only to students reviewing an important mantra at MJCDS, "Older helps younger and younger always helps," but also to a great translating project. As younger students learned the words in English, older students were challenged to translate the song into Hebrew, and can now sing the song in two languages.

Kudos to Ms. Goldman and our upper grade students! It is sung to the tune of Im Terzu. Ask your child(ren) sing it for you!

In Judaics this week, kindergarten students learned that they can read! They are working diligently on sight vocabulary for the names of the days and months in English. Almost everyone knows them now. Several have learned to read the names of the days of the week in Hebrew. The next goal: names of the month in Hebrew. Students can tell you which holidays are lunar and which are solar and are now on the look out for the shape of the moon. They are also exercising their lungs as they blow shofar to get ready for Rosh Hashanah. Some blow daily and are getting actual sound out!

The 1/2 class has very impressive shofar blowers and excellent helpers. These experienced learners helped kindergartners to get accustomed to the Sanctuary, to learn about the siddur (prayer book), and to understand "the lay of the land" as they acted as tour guides. They were very polite and excited when Haya's mother came in to teach This Land Is Your Land last Friday. (Thanks, Hanna!)  In the Tal Am books they are focusing on the upcoming Jewish holidays.

Our 3/4 class continues to make progress speaking, writing and reading Hebrew. With a review of all the classroom rules and with a nod to understanding different student's learning styles, the 3/4 class is sold on the idea that unity is important. We must help our friends learn and be willing to ask questions until we understand. (Check out our room's rule list on the front wall.)  Students also learned this week about the Rabbis (Chazal) and the upcoming holidays, and worked further on understanding Hebrew verb tenses. 

The students have been excited, challenged and eager to learn. MJCDS is back in school and back to work!