Education – 5th Grade (Woolridge)

3/8: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We wrapped up our Purim unit by playing two Purim Games
2. We began talking about Passover, but seeing what we remember about the Passover story, then Morah Rachel read it to us to help fill in the details
3. We also talked about ways to make Passover more meaningful
4. At Shira, Morah Alexa taught 4^th & 5^th grade new songs for the upcoming chag of Pesah which begins on April 1^st.
5. Then, 4^th – 6^th grade gathered for T’fillah led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa.  Rabbi Prass encouraged us all to think about the BIG, good, things that happened to all of us this past year.  He had a few learners share some examples.  Then he asked us to share why we need BIG, good, things in our year.  The learners had great examples. He reminded us that the new month of Nisan, the month with Passover is coming up, and that is the 1^st month of the Jewish year, and in certain respects, the most important.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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3/1: Today in class, we worked on:

1. “Be Happy! It’s Adar” The Hebrew month which holds Purim.
2. Today was Yom Purim! It was great to see so many of our learners in Purim costumes!
3. We began in our assigned classrooms where each grade divided into teams and came up with their own team names based on Purim themes.  Here are the names each team/grade came up with for themselves:
   • K – 2: The Queen Esthers
   • 3^rd: The Happy Hamantaschen
   • 4^th: The Hebrew People
   • 5^th: purrrrrrrrrrrim
   • 5^th: Purim People 1 & 2
   • 6^th: The Queens
   • 6^th: The Megillah Men
4. Then we gathered for an all school t’fillah led by 5^th grader Luke and Rabbi Prass. We talked about being thankful for what gives us joy, who in your community gives us joy, how we should “Shema” laughter, and how there is a Haman (Amalek) in every generation.
5. Then we divided up by grade and the teams we created for 4 stations of “Yom Purim” aka Purim Sunday!  We will share out their work over the course of the week. 
   • Rotation Aleph : What/who are today’s Amaleks? How can I blot them out?: Haman was a descendant of Amalek.  Who are modern personal & global Amaleks? How do we solve them?
   • Rotation Bet: Purim-Daze: We took the Purim story, symbols and created games of telephone & charades.
   • Rotation Gimmel : Signs of Purim: learning about the 4 main Purim characters thru getting to know them modern twists.
   • Rotation Daled: Words of Encouragement for Esther/Vashti/Mordechai: Successful athletes are ones that shout words of encouragement to themselves.  What words of encouragement would you shout to Vashti? Mordechai? Esther?
6. We then gathered back together for an all-school Purim shira led by 5^th grader Luke where we sang Purim songs, Rabbi Bellows showed us the REAL megillah and our 6^th grade students read an English 5-minute Megillah so we could cheer Mordechai & Esther, and booooo Haman.
7. As we left from a great session, each learner was handed a bag of Hamantaschen.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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2/22: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We read the Purim Story
2. We talked about characteristics of Ester, Mordechi, and others in the story
3. We made Purim cards which will be sent to CBA College students in the upcoming Purim College package.
4. Then at Shira, 4^th & 5^th graders happily sang Purim songs and learned that next week 5^th grader Luke Kanter will be leading our song session solo as Morah Alexa will be away.
5. Finally, 4^th – 6^th grade gathered for T’fillah led by Morah Alexa, Luke K, and Rabbi Prass. At Tefillah Rabbi Prass related how the month of Adar brings great joy to the Jewish people!  He showed us the megillah and told us part of the Megillah/Purim story.  As part of the story, he asked us how/when we have been like Queen Esther & Mordechai and “done Jewish things”?  And he asked us how have we been like Esther & Mordechai and taught others good/positive things?  The learners had some lovely answers.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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2/15: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We discussed tu bishvat
2. We discussed why we celebrate this holiday in February
3. We talked about the tu bishvat seder and how it is both similar and different to the passover seder
4. Then at Shira, Morah Alexa and Luke taught 4^th & 5^th songs for the upcoming holiday of Chag Purim.
5. Finally, 4^th -6^th grade gathered for T’fillah led by Luke, Rabbi Prass, and Morah Alexa.  At Tefilah, in celebration of President’s Day, Rabbi Prass shared with us some interesting connections and trivia questions between many American Presidents and the Jewish people.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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2/8: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We finished up our Wedding unit with the annual 5^th grade faux wedding!
2. It was great to have 100% attendance including all parents present!
3. Parents and 5^th graders, gathered in class to get to know each other better.
4. Then, we enjoyed a school wide Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and Luke.  Rabbi Prass included the 5^th Grade Faux Aufruf.  All of the Gan – 6^th grade students had the opportunity to shower our 5^th grade bride and groom with candy.  It was great to have all the 5^th grade parents there for this.
5. After this, parents went with Rabbi Prass for an adult ed session on “Why we have Jewish rituals”. Students stayed with Morah Rachel and finished preparations.
6. Then the 5^th graders taught us about the Jewish Wedding ritual by leading the “Faux wedding”.  They did great.
7. We wrapped up our celebration with a “Wedding reception” catered by our parents. 

Homework to be completed by next class:

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2/1: Today in class, we worked on:

1. Continued our discussion on Jewish wedding symbols
2. Rehearsed for our faux wedding next weekend
3. At Shira, Morah Alexa led 4^th & 5^th graders in several songs that helped us get in the spirit of Tu B’Shvat, the Chag of Trees, which is celebrated tonight.  We had a talk led by Grace & Emmy Shorr’s Abba on his work as an arborist, promoting tree conservation. And everyone enjoyed the Activity Book, Adon Schorr passed out before we returned to class as well as the other swag he gave us.
4. Finally, 4^th – 6^th grade gather for t’fillah led by Morah Alexa, Luke, and Rabbi Prass. Rabbi Prass shared his joy and relief that the last of our hostages came home from Gaza.  He also shared how CBA is “retiring” several symbols used while there were still hostages.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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1/25: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We discussed Jewish Wedding
2. We talked about the different symbolism in a wedding and why they are important
3. We also talked about what these symbols mean to us
4. 4^th – 5^th grade enjoyed Shira led by Morah Alexa and Luke.  We sang Tu Bishvat songs because Tu Bishvat is next Sunday/Monday, February 1-2.
5. 4^th – 6^th grade had T’fillah led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and Luke.  Rabbi Prass asked us to think about how we find calm in the midst of all the chaotic talk about the weather.  He also asked us how we would create calm in places like Minneapolis where two sides are making things so tense.
6. Rabbi Prass brought us a challah to eat since it was so cold out.  And on the way out of school today, Rabbi Prass gave us gummy whales, from the Jonah & Whale story because our parents helped us “swim thru the snow”.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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1/11: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We discussed B’nei Mitzvah and the importance
2. We talked about what it means to us to have our bar and bat mitzvah
3. We discussed different traditions during our bar and bat mitzvah
4. At Shira, Morah Alexa and Luke led 4^th & 5^th graders in some of our favorite songs from our school songster.
5. Finally, 4^th – 6^th grade joined in Tefilla led by Morah Alexa, Luke, and Rabbi Prass.  Rabbi Prass talked about a special interfaith tour of Israel that his daughter Ruth is now participating in. He highlighted places she is in to show us more about Israel and to remind us about the 8^th grade trip IsraelNow, High School teen trips with the Reform Movement and Birthright.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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12/14: Today in class, we worked on:

1. Today was Yom Chanukah in Religious School
2. It was great to see so many people dressed in “Chanukah swag” to get us in the spirit.
3. All the classes started in their classrooms for attendance and creating a Chanukah themed “team name” some of the names included: the lighted candles, dreidel macabeets, Chanukah stars, Lecha Dodis, Mac & Cheese-abees, The Jewnicorns, Spinning Dreidels, Flamming Menorahs,
4.  Then we gathered for an all school T’fillah led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and 5^th grader Luke.  Rabbi Prass pointed out connections between our prayers and the upcoming Festival of Chanukah.
5. After that we split into 4 Chanukah based rotations, where learners rotated by grade/classes:
   • Chanukah has Dreidels with Morah Rachel & Mr & Mrs. Popper. Our congregants brought in some of their 250 dreidel collection to share.
   • Pushing your Dreidel Limits: Body & Mind with Morah Kaufman where they were challenged with trivia questions about the dreidel AND challenges of different ways to spin the dreidel or be the dreidel with their bodies.
   • Chanukah Madlibs with Morah Wilgus where they were given the opportunity give fun twists to How to play dreidel, how to make a Latke, and the Chanukah story thru Madlibs.
   • Chanukah Charades with Moreh Aaron where they either reviewed or learned different Chanukah history/customs thru playing charades.
6. We came back together in the sanctuary for an all school Chanukah shira led by Morah Alexa and 5^th grader Luke K. 
7. As we left we each learner was handed Chanukah Gelt.
8. Happy Chanukah to all!

Homework to be completed by next class:

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12/7: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We started talking Hanukkah, we discussed why we celebrate Hanukkah, we discussed why it is important to be able to practice Judaism
2. We practiced the Hanukkah prayers
3. We played dreidel
4. At Shira, Morah Alexa and 5^th grader Luke taught 4^th – 6^th grad Chanukah songs, and we got to spin like dreidels.
5. Finally, 4^th – 6^th graders gathered for Tefilla led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and 5^th grader Luke. Rabbi Prass related his experiences at the NFTY weekend this past Shabbat at OSRUI and used it as way to challenge us to think about how we can see the positive in challenges like large snowstorms. He also asked us how we can individually make /be our own small Chanukah miracles by doing mitzvot which was a core teaching of Rav Soloveitchik!

Homework to be completed by next class:

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11/23: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We made Hanukkah Cards for the CBA college students.  These will be mailed to them shortly.
2. We discussed Shabbat and Havdalah
3. We talked about how to make Shabbat meaningful to us in 5^th grade
4. At Shira, 4^th – 6^th graders enjoyed singing, led by Morah Alexa. The 4^th grade parents went and studied with Rabbi Bellows at this time.
5. Finally, 4^th – 6^th grade, and 4^th grade parents, gathered for T’fillah, led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa and 5^th grader Luke. Rabbi Prass asked everyone to concentrate on what they were thankful for as we approach the American Thanksgiving holiday, which has roots in Chag Sukkot.  He showed us how the blessings of the siddur offer thanks for specific things.  He then asked us to share why it is important to offer thanks.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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11/16: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We started our Shabbat unit. We discussed why we celebrate Shabbat, how we celebrate
2. We also played Shabbat Charades
3. We worked on Shabbat skits
4. At Shira, Morah Alexa led 4^th – 6^th grade in song, and we had the opportunity to vote on the last two shirim we would sing.
5. Finally, at Tefillah, Rabbi Bellows and Morah Alexa led 4^th – 6^th grade in T’fillah.  Rabbi Bellows led us in prayer and explained the meaning of the tefillot in our siddur.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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11/9: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We discussed our names and where they come from
2. We named our babies
3. Rabbi Prass led our 5^th grade baby naming ceremony
4. At Shira, Morah Alexa (and 5^th grader Luke) led all of 4^th – 6^th grade in some great songs including “Evdo Et Hashem B’Simcha!”
5. Finally, 4^th – 6^th grade gathered  for Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and Luke. Rabbi Prass went over some important developments with the hostages held by Hamas.  He also shared the fact that Beth Am had honored the CBA American veterans in the kehilla at Shabbat services this week.

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

11/2: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We continued our discussion of baby naming
2. We discussed why we have both a secular name and a Hebrew name
3. We discussed how we have made our names good
4. We also talked about why it is important to have a name
5. At Shira Moreh Alexa and Luke K taught 4^th – 6^th grade several new songs.
6. Finally, at Tefillah, Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and 5^th grade Luke led 4^th – 6^th grader in t’fillah.  Rabbi Prass shared with us his experiences visiting the Jewish community of Prague last spring and told us the story of the Prague Golem, and how he was created to protect the Jews in times of need.  Rabbi Prass told us he was created thru the community’s leader studying and learning Jewish tradition and enough Hebrew so that he could attain this power. Several of our students left t’fillah saying they would study together to figure it out.

Homework to be completed by next class:

1. Please bring a stuffed animal to class next week for our baby naming.

10/26: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We began our life cycle unit, we talked about why we study our life cycle, both in the secular world and Jewish world
2. We discussed briefly what the difference is between a brit bat and a brit milah
3. We also began talking about why we have both a Hebrew name and a secular name
4. We also discussed why it is important to have a name
5. We enjoyed being with the entire school for Shira led by Morah Alexa.
6. We enjoyed being together for an all school T’Fillah- Havdalah service led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa.  Several of the 4^th – 6^th graders had the opportunity to help lead by holding the havdalah candle, spice box, and wine glass.
7. Then Will Rivlin, an assistant Camp Director from OSRUI, came and we enjoyed a presentation from him on the amazing opportunities for fun, learning, and Jewish community from Reform Judaism Summer camp in Wisconsin. The camp website is: OSRUI. It was great to see several parents come to join us in seeing the video and what our learners were excited about trying.  We also heard from some of our students who already attend OSRUI. We all left with some OSRUI swag and a bag of ingredients to make smores.

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

10/19: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We finished up our high holiday unit by talking about Simchat Torah and why our Torah is so important to us and why we celebrate finish reading the torah for the year and starting over again
2. We played high holiday review Jeopardy
3. At Shira, Moreh Alexa started to teach 4^th – 6^th grades new songs now that the 4 chagim are behind us.
4. Finally, 4^th – 6^th Grade met Tefilla led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and 5^th grader Luke K. Rabbi Prass shared an age-appropriate update on the Phase 1 of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.  He then led a discussion about how Beth Am is responding to the fact that the remains of deceased hostages have not all been returned to their families for a proper burial.  We concluded T’fillah with Oseh Shalom, a prayer for peace.

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

10/12: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We continued our Sukkot unit, we read about Sukkot in our text books, we discussed different ways Sukkot can be meaningful in our lives
2. We played Sukkot Charades
3. 4^th – 6^th grade headed off to Shira, where Morah Alexa taught us a song for Sukkot, the chag that ends today.
4. We worked on performed Sukkot Charades
5. Finally, 4^th – 6^th grade met for Tefilla led by Rabbi Prass, Luke K, and Morah Alexa. As part of it, Rabbi Prass helped us unpack everything about the hostage release and the end of the conflict in Gaza. 

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

10/5: Today in class, we worked on:

1. Today was Yom Sukkot in Religious School
2. For this session, we met at the synagogue.  We began in the sanctuary for an all school t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and Luke K.  We lit a yahrtzeit candle for the 2^nd anniversary of October 7^th.  Then we joined together in making Havdalah. 
3. After that we split into 4 Sukkot based rotations:
   • Making yellow paperchain to decorate the sukkah. We wrote the names of the remaining 48 hostages on each slip of paper.
   • We played charades with Sukkot and Simchat Torah themes/ideas.
   • We visited the sukkah with Rabbi Bellows, learned about the sukkah, lulav, and etrog.  We had the opportunity to shake the lulav & etrog.  We talked about what middot (values) we would invite into the sukkah this 5786 as our ushpizin (sukkot guests)
   • We did a sukkah ‘scavenger hunt’ to help us think about what we have/do at home that brings the sukkot lessons home.
4. We came back together in the sanctuary for an all school shira led by Morah Alexa and 5^th grader Luke K. 
5. Then we celebrated the Auf Ruf of Morah Rachel (5^th grade) and Moreh Aaron (6^th grade) who are getting married next Sunday. 
6. We ended with Sukkot trivia led by Rabbi Bellows.

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

9/28: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We discussed what the significance of Yom Kippur is
2. We also discussed the difference between just saying sorry and truly being sorry
3. Read the story of Jonah
4. We briefly discussed the importance of Sukkot
5. At Shira, Morah Alexa taught 4^th – 6^th grade a song “Tap Your Heart” to get us ready for Yom Kippur.
6. Finally, at Tefilla, Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and 5^th Grader Luke Kanter led 4^th – 6^th graders in t’fillah. Rabbi Prass taught us about the importance of second chances as we get ready for Yom Kippur.

Homework to be completed by next week:

N/A

9/21: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We continued to talk about what Rosh Hashana is. We discussed things that we want to bring into the new year and what we want to leave behind.
2. We also discussed the different objects mean for the holiday.
3. To wrap up our class we made Rosh Hashana cards for our family and friends.
4. At Shira, Morah Alexa led 4^th – 6^th grade, and taught us a new Israeli song “Bashana Haba” to get us ready for Rosh Hashana. 5^th grader, Luke Kanter helped song lead. 
5. Finally, at Tefilla, Morah Alexa & Rabbi Prass led 4^th – 6^th grade. Rabbi Prass asked us all to think of what good things we had all experienced in the now outgoing year. 5^th grader Luke Kanter song led with Moreh Alexa. Emmy Shorr, Luke Kanter, and Landon Gehrke were the students who had mastered blowing the Shofar and helped us fulfill the mitzvah of hearing the shofar during this month of Elul.

Homework to be completed by next week:

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9/14: Today in class, we worked on:

1. Making cards which will be sent to the temple’s college students for Rosh Hashanah.
2. We completed a scavenger hunt around JCYS to get to know our space that we will be in every Sunday.
3. We also began discussing Rosh Hashana. Today we focused on why is important to start new each year.
4. At Shira, Morah Alexa led 4^th – 6^th grade in songs for the upcoming chag of Rosh Hashanah. 
5. Finally, at Tefilla, led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa, 4^th – 6^th grade heard the Shofar as we started the last week of the outgoing year of 5785. 

Homework to be completed by next week:

N/A

9/7: Today in class, we worked on:

1. The whole school gathered to start off the year with a fun assembly which included prayer, hearing the shofar for Elul, minute to win it Jewish style, and confetti ‘canons’!  It was lovely to have so many parents join us!
2. Then, 5^th grade parents joined me to learn what their students will be doing this year while the students stayed with Morah Alexa and the madrichim.
3. Getting to know you activities. We also completed filled in the “What I Know” Section and “What I want to learn” sections on the various topics that we are going to cover throughout the year.
4. We ended the day with shira with the rest of the school and Morah Alexa
5. Students received lollipops on their way out to celebrate the tradition that Jewish learning should be sweet.

Homework to be completed by next week:

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