Kita+Bet+Update

=Kita Bet Update=

= May 13, 2010 --- 29 Iyar 5770 = Dear Second Grade Parents, Here are the weekly highlights... **Torah Studies:** We are continuing with our text study of the Garden of Eden, which the children find to be quite fascinating. Today we discussed the outcome of eating from the Tree of Knowledge: 1. Adam and Chava became “aware” of their nakedness as there eyes were “opened.” 2. They sewed a belt made of fig leaves to cover themselves. Tomorrow, we will learn about G-d’s response and Adam and Chava’s attempt to “hide” from G-d. **Hebrew Studies:** The children began writing Hebrew sentences and illustrating pictures describing their morning routines before school. The children have a choice to describe the order of the day according to their regular routine, or us their imagination to write a story incorporating the elements of a typical (or not so typical) daily routine. These are the verbs the children are currently learning: //Mit-orer, mitoreret// – wake up //Kam, kama// — get up  //Mitlabesh, mitlabeshet// – get dressed //Rochetz, rochetzet// – wash up //Ochel, ochelet// – eat //Mi’tsach-tseach, mitsach-tsachat// – brush teeth //Holech, holechet// – walk, go //No-seah, nosa-at// – travel **Shavuot:** We made hats with the ten commandments in preparation for this upcoming holiday. We practiced singing the Hebrew text from the Ten commandments, putting on a "show' for Sari in the office. Finally, we reviewed the meaning of each commandment. Shabbat Shalom,  Aron = April 30, 2010  16 Iyar 5770 =  Dear Second Grade Parents,

Here are the week’s highlights…


 * Torah Studies:**

• We went “scuba” diving’ in the “Ocean of Torah” – (Ask your children about this.) • We completed our final project on the six days of creation, choosing our favorite verse, and drawing an interpretive painting with watercolors. • We studied the text describing the geography of //Gan Eden// (the Garden of Eden) • We learned about four kinds of trees in Eden: trees that are beautiful to the sight, trees with fruit, the tree of life, and the tree with the knowledge of Good and Evil. • We began illustrating a map of Eden according to the text of the Torah including rivers, land areas, and natural resources.

1. How did “Adam” (man) differentiate between the Tree of Knowledge and other trees? (We discussed possible answers…) 2. How did G-d create man? According to the text, from the “afar” (dust of the earth.” 3. How did Adam take his first breath? (According to the text, G-d breathed Adam’s soul/breath into Adam’s nose)
 * Questions to ask your child:**

• We began a new unit this week: learning the vocabulary for describing the order of our day, from wake up to bedtime. • We “acted out” our morning routines from wake up to arriving at school, learning all relevant verbs: mit-o-rer (wake up), kam (get up), mitlabesh (get dressed), mi-tsach-tse-ach shinayim (brush your teeth) etc. • We wrote Hebrew sentences describing the order of our own day.
 * Hebrew Studies:**

Next week, we will focus our attention on daily routines in school and after school. We will also complete our maps of Eden and begin learning about the interaction between G-d and Adam about “food restrictions” in Eden: Adam is forbidden to eat from the Tree of Knowledge…

Shabbat Shalom, Aron



April 25, 2010 11 Iyar 5770

Dear Second Grade Parents,

Here are the highlights of the week - and what a week it was!!!

Our field trip was one of the true highlights of the year. We began with Tefilot/prayers in the sanctuary. The children’s voices were spirited and the //davenning// was joyful. Rabbi Dobrusin opened the Aron Kodesh (ark), took out a Torah and showed the children the letters of Torah up close for the first time.
 * Beth Israel Field Trip/Torah Studies:**

Reading the Torah in the synagogue was the culmination of many weeks and months of hard work learning the Torah blessings and the first five verses in the book of Genesis. Watching the children confidently step up on the bimah was a sight to see. Every child excelled. It was quite something to see how effortless the children read from the Torah and followed each word, gripping the Yad. Thanks again to all of the parents and grandparents who attended and to the parents who drove children from the synagogue back to HDS. Todah!!!

Back in class, children shared their thoughts and feelings about the experience. I wish I had a tape recorder rolling to record their comments, which were profound, beautiful, and heartfelt:

“//I felt like I was in a dream reading the Torah. I thought I was dreaming…//” (Zachary)

“//As I held the Yad, and brought the Yad closer to the words in the Torah, I felt like I was coming closer and closer to G-d.//” (Sarah)

“//I want to thank you for the opportunity and honor to be able to come to Beth Israel and read from the Torah.//” (Sophia)

We have completed our study of the six days of creation. As a culminating project, the children are choosing their favorite day of creation, and their favorite verse from the description of that day. They are copying their favorite verse, writing down the //pasuk// (verse) and //perek// (chapter) and creating their own interpretation of their chosen verse using watercolors. We began this project following the field trip and will complete it this week.

The Hebrew Reading Marathon is going very well. The second graders are doing a great job documenting their reading choices and their minutes. Keep up the great work! They are also doing a nice job on their book reports. We will continue each week with the same expectations of reading and a weekly book report.
 * Hebrew Reading:**

We added a new dimension to our paragraph description of our clothing choices. The students worked in pairs, asking each other what they are wearing. Child A wrote a sentence describing what Child B said he/she was wearing, using quotation marks.
 * Hebrew Writing:**

Shavuah Tov – a good week! Aron

April 15, 2010 - 1 Iyar 5770

Dear Second Grade Parents,

Thank you for all of your support on our current Hebrew Reading Marathon. The children are doing a good job writing down the names of the books they are reading and documenting their minutes. Yofi yeladim! We are all excited about our field trip Friday morning to Beth Israel Synagogue. On that day, you will all be responsible for bringing your children directly to **Beth Israel** by 8:15 AM. //Thanks in advance for remembering this change in routine. Todah!//

Here are the weekly highlights…
 * Torah Studies** : We completed our study of the fourth day of creation. We learned about the two ”//me-orott// “luminaries” in the sky and the ”//kochavim// ” (stars). The Torah does not distinguish between the luminaries (sun and moon) in the beginning. According to the Midrash (Torah explanation), the sun and moon were initially the same size.


 * //Questions to ask your children://**


 * 1) According to the Midrash we studied, why was the moon upset? (The moon did not want to share his crown with the sun.)
 * 2) How did G-d respond to the moon complaining? (G-d shrank the size of the moon.)
 * 3) What was the moon’s response? (The moon said it was not fair since he had a legitimate and reasonable point.)
 * 4) How did G-d respond to the moon’s reasoning? (G-d gave the moon companions in the sky: the stars, and allowed the moon to shine not only in the night, but during the day as well.

Today we began our study of the fifth day of creation: water creatures and winged creatures. We will continue our study of the fifth day tomorrow. We will continue to practice reciting our Torah blessings and reading from the Torah. The second graders are doing a great job!!! We began learning a traditional Israeli dance for our upcoming celebration of Israel’s birthday this coming Tuesday. The children made flags and practiced singing Ha’Tikva, Israel’s national anthem. On Monday, the children worked on locating various cities, towns and bodies of water in Israel. They shared their maps with the preschoolers from the Kangaroo room.
 * Israel Independence Day:**

What is the capital of Israel? (//Yerushalayim// - Jerusalem) What is Israel’s southern most town? (Eilat) What is Israel’s biggest city? (Tel Aviv) What river flows along the Israeli border? (//HaYarden// -The Jordan River)
 * //Questions to discuss with your child://**

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

April 8, 2010 – 24 Nisan 5770 Dear Second 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 Torah studies. We are reviewing concepts learned about Passover including: the four names of Passover, the order of the Seder, and various Passover songs. **Torah Studies:** We continue to study the days of creation. We completed our study of the first three days of creation and began learning the fourth day: the creation of sun, moon and stars. The children discovered that the Torah text does not use the Modern Hebrew words for sun and moon (//shemesh v’ yare-ach//) to describe these heavenly lights. Rather, the Torah speaks of “me-orot” (luminaries). The Torah uses the words “//ma-or ha’ga-dol//” (the big luminary) and “//ma-or ha’katon//” (the small luminary) to describe the sun and the moon. The sun “rules” the day, and the moon “rules” the night.
 * Passover Studies:**

According to the Midrash that we learned today, originally the sun and moon were the same size. When the moon complained that two rulers could not share a single crown, God decreased the size of the moon. When the moon protested, God offered the moon a “consolation prize” the ability to shine at night and during the day, stars as companions, and the role of setting the monthly Jewish calendar.

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//****:**

We will sing a //nigun// (wordless prayer) and light six candles in memory of those Jews who lost their lives. 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 Second 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 • Thursday, March 25 - Kita Bet Passover Play: 8:50 – 9:20 AM
 * Upcoming Events:**

• We read the story of Purim. • We focused our attention on words describing the feelings of Purim characters: //Achashverosh samach// - Achashverosh was happy //Vashti ka-asa// – Vashti was angry //Mordchai da-ag// - Mordechai was worried //Haman sa-nah// – Haman hated
 * Purim Studies:**

• We brainstormed a list of opposites as we explored the concept of Ve-nahafoch hu (the “turn around” aspect of the Purim story). • We completed a spelling test including all words with mem related to the Purim holiday. • We performed this week’s spelling song for the office staff, the fifth graders and the gansters. • We learned the four mitzvoth of Purim. • We created Mishloach Manot plates that will be handed out tomorrow.

• We continue to write sentences describing the clothes we are wearing. Tefilot: • We conjugated verbs in the present tense related to Purim (la-tet – to give, lishlo-ach – to send)
 * Hebrew Studies:**

• We are learning the //Avot// section of the Amidah including the choreography of stepping backwards and forwards in the beginning. • We began learning //Sim Shalom//, a section (towards the end of the Amidah).
 * Tefilot/Prayers:**

• 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. Questions to ask your child:
 * Torah Studies:**
 * 1) What names from the Torah can you find in the prayer, the //Amidah//?
 * 2) What are some examples of //“Venahafoch hu”// (turn around) in the story of Purim?
 * 3) What are some examples of opposites in the Hebrew language?

= Thursday, February 11, 2010 27 Shevat 5770 = Dear Second Grade Parents,

On Monday morning following our visit in the Kangaroo Room at 9:30 AM, the first graders joined the second graders (as Morah Debbie was not in school). The second graders introduced the first graders to a variety of new prayers. 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 a new Purim song for next week’s spelling test. All of the words on the test are related to Purim and contain the letter mem. • We illustrated the characters in the Megilah: Vashti, Esther, Mordechai, Achashverosh, and Haman in our Hebrew journals. • We listened to the story of Purim in our listening center. • We took turns reading our favorite part in the megilah. • We decorated “ra-ashanim” (groggers).
 * Purim Studies:**

• We began learning two new tefilot: //Baruch She-Amar// and the //Amidah//. • We made a chain going from modern times back to the tine of Abraham and Sarah. We are learning about our connection to the //avot// (patriarchs) and //imahot// (matriarchs) in the //avot// section of the //Amidah//.
 * Tefila 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 and why? (Mordechai was given the honor because he saved the life of the king.) 3. Who was surprised not to receive the honor? (Haman) 4. 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 focus our attention on the concept of //Tohu Va'Vohu// in the first few verses of Torah. Tohu Va’Vohu is a word used to describe the unformed state of the planet in the beginning of creation.

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



Dear Second 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 had a spelling test composed of words with the letter aleph. The list included pronouns and family words. All students are making good progress in their spelling skills. Yofi, yeladim – Great job! • We continue our daily practice of writing sentences describing our clothing. The students’ writing fluency is really coming along nicely. The children are writing sentences with 4-5 words correctly conjugated and featuring matching nouns and adjectives in the singular, plural, masculine and feminine forms. •The second graders wrote paragraphs describing a picture of trees and children to conclude our Tu B’Shvat unit using a variety of language patterns. • We played a game testing our listening skills and recall of sentences as second graders read their paragraphs aloud to the class. (The game reinforces knowledge of different language patterns).
 * Hebrew Studies:**

• We continue our daily practice of sending blessings of Refuah Shlema – a complete healing and a speedy recovery. • We began learning a new prayer, the //amidah//. Our focus is on the first section entitled, //avot// (patriarchs).
 * 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 reviewed the 10 commandments by singing a song I composed to help the children gain familiarity with the Hebrew text of the commandments. • We are learning about the structure of the Torah from the largest unit to the smallest unit: //Sefer Torah// – The Torah (includes the five books of Moses) //Sefer Bereshit// – The Book of Genesis (one of the five books) //Parashat Bereshit// – The first of 12 Torah portions in the book of Genesis //Perek Aleph// - (Chapter one) //Pasuk Aleph// – (verse one) //Bereshit// – (the first word or any word in the Torah) //Ot// – A letter in the Torah
 * Torah Studies:**

1. What is the verb for wearing • clothes? (lovesh, loveshet lovshim lovshot) • socks (gorev, gorevet, gorvim, gorvot) • shoes (no-el, no-elet, no-alim, no-a lot) • a kippa or hat (chovesh, choveshet, chovshim, chovshot) 2. If you could add an eleventh commandment to the Ten Commandments given to Moshe on Mount Sinai, what would it be? 3. How is a child in second grade like a letter in the Torah?
 * Questions to ask your child:**

Shavuah Tov, Aron

PS. Next week, we will begin our study of the upcoming holiday of Purim. We will also begin studying the Torah text describing the days of creation.

January 21, 2010

Dear Second Grade Parents,

Next week, I will be out of town Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Shternie Zwiebel will be subbing for me. Here are the week’s highlights. Enjoy!

We continue to practice… • writing sentences describing what we are wearing. •-writing sentences describing what our peers are wearing.
 * Hebrew Studies:**

• We completed our spelling test about the parts of a tree. • Every child went for the gold medal. Yofi yeladim – great job!!! • We labeled the parts of the tree. • We wrote sentences about trees. • We sang the new spelling test song about trees.
 * Tu B’Shvat Studies:**

• We practiced the Torah blessings and reading the first five verses of Torah with the correct trop. • Tomorrow, we will study Parashat Bo and the last three plagues in Egypt.
 * Torah Studies:**

Shabbat Shalom, Aron =Thursday, January 7, 2010=

Dear Second Grade Parents,

I hope you had a wonderful winter break with your families. We have had a very productive week. The children have transitioned well back to our school routines and have been working hard to get ready for the Language Arts Fair.


 * Important reminder:** Please make the extra effort to have your children come to school by the second bell at the absolute latest (8:15 AM). I know morning transitions take longer with winter weather, so please help your children get ready earlier so that they will be in school on time. If we have school tomorrow, driving will be even slower than usual. So please be up early and check the radio or TV to see if school will be open. Thank you in advance for your support!

Language Arts Fair – Thursday, January 14 – 7 PM As I mentioned last month, the second graders are working on writing an autobiographical paragraph. In December, the children prepared for the written portion of this project by practicing asking one another questions such as:
 * Upcoming Events:**

//Ma ha’shem shelcha?// What is your name? //Ben kama ata?// -How old are you? //Ma atah ohev la-asot ba’kita shel Ha’Moreh Aharon?// What do you like to do in Moreh Aharon’s classroom?

There are eleven questions in all. Today, we worked on our final draft. The children had the option of choosing to answer all questions for a gold medal, 8-9 for a silver medal, or 6-7 for a bronze medal. The children are doing a really fine job on this assignment. I am so proud of them!

We have been working on learning the Torah blessings before and after the reading of the Torah. Yesterday, each child had the opportunity to recite the blessings and read the first five verses in the book of Genesis all by themselves. They are really learning to read from the Torah with the correct trop. This is exciting!
 * Torah Studies:**

We are learning how to describe the clothing we wear each day. In Hebrew, there is a different verb for wearing pants, socks, shoes, and a kippa. For example: //Ani lovesh chultsah admuma, sveder lavan, v’michnasayim shchorim. -// (I am wearing a red shirt, a white sweater, and black pants.) //Ani gorev garbayim levanim.// (I am wearing white socks.) //Ani no-el na-alayim shchorot.// (I am wearing black shoes.) //Ani chovesh kipa k’chula.// (I am wearing a blue yarmulke.)
 * Oral Language Skills:**

We began reviewing songs about Tu B’Shvat (celebrating the New Year for the trees) and the parts of a tree in Hebrew. Today, I read out loud the story //Yehuda Ve’hashkediah//. In this story, Yehuda chooses to do a report about the almond tree and asks his grandparents to send him pictures of the almond tree that was planted in Jerusalem when he was born. Ask your children if they remember Yehuda’s dream about the “Shke-diah (almond tree).
 * Tu B’shvat Studies:**

Shabbat Shalom, Aron =Thursday, December 17, 2009=

Dear Second Grade Parents,

What a wonderful job the second graders did at last night’s Chanukah Festival! Many thanks to Ricardo Seir for his masterful accompaniment. Kudos to Morah Bev for a terrific job preparing the children…

Here are the weekly highlights… • We acted out the story of Chanukah in the classroom in Hebrew. • We worked on conjugating several verbs in the present tense related to this holiday:
 * Chanukah Studies: **

1. //l’hadlik// -to light 2. //l’hitpalel// – to pray 3. //levarech// – to bless 4. //lesacheck// – to play 5. //le-echol// – to eat

• We attended a Chanukah party hosted by the teachers, parents, and children in the Kangaroo room. • We played the dreidle game. • We ate sufganiot • We lit candles, recited the Chanukah blessings. • We sang //Ha-nerot Halalau// and //Maoz Tsur// • We attended the Gan’s performance of the Chanukah story • The children took a Chanukah test, assessing their knowledge of the Chanukah story and of the holiday itself. • We corrected assignments completed in our Chanukah workbooks as a class. • We discussed personal goals in work habits, Hebrew Studies, and Judaic studies. • Each child selected three goals they wished to focus on. Be sure to ask your children what they decided to work on.
 * Hebrew Studies: **

Tomorrow. We will focus our attention on the story of Joseph, as he becomes Pharaoh’s advisor based on his expertise in dream interpretation. The name of this weekly Parasha is Miketz.
 * Kabbalat Shabbat:**

Have a wonderful and restful winter break with your families. Thank you for choosing HDS and allowing me the opportunity to teach your terrific children. It is a daily joy…

Shabbat Shalom and //Chanukah Sameyach//, Aron =12/10/09= Dear Second Grade Parents,

The children are very excited about 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 //**Plan to arrive by 6:45 sharp!**// • Second Chanukah Party, Thursday, December 17 – Rescheduled to 8:30 – 9:30 AM
 * Upcoming Events:**

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

We are focusing our attention on learning conversational skills in preparation for the language arts fair in January. Ultimately, the children will write a descriptive paragraph about themselves in Hebrew including their name, their age, where they live, where they were born, where they go to school, what they like to learn in class and other questions. Presently, we are practicing how to ask and answer these questions orally, with other children in the classroom. After the children have had sufficient experience asking and answering these questions, we will begin writing down the answers and formulating a descriptive paragraph including all of the information. We spent time this week reviewing the sounds of the "otiot sofiot" (final letter forms - mem sofit, nun sofit, chaf sofit, fey sofit, and tsadi sofit). • We are busy practicing our reading skills by reading Tal Am stories about Chanukah.
 * Hebrew Studies:**
 * Chanukah Studies:**

1. //Ha-Nisim Ba-Chanukah// (the miracles of Chanukah) 2. //Yehuda Ha-Gadol Yehuda Ha’katan// (Big Yehuda (Yehuda Ha’Macabi and Little Yehuda) 3. //Nurit Ve-ha-Nerot// (Nurit and the candles)

• We are dramatizing sections of the story of Chanukah by acting them out. Today, one group acted out the Greek soldiers announcing the King Antiochus’s orders banning the speaking of Hebrew, the keeping of the Shabbat, praying to G-d, and the eating of Kosher food.

• Chanukah Aerobics: We are working on developing our sight word recognition skills by hopping on Hebrew words from the Chanukah story placed on the floor throughout the classroom and reading them.

• We continue to practice singing songs for the Chanukah festival as well as Chanukah songs we are learning in class. The children are doing a fantastic job learning two verses of Maoz Tsur.


 * Torah:** Tomorrow we will continue to practice leining the first five verses of the Torah in the traditional trop. The second graders are doing wonderfully with their Torah reading. We will also begin our study of the story of Joseph. We will learn about Joseph’s dreams in Parashat //Va’Yeshev//.

=Shabbat Shalom,= =Aron=

=12/03/09=

Dear Second Grade Parents,

We had a party today to celebrate filling up our class jar with “//gulot//" – marbles. The children enjoyed kosher organic lollipops and playing “limbo.”

Here are the week’s highlights…


 * Hebrew Studies:**

• We had a spelling test today about Chanukah. Many of the children chose to do their test completely by memory. They basically sang the spelling song quietly to themselves “in their heads, and spelled the fifteen words from memory. Wow!!! Even the children who chose to have me announce each word could predict the next word in the test based on the song. The spelling songs are really helping the children to remember the words!

• We worked on conjugating the following verbs in the present tense: 1. //l’had-lik// – to light 2. //le-varech// – to bless 3. //le-sachek// – to play 4. //le-hit-palel// -to pray

We practiced conjugating these in a game format with the children working together in teams. The children did a nice job working together.


 * Chanukah Studies:** We are currently learning two traditional Chanukah songs: Ha’nerot Ha’llalu and Ma-oz Tsur (Rock of Ages). The second graders are doing a great job learning the words to these songs!

Today, we worked on designing our own chanukiot out of meshulashim – triangles, ri-bu-im - square, and mal-benim – rectangles. This was a fun project! Tomorrow, we will examine the weekly Torah portion in the book of Genesis (//Va’Yishlach//) and celebrate //Kabbalat Shabbat//.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

=11/12/09= Dear Second 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. I will have 12 conferences in the afternoon with one break, so I will be sticking closely to the schedule. 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.

Here is an update about our week in kita bet:


 * Hebrew Studies:** We are working very hard on developing fluency in oral language skills. In particular, we are learning how to construct sentences. When I ask the children questions in Hebrew, they typically respond by speaking in phrases, not sentences. For example: I may ask the children: //Mah ata ohev la-asot ba’kita?// (What so you like to do in the classroom.) A typical response is: //lik-roh sfarim// – (read books), //l’tsayer tsi-yurim// - (draw pictures), or //lich-tov mishpatim// - (write sentences). I remind the children daily to add the words: //Ani ohev// - (I like) or //Ani yachol// – (I can) - to the phrases they know, thus creating a sentence. We will continue to hone our ability to speak in full sentences, as well as write sentences throughout the year. Around the time we celebrate Tu B’shvat, we will be working on writing descriptive paragraphs.

Currently, we are working on formulating sentences based on photographs of second graders engaged in the learning process, of children playing at recess, and of fall leaves and trees. This requires the children to apply vocabulary they are learning. I had the children begin this process with our sub this week, Sherry Peller, and we continued working on it today.

We also began working on noun adjective agreement with singular and plural nouns: aleh adom –-- red leaf alim adumim –--- red leaves

We will be singing a song about subjects that we learn in second grade (Torah, Hebrew, Holidays, Shabbat) and a song about a host of verbs that the children are learning in the infinitive from. It is exciting watching the children pantomime the movements of verbs they are learning – and having fun while doing so. There is definitely an aerobic component to this aspect of the presentation, especially when the children are running in place and jumping. We also began work on a Hebrew play. The children helped write much of the dialogue. Ask your children to tell you about it. Next week, we will focus on the play and the entire presentation. Thanks to all of you who let me know who is planning to attend. Todah!
 * Chagigat Ivrit – Hebrew Celebration: Thursday, November 19**

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

= = =11/05/09=

Dear Second Grade Parents,

We are having fun improving our Hebrew oral language skills! Here are the highlights of the week…


 * Hebrew Spelling:** We had our first spelling test today. Before the test, we had a “practice test” on the chalkboard. Children had their own section of the chalkboard. I dictated the words and they all wrote with chalk in unison. Afterwards they checked their spelling for mistakes.

What was noteworthy about the pencil paper test that followed test was the fact that many children could predict the next word in the test because they memorized the song I composed with the spelling words. Adding music to the spelling lesson not only added a fun component, it helped the children improve their reading of the words as well as their articulation. Let’s call it win win!

As I mentioned previously, I will mark these test based on the correct spelling of letters. There is a wide spectrum of spelling ability is kita bet. That is typical. I am most concerned with how much each child will develop and improve their spelling ability over the course of the year. Therefore, I always tell the children that their spelling score is private and it is not to be shared (except with parents of course.) This helps children stay focused on their individual goals of becoming more accurate spellers.


 * Hebrew Reading:** We are reading a book that describes the children’s Hebrew skills: writing, reading, asking questions, etc. Since these verbs are such a prominent feature and such a critical component of developing oral language proficiency, I chose to focus on them for this week’s spelling test.

**Oral language Skills:** We spent some time this week looking at photographs of fall leaves and describing in Hebrew the various colors of the leaves the parts of a tree. Using photographs are a stimulating and visually pleasing method of generating discussion.
 * Assessment:** I spent one on one time with each child this week, recording them on my laptop reading a book and speaking with me in Hebrew. I look forward to sharing these digital videos with you at the upcoming parent-teacher conferences. I am pleased to see how much the second graders reading and oral language skills have improved since September.


 * Torah Studies:** Tomorrow, we will study Parashat Va’yera. In this Torah portion, three “men” who are actually angels visit Avraham. We will focus our attention on the Mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim – the welcoming of guests. We learn this important Mitzvah from the warm, gracious, and hospitable way Avraham and Sarah received their guests. And who knows, we may even act out the scene where Avraham washes the feet of his guests…

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

PS. I hope you found my description of the upcoming Chagigat Ivrit – (Hebrew Celebration) helpful and informative. Please be sure to contact me if you have any questions. Finally, thank you to all the parents who sent me a quick note indicating they have accessed and read the weekly newsletter. A quick note to let me know that you are getting this communication would help me know that my new method of communication is working. Thanks again for all your support!

=10/29/09=

Dear Second Grade Parents,

I am seeing wonderful growth with the children’s oral language skills. Here is a summary of the week’s highlights…

He**brew Reading and Reading “buddies:”** We visited the kangaroo room in the JCC to establish our “reading buddy” program. The children loved sitting with the preschoolers, reading to them, and singing a Hebrew song about friendship. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to not only develop their reading skills, but to forge new relationships and play a role as “Hebrew teachers.” We will visit them once a week for a fifteen-minute reading period every Monday at 9 AM.

Atah- you (masculine) At – you (feminine) Atem – (you, plural, masculine) Aten - (you, plural, feminine)
 * Oral Language Skills:** We began learning the following pronouns:

//Li-sa-check// – play //Lik-fots// – jump //La-roots// – run //Talmidim// – students //Yachol// - can (I can, you can etc.)
 * Hebrew Spelling:** We played a game practicing our spelling skills. The children took turns spelling various letter vowel combinations with letters and vowels. They also practiced writing various words that we are learning and using in our daily oral language routines such as:

The children took their first spelling dictation to assess their knowledge of letters, vowels, and words we have learned thus far.


 * Hebrew Vocabulary:** We learned a new song that summarizes the content areas in the second grade Hebrew curriculum: friendship, Shabbat, holidays, Torah, Israel, life at home and life in the classroom. The name of the song is //Mah Lomdim?// (What do we learn?)


 * Hebrew Handwriting:** The children practiced their cursive writing skills by writing the song “Mah Lomdim” in cursive Hebrew. The children’s cursive handwriting skills have improved greatly since September. We continue to work on proper letter formation and spacing between words.


 * Hebrew Writing:** The children continue to work on writing sentences that describe what they like to do at recess, and what they do in the classroom. The children are gaining familiarity with a number of verbs that help them to express themselves in complete sentences:


 * Torah Studies:** Tomorrow we will learn about Abraham 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 celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

=10/22/09=

//Hen// – They - feminine gender
Next week, we will continue to review these pronouns in our daily oral language routines and begin utilizing the following forms: //Ata// - You -singular (masculine gender) //At// – (you - singular (feminine gender) //Atem// –You plural –masculine //Aten// –You plural feminine

//Mah?//-What? //Kama?//---How many? //Lama?//---Why? //Eich// How? //Matai?// --When? //Eifoh?// --Where?
 * Hebrew Writing:** We are focusing on writing questions with the following words:
 * Mi?** -Who?

Ask your children if they can either remember any questions they constructed in class, or if they can think of any new questions.


 * Oral Language Skills:** We focused on developing fluency with the vocabulary for saying the masculine and feminine forms of saying “good friends.”

• //Chaverim Tovim// (masculine form – or mixed gender) • //Chaverot Tovot// (feminine form) We also practiced asking each other’s name: __//Mah ha’shem shelcha?// ---What is your name? - masc. //Mah ha’shem shelach?// ---What is your name? - fem.__ //Ha'shem sheli//. --- My name is_.


 * Tefilot/Prayers:** We learned the blessings that are chanted before and after the reading of the Torah.


 * Torah:** Each child created a poster including the first word in the Torah - Bereshit. They surrounded this word with a series of pictures that illustrate the six days of creation and Shabbat. We began learning the story of Noah and will learn about Noah in greater depth tomorrow.

Next week, we will focus out attention on learning and utilizing a variety of verbs that pertain to the class experience: • //Lik-roh// –to read • //Lichtov// – to write • //L’tsayer// – to draw • //L’hakshiv// – to listen • //L’hadbik// – to glue • //Litsbo-ah// – to color

Shabbat Shalom, Aron =__10/15/09__= __ Dear Second Grade Parents,

We’ve had an exciting week. The children were VERY excited to earn their first class party. We celebrated by doing a “limbo dance,” playing “Shimon Omer” (Simon Says) and eating yummy organic lollipops.

We began discussing the //Chagigat Ivrit//, the special Hebrew program we will be presenting for the parents on November 19th. The children are looking forward to it!

Here are the week’s highlights:

1. First person singular: //hayiti// (I was) 2. Third person singular: //haya// (He was) 3. Third person singular: //hayeta// (//She was//).
 * Hebrew Studies**: We began studying the past tense verb form of “//lihiyot//” (to be). We focused on three forms:

These concepts were taught in relation to the Tal Am characters having been in Morah Shira’s first grade class. (Two of the new characters - Yehuda and Nurit - were not in her class.) The children identified who was not in her class, answering questions in their workbooks in complete sentences with correct punctuation.

//Mah ha'shem shelcha?// (What’s your name? - to a male) //Mah ha'shemshelach?// What’s your name? - to a female) //Ha’shem sheli//_. (My name is __). __Try practicing these concepts with your children at home...
 * Oral Hebrew Language skills:** The second graders practice asking each other what their names are:


 * Hebrew Cursive:** We continue to practice cursive writing, copying the names of the Tal Am characters from print to cursive. The children are showing lots of progress in their cursive handwriting.

The children learned the word “//chama//” is another word for //shemesh// or sun. They also learned the biblical word for luminaries, //m’orot//. We engaged in a creative visualization, imagining that we were the authors of this prayer, sitting outside on a warm summer night watching the stars in the sky and the moon.
 * //Tefilot///Prayers:** We learned a new prayer: “//El Baruch//.” The prayer pays tribute to G-d’s creation of the celestial lights. The children discovered that the first letter in each word in this prayer follows the sequence of the Hebrew alphabet from aleph to tav.


 * Holidays of Tishrei Test:** I tested the children on concepts learned including the sounds of the shofar, conjugation of the verbs “//lihitpalel//" – to pray and //lishmo-ah// –to hear, and the four species of Sukkot. I also checked their understanding of the //Days of Awe// and //Simchat Torah//. Today, we reviewed all concepts learned with a fun class game to help reinforce any concepts they missed.


 * Torah:** We are practicing reciting the Torah blessings that are chanted before and after the reading of the Torah. We also began learning about the //Sofer Stam// whose job it is to write the letters in Torah scrolls. Today, we began learning how to form the Hebrew letters in the fancy and elegant style of the sofer. Tomorrow, we will continue making letters in the sofer’s style, review the days of creation, and begin learning the names of the parashiot (Torah portions) in the book of Genesis.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron __

=__10/8/09__= __ Dear Second Grade Parents,

It’s been a great week. The children are enjoying learning to speak Hebrew in our daily routines, especially when it involves throwing footballs, jumping rope, and running fast, three of the children’s favorite activities. Learning how to articulate in Hebrew what the children enjoy doing is very motivating for them and helps to create a fun and dynamic Hebrew classroom environment. Here are some of the highlights…


 * Sukkot Studies:** We read and discussed a Ta Am storybook that explains the historical underpinnings of Sukkot, reminding us of the time when the Israelites slept in sukkot in the desert after escaping from Egypt. We have eaten several times in the sukkah built by Seth Kopald (father of Levi-gan, and Ahava, third grade). As you’ve seen by the photos, each child has had the opportunity to say the blessing over the lulav and shake it in six directions. Ask your children what four species represent and see if they can remember. Reviewing these concepts at home will help them internalize them. I would suggest making some sort of a game out of asking them – like the million dollar question game. Here are the concepts:

//Lukav k’mo gav.// The lulav is like our back or spine. We want to “walk tall” all year, feeling good about ourselves.

//Etrog k’mo lev.// The etrog is like our heart. We think about all the people that love us and all the people that we love. We think about our passions and activities we love to do: drama, sports, reading, puzzles, etc.

//Haddassim k’mo eynayim.// The haddasim are shaped like our eyes. We think about the beauty of God’s creation – the sun, moon, stars, rainbows, animals, trees, flowers, the sky, etc.

//Aravot k’mo peh.// The aravot are shaped like our mouth. We think about saying words of gratitude, polite words, kind words, and friendly words.

• We learned how to greet: 1. A male ---//Baruch ha’bah// 2. A female-//Brucha ha’ba-ah// 3. Two males or a male and female-//Bruchim ha’ba-im// 4. Two females: bruchot ha’ba-ot---//Bruchot ha’ba-ot//
 * Hebrew Studies:**

• We illustrated a sukkah, labeled its parts, writing sentences describing who is in the sukah and what items are in the sukkah: //kishutim// - decorations, //schach// - the sukkah "roof," //kirot// - walls, //ki'sa-ot// -chairs, and a //shulchan// - a table.

• We continued practicing cursive writing, writing the names of all the Tal Am characters in cursive. • We conjugated the verb “//lashevet//” (to sit), and //l’hitpalel// (to pray).


 * Simchat Torah:** We made flags to celebrate Simchat Torah for //Rosh Chodesh// tomorrow at 9 AM. On the flags, (which are in the shape of a Torah), are the first word in the Torah – Bereshit, and the last word –Yisrael. The last letter of Yisrael and the first letter of Bereshit combine to form the word lev - meaning heart. On Simchat Torah, we are reminded of how much we love reading the Torah and learning how to live our lives according to our Jewish heritage by discussing, learning, and following its teachings.

Next week, we will begin learning the past tense form (first person) of the verb “l//i’hiyot//” (to be) and will review the days of creation in the first Torah portion, //Bereshit.// We will also learn how to form the letters in the style of the “//sofer stam//” who writes the letters in the Torah with a quill and special black ink from a gallnut

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameyach, Aron __

===__PS. Thank you for all your support on homework assignments. Many children are earning extra credit, which is really wonderful. Please remember to sign your child's homework sheet. And all of your homework comments are very helpful. Todah! Many thanks.__===

=__10/01/09__= __ Dear Second Grade Parents,

**Friday Folders:** The children will be bringing home their workbooks to share work they are currently doing. I will send home either their Hebrew workbooks showing work on learning how to greet in Hebrew, or their holiday workbooks. Please be sure to take a look and have your children return their workbooks to their Hebrew folders and then straight to their backpack to return to school on Monday. I am also sending home a book for them to read.

We had a wonderful week in kita bet! Here are the highlights:

**Hebrew Oral Language Skills:** Every day, we work on speaking in full Hebrew sentences describing what we love to do. The children say things like: • //Ani ohev lisachek cadooregel im ha’chaverim sheli.// (I like to play football with my friends.)

• //Ani ohevet likfotz im chevel.// (I like to jump rope.)

What makes this activity so much fun for the children is “acting out” the sentences. Both boys and girls love “going out for a pass.” (I have a miniature football, which I use quite regularly for instructional purposes. And many of the children love to demonstrate their jump roping technique as well.

After each child articulates what they enjoy doing in Hebrew, the other children respond by saying: • //Hu ohev lisachek football//. (He likes to play football.) Or • //Hi ohevet lisachek in ha’chaverim shela//. (She likes to play with her friends.)

In a nutshell, we are working on developing familiarity with pronouns and possessives (shela - hers, shelo - his) on a daily basis in addition to speaking in full sentences. Most importantly, the children are having fun learning these skills!


 * Tal Am Characters:** We are learning the family names of the Tal Am characters. For example: Shachar is Shachar Navon. Sharona is Sharona Yelin. The children learning these names today as part of a game/contest.

• //Baruch Ha’Ba.// – Welcome - to a single male • //Bruchah ha’ba-ah//: Welcome - To a single female • //Bruchim Ha’Ba-im:// Welcome - To several boys - or boys and girls • //Bruchot Ha’Ba-ot// - Welcome - To several girls or females
 * Hebrew Greetings:** the children are learning the proper forms for greeting guests in both gender forms, singular and plural:

We are learning a song to help us practice these concepts and assimilate them.


 * Hebrew handwriting:** We continue to review cursive and print writing. Many children are working to consolidate their knowledge of print letters, particularly the ones that are similar like tsadi and ayin or shin and sin. Children are honing these skills based on an assessment that Morah Bev and I conducted last week. We also continue to review all of the vowel sounds. Sometimes, your child may take homework for extra practice on a night that is not our traditional homework night. They might need to finish work not completed in class, or just need extra practice on a particular skill.

1. Writing in the lines 2. Spaces between words 3. Correct letter formation and neatness 4. Proper punctuation (at this point - the correct use of periods) 5. Remembering to write all of the vowels
 * Hebrew Rubric:** I created a rubric to help the children reflect on the quality of their work and make corrections as necessary. Here are the five points the children need to examine carefully prior to turning in their work:


 * Please have your children check the quality of their homework based on these criteria.**

**Sukkot Studies:** We are learning the blessings for Sukkot, and the names of the four species: Lulav, etrog, hadas, and arava. Next week, we will begin learning how each of the four species is representative of parts of the body:

//Lulav// – Spine //Etrog// – Heart //Arava// – Mouth //Hadas// - Eyes

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameyach, Aron __ =__**9/25/09**__=

__ Dear Second Grade Parents, Just a quick note…

The second graders are bringing home their Hebrew folders. They are taking home their “machberot” (Hebrew journals). They are also taking home books to practice their Hebrew reading. I encouraged the children to take home books they are comfortable reading. They had the option to take home a first or second grade book. I am interested to know about their experience reading at home – if their choices were appropriate for their reading levels. I am receiving plenty of helpful feedback already from parents and I am very appreciative of this! Thank you! Together, we win…


 * Hebrew/Judaic Studies:** This week we continued to work on cursive writing, and matching cursive letters to print letters. The students located words starting with each letter and wrote those words down beside the letters aleph – hey (first five words of the Hebrew alphabet). They also drew pictures of the words and some students began writing sentences with those words as well. We conjugated the verb “lishmoah” (to hear). The children did an outstanding job singing the song “Yom Tru-ah” (the day of the shofar blast -an alternative name for Rosh Ha’Shana) for Sari. They learned that listening to the sound of the shofar is a //Mitzvah// - commandment.

Please have your children show you their work and remember to have them place their journals and Hebrew books back in their Hebrew folders and return them on Tuesday after Yom Kippur.

I told the story of Jonah in preparation for Yom Kippur. This is the story and text that is read on this holiday. The children illustrated wonderful pictures of Jonah praying to G-d inside the “dag gadol” (whale). Yofi, yeladim! Great job, second graders!!!


 * Kabbalat Shabbat Treat Sign up:** Outside my classroom I put up a sign up for Kabbalat Shabbat treats. Please sign up to bring treats sometime during the year. Todah – thank you!

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

PS. A “Tsom kal” (easy fast) to all who are fasting. We also spoke about the age when boys can begin fasting (13) and girls (12). I encouraged the children to “fast” from television and computers in order to have a meaningful Yom Kippur. May all of you be inscribed in the book of life for a happy and healthy year. __

=__9/18/09__= __ Dear Second Grade Parents, I am so proud of our second graders. They did such a wonderful job in their Hebrew play for //Rosh Chodesh//! Aside from my obvious pleasure of seeing them speak and act in Hebrew, I particularly enjoyed watching them have so much fun with the play. They are so unself-conscious and are just great natural performers. I am glad that so many of you were able to attend and accompany us to Brown Park for //Tashlich// as well. Todah l’Jim, Keren, Barry, and Elena.

For example: //Ani// (I) //ohev// (the word like or love in present tense) //li-sachek// (the infinitive form – to play) //im ha’chaverim sheli// (with my friends).
 * Hebrew Studies:** We are continuing to work on our daily oral language skills. The children are getting better at speaking in full sentences incorporating verbs in present tense+ the infinitive verb form.

I am in the process of assessing the children’s reading fluency. Morah Bev and I administered a test to check their knowledge of phonics and letter sound recognition. This will help me pinpoint areas that need review.

• We learned five ways of getting prepared for this holiday: 1. Sending Rosh Ha’Shana cards 2. Eating apples and honey for a sweet year. 3. Eating round challot, reminding us that the year goes "round and round." 4. Eating pomegranate seeds which remind us of the importance of doing mitzvoth all throughout the year 5. Listening to the sound of the shofar and making amends by saying selicha. • We read aloud a Tal Am story: “ Ma Omer Ha’Shofar B’Rosh Ha’Shana?” (What does the Shofar say on Rosh Ha’Shana?) • The children wrote Hebrew sentences about playing the shofar and illustrated themselves playing the shofar: Boys: //Ani toke-ah b’shofar.// “I play the shofar.” Girls: //Ani to-ka-at ba’shoar.// “I play the shofar.”
 * Rosh Ha’Shana Studies:**

• 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. //Tekiah Gedolah// – One long blast

• In preparation for Tashlich, the second 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. Thanks again to all of the parents who helped out by accompanying us. I really appreciate your support! • The second graders drew pictures capturing their experience of doing //Tashlich// and throwing crumbs in the water at Brown Park. • We ate apples and honey and said the Bracha: //borei pri ha’etz//.


 * Friday Folder:** I am sending home the children’s Hebrew journals. Please sit down with your child and have him or 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.
 * Weekend Hebrew Reading** : I also sent home another Hebrew book to practice reading. I will be sending home a book every Friday in order to continue practicing reading skills over the weekend.

Next week, we will be learning about three spiritual practices that are integral to the 10 days of Awe between Rosh Ha’Shana and Yom Kippur: 1. //Teshuva// – (“Returning to G-d” by making amends 2. //Tefila// –(Prayer) 3. //Tsedaka// –(Acts of righteousness)

May you all have a happy and healthy new year…

//L’Shana Tovah U ‘Metuka//, Aron

**9/10/09 – Thursday** It’s been a terrific week in kita bet. Thank you for signing and returning the Code of Conduct forms!

Date: Tuesday, September 15th
 * Upcoming Events:**
 * //• HDS Parent Orientation – Grades 1-5.//**

CLASS SCHEDULE FIRST GRADE GS 7:00–7:30 FIRST GRADE JS 7:35-8:05 THIRD GRADE GS/JS 7:00-7:30 FOURTH GRADE JS/GS 7:35-8:05 FIFTH GRADE GS/JS 6:45-7:30
 * SECOND GRADE JS 7:00-7:30**
 * SECOND GRADE GS 7:35-8:05**
 * PARENT MEETING: Welcome and overview of the year - 8:07-8:30**

//**• Rosh Chodesh Reminder:**// Date: Thursday, September 17 Time: 8:30 AM Location: JCC lounge Second Grade will present the theme of Rey-ut (friendship). The children are doing a great job learning their lines. Please invite friends and family to join us. I am looking forward to seeing all of you.


 * Hebrew Speaking:** We are working on expanding our use of verbs and infinitives. We practice these skills during morning attendance. Here is a transliterated example of the Hebrew sentences children are saying:

//Ani// (Hebrew name of boy)--I am. //Ani bakita--//I’m in the class. //Ani ohev lisachek in ha’chaverim sheli//I like to play with my friends. //Shalom Kita Aleph// --Hi second grade.
 * Masculine Version:**

//Ani// (Hebrew name of girl)--I am. //Ani ba-kita//-I’m in the class. //Ani ohevet lashir shirim//-I like to sing songs. //Shalom kita bet//.--- Hi second grade. One of the highlights of the week was practicing saying and acting out the sentence: Ani rats ma-her (masculine gender). – I run fast. Ani ratsah ma-her (feminine gender). I run fast. The children had loads of fun running and saying a Hebrew sentence to describe the action.
 * Feminine Version**


 * High Holiday Studies:** We spent time learning, reviewing and mastering the four different sounds made by a shofar in a traditional service: Tekiah, shevarim, Tru-ah, Tekiyah gedola. The children are getting quite good at identifying the sounds!

Today, we learned a new song that teaches us the names of all of the Jewish months in the calendar. We focused our attention on determining which Jewish Holidays take place in the month of Elul. Tomorrow, we will work on making Shana Tovah cards and will celebrate our first Kabbalat Shabbat at school..

Tomorrow, the children will work on creating Shana Tovah cards and will practice the play.


 * Tefilot/Prayer:** The children are really enjoying tefilot, participating actively. We are learning a new //tefila//, Psalm 100.

Shabbat Shalom, Aron

9/8/09 - Tuesday This is a copy of the first update I sent last week. Future updates will be posted on this Wiki page.__

Dear Second Grade Parents,

Yesterday, Morah Janice joined us and we began work on our Code of Conduct. The children worked collaboratively in three groups in order to generate ideas. They came up with many ideas in the three categories:

1. Respect yourself

2. Respect others

3. Respect property

We will sort all of these__ out and hopefully have the Code of Conduct sent home either later this week or early next week. It has been just terrific working with Morah Janice.


 * Hebrew Studies:** We began reading a story called 'Yesh Lanu Lama" about a llama that visits a classroom and causes havoc. I like using this text because it is a fun story and because the vocabulary builds slowly and is repetitive, making it easier to read. The children are enjoying it.

We began learning a Hebrew song about friendship, which the children will perform at the Rosh Chodesh Assembly. We also began reading a story “Baruch Ha’Bah Yehuda” which will form the basis of our upcoming skit. Yehuda is a new student who feels sad and does not want to get up to go to school because he has no friends. The play will show what happens when he meets his new classmates.


 * Tefilot:** We began our daily prayers. The children participated actively.


 * Homework:** I spoke with Morah Janice and we have decided the following: I will be sending home homework on Monday and Tuesday, and Janice will send homework on Wednesday and Thursday. As far as the keep track record… I am leaning towards sending them home three times a week: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Monday and Tuesday are regular homework nights (and signing the Keep Track record) and Thursday will be just for checking and comparing the Keep Track record. Again, there is no expectation for the amount of checks. The purpose is to help the child self reflect.

Enjoy the pictures of your children playing at recess. It was a gorgeous day and the kids are so excited to be back at school with their classmates!

Aron