From the desk of our

S.T.E.A.M. Lab

As a continuing part of our Go Texan lessons, this week in STEAM we began our space unit. This unit focuses on Houston as a major NASA hub. We read  Pete The Cat Is Out of This World . We watched Apollo 11 blast off to the moon. We also saw Neil Armstrong take his first steps on the moon as he talked to Mission Control in Houston. We then made moon dust (flour and baby oil). We then learned about our place in space (Earth) and how it fits into the solar system. The kids created their own solar systems

Please send in plastic tops, lids, and small plastics for our mural.  We cannot finish it without your help!  You can drop plastics off in front of the office, where we are displaying our project. Thank you! 

Octo-Hair

To celebrate Purim Katan lower school students had fun dressing up as part of Crazy Hair and Hat Day on Tuesday. First grade student Orli Goldstein (pictured above) adorably dresses as an octopus.

Book Recycling Project

The students in Mr. Riklin's 5th grade traditional class finished a lesson on  reduce, reuse, recycle  by taking old Styrofoam packaging and giving it a second life as a "Give A Book/Take A Book" box prominently displayed outside of the EC building. The Styrofoam was donated by the EC STEAM room. Each student worked with a partner to plan, implement, and ultimately design their choice of a book box, bird house, or bat box.

Reelabilities

The Jewish Family Service Alexander Institute for Inclusion came to visit on Tuesday to present the ReelAbilities short films for the 7th year to our Kindergarten though 12th grade students. The Institute works to foster a community that includes all individuals by striving to eliminate the stigma associated with disabilities. This is part of the JFS Film Festival currently running this month. These films were especially picked for our target audience of students that were developmentally appropriate for each of the grades. Students also participated in a post-screening discussion related to each film that included issues such as isolation, bullying, awareness, and diversity. These films were very powerful and had many important symbolic lessons.

Money Skills

Students in Mrs. Rantz's 2nd grade traditional class studied for their math test on money by playing money math games and having a blast!

Hot Off the Presses

As a culminating project to their Brachot (blessings) unit, the Kindergarten class made their own version of Eric Carle's book renamed "The Very Hungry Kindergarten." Head of School, Dr. Oberman was excited to get his advance copy. The book is currently on display in the lobby.

Parsha Crafts and Costumes

Students in EC 3 learned about the clothing the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) wore and made their very own choshen mishpat , the breastplate the kohanim would wear in the Kodesh Hakodashim (Holy of Holies).

Delicious Clowns

Students in Chef Shoshi's Cooking Class had a great time creating healthy edible clown faces in honor of Purim Katan and Adar. Pictured above is EC4 student Emma Saar.