A glimpse of explorations

Every day we have "explorations" for at least half an hour in the Gan - (an hour when we have a second session in the afternoon.) Explorations is a time when children can choose what they want to do in the classroom - sometimes they work in an "area", such as blocks or the listening station - and sometimes they work on their own options. (And I do mean "work." As Bob Keeshan, aka Captain Kangaroo, said "Play is the work of children. It is very serious stuff.") When explorations is working well, everyone is engaged in creative interesting work, either alone or with classmates. When it's working really well the kids astound me with their amazing ideas. Today was one of those days. Here's a glimpse:

Jonah, Matan and Elijah have been making "scary boxes" all week.

Aliyah explained that she was creating a little school with children and rest mats out of popsicle sticks.

Rozlyn and Mira experimented with mixing colors for their salt-dough sculptures, while Julia painted a picture. 

When I asked Stella, Madeline and Lucy what they were doing, they told me they were "playing a game." During the game they pretended to be a family, lighting the menorah and reciting the blessings.

Sylvan made a house and rocket ship ("of course!") out of blocks.

Just some of the hundred languages of children......shabbat shalom.