Ganon Aleph has been immersed in learning about opening and managing a pizza shop. In order to enhance our learning, we went on an adventure to EJ's Place in Teaneck, NJ.

We eagerly hopped on a bus with our “P is for Pizza” hats, ready to take in this wonderful experience!

We created our own individual pizza pies, adding as much cheese and sauce we liked! While we waited for our pizza to be cooked in a large brick oven, we went on a scavenger hunt around the pizza shop searching for items such as a rolling pin, a pizza paddle board and growing pizza dough (just to name a few)!

While taking in the learning experience we asked questions to the pizza maker and then ate our delicious pizza for lunch! We thanked the pizza shop owner for giving us such a warm welcome. It will surely be a beautiful memory we will have for a very long time!!

We had an incredible week in Gan Bet! As we are getting ready for Purim our class is transforming into the ancient city of Shushan! The children are busy acting out a Purim story and writing about each scene. The children are creating silly clowns, beautiful groggers and even a map to Shushan. We cannot wait to celebrate Purim!

In honor of Dental Health Month, a dentist came to visit and teach the children all about dental hygiene and how important it is to take care of our teeth. 

This year in 5th grade, we have started to explore brachot on food on a deeper level through learning Mishna Brachot. The Gemara in Brachot mentions the concept of saying 100 brachot daily. In 5D we like to take things to the next level. 5D was challenged to say 1,000 perfect brachot on food. This means that each bracha is said properly, with intention, and ends with an amen. 5D got to celebrate their completion of saying 1,000 brachot by joining Morah Mikayla at her home for a bracha party on motzei shabbos. Mazel tov 5D on this accomplishment! 

Fourth graders completed an independent assignment researching Native American tribes whose original lands were across the United States. Their learning came alive when they met with other students who were assigned to the same tribe to create an artifact to represent their tribe. They carefully thought about which materials they used, in order to relate them to materials that would have been available to Native Americans. For example, popsicle sticks were used as wood from trees, beads were used as shells, Model Magic was used as clay or mud. Through this project, students capably demonstrated an understanding of the region their tribe came from and the resources that would have been available to that tribe.

SEL UPDATE

During our first grade SEL sessions we have been focusing on the Emotional ABCs Toolbar, which shows children how to quickly figure out what they are feeling (Pause and breath), why they are feeling this way (Rewind) and how to make a good choice (Play). The students worked in groups discussing everyday situations and how to implement the ABCs Toolbar. One of the many examples that came up was Pause - feeling nervous, Rewind - I'm nervous because of the big water slide at the park, Play - I closed my eyes and went on with my friend. Practicing the Emotional ABCs Toolbar is foundational to strengthening one's self regulation and problem solving skills because it works through a problem in three clear steps.

Our Yavneh Middle Schoolers are actively thinking about how to help our brothers and sisters in Israel daily. 

• This week, some sixth graders came forward as they were planning their Purim costumes, thinking about whether the displaced children in Israel had costumes. They then quickly began  a costume drive to send costumes to displaced families in Israel for Purim!
• An 8th grader came forward to raise money for Bergen County Lev Echad, which send much needed supplies to Israel. We sold over 112 dog tags for Jewish Unity! The dog tags have been ordered and should arrive in a few weeks from Israel.