The Passover Experience !!

Last week, we celebrated Passover with a traditional Seder. This Friday, we celebrated Passover in a completely different way.  Shelly and our specials' teachers planned four different activities for the children. As you will see in all the pictures, the children were actively involved and as the day ended they all said," This was a very fun day!  "

At our first activity, the children were asked to work as a team to make planters for the toddler playground. First, the children were asked to fill two plastic bottles with soil.  When the children asked "Why are we planting?" We reminded the children that since Passover is a spring holiday, it represents new beginnings.  For the children, planting seeds and making planters are a wonderful way for them to experience this theme.

The children waited patiently for directions after they added the soil to the bottles.

After adding the soil, the children were given seeds to plant. You can see that the children enjoyed participating in this hands on sensory experience.

After our first Passover activity, we led the children in some exercises.

At our second activity, the children created insects with clay, twigs, and rocks.  As they were making their insects, we discussed the plagues. Using their  upper body and hand strength, the children rolled and pounded the clay. 

Govind,, Emma, Alex and Zoey are rolling, pressing, and pulling the clay to make some unique insects!

Amelia is making a butterfly, with large antennas and wings.

Emma said, " I am bending my insect. I don't want it to be straight."

Govind explained that his insect had two body parts, and now he is adding the rocks and twigs.

Everyone has designed their insects, and now they're adding the twigs and rocks.

"Can I have this piece of clay to finish my insect's body?"

"Do you like my insect?"

At our third activity the children explored making pyramids. All the windows and doors were covered in Pollman, and there were light tables with plastic cups . "This is so cool."

Emma, Govind, Noor, and Jake started at the overhead projector. At first the children wanted to play with the cups and their reflections.

Briana and Amelia chose a light table to begin their pyramids.

Suri, crown and all,  joined another prek-class to build her pyramid.

Lights were added to sensory tables. After several falls, the children used problem solving skills to make a  wide base before they added cups for height.

Briana and Alex decided to connect their pyramids.

Zoey is fascinated by the reflection of the clear cups as she steadily builds her pyramid.

All our little builders had a wonderful time. They didn't want to stop building! This activity provided the children with the opportunity to explore the properties of light as well as to work together to problem solve and be creative. 

We finished our day with Yoga.  As Freda told the story of Passover, the children moved through various Yoga poses. What a great way to reflect about the day and the Passover holiday!