ט"ו בשבט
סְּפָרִים
Book-Related Family Activities
This is How We Plant a Seedling
You can also plant at home or in the garden: Dig a hole in the ground, place the seedling inside, tighten the soil around it, and water it. Not sure how to plant? Follow the instructions in the book…
This is How We Plant a Seedling
Movement – How does a seedling grow?
It is a good idea to demonstrate with body movements how a seedling grows: bend low, straighten up slowly, stand on your tiptoes and finally, raise your arms up and sideways.
This is How We Plant a Seedling
Game: Quickly-Slowly
“How do you plant a seedling? Neither fast nor slow.” You can have fun with quickly or slowly: “Now we will walk… quickly. And now… slowly!” “Let’s roll our hands… slowly, and let’s roll our hands… quickly!” What else can you do quickly and slowly?
This is How We Plant a Seedling
Song – “This is how we plant a seedling”
“This is how we plant a seedling” is a song with a melody composed by Mati Caspi. You can sing it together with movements, dance and clapping of hands.
Scan the QR code to upload the song and sing together.
This is How We Plant a Seedling
This is How We Plant a Seedling
A discussion on stories that “once were”
Following this book, you could also raise memories and tell stories that “once were” – a childhood story of yours, parents, or one told by Grandma or Grandpa about the old days.
A Bag of Longing
Listening to the story
You could listen to the story together or separately; all you have to do is scan the QR code and… let the magic begin!
Suitable for families of Olim too.
A Bag of Longing
Look how we have grown!
The tree grew, as did Rebecca. And how about you? Perhaps you would enjoy watching videos and looking at photographs to see how both children and parents have grown and changed. You could even discuss the kinds of actions that your children were able or unable to do in the past.
A Bag of Longing
Orange sponge cake
Would you like to bake a cake? All you need are two eggs, one third of a cup of sugar, one third of a cup of oil, half a cup of fresh orange juice, a cup of flour (or substitute) and one teaspoon of baking powder. You could also add the grated zest of half an orange.
Mix all the ingredients in order and place in an oven preheated to 180 degrees Celsius. Bon Appetit!
A Bag of Longing
A Bag of Longing
Discussion – What does it mean to be considerate?
“It’s important to be considerate toward our environment” – What does being considerate mean? How can we be more considerate of one another at home, within our own family? And how can we care for our environment? You could discuss these questions with your child, and come up with suggestions on how to be more considerate of other people as well as the environment.
Just an Empty Field
An invitation for an observation
You’re most invited to embark on an observation on a piece of nature in your immediate surroundings: A park near your home, or field, or yard, or even a planter on your balcony. What would you discover if you sat down quietly and watched? You may want to bring a magnifying glass along with you.
Just an Empty Field
Learning from one another
What can adults learn from children? Lots of things! How to play their favorite game, engage in arts & crafts, find out more about a subject they learned about in preschool, or just share an interesting thought. And what can children learn from adults? To find out what we can learn from one another, all we have to do is sit together, and pay attention.
Just an Empty Field
Catching colors
The sky is blue, the earth is brown, and vegetation is green. You may enjoy going outdoors and “catching colors”: Take turns to say a color, while the other players quickly find an item around them that is the same color, and point to it.
Just an Empty Field
Just an Empty Field
Discussion
Do you, much like the pine tree, feel lonely sometimes? Have you ever seen a boy or girl who seemed a little lonely? You may want to discuss this feeling of “being all alone” and what we could do when we – or those around us – feel this way.
The Lonely Pine Tree
Some information on pine trees
The Jerusalem Pine (more commonly known in English as the Aleppo Pine) is the species of pine trees that grows in Israel. It is highly prevalent in the Carmel and Judea Mountains areas. As the Jewish community, the Yishuv, grew, it began to plant large pine tree forests in the Land of Israel. The pine tree contains resin, and in springtime, its branches are densely filled with pinecones. Would you like to learn more about the pine tree? Feel free to look for images and additional information online.
The Lonely Pine Tree
The next chapter
What will happen once the trees grow and a forest is created? Will they be friends with the pine tree? Will other friends come and visit? And what will the children do in the new forest? – You may enjoy discussing the next chapter of the book, acting it out, or drawing it together.
The Lonely Pine Tree
A game – Who am I?
Am I the wind blowing? Or the falling rain? Perhaps a leaping rabbit? You could play a form of charades by taking turns miming one of the characters in the book, and having the others try to guess which one you’ve chosen.
The Lonely Pine Tree
How to adopt a tree
How about picking a tree in your area and taking care of it? You could clean around it, place a mat under it, and observe the small animals that use it as part of their habitat. If you look carefully, you may even catch it smiling.
The Lonely Pine Tree
The Lonely Pine Tree
Family reading tips
Adrianus (Hadrian) was a Roman emperor from 117 to 138. The Roman empire thrived under his reign. Adrianus suppressed the Bar Kokhba revolt and enacted regulations against the Jewish people. In the Talmudic legends (Midrashim) he is described as a wise and well-educated emperor, but also as being cruel. He is often cited as the main cause of the destruction of Judea.
A Basket Full of Figs
Basket full of gifts
Special gifts are passed through generations: a family story, a tasty recipe or a unique holiday tradition. What important gift did you receive from your parents, grandparents or other family members?
A Basket Full of Figs
A Basket Full of Figs
Past to future
Take a look around the house: What items can you find that were made in the past? Can you find things that were created recently which can be used by future generations? Maybe a new building being built, a playground, a school or a grove?
A Basket Full of Figs
Make a family album
The old man in the story left figs for future generations, and we are left with the story. Why not create a family album with family photos and stories. You can add photos from trips or special occasions, and share stories of things you experienced.
A Basket Full of Figs
Find more arts and craft projects, songs and other activities on Sifriyat Sifriyat Pijama Library’s Pinterest page.
A Basket Full of Figs