This Week at Yavneh Academy!

This Week at Yavneh Academy - September 15, 2017/24 Elul 5777

נצבים-וילך

Early Childhood Department

Learning about Round Objects and Rosh Hashana
Why are there so many round objects for Rosh Hashana? What can they all mean? We explored this question in our learning this week as we discussed Rosh Hashana's role as the beginning of the year, a cycle of months which keeps going and going and going. We learned a song for the Hebrew months, cooperated to assemble a puzzle with chagim throughout the year, danced in a circle to the song עוגה עוגה and started Hebrew writing by learning the letters for the New Year תשעח. During activity time we created round challot from Play-Doh. We also listened to the book How the Rosh Hashanah Challah Became Round by Sylvia B. Epstein, an adorable tale about the origins of round challot.

Making Apple Cider!

After learning all about apples and discussing them using our five senses, we had a perfect activity culminating the unit. The Early Childhood children were lucky enough to participate in making apple cider! As John and Eric from Quiver Farms explained the process of making apple cider, the students were able to help, step by step, and produce their very own cider! They loved the way it tasted, so sweet and refreshing. At the end of the activity, some special animals came out to play. A chicken, a rooster, and a giant rabbit were brought to eat up all of the apple scraps left behind. The children enjoyed getting to know these adorable animals. What a great morning!

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Lower School

Design Challenge

Problems are wake-up calls for creativity. This year, 4C's ice breaker activity invited students to re-imagine the classroom as a source of inspiration. Students were tasked with the job of creating a solution to a common classroom problem. Using items including pipe cleaners, duct tape, index cards, crayons, and cloth, the students invented pencil holders, desk props, fidget shirts, and digital calendars. Afterwards, students reflected on their work and described the process in writing. Visit our 4C bulletin board in the hall or 4C Website to view the students' work.

Shofar Factory at Yavneh

On Wednesday, September 13th, the Shofar Factory came to school to speak to our third grade classes. Rabbi Grossbaum explained to the students what kind of animal can be used to make shofarim, and how to make one. The students in each class were involved in making a shofar for their class. The students really learned through hands on experience what it takes to make a shofar! Click here for more photos!

Middle School

Eighth Grade Conquers the Corn Maze

What could be better than getting lost in a maze of corn shaped like a turtle? This year's Yavneh Academy's eighth grade had the best trip yet. The color-coded teams raced to find their way out of the maze as they bonded with classmates and teachers. What a great way to begin the year- with fun, friends, and fresh air! It doesn't get more exciting than trying to find your way through the maze only to realize that you've been going in circles! Though some teams needed to be rescued from the maze, it was an awesome start to a great school year! What a powerful message we learned: Don't get lost!

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By: Talia Berg, 8th grade student

Escape the (class)Room at Yavneh Academy!

Similar to Escape the Room, Breakout EDU allows for the facilitation of activities where students use teamwork and critical thinking to solve a series of challenging puzzles in order to open a locked box. This week, the focus in the sixth grade technology class was how to effectively use Google Apps for Education on their iPads. The culmination of the week was a Breakout EDU session where the students solved challenges using Google Apps for Education. The excitement and enthusiasm in the room was electrifying. Click here for more photos!

Sixth Grade Cup Challenge

6th grade started off their year in science class with a challenge to build a pyramid of cups without touching the cups with their hands. Groups were given a rubber band with string. Through communication and collaboration the groups used the rubber band to move the cups.

Yavneh Runs for the Cure

Yavneh Academy participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure with Team Sharsheret on Sunday September 10, 2017. A group of parents, teachers, students and alumni joined together to run and walk the race course through Central Park. It was a meaningful way to spend a Sunday morning - being active for a great cause. Kol hakavod to everyone who participated.