Presidents Day--and Special Places

Happy Presidents' Day!

     If it's February, it's time to learn about the presidents.  Where does the President live?

     We shared a few picture books.  Do you know that the White House is located in Washington, D.C.  We do!  We also know that there is a bowling alley in the White House, as well as a swimming pool and a theater.  Children have lived in the White House, too.  (President Theodore Roosevelt's children brought their pet horse into the White House!)

     We focused on George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.  We found out that Washington is on the quarter, and Lincoln is on the penny.  Some interesting trivia we learned:  Washington had more than 36 dogs.  Lincoln grew a beard when a young girl made the suggestion.  A major concept we spoke about:  voting for a leader.  (Pictured:  Leah, Eli and Annabel inspect their coins.  Later in the week, we will pattern with our quarters and pennies.)

     We make Lincoln stovepipe hats.  Lincoln was a lawyer, and he kept some of his important papers in his hat!  (Above, Logan and Shayan prepare their hats.  Later in the week, we have the option of making Washington trifold hat.)

 (Above:  Eli checks out his stovepipe hat; below, Leah and Dalia get a giggle while looking in the mirror.)  (What fun pics!!  Thank you, Morah Leah!)

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     When we first introduced the concept of the White House, the children immediately understood it was a special place.  But so much learning is going on in Kitah Gimmel--and we learn about other special places as well.  (Below, Avraham Chaim investigates the Mishkan.)

     At Circle, when we initially introduced Presidents Day, we asked the children, "Where is the White House?"  Annabel told us it was in Shushan (yep, we're learning about Purim, too.)  Shane told us it's in the Mishkan (and we 're learning about the Parsha, the weekly Portion.)  

     We're  Jewish, and we're Americans.  We're beginning to understand our history, and we're beginning to appreciate all the important places in our lives.

     (Above, Eli, Shane, Menny and Ezra coordinate their Mishkan dramatic play.)  

Happy Presidents Day!

The Morahs of Kitah Gimmel