which are developed throughout the year and continue on in Grades 2-5. The Tal Am curriculum features ten children in a first grade classroom, their teacher (Ha”Morah Shira), and Ariot (the lion of letters).


 * •** Each story in our classroom library and each workbook are based on these ten children who are learning Hebrew and Judaic studies in a “virtual first grade classroom.”

This week, I introduced the ten characters: //Shachar, Barak, Gadi, Dan, Hillel, Sharona, Bina, Dina, and Hadassah//, Ha’Morah Shira and Ariot**.** We took attendance in the “virtual classroom,” with children volunteering to play the role of the above students identifying their names during morning attendance routines. For example:

//Ani Gila//--- I am Gila. //Ani ba’kita//.I am in the class. //Shalom Kita Aleph//! Hi first grade!

As the children get comfortable with this routine, they will begin using their own names.


 * Hebrew Songs and Stories:** We learned two new songs. One teaches the //Aleph Bet// and the other is a welcoming song. I read aloud two Hebrew pattern books from our classroom Tal Am library: //Shalom Kita Aleph// and //Mi Lo Bakita//. Both stories are based on language patterns the children are exposed to in their daily routines. The second book shows how the children call a fellow student who is sick at home wishing him a blessing of //Refuah Shleima// – A Speedy Recovery. I used this opportunity to call Eli who was out sick and have the first graders send him a blessing of Refuah Shleima. Eli was very happy to hear from us!


 * Tefilot/Prayers:** We reviewed prayers learned in the kindergarten: //Modeh Ani// - expressing gratitude and the //Shema//.


 * High Holiday Studies:** We began learning the four sounds of the shofar. I played the shofar for the children. According to Jewish tradition, the shofar is blown every morning during the Jewish month of Elul prior to the high holidays.
 * • Any child who has a shofar at home is welcome to bring it to school and play it following our daily tefilot/prayers. (I will not be sharing the school’s shofar for the obvious health reasons).**

//Tekiah:// One blast //Shevarim:// Three blasts //Teruah//: Nine short blasts //Tekiah Gedola//: One long blast


 * This Week’s Focus:** We will begin studying the letter aleph and the vowels patach and kamats (which sound like the O in top). We will also continue our study of Rosh Hashana by learning a new song one about the upcoming holiday: //Bah, bah Rosh Hashana// – Rosh Hashana is coming...

I hope you had a fun and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend. I look forward to meeting all of you at the Upcoming Parent Orientation on September 15th.

L’Shana Tovah U’Metuka, Aron

PS. I am sending some photos from recess and from rest time. Enjoy!

9/1/09

Kita Aleph Update

Dear First Grade Parents,

We had a great first day of school. I had so much fun with your children. They were very attentive and did a wonderful job following directions.

The children had a homework assignment. Their task was to take home their Hebrew homework folder and show you three separate items:

1. My letter of introduction 2. A questionnaire to help me get to know more about your child 3. A self-monitoring form that we used today to help the children focus on listening to directions the first time.

I would appreciate it if you take a few moments to fill out the questionnaire and have your child return it to me by the end of the week. Secondly, please sign the children’s self-monitoring sheet. There is no target goal the children must reach with regards to paying attention the first time. The purpose of this form is to encourage the children to be self-responsible and take responsibility for their learning. The children responded very positively to using this chart. They are enjoying “keeping” track” of their ability to follow directions. As a second grader put it: “It’s like we are the trains and our job is to stay "on track." And if we get off track, then it is our jobs to get back “on track." Nicely said!


 * Snack:** Please be sure to pack extra healthy snacks like fruit, veggies, yoghurt, granola bars, nuts, etc. (Some kids had nothing left in their lunches by the time we had afternoon snack.)

Please be sure to label all clothing items.
 * Change of Clothes:** Please have your child bring a shoebox labeled with their name with an extra change of underwear, pants, and a shirt for emergencies if necessary.


 * Rosh Ha’Shana:** We began discussing one of the customs of blowing the shofar. I demonstrated the various sounds. The children are learning that the shofar reminds us to say “selicha” – sorry.
 * Hebrew Studies:** I introduced a few concepts, but the focus was primarily on making the transition to kita aleph and learning about some of the class jobs. Tomorrow we will work on the code of conduct. I will send home a copy of the completed Code of Conduct by the end of this week or the beginning of next week. Please remember to go over it with your child, sign it and have your child bring it to school the following day.


 * Homework:** I generally do not give homework until the second semester, which gives the children an opportunity to get used to doing homework in English studies. But practicing delivering messages will help the children learn to be responsible for their stuff.

Dismissal: Children will be dismissed outside unless they are going to Kids Connection. It is important that we establish routines by sitting patiently outside. It is imperative that all children and adults make eye contact with eh teacher before taking your child home. Dismissal is a very busy time, and teachers must know that their students are being picked up safely. Thank you for all your support!

I look forward to a wonderful year of teaching your children! Aron

PS. Today we began an activity that will help me to assess your child’s strengths.

PPS. Please remember to bring a kipah for your child labeled with your child’s name..