Mira (and Amalya for that matter) loves to hang out with a group of girls at school who all speak English fluently (the picture is with other English-speakers: Livvy and Ada Moses, at a playground, providing you with proof that finding English-speakers is much easier than it looks! Mira wants to get to know the other, Hebrew-speaking kids, but she's worried about her skill in making friends b'ivrit. She decided to talk to a teacher about setting up a conversational Hebrew class for her and anyone else who wants it (that's how classes are formed here, for better and for worse). Mira's first challenge was figuring out who the teachers are. When everyone is always together, around, and dressing casually, it can be hard to tell! Not a teacher.Elan is just happy having pizza, felafel, and other junk food, as well as playing soccer, basketball, and hopefully flag football. His other chug is lobbying for the pleasure of viewing the entire NFL season via the internet (an expense I cannot justify...Dad may be the weak link in our resistance).
Amalya took a trial dance class, but said she didn't want to do it. She is frustrated that she doesn't understand so much of what the teacher says. After the class, I called her on it. She, trying to distract me, asked for gum. I bribed her..."I'll give you gum after every dance class if you go and have fun in Hebrew." She smiled big and said, "Okay!" What a sucker! I'm not sure if I mean me or her.
My favorite education philosophy book used to be "Punished by Rewards"by Alfie Kohn. I guess I'll have to buy a copy of "Rewards are the way to get things done, even if it means buying ice cream everyday at the makolet." She's also doing art. Everything is at the community center right down the street, so it makes getting there easier!
Also, the kids started walking to and from school by themselves. It is a little nerve-racking watching them go off on a 20 minute walk, where they have to cross two busy, busy streets. I took the edge off last week by going to Machaneh Yehudah as the country is overtaken by 3-day chag preparation craziness. I think I learned a few new curses that morning!
Also, the kids started walking to and from school by themselves. It is a little nerve-racking watching them go off on a 20 minute walk, where they have to cross two busy, busy streets. I took the edge off last week by going to Machaneh Yehudah as the country is overtaken by 3-day chag preparation craziness. I think I learned a few new curses that morning!
