Last week, our Kitah Alef (1st grade) students hosted what I happen to think was the cutest arts & crafts fair in the history of arts & crafts fairs. Each student chose something that they enjoyed making or creating. They then created a storefront and product to “sell” to students in other grades as well as their parents. Students sold their handmade art, wallets, flowers, sock puppets, cartoon frogs (🐸), and so much more. Ms. Dao spent hours cutting “coins” out of paper and handed them out to “customers” to use to buy the Alef superhero-created goods.
This interdisciplinary unit showcased students’ math, art, social studies, Hebrew, and literacy skills all while creating an authentic product for an authentic audience. Learning experiences like this allow students to see that learning happens beyond the 4 walls of their classrooms, it encapsulates our fundamental beliefs of relevance & diverse learning, all while providing differentiated learning opportunities for our students to exhibit their creativity and skills.
I was so impressed by the hard work, perseverance, and talents of these young students.
Kol Hakavod, Kitah Alef!
