Our classroom has been buzzing with excitement as we dive into hands-on learning activities inspired by the changes in nature around us. Here’s a peek into the exciting projects your children have been working on:
Exploring Fall Leaves and the Magic of Chlorophyll
We kicked off by examining the beautiful colors of fall leaves up close! The students marveled at how the trees seem to “change outfits” with the seasons. This curiosity led us to watch a fascinating video about trees and how they rely on sunlight to create chlorophyll, which feeds the trees and gives leaves their green color. This concept sparked many “aha!” moments among the students, as they discovered why leaves turn vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange in the fall.
We even took it a step further with an experiment: extracting chlorophyll from the leaves to reveal the hidden pigments! The students made predictions about what colors would show up on the filter paper, and many correctly guessed that we would see red and yellow. They were thrilled to watch as their predictions came to life during the experiment, seeing the colors appear like magic on the paper!
Sukkah STEM Challenge
As part of our celebration of Sukkot, the students joined forces with friends from the other Grade One class for a Sukkah STEM challenge. Working in pairs, they collaborated to design and build mini Sukkahs out of cardboard, glue, tape, and sticks. This activity was all about creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving, and each pair brought their unique ideas to life. Watching them brainstorm, build, and problem-solve together was truly inspiring. And, of course, everyone had a blast working with their hands and seeing their ideas come to life!
Discovering the Sun and the Day/Night Cycle
Another highlight this week was learning about the sun and its role in creating day and night. We explored how it takes 24 hours for the Earth to rotate, giving us day and night. To make this concept come alive, the students did a fun experiment using a globe and a flashlight to act as the “sun.” They observed how different parts of the Earth experience daylight or nighttime as it spins, focusing especially on what happens in Canada.
This hands-on activity sparked lots of great questions: Why do some places have longer days? Why do stars come out at night? It was wonderful to see their curiosity shining as brightly as our flashlight “sun”!
We learn Better Together with Miss Isabella
One day, the classroom was abuzz with excitement as Isabella, one of the students, stepped into the role of teacher. After sharing her beautifully crafted pop-up book with the class, everyone was eager to learn her techniques. Patiently and skillfully, Isabella guided Mrs. Bennett and her classmates step by step, teaching them how to create their own pop-up pages. Together, the class compiled their unique creations into The Everything Book, a collaborative masterpiece now proudly displayed in the OJCS library. Isabella’s inspiring lesson even motivated another student to create their own pop-up book, adding to the growing collection of treasures in the library.
Connecting Across Borders: Our First Friendship Zoom Call
We had our very first Friendship Zoom Call with students from across Israel who, like us, are learning English. It was a moment of joy, curiosity, and connection as two groups of eager learners came together to share a bit about themselves.
We began by taking turns introducing ourselves and talking about our favorite activities. The excitement was palpable as the children discovered how much they have in common. Whether it was playing soccer, baking cookies, or drawing pictures, it didn’t take long to see that hobbies know no borders. Seeing the smiles on their faces as they realized, “Hey, they like what I like too!” was a reminder of how universal childhood joys can be.
The energy and enthusiasm from this first call have us looking forward to what’s next. For our next Zoom session, we’ll dive into two delightful topics: favorite colors and the magic of Hanukkah. We’ll explore what makes this holiday special for each of us, and no doubt, we’ll learn even more about each other along the way.
This is just the beginning of our journey together, but it’s already clear how meaningful these connections are for the students—and for myself, too. We’re so grateful to be a part of this incredible friendship project, and we can’t wait to see where it takes us next.
A Special Visit from Grade 4
A thought-provoking question sparked a wonderful chain of learning and connection in our school. A Grade One student asked their older sibling, a Grade Four student, “Did God create the walls and the roads?” Intrigued, the sibling brought the question to Morah Sigal, their Hebrew teacher, who turned it into a class discussion. Inspired by the curiosity of her students, Morah Sigal arranged for some of her Grade Four students to visit the Grade One class and share a story about creation. It was a delightful experience, especially since three of the presenters were older siblings of Grade One students, adding a personal touch. The Grade Four students read beautifully, answered questions thoughtfully, and encouraged even more curiosity. The thoughtful questions posed by the Grade One students were so inspiring, we might invite Dr. Mitzmacher to join our next discussion—he would surely appreciate their inquisitive minds!
The classroom has been filled with laughter, learning, and the joy of discovery. We’re thrilled to see our young learners exploring, asking questions, and getting their hands busy with these seasonal projects. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to sharing even more of our Grade One adventures soon!
