Friday, March 29, 2019

Gratitude Scavenger Hunt

It is always fun to see the world through the eyes of the children.
We went on a Gratitude Scavenger Hunt.
The children were given 5 items or tasks to document with the iPad.
Next week they will be creating memory books with the printed pictures.
Here are a few samples of what fills these children with gratitude while they are at The Gan.

1. Find something that makes you happy.
Lego by Ozzie
 Sensory salt by Brexton
 Collage Material by Eli
2.Find or make something to give someone else to make them smile.
A basket for Eli by Lochlan
 A picture for Morah Katie by Makayah
  A giant block bed for the boys by Emily
3. Find something you enjoy looking at.
Helper of the Day by Evan
Fish tank by Lochlan
Number puzzle by Emily
4. Find something that is your favorite color.
Blue marker by Moshe
Yellow dot paint by Evie
Pink marker by Makayah
5. Find something that is useful for you.
 Dry erase marker and board by Moshe
 Paper by Evan
Number matching by Clive

I am happy everyday I share with these amazing children.
I am grateful to create this amazing environment together.
I enjoy looking at the mitzvah orchard, growing everyday.
My favorites colors are reflected in the fashion statements of these confident children.
I have gratitude for all they teach me. Their young wisdom is very useful.






Friday, March 22, 2019

The Purim Story
By The Gan-Garrett Class of 2019

King Achashverosh was the King of Persia, ruling over 127 countries. He wanted a Queen. ”All the girls in Persia must come and I will choose a new queen”.
Rabbi Mordechai was the leader of the Jewish people. His cousin Esther lived with him.  Esther was kind and helpful. She loved doing mitzvahs.
From all the girls in Shushan, King Achashverosh chose Esther to be his new queen.
Esther was not happy to be chosen as the Queen, but Rabbi Mordechai reminded her that Hashem must have a reason why she was chosen to live in the palace.
Haman was a mean man. He was the King’s advisor and thought he was so important. He told everyone they must bow down to him. Haman got so angry because Rabbi Mordechai refused to bow down to him.
Haman got permission from King Achashverosh to get rid of Mordechai and all his people.
Rabbi Mordechai told Queen Esther she needed to tell King Achashverosh about Haman’s plan. “This must be the reason why you became queen. So you can help save the Jewish people.
 While Rabbi Mordechai and the Jewish children prayed to Hashem to save them from Haman’s plan, Esther went to talk to the king.
Queen Esther invited King Achashverosh and Haman to a party and she told King Achashverosh that Haman was the man who wanted to get rid of her and all her people. King Achashverosh punished Haman and saved the Jewish people.
 Rabbi Mordechai and Esther wrote a megillah to tell the story of how Hashem saved the Jewish people from Haman’s plan.
We celebrate Purim every year to remember this great miracle.

We read the Megillah that tells the Purim story.
We give extra tzedakah to help poor people.
We give gifts of food, Shalach manos, to our friends.
We eat hamantash and wear costumes at our festive Purim meal.






Friday, March 15, 2019

Purim Mitzvot

We know the story of Purim.
 Now we are preparing to celebrate.

How do we celebrate? What mizvot do we do?
Moshe: Listen to the megillah.


Lochlan: Share more tzedakah with people.


Emily: Dress in costumes.
Lochlan: Have a big party.


Makayah: Give gifts of food.

We learned from the Purim story that Hashem has a plan, even when we sometimes don't know what it is... in our Purim story the plan was revealed at the end. 
We celebrate Hashem's miracles in the Purim story, when the Jewish people were saved. 
We celebrate Hashem's miracles in the small joys that we have everyday.  The small joys are revealed when we stop, look and listen.
We saw grass growing and the sun in the sky. We saw our shadows. 
We saw airplanes and birds flying. We saw a pond. 
We heard birds, car horns and the wind. 
We felt the chilly air.