Capturing Nature

This week, in Middle School and High School art, students took their creativity outdoors to draw trees from observation. They focused on capturing what they truly saw, paying close attention to shapes, lines, textures, and other details found in nature. The activity allowed students to practice and strengthen their observational drawing skills while also enjoying Houston’s beautiful January weather. By combining artistic technique with time spent outside, the lesson encouraged both creativity and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Music, Grief and Resilience

On Wednesday, Keren Horn from Unpacked for Educators met with eighth grade students to explore the impact of October 7 on contemporary Israeli music. She introduced the idea of the stages of grief and highlighted how individuals and communities respond differently, showing examples of music that transformed pain into hope or reflection as well as pieces that expressed themes of karma or revenge. Students discussed how various songs made them feel and examined lyrics that resonated with them. The program helped students appreciate how much a culture’s music reveals about its collective experiences and emotions.

RMBA Marathon Update

It’s RMBA Marathon time again!  Beginning January 20th, students will lace up their running shoes and take on an exciting challenge, running one mile each day during recess as they work together toward the incredible goal of 26.2 miles, a full marathon! The RMBA Marathon is about much more than running; it builds perseverance, confidence, healthy habits, and a strong sense of accomplishment. Each mile brings students closer to discovering just how capable they are.

We encourage parents to support this empowering experience by signing up their child using this permission form. Let’s cheer our runners on as they step up to the challenge, one mile at a time!  

Reading, Research, and Reflection

Middle School students are diving into background research for their third-quarter units. Seventh graders are reading and analyzing articles about the MS St. Louis, eighth graders are exploring the events of 9/11, and sixth graders are studying water scarcity.

Students have also begun independent reading with their book talk novels, journaling their thoughts and reflections in class notebooks. These activities are helping students build critical reading and analytical skills while engaging with meaningful texts.

Big Ideas and Brilliant Orbits

This week in science, Mr. Simon’s third grade class explored the fascinating relationship between Earth, the Sun, and the Moon. Students learned how the Sun and Moon influence seasons, daylight, and even ocean tides as part of Earth’s orbit. They applied this knowledge to investigate big scientific ideas, including how Earth spins at more than 1,000 miles per hour and revolves around the Sun on an invisible axis. The class also compared Earth’s 365 day journey around the Sun with the Moon’s approximately 30 day orbit around Earth. It was an exciting week of hands-on learning, connecting classroom lessons to the night sky and the natural world around us.

Collaboration and Confidence

Ms. Morrisons fourth graders engaged in a multiplication game designed to practice multiples. Working in small groups, students matched multiples, placed them in order, and discussed their thinking together. The activity encouraged cooperation, communication, and problem-solving while reinforcing key math skills. Games like this make learning meaningful, enjoyable, and help students build confidence with foundational concepts like multiplication.

Sequencing the Parsha

Morah Eliana's first grade class deepened their understanding of the weekly parsha through an engaging sequencing activity that encouraged thoughtful discussion and collaboration. Students worked together to place key events in order, making connections to the narrative and building both comprehension and critical thinking skills. This hands-on approach helped bring the parsha to life in a joyful and memorable way.

Freeze Dance Fun

This week, second graders in Ms. Morrison's class enjoyed a lively brain break with Freeze Dance! These movement-based activities give students a chance to release energy, practice listening skills, and build self-control by stopping and freezing on cue. Brain breaks also support focus, coordination, and overall well-being, helping students return to learning refreshed and ready to concentrate.

Creative Cold-Weather Adventures



EC4B students in Morah Aliyah's class jumped right into their Winter unit! Despite Houston’s warm weather, they embraced imaginative play with “class-made snow” made from conditioner and baking soda. They created tiny snowmen and made snow prints using animal figures. The class is also learning about polar bears and how animals survive extreme cold. Using math, science, and critical thinking, students explored concepts like migration, hibernation, and adaptation. In literacy, students reviewed the letter “I” by bringing in items starting with that letter, including ice packs, ice cream, and even a unicorn named Icy. Math lessons were focused on mixing addition and subtraction using winter-themed objects, while Alef Bet studies continue with the letters kaf and chof, their sounds, and where they appear in words.

Snow Much Learning

This week, Morah Aviva's EC4A students snowballed right back into school this week as students dove into their Winter unit through hands-on, sensory-rich learning. Children created snow during a tactile sensory activity, explored shaving cream and glue to build a cooperative Puffy Snowman, and designed individual puffy snowmen for the hallway bulletin board. The class also strengthened fine motor skills through cutting pattern strips, a “Can You Build the Snowman?” clay activity in the Science Center, and multisensory alphabet stations as they resumed letter study with the letter “I,” supporting cognitive development, hand-eye coordination, and sensory exploration.

Baby Moshe and the Nile

This week, EC3A students in Morah Sandy's class explored Parshat Shemot and learned about Pharaoh’s harsh decrees and how Yocheved placed baby Moshe in a basket along the Nile River to keep him safe. Children used their fine motor skills to create artwork depicting the story and participated in a hands-on sensory activity, floating different containers with toy babies in water and observing what happened. Through storytelling, creativity, and exploration, students engaged deeply with this meaningful parsha.

Winter Wonders & Parsha Learning

EC3B students explored the wonders of winter through hands-on play, snowy art projects, movement activities, and songs. They learned about winter sports, cold-weather animals, and practiced counting and number games while building both fine and gross motor skills. Dressing in winter clothes encouraged independence, and lively ice cream discussions added extra fun to learning. Students also brought Parshat Shemot to life by learning about baby Moshe being kept safe, reinforcing the idea that Hashem is always watching over us. It was a cozy and meaningful week filled with learning and joy!