Found a very good article about play - here
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
science project
On Monday this week we met at Madatech.
We talked about air, made experiments with air and water and in the end made pinwheels (http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/pinwheel/).
There were a couple things that I would do differently next time -
1. outside isn't always a good choice (it was too windy and there were too many people around, so it was hard for the kids to concentrate),
2.children should have a place to sit so they don't pusgh each other (it was hard for some to see and in science you should not only see, but also do, so a child should feel safe that his spot won't be taken if he moves for a second).
3.experiments have to be easy so that every child can repeat it for himself (I had one experiment with a plastic cup where a child needed help)
Next time I would definately try to find a room where we can make a little mess and then clean up with a rag that we can bring from home.
Pictures are coming...
We talked about air, made experiments with air and water and in the end made pinwheels (http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/pinwheel/).
There were a couple things that I would do differently next time -
1. outside isn't always a good choice (it was too windy and there were too many people around, so it was hard for the kids to concentrate),
2.children should have a place to sit so they don't pusgh each other (it was hard for some to see and in science you should not only see, but also do, so a child should feel safe that his spot won't be taken if he moves for a second).
3.experiments have to be easy so that every child can repeat it for himself (I had one experiment with a plastic cup where a child needed help)
Next time I would definately try to find a room where we can make a little mess and then clean up with a rag that we can bring from home.
Pictures are coming...
Saturday, July 25, 2009
The sea
The sea was dangerous today. No big waves but very strong currents. We were next to the breaking stones as usual and so had nothing to fear.
We looked at the crabs and the fish. Investigated different kinds of sea weed. Jumped and crawled and laughed a lot! It was relaxing and fun.
We looked at the crabs and the fish. Investigated different kinds of sea weed. Jumped and crawled and laughed a lot! It was relaxing and fun.
Book Club
Book Club on Thursdays is becoming more popular - I see new faces and I am delighted!
We read Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young. I made a big elephant (sort of like a puzzle) and seven mice from felt. All the rest of the pictures were Michelle's toys and it worked well. Afterwards we played a game - I put an animal in the bag and each child had to guess who it was.
Mala makes a guess
Michelle and Lee are playing
I love grapes!
Moms chatting
This time I decided not to do arts and crafts after the book and I felt like it was a big mistake. Children really enjoyed arts the previous times.
We read Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young. I made a big elephant (sort of like a puzzle) and seven mice from felt. All the rest of the pictures were Michelle's toys and it worked well. Afterwards we played a game - I put an animal in the bag and each child had to guess who it was.
Mala makes a guess
Michelle and Lee are playing
I love grapes!
Moms chatting
This time I decided not to do arts and crafts after the book and I felt like it was a big mistake. Children really enjoyed arts the previous times.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Gardening Project
Today was Gardening. (It will be every Wednesday). It was really fun and we accomplished a lot.
Busy, busy, busy...
The beats are growing very nicely!
Little ones
They love water!!!
Cleaning up and getting dirty (at the same time)
Thanks a lot to Roni who provides her beautiful garden and who is willing to let us make her house a mess (though we try not to...) - THANK YOU RONI and TAL!!!!!
Busy, busy, busy...
The beats are growing very nicely!
Little ones
They love water!!!
Cleaning up and getting dirty (at the same time)
Thanks a lot to Roni who provides her beautiful garden and who is willing to let us make her house a mess (though we try not to...) - THANK YOU RONI and TAL!!!!!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
A day in the park
It was a usual day in the park (we meet like that almost every day). My mom was there with us so she took some pictures - enjoy!
Cracking the "znobarim"
Eshel is trying to crack the pine nuts open (like all the other children). In the end he decided to try to eat the rock (maybe that's what they're eating?!)
Roni is trying to pull some clouds to make it a little cooler.... it didn't work
Chen is remembering the time when she was a little girl and sat on this cannon like Daniel is sitting now - memories are so dear to us and we hope that our children will have good memories of their childhood!
Just chatting....
Cracking the "znobarim"
Eshel is trying to crack the pine nuts open (like all the other children). In the end he decided to try to eat the rock (maybe that's what they're eating?!)
Roni is trying to pull some clouds to make it a little cooler.... it didn't work
Chen is remembering the time when she was a little girl and sat on this cannon like Daniel is sitting now - memories are so dear to us and we hope that our children will have good memories of their childhood!
Just chatting....
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Gardening Project
Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!
We started a Gardening Project!
The kids were digging, playing with water and mud,
we planted the pits from the fruits we ate, we planted the seeds we found in the house (mush and lentils), we planted money (everyone said that the rocks that I wanted to plant won't grow, but about money they were not so sure (I hope it'll grow!)), we planted tomatoes and cucumbers and a plant of hot peppers and passion fruit.
All clean again, eating watermelon "ice cream"
The gardening project is an attempt to bring children closer to nature, to do some natural science projects together, to have some time with water and mud, to enjoy ourselves. We are using grey water (recycling) and planning to have a composter.
Please feel free to join the fun!!!!
We started a Gardening Project!
The kids were digging, playing with water and mud,
we planted the pits from the fruits we ate, we planted the seeds we found in the house (mush and lentils), we planted money (everyone said that the rocks that I wanted to plant won't grow, but about money they were not so sure (I hope it'll grow!)), we planted tomatoes and cucumbers and a plant of hot peppers and passion fruit.
All clean again, eating watermelon "ice cream"
The gardening project is an attempt to bring children closer to nature, to do some natural science projects together, to have some time with water and mud, to enjoy ourselves. We are using grey water (recycling) and planning to have a composter.
Please feel free to join the fun!!!!
Book Club
This Thursday we had Book Club again!!!!!
It was good - read a book A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni using a lot of pictures and acting the story out (I'm not sure how much of the story children understand but I know that even if they don't understand a word it is good for them to hear another language). After the story we had side walk colors (1/2 cup potato flour; 1/2 cup water; a little color) and kids enjoyed it a lot!
Michelle painting
Nitzan
Amir is checking it out ....
"Where should I draw next with my favorite black paint?! " (Uriel)
Lee decided not to waist the paint
Orgil understood quickly
"Michaly, don't even think about it!! Ha-ha"
While the big brothers are getting messy with the paints, the little ones are getting messy with the food (as usual...)
"I'm hungry!"
It was good - read a book A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni using a lot of pictures and acting the story out (I'm not sure how much of the story children understand but I know that even if they don't understand a word it is good for them to hear another language). After the story we had side walk colors (1/2 cup potato flour; 1/2 cup water; a little color) and kids enjoyed it a lot!
Michelle painting
Nitzan
Amir is checking it out ....
"Where should I draw next with my favorite black paint?! " (Uriel)
Lee decided not to waist the paint
Orgil understood quickly
"Michaly, don't even think about it!! Ha-ha"
While the big brothers are getting messy with the paints, the little ones are getting messy with the food (as usual...)
"I'm hungry!"
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Rest
We had a restful day. We all needed it! Went to the park in the morning and came back at about five. We all fell asleep - Sasha woke me up at eight to ask if everything was OK. I went right back to sleep after brushing my teeth. Kids woke up at two in the morning. We ate and I read a book. Then Michelle said that she wants to go back to sleep - I nursed them to sleep and we woke up at seven in the morning (pretty late for us!)
The days are really hot now and so I walk less - drive more. I loved it at night, it was so cool and quite and peaceful. At the moment I even thought that we might change our day to be awake at night, but in the morning the thought was not very appealing anymore.
The days are really hot now and so I walk less - drive more. I loved it at night, it was so cool and quite and peaceful. At the moment I even thought that we might change our day to be awake at night, but in the morning the thought was not very appealing anymore.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Reading
"Michelle, let's go ride a bike outside?!"
"Ok, dad, after I finish reading the book"
Sitting on the couch with a book. Looking at pictures and telling herself a story about the pictures (sometimes she remembers the actual story but if not, that's fine too, doesn't hesitate to make the story up herself)
"Ok, dad, after I finish reading the book"
Sitting on the couch with a book. Looking at pictures and telling herself a story about the pictures (sometimes she remembers the actual story but if not, that's fine too, doesn't hesitate to make the story up herself)
Monkey Forest
Decided to have a family trip to the "Monkey Forest" and invited friends to come along.
Michelle and Orgil feeding the snail monkeys
Other animals at the "Monkey Forest"
It was hot, exhausting and the kids were fighting all the time.
Then our friends wanted to go to their friends from one of the Arab villages near by and invited us to come along - we agreed.
The village is huge (compared to other ones I have seen). No road signs, no street names, no house numbers. Everything is open and children come home from schools (it is Sabbath).
Most of the women don't speak Hebrew and men know enough to work. (Just to remind you we are only 45 minutes away from Haifa). It was like visiting another country. The culture is different, the language is different and you don't really know what to expect. People were very hospitable, but kept taking Eshel from me (so that I could eat...) and that felt awkward (I kept telling them that it is fine and taking Eshel back).
I would not live in a place like that - everybody knows everybody and in most cases they are somehow related, we look so different from them that they can't help but stare at us, a woman lives in her house (I would not imagine going out with kids - and I didn't see any playgrounds, parks or anything of the sort).
It was nice to come back to Haifa and realize how lucky we are to be able to do so many things without really paying too much attention to it.
Michelle and Orgil feeding the snail monkeys
Other animals at the "Monkey Forest"
It was hot, exhausting and the kids were fighting all the time.
Then our friends wanted to go to their friends from one of the Arab villages near by and invited us to come along - we agreed.
The village is huge (compared to other ones I have seen). No road signs, no street names, no house numbers. Everything is open and children come home from schools (it is Sabbath).
Most of the women don't speak Hebrew and men know enough to work. (Just to remind you we are only 45 minutes away from Haifa). It was like visiting another country. The culture is different, the language is different and you don't really know what to expect. People were very hospitable, but kept taking Eshel from me (so that I could eat...) and that felt awkward (I kept telling them that it is fine and taking Eshel back).
I would not live in a place like that - everybody knows everybody and in most cases they are somehow related, we look so different from them that they can't help but stare at us, a woman lives in her house (I would not imagine going out with kids - and I didn't see any playgrounds, parks or anything of the sort).
It was nice to come back to Haifa and realize how lucky we are to be able to do so many things without really paying too much attention to it.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
BOOK CLUB
We finally have a Book Club!!!!!
Every Thursday at 17:00 at the park on Shimshon Street, Haifa
Everyone is invited! (bring your friends too)
I have been dreaming about it for a long time now and we had our first meeting last Thursday - it was good!
Here are the pics.
Reading a story in English (most of the children are not English-speaking) and using felt board
Crafts time after the story
Every Thursday at 17:00 at the park on Shimshon Street, Haifa
Everyone is invited! (bring your friends too)
I have been dreaming about it for a long time now and we had our first meeting last Thursday - it was good!
Here are the pics.
Reading a story in English (most of the children are not English-speaking) and using felt board
Crafts time after the story
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