JCC Association's Early Childhood Curriculum Project 'This New Month'

September 30 - October 28, 2008

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This Month's Torah Portions:

Overview
The First Day of Creation
The Second Day of Creation
The Third Day of Creation
The Fourth Day of Creation
The Fifth Day of Creation
The Sixth Day of Creation
The Seventh Day of Creation

Genesis Chapter 1, Verse 20

The Fifth Day of Creation

"Yishritzu Hamayim Sheretz Nefesh Chaya, V'og Yi'ofef al Ha'aretz Al Pnei Rikeya Hashamayim"

"Let the waters teem with swarming live beings, and fowl that fly over the earth across the expanse of the heavens"

Overview of the Biblical Text:

On the fifth day of creation, G-d created fish, birds, insects, rodents and crawling things. He then blessed them that they should be fruitful and multiply - each in its own habitat. Along with the creation of these creatures, G-d provided them with their needs. Fish do not have to leave water in order to find their food, nor do birds have to scour the bottom of the oceans to find their nourishment. G-d provides for the needs of all of His creations, where ever they may be. An important lesson is to be learned from this list of creatures that G-d created. We do not harm fish, birds, small animals and even insects (cockroaches and the like) indiscriminately because they all were created by G-d.

Discussion Questions:

Is it OK to step on ants for fun?
Why do fish stay in water?
What would happen if birds and fish traded habitats?
How do birds build nests if they don't have any hands?

Activity Ideas:

Animals in Action - Watch a tadpole develop into a frog. Watch a spider's web.
Bird Origami - Make simple birds using origami techniques.
Bird Mobiles - Have students create their own bird mobiles by drawing, coloring and or cutting out images of birds, attaching them to strings and hanging them from a stick or hanger (If using wire hangers, bend the ends over to make a loop and tape over the end with heavy tape (masking, cloth, duct tape, etc. before giving the hangers to the children.). Students can also make a bird mobile with origami birds.
Bird Talk - Talk about birds, nests, eggs, etc.
Fish Facts - Bring in a whole fish and show children the fins and scales which indicate that it is kosher.
Pet Show - Have a fifth day of creation pet show - children can bring in animals that were created on the fifth day (birds, fish, hamsters, mice, mounted butterflies).