Our 3rd graders in Ms. Kohn’s class are currently immersed in the study of the Ohlone people. They’re not just learning their history through a textbook; they’re actively engaging in the creation of artifacts that bridge the past with the present.
Students have been learning how the Ohlone people used natural resources from their environment to craft artifacts for daily living. They have also studied native tribes from across the United States and how they utilized resources from their home environment to craft toys representing their unique cultures. In their most recent project, students gathered natural materials from their own home environments and brought them to school. They are now officially toy makers, creating toys that represent them personally. The assignment takes a thoughtful twist as the students are infusing elements of Judaism into their creations.
As these young toy makers explore their creativity, they’re not just crafting artifacts; they’re building bridges between cultures, between history and the present, and between their identities and the collective tapestry of Jewish heritage.
