Torah Tots Engaging Activities:
Group Attendance/Calendar
The children gather together at circle time as we greet all our classmates. Our goal is to become a school family as we “check in” with one another. We begin early math readiness skills through our discussions about the day, month and year during calendar time.
Show & Share
Wednesday is our Show and Tell day for the entire school year. The children are encouraged to bring an item from home to show and share with the class or something special they have made. The teacher or students will ask questions about their selection. It is through show and tell that children acquire expanded language skills and the class, as a whole, gains valuable listening skills as well. Your children will also begin to build self-confidence and self esteem as they share their unique selections.
Physical Education
We are fortunate to have the Active Kids Zone provide gross motor and creative movement three times a month. Some of the activities the children explore during their creative movement include hoola-hoops, bean bags, parachute play, balls of all sizes, basket ball hoops, and more. Our physical development program allow children to move freely and use their large muscles. We are cognizant that children develop at different stages and their balance and coordination improves all the time.
Music & Rhythm
Music is the universal language in our classrooms! Our classrooms are equipped with musical instruments and opportunities for children to explore rhythm and song. The Early Childhood music selection includes CDs of popular children’s songs, classical music, modern pop, show tunes, instrumental, Hebrew and holiday music.
The children in the Torah Tots often participate in a parade using rhythm instruments as we march through the hallways and throughout our school! Your children will learn many, many songs during the course of the year and perform at a Channukah concert and other times during the year for family and friends.
Arts & Crafts
The children will have an opportunity to explore their creativity using a variety of art media. Paints (including tempera and watercolors), markers, crayons, colored pencils, tape, glue, scissors, glitter and felt are a few of the myriad of materials the children will experiment with in the classroom. It is important to remember that it is the process not the finished product that matters! We want your children to feel proud of their creations!
Hebrew Language
Our goal is to comfortably expose children to modern, oral Hebrew language. They will hear and learn Hebrew words relating to the seasons, Jewish holidays and units discussed in their classroom. Hebrew songs and games are incorporated into lessons. Students will also have hands-on experiences learning about Jewish values, and the custom associated with Shabbat and all the Jewish holidays.
Shabbat Abba & Ima
Preparing and celebrating Shabbat is a special time within the Early Childhood department. The children welcome Shabbat by singing the blessings over the candles, reciting the Kiddush-blessing over the wine (grape juice) and singing the motzee-prayer for eating bread over the Challah. Every child will have an opportunity to be a Shabbat Ima and Abba and bring a Kosher treat for the entire class. We also provide a Shabbat in a box that the Abba and Ima can take home for their families to enjoy.
Letterland
Letterland is the most child-friendly, multi-sensory way of teaching children to read, write and spell. Letterland pictograms are careful fusion of letters and animated characters. They contain in simple, powerful images, all the phonic and graphic information that children need for accessing print. Pictograms are extraordinarily enabling for both children and teachers. They activate every learning channel, linking all the things that children love – music, movement, art, craft, drama, rhyme, and social interaction – directly to letter knowledge.
Book & Briefcase
An attractive briefcase full of stationary, scissors, pens, crayons, etc. is given daily to one child at Torah Tots. This child will have the opportunity to choose his/her favourite book from our school library to be in a B & B. The purpose of a B & B is to give you and your child the opportunity to read this book together, and draw or write something that your child will share with the class the next day. We hope this will foster a healthy literary development in your child.
The Science Box
Our Kindergarten classes incorporate our Science Program called "The Science Box". Each week a child will be chosen to take home a box full of science experiments. You will have the opportunity to experiment with your child using the many usual and unusual objects that we will supply. Upon completing your experiments, your child will have a chance to share his/her observations with the class. You might develop an Einstein after all!
Math Sack
Math Sack contains a different math activity extending concepts currently being taught in your child’s class. These activities serve to involve parents in the learning process as well as reinforce the math concepts that the children have learned in school. Each Math Sack also includes a book that relates to the theme of the activity, and some Math Sacks contain extra fun activities that you may want to try with your child. Math Sack is not homework, but is meant to be a fun activity for the children to share with their parents.
