Mixed-Age Play Groups
07/22/2021 07:49:15 PM
At Congregation Ner Shalom, we believe strongly in Mixed-Age play and learning. Our Tot Shabbat programs, Religious School classrooms, and Youth Group activities all invite a range of ages: 3-5, 5-12, and 13-18, respectively. There is almost nothing that is done by a single grade, and Gan Teva at Ner Shalom will be no exception.
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Creating an Outdoor Sacred Space
07/11/2021 02:22:10 PM
Rabbi Lizz has talked about this before: the need for dedicated sacred space, and the importance of connecting spiritually in nature. While we don't want Gan Teva at Ner Shalom to feel alienating to non-Jewish families looking for a natural early childhood learning center, we do feel strongly about our Jewish values leading the education, including the values of protecting the environment and of cultivating healthy spirituality in our young...Read more...
Outdoor Education is the Future
07/05/2021 11:18:01 AM
We've said it before and we'll say it again: Nature-based learning is the future. While we of course will not have children outside in dangerous weather, we intend to keep them outdoors as much as possible and to encourage their growth and learning by engage with the real world around them. Studies show that gross motor skills and sensory concerns are better served through outdoor play than what we have come to expect from classroom learning....Read more...
Kids Who Spend More Time Outside Are Happier Adults — Here's Why
06/26/2021 10:18:16 PM
More and more, safe and free outdoor spaces are harder to find. More and more, technology takes over our lives. It is imperative for mental health to spend more time in nature, and it starts young!
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Outdoor schooling raises resilient children
06/20/2021 04:41:56 PM
“It’s not just teaching outdoors but using the outdoors to teach in real, hands-on ways. It makes education more relevant to students’ lives. When they experience something, it’s more meaningful to them.” - Jeanne McCarty, CEO of Out Teach
Learn More here!
Exploring the world and developing skills through play and nature
06/10/2021 01:25:13 PM
Check out Gan Teva at Ner Shalom's Tiktok for great tips on early childhood learning, more info about our preschool, and the importance of nature and play-based learning!
We Encourage Jumping in Puddles
06/07/2021 10:54:46 AM
The grounds at Ner Shalom invite so many types of gross motor skill development and ways to engage in the world, including a universally beloved pasttime for all children - playing in puddles!
Check out this article on the science behind Gan Teva's encouragement of such activities!
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Why Gardening is a Valuable Teaching Tool
06/01/2021 12:50:19 PM
Gan Teva is so excited to utilize gardening in our teaching!
Check out this article for some bullet points on its importance.
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Reading Recommendation
05/20/2021 01:28:50 PM
“The future will belong to the nature-smart—those individuals, families, businesses, and political leaders who develop a deeper understanding of the transformative power of the natural world and who balance the virtual with the real. The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need.”
Gan Teva at Ner Shalom
04/18/2021 02:09:09 PM
Gan Teva at Ner Shalom is Prince William County’s first nature-based Jewish preschool. Opening in September 2021, Gan Teva is searching for an enthusiastic early childhood educator who understands, and is excited about, building an early childhood learning center from foundation to fruition.
We’re seeking someone...Read more...
What will we teach at Gan Teva?
04/12/2021 01:56:15 PM
At Gan Teva at Ner Shalom students will learn that all living beings are unique creations. We celebrate every member of our community and individualize our approaches to learning to foster the growth of each child.
We guide our children to treat all members of our community with honor and respect.
We celebrate the unity of the Jewish people. We appreciate the diversity of approaches to Jewish life and...Read more...
Compulsory Nature Studies?
04/09/2021 02:33:40 PM
Although we are not necessarily advocating for compulsory outdoor learning for every child in the country (or even the county), we strongly believe our sensory- and nature-based Jewish education will better set up our students to engage in meaningful acts of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).
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Gan Teva Educational Philosophy
04/09/2021 02:30:07 PM
Curious what an outdoor classroom has to offer?
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Fri, July 30 2021
21 Av 5781
Upcoming Events
Ner Shalom in the News
- Washington Jewish Week - June 30, 2020
CNS Branded Masks Save Lives
- Prince WIlliam Living - September 20, 2019
Annual Patriot Day Shabbat
- Prince William Living - August 26, 2019
Learn About the Jewish High Holidays!
- Prince William Living - August 16, 2019
It's that Time Again!
- Prince William Living - July 16, 2019
Synagogue in Summer
- Prince William Living - June 17, 2019
You Want a Revolution; I Want a Revelation!
- Prince William Living - May 16, 2019
Seasons of Our Joy
- Prince William Living - April 16th, 2019
Leaving Egypt in Every Generation
- Prince William Living - March 20, 2019
- Learning About Jewish Traditions
- Building an Inclusive & Vibrant Community
- - Prince William Living - February 15, 2019
- Lifelong Learning at Ner Shalom
- - Prince William Living - January 14, 2019
- You Shall Love Your Fellow as Yourself
- - Prince William Living - December 14, 2018
- The Future of the Community
- - Prince William Living - December 13, 2018
- What It's Like to be Jewish at Christmastime
- - Prince William Living - November 20, 2018
- Coming Together After a National Tragedy
- - Prince William Living - July 31, 2018
- Finding Faith: Religions Across Region
- - Prince William Living - March 28, 2017
- Come Visit Congregation Ner Shalom
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