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The kehillah roomWelcome to the Kehillah Room, where our community of learners thrives as they prepare for kindergarten. Designed for children who are 4 years old by September 1st, this vibrant classroom is divided into interest centers filled with open-ended materials that support exploration and discovery. A mini art studio offers diverse materials for collaborative art projects, and the room's home-like environment is enriched with plants, loose parts, and natural materials collected by the children.
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Children who transition into the Kehillah Room build upon the foundational skills acquired in our earlier classrooms, focusing on personal and social development. They learn to separate easily from caregivers, manage transitions, demonstrate self-direction, and show respect and cooperation with peers and adults. Through social stories and engagement, children develop empathy, conflict resolution, and responsibility for self-care and behavior.
In the Kehillah Room, students engage in language and literacy activities that help them speak clearly, participate in discussions, and develop an interest in reading. They enhance their understanding of letter-sound associations and begin to identify and write letters and sight words, incorporating writing skills into play.
Mathematical thinking is encouraged through sorting, counting, identifying shapes, and solving simple word problems. Students explore scientific thinking by asking questions, planning investigations, and communicating discoveries. They develop an appreciation for the natural world and express interest in history, culture, and our environment.
Each day begins with a morning meeting to discuss and plan activities. Children have extended time for project-based learning, developing literacy, math, and motor skills crucial for future success. The Kehillah Room emphasizes problem-solving, negotiation, collaboration, and planning, fostering prosocial communication skills and a strong sense of community.
Artistic expression is nurtured through diverse art materials, dramatic play, and group singing. Physical development is supported through activities that enhance coordination, confidence, and persistence in mastering new skills.
The Kehillah Room is a place where children grow into confident, curious, and empathetic learners ready for their next educational journey.
In the Kehillah Room, students engage in language and literacy activities that help them speak clearly, participate in discussions, and develop an interest in reading. They enhance their understanding of letter-sound associations and begin to identify and write letters and sight words, incorporating writing skills into play.
Mathematical thinking is encouraged through sorting, counting, identifying shapes, and solving simple word problems. Students explore scientific thinking by asking questions, planning investigations, and communicating discoveries. They develop an appreciation for the natural world and express interest in history, culture, and our environment.
Each day begins with a morning meeting to discuss and plan activities. Children have extended time for project-based learning, developing literacy, math, and motor skills crucial for future success. The Kehillah Room emphasizes problem-solving, negotiation, collaboration, and planning, fostering prosocial communication skills and a strong sense of community.
Artistic expression is nurtured through diverse art materials, dramatic play, and group singing. Physical development is supported through activities that enhance coordination, confidence, and persistence in mastering new skills.
The Kehillah Room is a place where children grow into confident, curious, and empathetic learners ready for their next educational journey.
daily schedule
Arrival
School begins at 9:00. Children are brought directly to the classroom. The children wash their hands upon arrival and are free to explore open centers working independently or with others. The centers are prepared with a rich variety of materials based on the children’s interests and designed to provoke investigation and exploration. This is also a time for families and educators to visit and informally share information. Children may use this time to continue work on uncompleted projects or work with an educator to complete classroom jobs such as the calendar, attendance, taking care of plants, etc. Educators circulate throughout the room supporting the children’s activities and documenting the children’s work through photos and written notes.
Meeting Time
Children and educators begin their day by gathering together to share news, review the calendar, and discuss plans for the day. Together they may collaborate on finding solutions to classroom problems or making plans for upcoming events.
Snack
Healthy snacks of fruit, cereals, milk, and vegetables are brought by parents on a rotating basis. On Friday a special Shabbat snack of challah and grape juice is served. Candles and sometimes flowers decorate our tables, and blessings for the challah and juice are said. When they are finished eating, the children clean up their snack and find a quiet activity until everyone is finished.
Small Group Work
Following snack, we begin an extended period of time in which children work in groups either independently, or with an educator, as they explore an area or materials, participate in a planned activity, or work on an on-going project. Cooking activities, discovery walks outside, art and science investigations, and games designed to reinforce math and literacy skills often take place during small group work.
Active Play
At some time in the morning the entire class goes outside to the playground or to the social hall where bikes, scooters, balls, and obstacle courses offer opportunities for loud, active, play, group games, and skill-building activities.
Ending the Day
The class gathers with both educators for music, stories, and a sharing time of the morning’s activities. Taking time to reflect on that day’s work and looking forward to the activities of the next day gives recognition to individual and group accomplishments as well as helping the children see the continuity of one day to the next. On Friday all classes gather for a Shabbat celebration of lighting the candles, saying the blessings over the challah and juice, and singing songs together. Parents are always invited to join the children for Shabbat.
Dismissal
Children gather coats and backpacks and wait with educators at the entrance door for pick-up at 12:00.
School begins at 9:00. Children are brought directly to the classroom. The children wash their hands upon arrival and are free to explore open centers working independently or with others. The centers are prepared with a rich variety of materials based on the children’s interests and designed to provoke investigation and exploration. This is also a time for families and educators to visit and informally share information. Children may use this time to continue work on uncompleted projects or work with an educator to complete classroom jobs such as the calendar, attendance, taking care of plants, etc. Educators circulate throughout the room supporting the children’s activities and documenting the children’s work through photos and written notes.
Meeting Time
Children and educators begin their day by gathering together to share news, review the calendar, and discuss plans for the day. Together they may collaborate on finding solutions to classroom problems or making plans for upcoming events.
Snack
Healthy snacks of fruit, cereals, milk, and vegetables are brought by parents on a rotating basis. On Friday a special Shabbat snack of challah and grape juice is served. Candles and sometimes flowers decorate our tables, and blessings for the challah and juice are said. When they are finished eating, the children clean up their snack and find a quiet activity until everyone is finished.
Small Group Work
Following snack, we begin an extended period of time in which children work in groups either independently, or with an educator, as they explore an area or materials, participate in a planned activity, or work on an on-going project. Cooking activities, discovery walks outside, art and science investigations, and games designed to reinforce math and literacy skills often take place during small group work.
Active Play
At some time in the morning the entire class goes outside to the playground or to the social hall where bikes, scooters, balls, and obstacle courses offer opportunities for loud, active, play, group games, and skill-building activities.
Ending the Day
The class gathers with both educators for music, stories, and a sharing time of the morning’s activities. Taking time to reflect on that day’s work and looking forward to the activities of the next day gives recognition to individual and group accomplishments as well as helping the children see the continuity of one day to the next. On Friday all classes gather for a Shabbat celebration of lighting the candles, saying the blessings over the challah and juice, and singing songs together. Parents are always invited to join the children for Shabbat.
Dismissal
Children gather coats and backpacks and wait with educators at the entrance door for pick-up at 12:00.