Mazel Pre-K 5771: January 2011

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Mazel Tov to our friend Nosson who this Shabbos turned 5 years old! Pre-K friends wish Nosson to have a lot of friends, a lot of toys, to learn Torah and be healthy!

We wish Nosson's parents to have a lot of simcha from him. Thank you for the great presents to Pre-K Friends!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Mem Sofis

This week we learned the letter Mem Sofis.

Mem Sofis has a big line on top, a big line that goes down, a big line on the bottom and a big line on the side. It looks like it has a rectangle inside of it.

Mem sofis only will come at the end of the word like in the word "mayim" or "mitzrayim"

Mayim Mem Sofis

Mem Sofis looks like a tank filled with Mayim.

Our Community- Fire Safety

In class, we watched a Fire Safety video called "Sparky's ABC" that helped us learn the important Safety Rules that must be reviewed and followed.

When you hear an Alarm take action - leave the building. Don't look for the fire, don't try to put it out, don't look for your favorite toy- LEAVE!
Call 911 from safe place.
A Smoke Detector can warn you of fire. Be alerted!
Escape was one of the new words we learned. It means get out quickly!
Before you leave your room, feel the door. There might be fire outside.
Get out and Stay out no matter what!
Don't Hide and don't stay Inside
Lighters and Matches are adults' tools. They are not toys. Never play with them!
Organize your family. Plan and practice!
If your clothes catch on fire, STOP! DROP! AND ROLL!
Always know two ways out.
If there is smoke, get low and crawl out to safety!
Check for the EXIT signs, they will help you get out.

To see the Fire Safety video -"Sparky's ABC" go to http://www.sparky.org/#/Sparky/SparkySpots

This week we learned about an important part of our community- the Fire Station. The fire station's purpose is to teach people about fire safety, save people's lives and houses. We were welcomed by firemen who showed and taught us a lot.

We observed how one of the firefighters got dressed in his uniform and how he put a mask on that protects his face and allows him to breath air. He put gloves on that keep his hands safe. He taught us something very important- DON'T BE SCARED OF FIREMEN!

NEVER HIDE AND NEVER STAY INSIDE!

The firefighter showed us what tools are used to put a fire out- a water hose and a ladder.

One needs to be very strong to carry a fireman's helmet.

We took a close look at the firefighters' tools- here is an ax that is used to open locked or blocked doors.

Red Lights mean EMERGENCY, yellow lights- caution!

http://www.storyplace.org/preschool/activities/timetofightafire.asp

This week we learned

This week's letter is the letter "B." Friends were excited to learn that Ariel, Emy, and Evalyn's dads and Yonni's Dad and brother's names start with the letter "B." Jacklyn's last name starts with the letter B too! To make the letter, one needs one big line and two little curves. The "B" says /b/ like in words blue, brown, bubble gum, blueberry, banana, and big.
Friends brought many treasures. Shlomo brought "Bob the Builder", a Blue Bencher, blue and brown markers. Yonni and Nosson brought books. Zaylin brought a blue block, Chava brought a belt, Morah Inna brought a battery. We looked at each other to see what we might have that starts with the letter of the week.

Chava Evalyn was the winner. She had 6 things that started with the letter B- Belt, Brown Boots, a Blue sweatsuit, Butterflies on the sweatsuit, and a Bracelet.

To review the letter "B" please go to http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/letter-b/load.htm?f
To pre-teacher the letter "R" go to http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/letter-r/load.htm?f

Our Community- Curious Pre-K Friends

As you know, we visited the Fire Station. Before going on the trip we discussed what we might see there and what we want to ask the firemen. Here is a list or our questions and firemens' answers.

Nosson wanted to know:
Why do firemen rescue people?

The Fireman said that:
They do it because they like to help people.

Ron wanted to know:
Why do firemen need a fire truck?

The Firemen said:
A fire truck helps them to get somewhere fast when help is needed and it carries tools and water.

Jacklyn wanted to know:
Why does a fire give smoke?

The Firemen said:
When things burn they make gas and chemicals.
Smoke is very dangerous for people.
It can make people sick.

Alan wanted to know:
Do firemen rescue animals?
The Fireman told us a story how they rescued a little cat.
Once in one of the houses, there was fire in the basement. The smoke had risen up to the second floor. A fireman went to see if there were any people there. He didn't find people, but on the second floor he suddenly heard a noise. When he looked around he notice a little cat. The fireman rescued the little cat.

Shlomo wanted to know:
Why does a fireman use a mask?

The fireman said:
A mask protects his face from smoke and fire. It covers his whole face and is connected to an Air Tank.

Ariel wanted to know
How do firemen put fires out?

The Fireman said:
They take two firetrucks when it is an emergency. One is carrying water, the other is carrying the ladder and tools. They use the water and tools to put the fire out.

Zaylin wanted to know:
Why do firemen become firemen?

The Fireman said
They choose this profession because they love to help people.

Emy wanted to know:
What do we need to do if we want to be firemen?

The Fireman said:
You need to exercise every day, eat healthy food, and take a physical test.

Shimon wanted to know:
How many people do firemen rescue during their life?

The Firemen said:
We save a lot of people. During an emergency, everyone on the team takes different responsibilities.

Aaron wanted to know:
Why do firemen use helmets?

The Fireman said:
The helmets are made of very strong material that protects our heads. If anything falls on the fireman's head it would not hurt it because it is protected.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Parshas Mishpatim

http://torahtots.com/parsha/shmos/mishpat2.htm

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Tu B'Shvat

Click here to view these pictures larger

Friday, January 21, 2011

Parshas Yisro

http://torahtots.com/parsha/shmos/yitro2.htm

Tu B'Shvat

Tu B'shvat is the Rosh Hashana- the New Year, for the trees. Tu B'shvat is the time that in Israel, the trees begin to blossom after the winter.

We discussed different things that we can learn from trees. Trees are very giving. They give us so many things! Like fruit and wood and shade. We thought of a lot of different things that trees can give us and ways that we can be giving like trees.

We also eat the seven traditional species that grow in the land of Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, olives pomegranates and dates. We had a Tu B'shvat party with the whole school and got to try all seven!

Pre-K Class Library

Dear Parents,
This week we start a new project in our Pre-K class, implementing the idea of one of our parents. With a specially selected books, we created a Pre-K Library. Every Friday, friends will be able to select a book to borrow and take home to read. A book should be returned by the next Friday when a new book could be borrowed.

Enjoy your weekend reading!

Show and Tell

This week Show and Tell host was Chava Evalyn. Chava showed her friends a special belt and gloves that she uses during her Karate classes. Chava told us that her trainer's name is Joshu-Michael. She wears her gloves to practice punches so her hands wont hurt. Friends noticed a black stripe on her belt. Chava told everyone that she needs to get 4 stripes to get to another color belt. When Joshu tells Chava what to do she has to say "oos Joshu," (which means understand Joshu.) Chava goes to Karate classes with her two brothers, Joseph and Elliot.
The next week's Show and Tell will be hosted by Alan.

Highlights of the week

Monday morning, we noticed big movement in the school yard.

When we looked out of window, we saw an excavator and a dump truck

Wednesday was Perfect Pancake Day:)

We made P pancakes from scratch.

Snow that doesn't melt. Insta Snow!

Our Community - Synagogue

One of the important places in the Jewish Community is a synagogue (shul). It is the place where babies, both boys and girls can get their names, it is the place where people celebrate their weddings, it is a place where people come to learn Torah and pray. On Thursday, we met with the Rabbi Dovid. He told us that a Rabbi has a lot of responsibilities. Some people call the rabbi to put a mezuza on the door of their new house, other people call asking to say a special recovery brocha for sick person. Our friends were curious why Rabbi Dovid decided to become a rabbi and how he did it. Rabbi Dovid said that he decided to become a Rabbi because his father is a Rabbi. To become a Rabbi, Rabbi Dovid went to a Rabbinical College.

This week we learned

This week letter was the letter P. Friends made an exciting collection of treasures that start with the letter P: penguins, a plane, puzzles, pennies, paper clips and pink paper.

We learned that the letter P makes a sound like poping popcorn /p/. We learned that Zaylin's last name starts with the letter of the week- Pinsky. To make the letter P one needs a big line and little curve.

To review the letter P, please visit http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/letter-p/load.htm?f

The next week's letter will be the letter B. To preteach the letter please visit http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/letter-b/load.htm?f

We cannot wait to see new treasures :)

Math - Money Unit. We continue to learn about money value. This week we learned that a dime is worth 10 cents. President Roosevelt is pictured on the dime. In class we learn how to recognize coins, and exchange them.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Tu B'shvat party!

All Pre-K friends are invited to our grand:

Tu B'shvat Fruit Party!

It will be this Thursday, January 20th in our classroom.

Please bring your favorite fruit to share with our class.

Our Community- Pizza Shop and more

Click here to view these pictures larger

Saturday, January 15, 2011

It is coming!!!

Dear Parents,
we are so excited to announce that the Literacy Month is almost here! During this month, friends will meet with the author, there will be a book sale in the school, there will be trips to the Central Library and Barnes and Nobles and in conclusion, there will be Reading Fun Day in out class.
There will be a lot of exciting things not just for kids but you as well, dear parents. We encourage you to attend a very important Parent Literacy Evening during next month and be a part of our Pre-K experience. Please open your February calendar now and circle a date (morning or afternoon) when you can come to our Pre-K class to read your child's favorite book in English or Russian:) We welcome everyone: mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and grandparents! We will be happy to see all family members!!!

Show and Tell

This weeks Show and Tell's host was Nosson.
Nosson showed everyone a special book - Hebrew Book. He told his friends that his mom and dad teach him every day how to read Hebrew. Nosson learned all of the Alef Beis letters, he also learned the nekudot Kametz and Patach.
Friends had a lot of questions for Nosson. Where did he get the book? Why does he learn the Alef Beis? Nosson came up with a great answer to the last question. He said that when he will finish learning the Alef Beis he will be able to read TORAH! What a great inspiration Nosson is! Thank you Nosson for sharing!
Next week the Show and Tell host will be Chava Evalyn:)

Our Community - Our Wants

While learning about different places within the community, we realized that some of them help us to serve our needs while others serve our wants.In class, we discussed what places these can be. Friends said that it could be an ice cream shop, a toy store, a movie theater or a pizza shop. We learned that these are places where families spend time together enjoying each others company. On Tuesday, Pre-K friends were invited to one of such places- the movie theater.

They bought tickets.

They sat on designated seats and enjoyed the show, that is happened to be the "Curious George and the Pizza". If you want to see it together please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRpXiqBRudI

After movie, friends enjoyed a movie favorite treat - popcorn.

On Thursday, we visited "Kosher Hut" a place where we got to make our own pizza. We love pizza! Is pizza a need or want? Most of the children decided that it is one of our wants, something that is not necessary for our health or living. In the pizza shop, we noticed that all workers are wearing uniform- white shirts and aprons.