Hello everyone!
We have been very busy learning about another festival of light – Hanukkah. This is a special time in the Jewish faith and one very much looked forward to by children (and adults)! It celebrates a miracle happening when people thought there would not be enough oil to burn for one night, let alone 8!
Literacy: Listen to the story of Hanukkah, there are many to choose from on YouTube. Discuss the story with your child, what happened? Sequence the events. What happened first, next, after that and finally.
Discuss why this is such an important festival in the Jewish calendar. Make a dreidel using a template. It’s a great game and it even has its own song! Nursery are really enjoying the Maccabeats singing Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, in a variety of genres, several of which we’ve already explored.
Maths: Our number of the week is 9 and what an appropriate number it is when we are learning about Hanukkah. There are 9 candles on a Menorah, 8 candles which are lit by the middle candle. Ask your child about any number facts that they know about number 9. Is it a big or little number? How many different ways can you make 9? What does it look like? What number comes before 9 in the number line, which number comes after? Why do we call it naughty number 9 (because it likes to trick us, making us think it’s an upside down number 6). Can you find number 9 when you are at the Grocery store or when you are walking along the street?
Fancy making some Latke? It’s a very easy recipe to follow. Grate some potatoes, chop some onions up finely, add a pinch of baking soda, a little bit of flour (to bind), season to taste and shallow fry until golden. You could serve it with sour cream or applesauce, a delicious treat any time of the year!
Until next time, do good looking for adventures, clean your ears out for good listening and turn your noggins (brains) on for good learning.
Take care and stay safe,
Mrs Howe, Mrs Ogilvie-Jones, Mrs Mitzman, Mrs Hill and Mrs Bence