We've officially finished our first full week in Kitah Alef! So far, our new school year has been marked with excitement, a few growing pains, and an emphasis on learning new routines- many of them centering around responsibility, to ease the transition. It's important to us (Morah Chaya and Morah Lindsey) that the students feel engaged and invested in their new classroom, and one of our daily rituals is the perfect example of the many ways we've set out to encourage them in finding that ownership: snack time!
Snack time is a Kitah Alef favorite! First, we wash our hands with soap, warm water, and a little scrub.
Then, we ask each student to find their water bottle (already placed at their tables), and get seated. Then we feast; we're very lucky to have parents who bring fresh vegetables and fruits weekly (class favorites include blueberries, bananas, and tiny oranges), plus cheerios. While the students eat, each Morah has a ritual we like to do, which include songs and reading books. We sing "who is here today, who is here today, whos in school? Good morning to...", which is a song that names each child in the class, and also asks them to name their friends who aren't at school that day. "Whos not here today, whose not here today, whose at home, or on a trip?" A recent favorite book is Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? We make animal sounds together, and talk about the animals we've seen.
Once students are finishing up, we sing another song that's especially helpful: "When you are finished with your snack, shake your plate in the garbage over there, come back and push in your chair". Then we ask the students to put their water bottles back in the class basket and stack their plates in the closet. Then it's time to play!
So far, Kitah Alef loves snack time, their friends and classmates, and it's shaping up to be a year of growth, play, and joy.
Shabat Shalom to all!
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