As some of you know, in addition to teaching 6th grade Judaica, I also teach in the Tel Aviv classroom in the Children's Center! This past Thursday, my sixth grade class walked in and noticed all the pictures of the Tel Aviv class that are on the walls. The immediately ran to them and started commenting on the children and the activities depicted in the photographs. One of them decided to make a card for one of the Tel Aviv students, and so it began. As each 6th grader entered they started to “claim” their new buddy. Later in the class I gave them some time to create a card/picture for their new “buddy.” Cory even wrote, ”I am so excited to be your buddy for the whole school year!”
So it looks like we now have a buddy system and I am ecstatic! On Friday I gave each Tel Aviv student their card and the whole class asked to listen as I read each card out loud. The group was hanging on every word and loved seeing the drawings that the older students made for them. Jacob was happy that Josh drew a train for him. Cory had me take a picture of him sticking out his tongue to match the picture of his buddy, Eli, hanging in the classroom. I love that both groups are so curious about the other and it is a neat opportunity to learn about other students in the Temple Beth Shalom community, and in our very own classroom. Hopefully we can continue this new “pen-pal” relationship and maybe have the opportunity to meet later in the year
Welcome 6D students and parents! 6D started the year with a few getting to know you games and with a challenge: the class was divided into two groups were given the task to build something that represents a story from the Torah using a variety of blocks from the TBS Children’s Center. Both groups coincidently choose to build Noah’s Ark and were given toy animals to add to their “provided materials.” Each team worked together to figure out how to use the materials given to make a well-designed ark. I was impressed with their cooperation and ability to listen and incorporate everyone’s ideas. I also was excited that every student participated with enthusiasm. This year the 6th grade curriculum is focused on learning about Torah through a variety of approaches and I hope that the enthusiasm continue throughout the year!
Welcome 6E students and parents! 6E is off to a great start this year! Everyone was happy to see old friends and welcome two new classmates, Alex and Lucy to the TBS community! To get to know each other we creates “personality self-portraits” to decorate our binders for the upcoming year. Every student used the same key to create a picture where each color they used represented a different aspect of their personality. Each student had the opportunity to share their drawing and discuss why they chose their subject to represent themselves, as well as why they picked the colors they picked. It was a great way to get to know each other and I am so excited to work with each of your children throughout this year!
