Boker tov!
This will be our final home learning post before we return to nursery on Monday; we can’t wait to see you all playing in the gardens and playroom again.
The blog and our MS Team will continue to be maintained though not with such frequent posts, given our return to nursery. Weekly nursery newsletters will continue to be our main means of communication with you.
In the next few days some people will be celebrating a special time. Rosh Hashanah is when Jewish people reflect on the year that has gone and share hopes and wishes for a sweet and happy new year to come. Today’s activities are inspired by this event.
A. Ask your parent if they know anything about Rosh Hashanah. Find out a little bit more in these videos:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/29363650
Look and listen again. Did you learn any new words? What do you think they mean? Which foods did the children eat in the videos? Have you ever tasted any of these? Which ones sound yummy? What other special things do the children do to celebrate Rosh Hashanah?
B. Think about a special celebration in your family and the things you like to do together. Maybe you could draw a picture of your last birthday or another special time. Talk about what you did and about how you felt. Who are all the special people that you like to celebrate with? Can you get in touch with them today by calling or sending a message?
C. Some of you have shown us fantastic printing ideas on Teams. Why don’t you use cut apples to print, creating a picture, card, gift wrap or wallpaper for a dolls’ house?
D. During Rosh Hashanah a shofar, traditionally made from a ram’s horn, is blown. For this craft, you’ll need a paper towel roll, tape, paint, a hole punch and some wool.
First, cut the paper towel roll from top to bottom lengthwise. Wrap the tube into a cone shape and tape in place. Paint the outside of the cone with lots of different designs, then dry. Then punch a hole in the top and bottom of the shofar and attach a piece of wool for easy carrying.
What sound does it make when you blow into it? Can you make other musical instruments using everyday items?
E. Create a family/friends tree inspired by an apple tree. On a large piece of paper, trace your child’s arm, hand and fingers. Colour in the arm “trunk” and finger “branches” with brown paint, pens or crayons. Have your child, or each member of the family, dip their thumbs or fingers into red, yellow and green paints to represent different kinds of apples, and dab away until your tree is full of fruit. You can add family members’ names to the branches to make the tree even more personal, or paint or draw larger apples to represent individual family members. This may help you talk about special people you and your child have missed spending time with these last few months and how that makes them feel.
F. We learned that one of the special sweet foods eaten at Rosh Hashanah is honey. Why don’t you develop measuring and motor skills by making some honey playdough?
This recipe is very easy and you do not have to cook it! Here is what you need for the recipe:
- 2 – 1/2 cups flour (plus 1/4 cup for later)
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 1 – 1/2 cups of boiling water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
Start by mixing the dry ingredients. Then mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry, while stirring. If the mixture looks too wet, add in the extra 1/4 cup of flour. Then knead the dough on a cutting board with flour.
Keep kneading the dough until it is soft and easy to mould with your hands. If it seems too dry, you can add a teaspoon or two of oil and knead it in. Then have fun with the dough! (When you are done with the dough, store it in an air-tight container so you can use it for months!)
Use lots of loose parts toys, rollers/cutters or just play with it on its own exploring texture and smell. Maybe add other oils or scents for another sensory activity!
G. Find a recipe to make your own challah bread. Here are some you might try:
https://www.chabad.org/recipes/recipe_cdo/aid/2169400/jewish/Traditional-Soft-Fluffy-Challah-for-Shabbat.htm
https://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/recipes/how-to-make-the-perfect-challah-1.438628
https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/apple-honey-challah/
H. Do some more making and tasting with apples, carrots or honey. It may be as simple as apples dipped in honey or honey drizzled on porridge or toast or it could be following a new recipe.
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/apple-recipes
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/search/recipes?q=honey
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/search/recipes?q=carrot
I. The next idea takes inspiration from a delicious apple pie! If you have a large bowl or tray you could help your child to explore their five senses and understanding of volume and capacity by providing dried oats, chopped apples, cinnamon sticks, scoops and bowls and letting the play flow. Lots of opportunities to describe texture, sights, sounds and smells!
J. Take a closer look at the apples (or any other fruit) in the fruit bowl. How many are there? Can you organise them in size order? How do they smell/feel? How do they compare to the other fruits in the bowl? What colour are they? Could you look really closely and draw or paint what you see?
K. Enjoy this story. Remember that when things don’t work out as you has hoped that the people around you can help you to overcome problems and feel better.
