Design and Craftmanship

Mr. Duke's eighth grade Social Studies students have been expanding their creativity and craftsmanship through hands-on projects! In addition to making challah cutting boards, some students chose to design and create their own chess and gaming boards. This opportunity for choice allowed students to explore their interests while developing practical skills, resulting in unique and personalized projects that reflect both creativity and effort.

Building Strong Voices Through Discussion

Middle School ELA students in Ms. Ruben's class are participating in graded discussions based on the chapters they have read in their unit novels. These conversations encourage deeper comprehension, as students explore elements such as connotation, inference, and the perspectives of their peers. With a focus on speaking as a key component of language arts, students are also practicing effective communication skills, including conversation norms and discussion etiquette, to strengthen their ability to express ideas clearly and thoughtfully.

A Sweet Celebration of Learning

Rabbi Block's sixth grade students celebrated a meaningful milestone with a Rita’s-style treat, marking their completion of four masechtot (sections) of Mishnah. This accomplishment was part of the All Mishnah Junior learning initiative through the Orthodox Union.

Through their dedication and commitment, students reached an impressive achievement in their Torah learning. The celebration added a fun and well-deserved moment of recognition for their hard work and perseverance.

Beats, Battles and the Birth of Texas

This week, seventh graders in Mr. Duke’s Texas History class brought the past to life in a creative and engaging way through a Texas Revolution Rap Battle. After researching key events from the timeline of the Texas Revolution, students transformed their knowledge into original lyrics and beats. Combining historical understanding with creativity and performance, students showcased their learning in a dynamic format that made history both memorable and fun.

Listen to what they came up with!

Galveston Adventure

Fourth and fifth graders had a busy week of learning and real-world exploration! In preparation for their trip to the Artist Boat Nature Reserve in Galveston, visiting educators introduced students to local ecosystems like salt marshes, sand dunes, and coastal grasslands, along with the animals that inhabit them and their role in protecting the coastline. Students also participated in an interactive mapping activity, tracing how water flows from Houston to Galveston Bay and exploring the impact of pollution. They brought their learning to life through watercolor paintings of marine life and habitats. Yesterday, they experienced it all firsthand in Galveston, exploring the landscape, observing native plants and wildlife, and making meaningful connections between their classroom learning and the natural world.

Bringing Pesach to Life

Pesach projects have been in full swing in fifth grade this week! In Mrs. Duke’s Art Room, students designed and sewed their own Afikomen bags, complete with zippers. From choosing fabrics for the exterior and lining to taking turns at the sewing machine, they were fully immersed in the creative process, producing unique keepsakes that showcase their imagination and dedication. Meanwhile, in Morah Chaya Turjman’s Judaic Studies class, students have been working diligently on their Art Haggadot (Pesach seder books). It’s wonderful to see their ideas come to life as they prepare for Pesach, combining creativity, effort, and holiday spirit.

Penguins With Precision

This week, second grade students in Morah Eliana’s class explored the world of penguins in a creative and thoughtful way. Each student carefully drew a penguin to scale, paying close attention to size, proportion, and detail. Through this project, students combined art and learning, discovering what makes each penguin unique while practicing observation and measurement skills. The finished projects highlight their creativity, focus, and pride in their work.

Spelling Comes to Life

Ms. Morrison’s second graders transformed their classroom into a sensory learning space, exploring their spelling words in a creative and memorable way. Using shaving cream spread across their desks, students practiced writing their spelling words with their fingers, strengthening both letter formation and spelling through a tactile and engaging experience. The spelling list focused on penguins and their habitats, allowing students to connect their literacy work with their ongoing science studies. After practicing their words, students used the shaving cream to draw detailed penguins and habitat scenes, bringing their vocabulary to life in a fun and imaginative way. This activity is part of their continued preparation for the Lower School STEAM Fair, where students will share their growing knowledge about penguins and the environments in which they live.

Exploring Traditions Through Play

Morah Sandy's EC3A students wrapped up their Pesach activities while also learning about Parshat Tzav through engaging, hands-on experiences. To prepare for Pesach, they strengthened their fine motor skills by decorating Kiddush cups with gems and creating their own Seder plates, learning about the symbolic foods included in the Seder. As part of their exploration of Parshat Tzav, students learned about the role of the kohanim (priests) and how they took turns removing ashes from the altar. To bring this to life, they tore paper to represent ashes and practiced taking turns scooping them. They also learned that, as Jews, we do not eat blood. Through a sensory activity, students soaked toy “meat” in salt water and rinsed it, simulating the koshering process, and even searched for blood spots in an egg, just as one would do when preparing food. These meaningful activities helped bring both Pesach and the parsha to life in a memorable and age-appropriate way.

Becoming Matzah Bakers

This week, Morah Aviva's EC4A students became matzah bakers right in their classroom. They experienced firsthand how quickly they needed to work to mix the dough, prick it, and get it into the oven, all within 18 minutes. After baking, everyone enjoyed tasting the matzah they made, with some even adding peanut butter for an extra touch of flavor. In addition, students explored new table stations focused on the letter “Tt.” Activities included creating letter crowns, engaging in Push and Poke, practicing dotter tracing, and searching for lowercase “t” with gems. These experiences made learning both meaningful and fun!

Keeping The Flame Alive

Throughout the week, Morah Clara's EC3B students were busy trying, creating, and exploring at every turn. Inspired by Parsha Tzav, they focused on the importance of perseverance, just like the flame that continues to burn without going out. Their days were filled with meaningful preparation for Pesach, from cleaning the classroom and sorting chametz to getting their play kitchen ready for the holiday. Students delighted in baking pretend matzah at their tables and deepened their understanding during library time, where they learned about the 18-minute matzah baking process and explored the experience of a matzah factory. Today the excitment continued with Pharaoh Pajama Day, where the children engaged in sensory play that brought the story of the makkot (plagues) to life. From experiencing darkness with sensory mats to exploring light with bright, shimmering slime representing the homes of Bnei Yisrael, each activity was designed to spark curiosity and joy!

Lower School Student Council Donation Drive

The Lower School Student Council is leading a meaningful donation drive in support of BEAR (Be A Resource). Below are the items each division will be collecting:

EC Team: Pacifiers, bibs, baby wipes, baby powder, baby lotion, receiving blankets, and small baby toys.

K-2nd Grade Team: Bars of soap, individual toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair brushes/combs, hair ties, socks, and deodorant.

3rd-5th Grade Team: Stuffed animals, books, 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner, lice shampoo, baby wash, and diaper rash ointment.

MS Team: Feminine hygiene products (pads), socks, books, clothing (NB–adult), pajamas (NB–adult), blankets, and underwear (child–adult).

HS Team:Sippy cups, pads/tampons, diapers (NB–size 6), formula (all types), shoes, and diaper/duffle/backpacks.

Teams will earn a fun rewards for their generosity!