What an amazing week getting ready for and celebrating Israel’s 73rd birthday in Gan Nachal, 2-year-old nursery class.

Gan Nachal decorated their classroom with blue and white balloons and streamers and turned the dramatic play area into a big birthday party with a banner. They were busy in the kitchen mixing, pouring, baking and frosting birthday cakes and cupcakes. They also made individual balloons for our party decorated using different blue and white materials, including string, tissue paper, painted blue paper and, of course, mini Israeli flags.

The sensory areas were also in full gear. The sensory bin was filled with blue pebbles and children used measuring cups to fill up clear vials with them. They made such a fun rushing sound when poured out! They also loved looking for the little Israeli flags hidden in the bin. On the manipulatives table, they enjoyed mixing and playing with blue and white floam. The children made blue and white cookies, cupcakes, pizza and even tried to make Jewish stars. The easel was busy as they mixed different shades of blue paint and took turns creating their variation of an Israeli flag. The light table was filled with small blue and white blocks in different shapes, which the children carefully placed on the lit-up outline of an Israeli flag. Later in the week students had a lot of fun using Model Magic and mixing in blue water colors to make mini “cakes” for Israel’s birthday. They even included birthday candles to make them realistic!

Everyone had a blast together celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut on Thursday with a yummy picnic lunch, lots of dancing and a special show from DJ Rafi. The excitement for Israel could be felt throughout the week in Gan Nachal!