I am so happy that the students in Omanut have been progressing as much as they have over the past few weeks- I think we have all really gotten into a groove together, knowing what the expectations are, and how much fun it is and can be when we work together, as well as individually, on projects.
The first big project that many students have completed at this point is The Seven Days of Creation canvases, based on-- you guessed it: the first days of creation as told in Genesis.
Each student received 7 small canvases, chose the medium that they wanted to work with (most chose either oil pastels or acrylic paints), sketched their work before they started, and then depicted their interpretations of each of the first days of creation. After they completed the canvas work, they chose either a box frame or wood board to attach their artwork, and did a short essay with the expectation that they would be able to have a conversation with family members about it.
Not everyone is finished with the project, but as you can see from the following pictures of the children that have, they are doing pretty amazing, thoughtful work!
We hope that you will display the work in your home and have a great conversation about it.
Omanut is fortunate to be singing with Joel on a fairly frequent basis and I took some pictures and short video. Aside from traditional melodies, we are also singing contemporary songs (and even a few by those darling Maccabeats!- an a capella group based at Yeshiva University.)
We also continue to have Hebrew Through Movement with Yardena and Tammy and will be putting up the words and phrases that we have learned to this point throughout the classroom very soon. I know our Avodah TA's are very jealous that we have such an active, interesting program happening! Not using the traditional workbooks to learn Hebrew seems to equal more retention, and the students enjoy themselves while learning.
Please remember to send your children with an extra shirt, or let them know that it's OK to get some paint or markers on themselves and their clothes. We do have a few smocks, but not enough for the whole class at once. Art is fun, but it is also messy , and we don't want to have children that are hesitant to really get into a project because of what they have on. Thank you for your support with this!
As we continue to create and learn about Torah, God and Israel in Omanut, I want to thank you for sharing your children with us for part of Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It really is a wonderful time that goes by way too fast every week. Thank you to the parents who came to the Religious School's Open House last week. We enjoyed having the extra time to talk to you about curriculum, and showing you the work that has been done so far.
Also, just a gentle reminder- If your child is leaving class/Tefillah early, please come to pick them up. There are days that we don't have an extra TA in the room, and it is hard for me or Danielle to take them downstairs when we are in the middle of a project, and we do not like them to leave unattended.
Thank you for your understanding.
Right now, we are embarking on a class mural depicting the Tower of Babel using a multi-media approach: magazine pieces, glue and paint! Since everyone is getting so excited for Hanukkah, we will also be creating some holiday art pieces to take home to enjoy with family, too.
Until next time!
B'Shalom,
Heather
