Chadashot Online

Sixth graders too have been researching. They have been writing research papers on Rome, the civilization they are presently studying. The students are independently considering one element

of civilization in which they are interested. Some of their topics included: school, family life, army equipment, Julius Ceasar, or the second Punic War.

Students primarily worked on this in class. They learned to narrow down their topic, formulate questions to answer in the research, record information on notecards. They also learned to make an outline, write a first draft, organize a bibliography, and proof-read, proof-read, proof-read. "The students feel a great sense of accomplishment," said Morah Pearl Taback, "at having completed such a 'grown-up task'."

*How Do You Spell Shabbat Treat?*

First grade celebrated something very delicious. They completed learning the Alef-Bet Hebrew letters in script! So as a tasty celebration they used challah dough to shape Hebrew letters. These most delicious challot were made on Erev Shabbat and were proudly shared by the first graders with their families on Shabbat.

*Endangered Animals*

The second grade has been engaged in a unit on endangered animals. Students have been reading and discussing various factors that threaten animal survival. They investigated the Mountain Gorilla in preparation for individual research projects. This large-group study introduced key vocabulary and concepts of interdependence, diet, habitat, natural and human sources of change as well as conservation. The students then had the opportunity to choose animals from a list of endangered species provided in school and to work with partners to explore their selections in depth.

In their research, the students investigated and wrote about: habitat; diet; why the animal they were focusing on is endangered; what is being done to save them; and two or more interesting facts.

A trip to the Bronx Zoo was a wonderful experience which concretized the information studied in this unit.

According to second graders, when you visit The Congo Exhibit at the Bronx Zoo, you may wish to find out: Who is in charge of a gorilla pack?; When does a gorilla beat its chest?; What activity do gorillas do all day long? Ask a second grader to find out the answers.

Resources containing ample and child-friendly information on endangered animals can be found at: www.kidsplanet.org

and www.enchantedlearning.com.

*Flower Hour*

Alice Lebowitz plants

On Monday, May 10, 2010, Class 1W had a visit from Alice Lebowitz, mom of Alex. She spoke about the importance of flowers on Shavuot; it is the springtime and harvest in Israel, and also the day of judgment for trees. For Shavuot there is a custom of decorating our homes and shuls with flowers. Alice explained the parts of a flower: pistil, stamen, anther, ovule, carpal, sepal, petal, and stem. The children learned that three flowers in the Torah are shoshana (rose or lily), shahanat haamakim (narcissus), and chavatzelet hasharon (pancratium maritimum) and that flowers in the Torah used for spices are laurel, saffron, and wheat. The children also learned that flowers we commonly see today in Israel are: poppy, sabra, shaked/almond, roses, and iris. Alice ended the presentation by presenting the first graders with a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers, Wave Hill books for the classroom and the school library, Wave Hill passes for the children and their families, and honey tubes and puzzles for the children to do at home. Thank you so much, Alice, for planting these seeds of information and beautifying the first grade's Spring Unit.

*Recipe For Hebrew Success*

Fruit Salad

Need a matkon (recipe) or some help in the mitbach (kitchen)? Well the 4Z students can do it all in Hebrew! They are putting together a class Hebrew cookbook and are practicing their Hebrew speaking as well as their culinary skills! Check out this delicious salat perot (fruit salad) they have made and eaten! Copies of their recipes are available upon request to Morah Mindy or any member of 4Z. Beteavon!

*Norpac Convention*

On Wednesday, May 12, the NORPAC annual mission brought over 1000 people from the tri-state area (including over 200 students) to Washington, DC. The main issues covered were the importance of the United States' relationship with Israel and the threat of Iran's nuclear weapons program to both the U.S. and Israel. In multiple one-on-one meetings with congressman and senators, Jeremy Berger (6Y) presented the importance of continued U.S. foreign Aid to Israel. Below is Jeremy meeting with Senator John Thune (Rep-S.D.) in his private office on Capitol Hill. Nearly all of our senators and representatives were met with individually by NORPAC groups.