Education – 5th Grade (Deckowtiz)

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

  1. We started off our session by sharing something exciting or fun that happened this week.
  2. In this session we talked about our last high holiday, Simchat Torah! Each student shared a little bit of their prior knowledge.
  3. We talked about different media we like to repeat over time and why we constantly reread the Torah without a break in the year. We also discussed everything we can gain from rereading the Torah year after year.  
  4. 4th-6th 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. 
  5. After Shira we returned to the classroom to make celebratory flags for the celebration of Simchat Torah. I asked each student to think of something new they want to learn from reading the Torah this year, whether that be participating in a new tradition for a certain holiday or improving their Hebrew skills.
  6. We then wrapped up our classroom time with a freeze dance party to honor the tradition of dancing and celebrating Simchat Torah!
  7. Finally, at Tefilla, 4th – 6th 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:

N/A

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

  1. Today was Yom Sukkot in Religious School for all of K – 6.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.  
  4. 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. 
  5. 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:

N/A

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

  1. 5th Grade had a wonderful first class today!
  2. 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!
  3. 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.
  4. Once the students joined me in the classroom, we did a few introductory activities including making a class rules list, name tents, and completing a “getting to know you” worksheet.
  5. In preparation for our school-wide Sukkot celebration next week, we learned about what is necessary when building a Sukkah, including three sides and the ability to see the stars. The students then worked in pairs for a Sukkah building challenge!
  6. K – 6th grade ended the day with a fun shirah session with Moreh Jon, singing songs about the new year and the Torah!
  7. 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:

  1. NA