KDH Menorah and Loose Parts

KDH began thinking about constructing Menorahs/Chanukiot a few weeks before Chanukah. We wanted the Chanukiah to be each child's unique creation, to be non-flammable, and yes, beautiful. Our plan  was to use a large subway tile with smaller glass tiles fit it with the "Loose Parts" that we have introduced this year.

The children worked on each step of making their menorahs, starting with pulling the tiles off the net sheet that they come on. This was not easy work but certainly strengthened their pincer grasp and hand muscles.
They sorted the different tiles so that it would be easy for their classmates to choose the tiles when they designed their menorahs.

                                      

We put the tiles out in advance of the children making the menorahs so that would become familiar with working with them. They created patterns or just put them out randomly as they wished, thinking about how they looked together and what they would want on the menorahs.

The children were then given the subway tile and counted out the bolts. The bolts were glued on and the children took the small  tiles, putting them down on the subway tile, without gluing them down. When they were satisfied with what they had designed, we gently removed the tiles and glued them down, row by row.

It is exciting to watch each child work on his/her menorah. Some children make patterns with the tiles, some make a symmetrical design, others stand the tiles up, some work a day on one side and then revisit it, adding tiles to the other side. Each menorah is a work of art. The mitzvah of lighting the Chanukah candles is certainly beautified with each child's menorah.

We left the tiles out after Chanukah and Becker found something else to do with them. Using the wooden circles that he had brought into the class, he put one circle inside the other. After placing the tiles on the wood, he moved the wood around, constantly changing his creation.
Loose pieces offer so many opportunities for creativity!!

Morah Ruth
Morah Sara
Morah Gail