Preparing for "Rebecca" American Girls

This fall, in just a few short weeks, I am going to begin my American Girl co-op class again. I prepared for it a lot in the beginning of the summer, when it was still fresh in my mind. I've been reviewing and tweaking my schedule, and I think I have it basically ready. For my followers that have girls in my class, you get a sneak peek! Here it is:

Rebecca Rubin, a Jewish girl from Russia (1914)

Book 1: Meet Rebecca 9/11/2012

Speaker- Jewish faith speaker, Shofar, holidays; Geography notebooks

Craft: Lace doilies with beige muslin and lace on edges

Snack: Challah bread

Book 2: Rebecca and Ana 9/18/2012

Craft: Russian nesting dolls? paint, brushes

U.S. Flags to wave;  

Snack: bagels

Book 3: Candlelight for Rebecca 9/25/2012

Theme: Chanukah Read- Pearl’s 8 days of Chanukah

Craft: Dreidels (printed)- color and assemble; Menorah- large craft stick, model magic, birthday candles (9 each);  Play dreidel game- gelt (Rolos & kisses)

Snack: Candy dreidel assemble (for fun)

Book 4: Rebecca and the Movies 10/2/2012

Theme: Passover Read- The Four Questions, Song- “Dayneau”, teaching plate

Craft: 4 questions, hide Afikomen; Black framed name with star

Snack: Charoset (to try); Egg Cremes

Book 5: Rebecca to the Rescue 10/9/2012

Theme: Coney Island Visit

Tickets- make? or $1 store; prizes- candy, bands, stickers, pencils

Craft: Noisemakers/ Crown Treat basket

Snack: Root beer, coney dogs, cracker jack

Book 6: Changes for Rebecca 10/16/2012

Theme: Hollywood- Pictures

Craft: Vine picture holder OR Flower Branch Centerpiece?

Hollywood Mobile- printable

Snack: Squeeze our own lemonade

I gathered a few craft ideas from this craft book, which I bought to accompany our homeschool curriculum this year:

The Jewish Holiday Craft Book, by Kathy Ross

I've been working on Kit weeks 1-6 also, for the second part of the semester. I am excited to learn more about Jews, Jewish traditions and Russia. We're talking a lot about Jewish holidays in our homeschool this year, so it works out great! I love knowing that Jesus was a Jew, and took part in Jewish traditions. 

I am unsure of the craft for week 5. The craft that Jamin had was for a paper fan, but we did that craft last year. I like to keep the crafts different, if possible. I do have new girls registered this semester, but I have lots of returning students too. My class is only 55 minutes long, and we review each book with questions, so there is only so much I can do! I am excited to teach about Rebecca and Russia!
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Leviticus 23:4-6
‘These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times:  The Lord’s Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. On the fifteenth day of that month the Lord’s Festival of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast.

Leviticus 23:37
(“‘These are the LORD’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing food offerings to the LORD—the burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings required for each day.

2 Chronicles 2:4
Now I am about to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God and to dedicate it to him for burning fragrant incense before him, for setting out the consecrated bread regularly, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening and on the Sabbaths, at the New Moons and at the appointed festivals of the LORD our God. This is a lasting ordinance for Israel.