In between learning their letters and creating collages to help their classmates get to know them, the first-grade children engaged in “speed-dating”-style timed discussions in which they sat with other classmates and talked with them about subjects set for them on cards they drew from a pile. They used their weekly forest lessons to play group games in which they had to interact and work as a group.
The second graders, as part of their forest lesson learned about the wagtail, a common bird with distinct markings. In their forest lessons, walking around the forest near Wahat al-Salam – Neve Shalom, familiarizing themselves with the trees, plants and birds. The second graders also began a section called “stage of interest” in which each child chose a subject, researched that subject and presented it to the class, with the help of an on-screen presentation. Part of the lesson for each child was involving their parents in preparation and presentation, and it gave the parents a chance to come to their children’s classroom and see them shine.
In December, the second-graders embarked on a “good word” project to do good deeds for their classmates. As part of the project, they wrote about their classmates’ good qualities after hearing from them. Their friendship spilled over into their math lessons, where working in small groups made learning about multiplication fun.
The third-graders had a “stage of interest” project as well, including help from their parents. They also worked on understanding informative texts, reading them in pairs or groups of three and explaining what they had read with their own words. In parallel, they began working on their dictionary skills. In a fun experiment, they pickled various vegetables, investigated how each transformed from fresh produce to briny treats, and enjoyed the results.
To prepare for the holidays, the students drew pictures of holiday symbols on transparent paper, added their photos, and created candle-lit boxes to shine for the holidays. For them, the “holidays of light” became a reason to be thankful, as they each wrote things they are grateful for on cut-out candles. They also created plasticine figures from the Hannukah story, which they read in their Hebrew lessons.
The fourth-grade English lesson involved naming monsters. The children drew monsters according to their imaginations and gave them names and descriptions in English. The native Hebrew-speakers had a session on the subject of “old and new.” In this case, they talked about the Jaffa port and the old and new parts. To finish, they made signs for would-be visitors to the port explaining what they had learned.
Lessons with the school consultant led the students to think about situations in which their classmates need a helping hand or someone to stand by their side. Each student was asked to write about how they might act differently in the future when they see another kid in need. The trees in schoolyard were the subject of the science class, as kids learned when and how to record facts about each tree.
Isra and Mi’raj (the Prophet Muhammed’s night journey to heaven) was the subject of posters created by the fourth-grade kids. December was taken up with learning about the traditions and meanings behind the holidays of the three religions.
The fifth graders who are native Hebrew speakers used their language skills in a debate. They first learned, in the HOTAM, Education, Culture, Tradition section on “Light and Enlightenment” on the rights of every child to education. They then held their debate on the topic whether child labor should be banned. In their Hebrew classes, the children investigated folk tales. The fifth-graders also read the book The Secret Garden, using it to improve their English vocabulary. Each child then created a three-dimensional model or drawing of the garden as they had imagined it after reading the book.
The sixth-graders continued their mentoring project with the younger children, especially helping them with their language lessons. The native Hebrew speakers held a debate after learning about the concept of a “glass ceiling” that prevents women from holding leadership positions. The debate focused on women in sports.
For the holidays of lights, the sixth-graders’ parents participated in a special party with music and a discussion on the meaning of the holidays in all three religions.
Soccer and more
Soccer: The third and fourth graders started a new extracurricular lesson on the history and theory of soccer, and on sportsmanship. Only once they finish a lesson do they go out onto the field to play. As they learn, they learn to play with strategy and teamwork, and they enjoy the game more than ever. The soccer kids also took what they had learned into other grades to share what they had learned. These classes organized a soccer tournament for the entire school, which took place over two weeks at the end of December. The fifth-graders wont the tournament, the second-graders won the prize for the best sportsmanship, the third graders got special recognition and prizes were given out to the best players.
Talent day: The kids showed off the things they had accomplished and learned in their extracurricular classes.
Arabic language day, Dec. 17: The entire school celebrated this day with activities that centered around Arabic poets, including learning about their lives, how they wrote their poetry and learning to seek meaning in poems. The day ended with a performance.
At the end of Arabic language week, the students got to meet with an author, Nader Abu Tamer. The students read one of his stories, and the got to ask him questions.
Happy holidays
Just before the winter holiday break, the student council organized a recess activity around the holidays, with arts and crafts and games.
Since Hannukah and Christmas overlapped this year, the students got one big celebration on Dec. 24. The kids enjoyed a visit from Santa Claus. In his dual role, Santa handed out sweet sufganiot – Hannukah donuts – to everyone.
Chanukristmas: With help from the parents, the children held a “Chanukristmas” market on the Friday after Christmas. There was plenty of fun, food, hot drinks and local crafts.
