Education – 6th Grade (Wurtzel)

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

Tell Me Something Good
Listed out 6 values that our class thought we would be able to portray in a skit easily.
We joined 4^th-6^th grade in the atrium for Shira with Moreh Jon, where we learned songs from Jewish communities around the world.
Cut down to 4 Values (Tikkun Olam, Hiddur P’nei Zaken, Hakelala, Kavod) and started jotting down ideas for how to integrate these values into our everyday life.
We ended by returning to the atrium with 4^th-6^th grade for t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass, Moreh Jon, and 6^th grader Luke.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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10/25: Today in class, we worked on:

Tell Me Something Good
Reviewed Jewish Values from last class
We joined 4^th-6^th grade in the atrium for Shira with Moreh Jon, where we learned his favorite Jewish song, which is Miriam’s song.
Discussion about the final project for our values unit. Students were asked to brainstorm different ways in their lives they could show Jewish Values
4^th – 6^th Grade gathered together for T’fillah led by Moreh Jon and Rabbi Prass. Rabbi Prass talked about Jewish magic, how we Jews find comfort when we are scared, and re-shared the story of the much-heralded Prague Golem, the monster that protected the Jews of Prague.

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

10/18: Today in class, we worked on:

Getting to know you activity/Tell Me Something Good
Asked students to write down what they think Jewish values are/could be
We joined 4^th-6^th grade in the atrium for Shira with Moreh Jon, where we learned some new tunes for familiar prayers.
We completed a scavenger hunt of important places in the JCYS school. We answered many Jewish questions along the way and became better acquainted with our Sunday space.
Discussion about Values of Judaism and where they think we get them
Finally, 4^th – 6^th grade gathered for t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass and Moreh Jon. Rabbi Prass talked about there being Jews locally and around the world. He told us about how Rabbi Bellows had just left to lead a 2-week trip to Morocco, where Beth Am congregants were going to be exposed to the Jewish experience in that North African country. Moreh Jon used some of the tunes we learned in Shira.

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

10/11: Today in class, we worked on:

Getting to know you activity/Tell Me Something Good
Discussed what values are, how we develop them, and whether they can change.
4^th-6^th grade joined together in the atrium for Shira with Moreh Jon and learned a fun new song, Rise and Shine! We also learned different melodies for singing traditional t’fillot from our Siddur.
Asked students to write down 3 things: what do they value? Why do they value it? how does this value connect to Judaism?
Finally, at Tefilla, 4^th – 6^th grade gathered with Rabbi Prass and Moreh Jon. Rabbi Prass talked about how it was important for all of us to make “educated choices” in our journey as Jews including wearing kippot at our Religious School & Hebrew School t’fillot. He also talked about the Torah Portion Noach and how the animals coming in pairs teaches us how important it is to have a partner.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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10/4: Today in class, we worked on:

Today was Yom Sukkot in Religious School for all of K – 6.
For this session, we met at the synagogue. We began in the sanctuary for an all-school t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass and Moreh Jon. We began asking the question of what makes this room, our Sanctuary, so special, and what has changed over the summer. Then we joined together in making Havdalah. Several of our students helped by holding the Havdalah symbols.
After that, we split into 4 Sukkot/Simchat Torah-based rotations:
- Simchat Torah Flag: We looked at several different Simchat Torah Flags from the past 100+ years. Then we had the opportunity to make our own.
- Ushpizot & 7 Species: We learned about 7 of the mystical/traditional female guests we invite into our sukkah. We also learned about the 7 traditional species of things we celebrate growing at Sukkot. Then we made banners for each of them. Sukkah Visit: We visited the sukkah to see what is unique about this Jewish house, to fulfill the mitzvah of shaking the lulav and etrog, and the mitzvah of eating in the sukkah.
- Ushpizin Headbands: We learned about 7 different mystical/traditional ushpizin and played a guessing game to reenact them.
We came back together in the sanctuary for an all-school shira led by Morah Jon. As part of this, we all took turns shaking the lulav and singing 2 songs from Hallel as part of Hoshanah Rabba.
On the way out, everyone received an Affy Tapple Apple as part of this multigenerational Jewish Chicago Simchat Torah tradition.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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9/27: Today in class, we worked on:

The whole school gathered to start off the year with a fun assembly led by Rabbi Prass, Rabbi Bellows, and Moreh Jon. The assembly included prayer, minute to win it Jewish style, and confetti ‘canons’! It was lovely to have so many parents join us!
The students stayed with Rabbi Prass, Moreh Jon, and the madrichim for an activity while I met with the parents to discuss our plans for this year.
Discussion with Parents (discussed what to expect with 6^th grade curriculum, teacher expectations, parent questions)
Getting to know you activity/Tell Me Something Good
Discussion with students (Discussed expectations in class, expectations in Shira/Tfilah)
What do you know about each topic? Asked students to write down what they knew about each topic we cover.
K – 6^th grade ended the day with a fun shirah session with Moreh Jon, singing songs about the new year and the Torah!
Students received a pack of Gushers on their way out to celebrate the tradition that Jewish learning should be sweet, and CBA is ‘gushing’ with excitement for the year.

Homework to be completed by next class: