2nd Grade Newsletter October 2024 | Tishrei 5785

What is in this newsletter?

What did the students learn: Content and values from this month's curriculum


What did students do: Crafts, games, songs and other classroom experiences


Hebrew corner: A recap of Letter of the Week and Hebrew Through Movement


Music corner: A taste of the great music experience students get every session


The family table: Questions and conversation starters for the family Shabbat, holiday, or weekday dinner table about the 2nd grade curriculum


Coming Attractions: What you can expect from the next month at the JLL

Second graders working on their middot activities


Second graders learning about Rosh Hashanah

What did the students learn?


Our students engaged in many discussions about the importance of the High Holidays and we had an introduction to the Middot, values, that we will be learning about this year.


Each week the classes begin with Kehillah, building our community. The children greet each other and then share their answer to a theme connected question.


The main focus of the year so far has been Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot as well as the middah (value) of wisdom. The classes learned the rituals of the holidays as well as their importance. The children added how their families celebrate the holidays and what is their favorite part of each of the High Holidays.


The classes explored the value of wisdom through the story of Noah's Ark and we highlighted the wisdom of the animals on the ark. The children explored their own value system by sharing what is important to them as well as discussing what having wisdom means to them in their daily lives.



What did the students do?

Our second graders were busy this past month getting to know each other and building their own kehillah, community. After a brief lesson on tzedakah, each class decorated a box and turned it into their class tzedakah box.


Each week, the children have a chance to share a mitzvah, commandment/good deed, they did during the week and then add their coins to the box. At the end of the year the classes will decide where to donate the money.


Each of the second graders received a binder that they are filling up with their responses to various questions having to do with the middot curriculum. The binders will be sent home at the end of the year.


After learning about the ritual of tashlich, each student had an opportunity to write what they wanted to get "rid" of and toss it into the trash bin in the classroom.


Their mornings are filled with music, Hebrew Through Movement, T'filah, and snack time! The students are enjoying a quick nosh and time to connect with all their friends.


The classes visited the sukkah and shook the lulav and the etrog while reciting the blessings for being in a sukkah. All the classes attended the Billy Jonas concert to round out a great month!

Hebrew Corner

Create a Light on the Hebrew Letters
During T'filah with Rabbi Citrin, the talmidim (students) are introduced to the "Letter of the Week".
Shin
Shanah Tovah Happy New Year
Shalom hello, goodbye and peace
Shofar ram's horn
Bet
Brit agreement/ covenant
Bimah the raised part of the sanctuary
B'vakasha please and you're welcome
Tav
T'filiah prayer
Todah thank you
Tapuach apple
Mem
Machzor
High Holiday prayerbook
Mitzvah commandment
Middot values
Samaech
Siddur prayerbook
Sukkot Holiday of Booths
Slicha sorry/ excuse me

Second graders leading the V'ahavta during T'filiah

Hebrew Through Movement with the Second Graders
In Hebrew Through Movement (HTM) this month, the classes reviewed a variety of words and commands as well words connected to the High Holidays. Some of the words are:
Lakoom stand
Lashevet sit
Lalechet walk
Larutz run
L'aht slow
Maheir fast
Shanah year
Rosh head
The second graders also reviewed other words they know, including:
Latet give
Lakachat take
L'harim raise
L'horid lower
Yadaim hands
Raglaim legs
and more.
Students have been introduced to numbers, one through five, and applied that to various actions and body parts.
The students have been enjoying HTM each week and impress us with what they retain! We are excited to continue building their vocabulary and their foundation of aural language experience!
The Family Table
The students have really enjoyed our discussions about the rituals of the High Holidays. Here are some questions and conversation starters that you can discuss with your learner:

What does the word Middot mean?


How does a pomergranate connect to the Torah?


When was a time that you used your wisdom to help others?


What is a value that is important to you?


How do you say I am sorry?

Music Corner

The Second Graders have really enjoyed their time with Phillip Fisherman, our cantorial intern.


Each week he engages the children with many different songs and melodies. We used our voices to create the 4 notes of the Shofar and learned that a nigun has no words. It is a melody that repeats itself over and over again.

Coming Attractions

Next month the children will begin an exploration of the rituals and customs of Shabbat. We will continue with the Middot, Jewish values, and we will delve into the middot of moderation and courage .


Please check your child's Remini after class each week. You will find a summary of the day's activities as well as pictures of the class!


If you have any questions or need any information, please contact Ivy Schwartz at: Ivy.schwartz@wrtemple.org

914-723-5224 office ext 8521


WRT Stands with Israel


JLL Parent Portal