It's Passover Time!

Hello Friends,

I know it's crunch time and everyone is cleaning out those pockets and vacuuming for those final crumbs, but let's all remember this is also a time to celebrate so to get you in the mood - here are some fun songs for you to hum and get in the spirit of the holiday! (And as always, some activities to entertain your little ones while you are in the kitchen!)

Enjoy and have a happy and healthy Passover!

The Order Of The Seder

Kadesh, Urchatz, 

Karpas, Yachatz, 

Maggid, Rachtzah,

Motzie, Matzah, 

Maror, Korech, 

Shulchan Orech, 

Tzafun, Beirach, 

Hallel, Nirtzah

The Seder Plate (tune: this old man)

Parsley green number one... that’s cause springtime has begun.

Chorus: For it’s Pesach now, how do we celebrate, see what’s on our Seder plate.

Charoset is number two... Sweet like freedom, good for you. (Chorus)

Maror is number three... bitter herbs for slavery... (Chorus)

Shank bone is number four... lamb’s blood marking on the door. (Chorus)

Hardboiled egg number five... it’s so good to be alive! (Chorus)

Ma Nishtana?

Mah nishtanah halaylah hazeh mikol halaylot?

1) She-bechol halaylot ain anu matbilin afilu pa’am echat, halaylah hazeh shtei pe’amim?

2) She-bechol halaylot anu ochlim chametz o matzah, halaylah hazeh kulo matzah?

3) She-bechol halaylot anu ochlim she’ar yerakot, halaylah hazeh maror?

4) She-bechol halaylot anu ochlim bain yoshvin u-vain mesubin, halaylah hazeh kulanu mesubin?

The Ten Plagues

Dam, Tzefardea

Kinim, Arov

Dever, Sh’chin 

Barad, Arbeh

Choshech, Makat Bechorot.

These are the ten plagues!

The Frog Song

One morning when Pharoah woke in his bed

There were frogs on his head, and frogs in his bed

Frogs on his nose and frogs on his toes

Frogs – here! Frogs – there!

Frogs were jumping everywhere!

Dayeinu

Il-u ho-tzi, Ho-tzi-a-nu Ho-tzi-a-nu mi-mitz-ra-yim Ho-tzi-a-nu mi-mitz-ra-yim Da-yei-nu

Refrain: Da, da-yei-nu

Work, Work, Work

Bang, bang, bang, hold your hammer low

Bang, bang, bang, give a heavy blow.

For it’s work, work, work, every day and every night

For it’s work, work, work, when it’s dark and when it’s light.

Dig, dig, dig, get your shovel deep

Dig, dig, dig, there’s no time to sleep.

For it’s work, work, work, every day and every night

For it’s work, work, work, when it’s dark and when it’s light.

Who Knows One?

1 - who knows 1
1 - I know 1
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

2 who knows 2
2 I know 2
2 are the tablets of the commandments
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

3 who knows 3
3 I know 3
3 are the fathers
2 are the tablets of the commandments
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

4 who knows 4
4 I know 4
4 are the mothers,
3 are the fathers
2 are the tablets of the commandments
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

5 who knows 5
5 I know 5
5 are the books of the Torah,
4 are the mothers,
3 are the fathers
2 are the tablets of the commandments
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

Bake A Matzah

Bake a matzah, pat, pat, pat

Do not make it fat, fat, fat

Bake a matzah, pat, pat, pat

Bake a matzah just like that.

Make charoset, chop, chop, chop

Apples, nuts and cinnamon

Add some wine, its lots of fun

Make charoset chop, chop, chop.

Eliyahu HaNavi

Eliyahu Hanavi,

Eliyahu Hatishbi,

Elyahu Hagiladi,

Bimherah Biyameinu

Yavo Eleinu

Im Mashiach Ben David

Chad Gadya (One Little Goat)

One little goat my father bought for two zuzim - chad gadya

Then came the cat that ate the kid…

Then came the dog and bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim - chad gadya

Then came the stick and beat the dog that bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim - chad gadya

Then came the fire And burned the stick that beat the dog that bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim, chad gadya!

PAT-A-CAKE

Pat a cake Pat a cake Matzah man,

Bake me an afikomen as fast as you can

The afikomen is the piece that Daddy 

 So I can find it and get a prize!

Activities:

Coloring Book: 

http://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/270608/jewish/Passover-Coloring-Book.htm

Mazes:

http://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/361602/jewish/Mazes.htm

Paper Crafts:

http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/jewish/passover.htm

Seder Plate:

https://www.teachervision.com/passover/printable/37354.html

Other Ideas:

http://www.whattoexpect.com/family-fun/passover-activities-for-kids.aspx

Purim Is Coming!

I do not know a single child that does not love the holiday of Purim. Free candy? Check. Dress up as your favorite character? Check. No School? Check. Sometimes it can be daunting as an adult to prep for this holiday. Should my mishloach manos have a theme? Do I REALLY need to make hamentashen and am I the worst if I don’t? I personally am not one to judge, I am just a huge fan of free food that comes to my door that I can snack on from now until Pesach. Just in case you are looking for something fun to put you in the holiday spirit, here are some songs and activities to remind yourself that we are celebrating the fact our people were not obliterated, a woman saved the day and we are can eat all the cake and candy we want because it is a mitzvah.

Have a very happy Purim!!

Songs:

Chag Purim:

Chag Purim, Chag Purim, Chag Gadol Hu La’Yehudim, Masechot Ra’ashanim, Shirim v’Rikudim
Chorus: Hava Narisha, Rash, Rash, Rash! Barashanim.

Shoshanat Yakov:

Shoshanat Yaakov, tzahala v’samecha birotam yachad tchelet Mordechai.

T’shuatam hayita lanetzach vetikvatam b’chol dor vador, lehodia shekol kovecha lo yevoshu v’lo yikalmu lanetzach kol hachosim bach.

Arur Haman asher bikesh l’abdi, baruch Mordechai haYehudi. Arura Zeresh, eshet mafchidi, beruchah Eshter ba’adi. Arurim kol hareshaim, beruchim kol hatzadikim. Vegam Charvonah zachur latov.

V’Nahaphoch Hu:

 V’Nahapoch Hu Asher Yishletu Hayehudim Hemah Besonehem

LaYehudim Hayesa Orah:

LaYehudim hayesa orah, v'simcha, v'sasson vi'ykar.

Nosh Nosh A Hamentash:

Nosh Nosh a hamentash

Let’s make a hamentash now (2x)

Pat pat pat the dough with me,

Pat it flat and you will see.

Haman’s Hat was just like that.

Pat pat a hamentash now.

Nosh Nosh a hamentash

Let’s make a hamentash now (2x)

Squeeze and pinch the dough with me,

Squeeze and punch and you will see,

Haman’s hat was just like that.

Let’s squeeze a hamentash now.

Nosh Nosh a hamentash

Let’s make a hamentash now (2x)

Haman’s Hat:

My hat it has three corners, three corners has my hat and had it not three corners it would not be my hat. Use hand motions. My--point to yourself, Hat-touch head, three--put up three fingers, corners--touch elbow. Each time you sing the song leave out a word and just use the hand motion. First leave out my, then hat, then three, then corners. Finish by singing the complete song again.

Purim Song: (Tune: If You're Happy and You Know It)

If you hear the name of Haman stomp your feet. (stomp feet twice) repeat If you hear the name of Haman, if you hear the name of Haman, if you hear the name of Haman stomp your feet (stomp feet twice)

If you hear the name of Esther clap your hands......

If you hear the name of Achashverosh turn around.....

If you hear the name of Mordecai shout hooray...

Acitvities:

 

Hamentashen Recipes:

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1366/jewish/Traditional-Hamantaschen.htm

http://www.marthastewart.com/1055129/chocolate-hamantaschen

Coloring Pages:

http://media.aish.com/documents/Coloring%20Book%20-%20Purim%20(English).pdf

http://www.torahtots.com/holidays/purim/purcolr.htm

Mask Templates:

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/printable-masks

Happy Chanukah!

Chanukah is just around the corner! To get everyone into the spirit of the festival of light, here are some songs, books, crafts and recipes!

Maoz Tzur

Maoz tzur y'shuati l'cha naeh l'shabeach
Tikon beit t'filati v'sham todah n'zabeach.
L'eit tachin matbeach mitzar hamnabeach
Az egmor b'shir mizmor chanukat hamizbeach.

Eight Little Candles

(To the tune of “10 Little Indians”)

One little, two little, three little candles,

Four little, five little, six little candles

Seven little, eight little pretty candles,

Burning, oh so bright!

How Many Candles?

How many candles,

How many candles,

How many candles do we light.

On our chanukiah,

On our chanukiah

The first Hanukkah night?

One, one, one, one, one, one

One candle burning,

One candle burning

The first Hanukkah night.

(Continue with 2-8)

The Dreidel Song

I have a little dreidel,
I made it out of clay,
And when it’s dry and ready,
Oh dreidel, I shall play!

Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,
I made you out of clay,
And when it’s dry and ready,
Oh Dreidel I shall play!

Sevivon Sov Sov Sov

Sevivon Sov Sov Sov
Chanukah Hu Chag Tov
Chanukah Hu Chag Tov
Sevivon Sov Sov Sov

Chag Simcha hu la'am
Nes Gadol Haya Sham
Nes Gadol Haya Sham
Chag Simcha hu la'am

Al Hanisim

Al hanissim, v'al hapurkan, v'al hag'vurot v'al hat'tshuot v'al hamilchamot sh'asita lavoteinu bayamim hahem baz'man hazeh.

  

Some Chanukah Books you may enjoy:

The Night Before Chanukah – Natasha Wing

Biscuits Hannukah – Alyssa Capucilli

Hannukah – Priddy Books

I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Dreidel – Caryn Yacowitz

How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? – Jane Yolen

The Story of Hanukkah – David A. Adler

 

Some links to Chanukah activities and crafts:

http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/jewish/hanukah.htm

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/hanukkah/

http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/kidscraftsactivitiesblog/2012/11/ideas-for-making-a-lego-hanukkah-menorah/ (Instructions for making a LEGO Menorah!)

  

And let’s wrap up this post with links to some great Chanukah recipes!

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/454611/jewish/Chanukah-Recipes.htm

http://www.marthastewart.com/318045/edible-chocolate-marshmallow-dreidels

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/hanukkah-sugar-cookies-50093.aspx

Chag Sameach Everyone!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

    

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Some of the best family memories were made at my grandparent’s house on Thanksgiving, while playing pool or watching the Cowboys play football on one of the oldest televisions in history with my cousins. I am extremely sentimental and try to instill a love of family time in my children which is why I make a big deal out of every holiday. We do crafts and bake and if my kids let me I teach them random songs I remember from my childhood.

To kick off Thanksgiving arts and crafts I got this really cute Activity Book with some great ideas for center pieces, place cards, food labels and stickers. A lot of similar activities are also online and here a few links to some of my favorite Thanksgiving crafts to create with your little (and big) ones.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/thanksgiving/

http://happythanksgivingdaywishes.com/thanksgiving-arts-and-crafts.html

http://www.freekidscrafts.com/holidays/thanksgiving-crafts/ (I am all about the printable turkey hat!)

http://www.first-school.ws/THEME/h_thanksgiving.

  

If you are interested in a few holiday themed books:

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie – Alison Jackson

10 Fat Turkeys – Tony Johnston

My First Thanksgiving – Tomie dePaola

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade – Melissa Sweet

Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving – Kimberly and James Dean

Molly’s Pilgrim – Barbara Cohen (did anyone NOT have to read this in elementary school?)

Ready for a Thanksgiving sing-a-long?  

The Turkey Ran Away

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_F8XSsd5OM

(If you know the school/children in this video PLEASE tell me so I can credit them for this amazing performance!)

The turkey ran away,
Upon Thanksgiving day.
He said "They will make a roast of me!
If I should stay."

The pumpkin rolled away,
Upon Thanksgiving day.
She said "They will make a pie of me!
If I should stay."

The cranberry rolled away,
Upon Thanksgiving day.
He said "They will make a sauce of me!
If I should stay."

Ten Little Turkeys – The Learning Station

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_F8XSsd5OM

Ten Little Turkeys sat in their pen,

“Hide, turkeys, hide!” Said the little red hen!

One little turkey flew far away,

The other nine decided to stay.

(counts down and all the lyrics are in the video)

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Soup's On!

  

When the clocks change every year I am always that person that assumes it is 9:45 when it is really only 5:15 pm. Since it gets dark earlier I also assume it is now cold outside so daylight savings ending also kicks off soup season (and boots season) in our home.

Every fall at the library I hosted a story time with a Soup theme. I loved hearing from the children their favorite and most hated types of soups and since it was always an ethnically diverse crowd I was always learning varied ingredients cultures stick into those giant pots. While I never rushed home to recreate the soup recipes I heard about, I did often Google image those delicacies (which is basically the same thing).

Since I have a pot of chicken soup on the stove right now, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite Soup books, a song and a craft so you can host your own Soup themed story time in your home. A Soup theme also motivates children to create their own recipes, grocery lists and get cooking in the kitchen (with a parent’s permission and supervision). I highly recommend you try this with your young one. After all, the families that cook, eat and read together stay together!

Books:

Stone Soup – Marcia Brown (Or any other version)

Alvie Eats Soup – Ross Collins

Growing Vegetable Soup – Lois Ehlert

Chicken Soup with Rice – Maurice Sendak

Pretend Soup – Mollie Katzen

   

The Soup Song:

(Tune of London Bridge)

Put some _____ (name ingredient) in the pot, stir it up nice and hot! Get it ready for dinner, ready for dinner.

(OR: Put some _____ (ingredient) in the pot, stir it up, nice and hot! Get it ready for Shabbat, for Shabbat.)

Soup Craft –

I used to print these out and have the children pick what they wanted to add to their own pot of soup. There would also always be plain paper for them to draw anything they did not see on the template but wanted to add to their soup pot.

http://www.dltk-teach.com/t.asp?t=http://www.dltk-teach.com/fables/stonesoup/bfelt1.gif

http://www.dltk-teach.com/t.asp?t=http://www.dltk-teach.com/fables/stonesoup/bfelt2.gif

http://www.dltk-teach.com/t.asp?t=http://www.dltk-teach.com/fables/stonesoup/bfelt3.gif

http://www.dltk-teach.com/t.asp?t=http://www.dltk-teach.com/fables/stonesoup/bfelt4.gif

Bon Appetit!

PASSOVER SONGS FOR LITTLE ONES

    
With Passover right around the corner, many of us are cleaning our closets, shopping for clothes, throwing out expired food from pantries and of course, hoping our children show off their singing skills at the Seder. In this spirit, I have compiled (for Story Time at work) popular Passover songs for you and your children to sing together from now until that 8th day!

Enjoy and have a happy and healthy Passover!

The Order Of The Seder

Kadesh, Urchatz, 

Karpas, Yachatz, 

Maggid, Rachtzah,

Motzie, Matzah, 

Maror, Korech, 

Shulchan Orech, 

Tzafun, Beirach, 

Hallel, Nirtzah

The Seder Plate (tune: this old man)

Parsley green number one... that’s cause springtime has begun.

Chorus: For it’s Pesach now, how do we celebrate, see what’s on our Seder plate.

Charoset is number two... Sweet like freedom, good for you. (Chorus)

Maror is number three... bitter herbs for slavery... (Chorus)

Shank bone is number four... lamb’s blood marking on the door. (Chorus)

Hardboiled egg number five... it’s so good to be alive! (Chorus)

Ma Nishtana?

Mah nishtanah halaylah hazeh mikol halaylot?

1) She-bechol halaylot ain anu matbilin afilu pa’am echat, halaylah hazeh shtei pe’amim?

2) She-bechol halaylot anu ochlim chametz o matzah, halaylah hazeh kulo matzah?

3) She-bechol halaylot anu ochlim she’ar yerakot, halaylah hazeh maror?

4) She-bechol halaylot anu ochlim bain yoshvin u-vain mesubin, halaylah hazeh kulanu mesubin?

The Ten Plagues

Dam, Tzefardea

Kinim, Arov

Dever, Sh’chin 

Barad, Arbeh

Choshech, Makat Bechorot.

These are the ten plagues!

The Frog Song

One morning when Pharoah woke in his bed

There were frogs on his head, and frogs in his bed

Frogs on his nose and frogs on his toes

Frogs – here! Frogs – there!

Frogs were jumping everywhere!

Dayeinu

Il-u ho-tzi, Ho-tzi-a-nu Ho-tzi-a-nu mi-mitz-ra-yim Ho-tzi-a-nu mi-mitz-ra-yim Da-yei-nu

Refrain: Da, da-yei-nu

Work, Work, Work

Bang, bang, bang, hold your hammer low

Bang, bang, bang, give a heavy blow.

For it’s work, work, work, every day and every night

For it’s work, work, work, when it’s dark and when it’s light.

Dig, dig, dig, get your shovel deep

Dig, dig, dig, there’s no time to sleep.

For it’s work, work, work, every day and every night

For it’s work, work, work, when it’s dark and when it’s light.

Who Knows One?

1 - who knows 1
1 - I know 1
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

2 who knows 2
2 I know 2
2 are the tablets of the commandments
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

3 who knows 3
3 I know 3
3 are the fathers
2 are the tablets of the commandments
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

4 who knows 4
4 I know 4
4 are the mothers,
3 are the fathers
2 are the tablets of the commandments
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

5 who knows 5
5 I know 5
5 are the books of the Torah,
4 are the mothers,
3 are the fathers
2 are the tablets of the commandments
1 is Our God who is in the heavens and on earth.

Bake A Matzah

Bake a matzah, pat, pat, pat

Do not make it fat, fat, fat

Bake a matzah, pat, pat, pat

Bake a matzah just like that.

Make charoset, chop, chop, chop

Apples, nuts and cinnamon

Add some wine, its lots of fun

Make charoset chop, chop, chop.

Eliyahu HaNavi

Eliyahu Hanavi,

Eliyahu Hatishbi,

Elyahu Hagiladi,

Bimherah Biyameinu

Yavo Eleinu

Im Mashiach Ben David

Chad Gadya (One Little Goat)

One little goat my father bought for two zuzim - chad gadya

Then came the cat that ate the kid…

Then came the dog and bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim - chad gadya

Then came the stick and beat the dog that bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim - chad gadya

Then came the fire And burned the stick that beat the dog that bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim, chad gadya!

PAT-A-CAKE

Pat a cake Pat a cake Matzah man,

Bake me an afikomen as fast as you can

The afikomen is the piece that Daddy hides

 So I can find it and get a prize!