Kolainu Magazine_March 2018

SCIENCE CENTER TIME
Filled with anticipation, our children eagerly try to
guess what we’ll be learning as they sit down around
the table. Aryeh asks, “Is it going to be sink and float
today?” He’s using the vocabulary words the class
had learned. The children listen quietly to the lesson
about “melting” and “freezing,” which also introduces
a big word such as “temperature.” We discuss what
happens to water when the temperature falls. The
students are puzzled when we give them an ice cube
with a little toy frozen inside.
We ask them how we get the toy out? Jacob suggests
using a toy hammer. Daniel is curious to see what
happens if we throw the cube onto the table. Aryeh
tries to roll the ice cube to loosen the toy, and Ronnie
comments that it’s “all wet.” These are more steps
towards our students goal. The children are interacting
and learning from each other, making predictions,
and using new words.
Ultimately, we discover
that warm water will melt
the ice cube and release
the toy. The children
excitedly run to the sink to
give it a try.
Every day, our children are
learning social, academic,
and daily living skills, and
we as educators celebrate
their every success.
GYM TIME
Now is a great time to release pent-up energy. As we
turn off the lights, Eliyahu runs to line up at the door,
a step for him in learning to follow the daily routine.
The children walk down the hallway nicely and quietly
as previously practiced. In the gym, Mordechai runs to
choose a song for Zumba (another step for him – he’s
learning to read!), and the children follow the motions
together — another step! Our class has learned to
imitate the motions and follow along in action songs.
“Let’s play Hide and Seek,” Daniel calls out. This
recently-learned game requires cooperation and turntaking
skills. Daniel counts in the front of the room,
while the other kids run to hide. When it’s time for cooldown,
Mordechai reads the list of relaxing songs and
chooses the one he wants to hear.
This is an “ordinary” day at
Shema Kolainu, but what is
going on is "extraordinary".
SUCCESS STORIES
LUNCHTIME
This is another opportunity to practice learned skills.
The children wash their hands before eating and
bring their own placemats and lunch to the table.
Today, Daniel is learning to eat his chicken cutlets
independently and his friends are cheering him on.
Eliyahu requests a drink using his communication
device, and Ronnie says he is “all done lunch.”
Mordechai remains seated at the table for the entire
time. Another step for each of them!
LIBRARY TIME
The children have been looking forward to this visit all
week. Each child holds a teacher’s hand as we walk
to the Brooklyn Children’s Library. Faces light up at
the sight of the familiar-looking building. Ronnie says,
“We’re going to the library.” That’s five words in one
sentence! Once inside, we
proceed to the children’s
section and sit on the
continues.
floor. The teacher begins
to read a book while the
class listens quietly. This
is another step for our
students, who are learning
to attend to stories of
progressively longer
duration. It’s amazing to
see the avid interest on
their faces as the story
Afterwards, the children browse through the aisles for
books that interest them. Aryeh is looking for a book on
insects and Jacob wants a book on zombies. Ronnie
finds a book on whales and sits down to read. When it’s
time to leave, the children eagerly clutch their library
books and head to the check-out booth, patiently
waiting their turn to scan their books. Mordechai thanks
the librarian while making eye contact, and Eliyahu
walks down the stairs so nicely. Another step for our
children!
This is an “ordinary” day at Shema Kolainu, but what is
going on is extraordinary. Every day, our children are
learning social, academic, and daily living skills, and
we as educators celebrate their every success.
www.ShemaKolainu.org | Kolainu - Our Voice | March 2018 19