Morah Miri’s Curriculum Corner: Beyond the Apples & Bees
These past two weeks, our teachers and students have been busy preparing for Rosh Hashanah. As I worked with our Morahs to think about what to teach and how to make it meaningful and developmentally appropriate for each age group, one idea kept coming up in our conversations: How do we make sure we don’t get lost in the “apples and bees”?
The holidays are such an exciting time in the classroom, and there is so much we can explore when we thoughtfully integrate General Studies into our Judaic curriculum. We can sort apples, count seeds, measure, experiment, explore different art mediums, and build language and fine-motor skills through hands-on experiences. The learning opportunities are endless! But in the midst of all that excitement, we have to keep coming back to one important question: What is Rosh Hashanah really about?
Our Morahs have worked thoughtfully to bring that deeper meaning into their classrooms. At the heart of Rosh Hashanah is our connection to Hashem and the understanding that each of us has a unique neshama that is deeply and unconditionally loved by Hashem.
Throughout my conversations with our teachers, I’ve encouraged them to make each experience purposeful while always keeping that bigger picture in mind. Apples, honey, shofar, art, songs, and stories all give our children wonderful ways to explore and learn, but ultimately, they are tools to help children connect with the meaning of the holiday.
At the end of the day, a child may not remember the special project they made or how many apple seeds they counted. But our hope is that as they grow, each Rosh Hashanah brings back something deeper: the feeling that they are connected to Hashem and deeply loved by Him.
That is the balance we are continually working toward with our Morahs: rich, hands-on learning experiences with the heart and meaning of our Judaic learning always at the center.
Keep an eye out for your child’s Rosh Hashanah projects coming home today! Our children and Morahs have put so much thought, creativity, and meaningful learning into everything tucked inside. We hope you’ll take a little time to look through their creations together and let your child share what they’ve been learning and preparing for Yom Tov.
As we head into Rosh Hashanah, I hope that learning finds its way into your celebrations at home, through the songs they sing, the things they notice, the projects they proudly show off, and maybe a fact or two about apples! More than anything, I hope they enter the new year knowing just how special their neshama is and how deeply Hashem loves them.
Wishing all of our CMCH families a Shana Tova U’Mesuka, filled with sweetness, connection, and lots of nachas from your little ones!
Warmly,
Morah Miri
