A Jewish Hebrew Immersive After School Program
Intro to Machzorim Year - Jewish holidays, calendar and life cycle
Project Based Learning
As we researched and trained in the best practices for remote learning, we came to the conclusion that a necessarily hybrid plan (blended in-person and remote) requires a different approach to curriculum and teaching. One approach we have used in some units in the past we have decided to expand, namely, Project-Based Learning (PBL).
In PBL, teachers present students with a driving question, one that is open-ended and non-judgemental, yet focuses inquiry on a specific topic. To answer this question, students must engage in high-level cognitive work; they must unpack the driving question to guide their process, research the topic, propose and debate answers, and solve a problem or provide a service to the community. Projects have connections to real-world adult work, so students will consult experts in the relevant fields.
THE CHILDREN’S ENTHUSIASM AND QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE SHOULD SPARK MORE DISCUSSION OF THEIR LEARNING WITH THEIR FAMILIES
The benefits of PBL to students include:
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Feeling a sense of purpose
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Thinking critically
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Delving deeper into one specific topic, making it more memorable
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Drawing connections between our tradition and real life
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Collaborating
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Communicating with others
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Learning from peers, teachers and other experts
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Developing and expanding leadership skills
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Reflecting on their experiences and lessons learned
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Accessing resources… both in person and remotely
Ivrit/Hebrew
Our Ivrit curriculum will continue to use the proficiency approach to language learning. The content is being designed to dovetail with the work the children are doing in Yahadut. For example, as they explore what Chagei Tishrei (Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah as a unit) say about the Jewish approach to marking beginnings, they will focus on introducing themselves to each other, to the classroom environment, and to the Kesher community. In this way, students will have more context for their Ivrit learning, which should aid their comprehension and retention.
Students will also continue to work on their Hebrew decoding, writing, listening and speaking skills.
Our Jewish literacy work will use brachot that fit with the holidays and life cycle events in each unit, including making sure students can find and read associated texts in the Tanakh and Siddur.
We are including an outline of the plan for the year and will update you as we go.
For more information, please feel free to contact lori@keshernewton.org
Guiding Question for the Year: How do we mark time in a Jewish way?
EXPEDITION 1:
Chagei Tishrei
(Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Azeret and Simchat Torah)
יחידת לימוד ראשונה:
חגי תשרי
EXPEDITION 2:
Machzorim shel Zman
Jewish Cycles of Time
יחידת לימוד שניה:
מחזורים של זמן
EXPEDITION 3:
Chanukah & Purim
יחידת לימוד שלישית:
חנוכה ופורים
EXPEDITION 4:
Tu Bish'vat
יחידת לימוד רביעית:
טו בשב"ט
EXPEDITION 5:
Machzor Chayim
Jewish Lifecycle
יחידת לימוד חמישית:
מחזור חיים
EXPEDITION 6:
Pesach-Omer-Shavuot
יחידת לימוד שישית:
פסח - עומר - שבועות
EXPEDITION 7:
The days of Remembrance & Celebration
יחידת לימוד שביעית:
ימים של זיכרון וימים של חגיגה
Siyyum:
Wedding
יחידת לימוד אחרונה:
חתונה
