Purim is a fun, joyous holiday that we have been excitingly preparing for in class together. As we learn the story of the holiday we learn what it is we are celebrating today. The story introduces us to the people that lived a long time ago. We listen to the way the characters talk to each other, the way they treat each other and the way each of the characters act. We learn from others what are the right things to do and how we could try to be just like them, or maybe things we should stay away from doing. In the Purim story we are introduced to:
Queen Esther
Rabbi Mordechai
King Achashverosh
HamanGiving the children the tools to be storytellers.
The children learnt the historical story of Purim through watching a puppet show. At the end of the story we learn that Rabbi Mordechai wrote the story on a long paper scroll (megillah) so that the story would remain and the lessons from the story not be forgotten. Every year as part of the celebration we read the Purim story to remind us of the holiday's message. In school over the past few days the children have been making their own scroll so they too could retell the story along with their
puppets. Please take the time to notice the delicate wording of the story and the different fine motor and spatial orientation skills the children used to create the megillah scroll.
Along with the scroll the children have puppets similar to the ones used to tell the story so they too could use them and act out the story together with the backdrop of the scroll. Another way to share in the story telling is that mom and dad could read the wording of the story and the children could act it out with the puppets.
Personalizing the story of Purim into our actions for today.
Rabbi Mordechai, a caring man wants the best for all the people and does kind things for the community. We learn about Queen Esther, a lady who was brave and did what she could to help others.
We have been highlighting the things that we do that show care for others. There are times when our friends might need help, or we notice that there is something that we could do for others we too try to do the right thing.
"Elisheva helped me open my cheesestick because I couldn't open it it was too tight." - Carly
We use Queen Esther and Rabbi Mordechai as role models.
Purim is a time when we realize those people in our lives that we are grateful for and acknowledge them. We think about the things our friends do for us and thank them for caring and being close to us. We respond to our friends by giving food baskets - mishloach manot, as a gratitude for the relationship. Here are some of the responses from the children as to who they are thankful for. (Because of the snow days not all the children had a chance to share with the class someone they are thankful for, yet when we return to school we will continue these lessons.)
“My mommy does nice things, she gives me hugs. She let’s me play with the Lego and she makes me happy. I could say thank you mommy for giving me food to eat. I want to give you mishloach manot.”- Shalom
“Delia does nice things for me, she opens up my applesauce because I can not do it. I say thank you to Delia.” – Jasmin
“Jasmin shares the blocks with me and we build together. Jasmine shares with me and I like it. She is my friend.” – Delia
“Delia and Jasmin play with me nicely in the kitchen. We make food and play in the house. I want to say thank you for playing with me.” - Olivia
Gaining an understanding of math in a tangible way.
We have been practicing our number recognition and placing our finger on the object to count one-to-one correspondence. Since it the Purim holiday we have been using one of the symbols of the holiday, hamentashen cookies, to count and group according to number.
How do you take a circle and turn it into a triangle? We discovered this as we were making yummy hamentashen cookies. We will be eating them on Monday at our school Purim party.
We have been having a lot of fun dressing up as the characters of the Purim story. Hope to see you at the community Purim party on Sunday at 11:00 am. Come dressed up and be ready for fun!
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Purim,
Morah Batsheva
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