Gev. Porat, Gev. Clyde and I are excited to share that we started a Passover themed Rube Goldberg challenge in ETC. Rube Goldberg machines complete simple tasks in complicated ways. We have challenged the class to place each of the traditional items on a Pesach Seder plate via a Rube Goldberg machine. After learning about Rube Goldberg and studying simple machines, we took today’s class period to tinker with materials and start drafting plans. We were not surprised by their wonderful ideas and extreme creativity. Please ask your child to share his/her plan with you and check out student blogs as they will be posting their journey through the challenge each week. 

We are most excited about the opportunities that this challenge provides for your child to grow his/her collaborative skills. We all agreed, kids included, that this challenge will take a lot of patience, perseverance and empathy as we go through many situations of trial and error while attempting to place an item on a Seder plate! In fact, 50% of their earned grade will be based on their learning process and ability to work with their peers. 

Over the next few weeks we may be looking for small items to help us through the challenge. These items may include paper towel tubes, matzah boxes, wind up toys, buttons, etc. If you have any “junk” laying around at home that may help, please send it to school!

Again, please ask your child about this challenge. The kids were so pumped to get started today; I know they would love sharing their ideas with you!