# **Simanim Science Lab: Crunchy Codes for a Sweet Year**

Tali turns the studio into a kid-safe **“taste lab”** where we *hear* our **סִימָנִים** instead of eating them. Noam explains how **symbols point to actions**, and Lama (לָמָה) asks the big question: **לָמָה אֲנַחְנוּ אוֹכְלִים סִימָנִים בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה?** Together we explore classic foods—**תַּפּוּחַ בִּדְּבַשׁ, רִמּוֹן, סֶלֶק, תַּמְרִים**—and practice **דִּבְרֵי נֹעַם** (sweet words) for a sweet start.

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### What kids will learn

* **What are סִימָנִים?** Food-symbols families use on **רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה**.

* **Symbols → actions:** We choose kind words and helpful behaviors.

* **מִנְהָגִים differ:** Customs vary by family—show **כָּבוֹד** (respect).

* **כַּוָּנָה matters:** Aim your heart and voice toward good.

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### Mini glossary (Hebrew → quick gloss)

* **סִימָן / סִימָנִים** — sign/symbol (special foods for hopes)

* **רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה** — Jewish New Year

* **כַּוָּנָה** — focused intention

* **דִּבְרֵי נֹעַם** — pleasant/kind words

* **מִנְהָגִים** — customs

* Foods: **תַּפּוּחַ בִּדְּבַשׁ** (apple in honey), **רִמּוֹן** (pomegranate), **סֶלֶק** (beet), **תַּמְרִים** (dates)

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### Outline

* Cold-open: Simanim Science Lab setup

* Big Question: **לָמָה** do we use **סִימָנִים**?

* Big Idea A: What **סִימָנִים** are; symbols → actions

* Big Idea B: Different **מִנְהָגִים**, same sweet goals

* Big Idea C: “Sweet words” matter as much as sweet foods

* Game: *Two Nu’s & a WOW!*

* Make/Do: **Foley Fruit Plate** activity

* Values wrap & goodbye

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### Play-at-home game: *Two Nu’s & a WOW!*

Use **CRUNCH** (A), **PLINK** (B), **SQUISH** (C) sounds to answer.

1. Real **סִימָן** for a sweet year? → **B: תַּפּוּחַ בִּדְּבַשׁ**

2. What do **סִימָנִים** teach? → **B: Symbols remind us to speak and act kindly**

3. How treat different **מִנְהָגִים**? → **C: Respect and learn—שְׁאֲלוּ רַב/הוֹרֶה**

**Chants to try:**

* **“סִימָן מַזְכִּיר—מַעֲשֶׂה מַמְתִּיק!”**

* **“כָּבוֹד לְכָל מִנְהָג!”**

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