What is a cha-noo-kee-YA anyhow?

This week, we set to work answering this very question - what are the characteristics of a chanukah menorah, also known as a chanukiyah. We began by watching a slide show comparing seven-branched candelabras (like the one in the Holy Temple/Beit HaMikdash) to the nine-branched chanukah menorah. After a rousing game of "CHANUKIYAH or MENORAH?" (game show style) we were ready to compare a variety of chanukah menorahs using this slide show as well as those you generously shared with us. Children identified that not only did the chanukah menorah have 9 spaces all together, but eight were the same height and one was either higher or lower (the shamash).

Armed with this information, we turned the classroom into a menorah workshop, in which children chose classroom materials to demonstrate what they had learned. We had a LOT of fun working with Legos, blocks and unifix cubes. Some wonderful teamwork took place as the children tried to get some fragile structures to stand unsupported.

We also explored with making chanukah menorahs out of colored transparencies on the overhead projector. They preserved their creations by gluing them down on clear transparencies - these make perfect window decorations! 

We learned that it's a tradition to light a chanukiyah in the window in order to "publicize the miracle" of Chanukah. We talked a little about fire safety, and that our window decorations can be another wonderful and safe way to share the message of the holiday with our neighbors.

Later in the week, Morah Andrea helped each child make his or her own chanukiyah out of plaster that will come home today. Need a refresher course about how to light it? Here's a great description along with the blessings in Hebrew and English.

We also managed to sneak in a little dreidl time with our sixth grade buddies....children experimented with various arenas to find the idea playing surface for spinning their svivon.

Of course, the highlight of the week was the premiere of our video. Many thanks to Gretchen Siegchrist, Clare's mom, for her hard work and expertise. 

In other news, we've been continuing our work on patterns in math, playing pattern guessing games in pairs, and creating pattern "snakes" (displayed on the wall). 

In language arts we're focusing on decoding consonant vowel consonant words with the short a sound (such as HAT, FAN, and SAD) and writing pattern books. In Hebrew we've played games to learn some chanukah vocabulary, including "what's missing?",which reinforces close observation. And, of course, lots of singing. Here's one of our newest:

Don't forget Thursday night's all-school Chanukah assembly which begins at 6 pm. Children should be in the classroom by 5:45 in their costumes (matching color top and bottoms...). Have a great week and a happy Chanukah!