Daled – Fourth Year – Wednesday (Milstein)

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

  1. We had an all-school t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass, and hey students Brady M & Jonah M.  Rabbi Prass reminded us that it was Rosh Chodesh (new month) of Kislev.  He asked us what something we wanted to do over this new month, and something we did well that we wanted to repeat this coming new month. We also practiced the milat hashavua (word of the week) “chodesh” and kid-friendly announcements.
  2. Students who had not yet done so completed an Alef-Bet quiz (general knowledge of identifying Hebrew letters and vowel sounds). *Individually reviewed answers with those students*
  3. Began a new prayer, the Kedushah
  4. Discussed the meaning of the prayer and its significance 
  5. Read and highlighted the first section (orange)
  6. Completed activities in our book (pages 28-31) in which we  identified key words and phrases 
  7. Continued to have students pass Avot and G’vurot
  8. During the end of the session, aka our normal Hebrew thru movement time, the whole school gathered for a tzedakah project led by one of our Hey students, Brady M. For his Bar Mitzvah tzedakah project, he is asking for letters to be written to American Veterans in honor of his grandfather and other veterans who are chosen for an honor flight. He explained the project to the whole group, and he gave us time to write letters.  All put in a lot of lovely effort because of Brady’s project.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. If any students have not yet passed the Avot and/or G’vurot, they should be practicing at home with the intention of completing it next class 
  2. Students should practice reading only the first section of the Kedushah 
  3. **Homework is also listed on their individual progress charts located inside their binder**

11/4: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Today started with an all-school T’fillah led by Rabbi Prass, with help from Grace in Hey & Avery in Daled. Rabbi Prass gave an update on Israel’s elections/coalition making last week, and America’s elections this week, and that casting a vote is using your voice, just like praying is an expression of voice.  After t’fillah Rabbi Prass shared announcements and the word of the week, b-cheera, or elections. The students then made Heb-lish sentences with it.
  2. Students completed an Alef-Bet quiz (general knowledge of identifying Hebrew letters and vowel sounds) 
  3. We reviewed quiz answers as a class
  4. Finished learning the G’vurot (all highlighted sections)
  5. Reviewed the entire prayer (chanted each section, by color, and had students repeat)
  6. Students worked in pairs to help one another to practice each section of the G’vurot
  7. Aleph-Hey students finished their day with all-school Hebrew Through Movement and Trivia led by Rabbi Prass.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Students should practice the entire G’vurot with the goal of solo chanting it next week, for completion 
  2. If any students have not yet passed the Avot, they should be practicing at home with the intention of completing it next class 
  3. **Homework is also listed on their individual progress charts located inside their binder**

10/28: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Today started with an all-school T’fillah led by Rabbi Prass, with help from Everett and Nathan in Kitah Daled. Rabbi Prass shared that Israel’s elections took place today, and that casting a vote is using your voice, just like praying is an expression of voice.  After t’fillah Rabbi Prass shared announcements and the word of the week, b-cheera, or elections. The students then made Heb-lish sentences with it.
  2. We welcomed a new student to our class but not to the program!! 
  3. Continued working on the G’vurot (highlighted blue, purple, and pink)
  4. Completed activities in our book (pages 25-26) 
  5. Students took turns reading and chanting each new section
  6. Discussed the meaning of the word “power” and named Jewish historical figures who have used their ‘powers’ for good
  7. Shared examples of how we, too, have power to do good and be brave
  8. Aleph – Daled students finished their day with all-school Hebrew Through Movement and Trivia led by Rabbi Prass.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Students who have not yet finished the Avot should practice for completion next week (*This means practicing at home)
  2. Students should review the highlighted (orange through pink) section of the G’vurot, in their prayer packet
  3. **Homework is also listed on their individual progress charts located inside their binder**

10/21: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Today we started with an all-school tefilah led by Rabbi Prass.  He shared a short teaching about the words metim vs. hakol in the gevurot. Before Hatikvah, he also reminded us that next week is Israel’s elections.  After t’fillah we did word of the week and heard about our many CBA youth/family friendly events coming up.
  2. In class, we continued working on the G’vurot
  3. Reviewed vocabulary and played a game to practice key words and phrases (this seems to be a crowd favorite)
  4. We learned about the significance of the number 18 in Hebrew
  5. Completed activities in our book (pages 20-25)
  6. Learned more of the G’vurot (highlighted yellow and green)
  7. Students took turns reading and chanting each new section
  8. Aleph – Daled kitot ended the day with Hebrew thru Movement with Rabbi Prass in the Sanctuary.  It included our weekly trivia.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Students who have not yet finished the Avot should practice for completion next week (*This means practicing at home)
  2. Students should review the highlighted (orange through green) section of the G’vurot, in their prayer packet
  3. **Homework is also listed on their individual progress charts located inside their binder**

10/14: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. We enjoyed an all-school T’Fillah led by Rabbi Prass.  He asked us to think about how we tell time.  The learners had some great answers.  He then pointed out that our prayers also tell time (insertion in Gevurot tells the season, which prayer for peace tells time of day, etc.).  After t’fillah we had announcements, and the always fun word of the week and our weekly trivia.
  2. Students chanted the Avot V’Imahot for completion and earned a sticker on their progress chart 
  3. We began a new prayer, the G’vurot 
  4. Discussed the meaning of the prayer and its significance 
  5. Completed activities in our book (pages 16-19 ) in which we  identified key words and phrases 
  6. Learned the first section of the G’vurot (both read and chanted)
  7. We had an all-school Hebrew thru Movement led by Rabbi Prass. We were able to learn new Hebrew words (and review earlier ones).  We also heard a report one of our 4th grade students did on October 7th for her secular school.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Students who have not yet finished the Avot should practice for completion next week (*This means practicing at home)
  2. Students should review the highlighted (orange) section of the G’vurot, in their prayer packet
  3. **Homework is also listed on their individual progress charts located inside their binder**

10/7: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. We had an all-school t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass.  In addition to our growing number of prayers, Rabbi Prass showed us the now 1+ week-old lulav and his collection of etrogim from the last 21 years as we ended the 4 Tishrei Chagim.  He then reminded us that this is the 3rd yahrzeit of October 7th.  We lit a yahrzeit candle, and then he taught us about 2 Israelis, Hersh and Gabriel, who were part of October 7th.   What he read to us was a little about what they did on October 7th, and more about the way they lived. Finally, Rabbi Prass handed us literal footprints and asked us to write ways we can walk in their footsteps of how they lived.
  2. We finished learning the Avot V’Imahot
  3. Students had the opportunity to showcase that they practiced by reading and chanting each highlighted section
  4. Completed a final review of the meaning of the prayer and the significance behind the words we chant
  5. Kitah Daled & Hey enjoyed Hebrew thru Movement led by Rabbi Prass, where he showed us the open sefer Torah since we just celebrated Simchat Torah. 
  6. On the way out, and since Sukkot is over, Rabbi Prass cut the Etrog into smaller pieces and offered each interested learner a piece to taste.
  7. Students did a great job today!

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Students should practice the entire Avot with the goal of solo chanting it, next week, for completion 
  2. **Homework is also listed on their individual progress charts located inside their binder**

9/30: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. We had an all-school t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass.  He asked us, “What do you notice that is beautiful inside sanctuary?”  Then Rabbi Prass pointed out that we are in the middle of the Holiday of Sukkot, which helps us notice that which is beautiful outside, and how prayer/t’fillah helps us notice that which is beautiful both inside and outside.
  2. We continued working on the Avot V’Imahot
  3. Reviewed last week’s homework (students had the opportunity to showcase that they practiced by reading and chanting)
  4. Vocabulary review was in the form of an interactive activity (word definitions) 
  5.  Students focused on the next section of the Avot, in our prayer packets, using our highlighters 
  6. Kitah daled & hey went outside for a special visit to the סוכה (Sukkah) with Rabbi Prass. The children enjoyed learning about the אתרוג (etrog) and לולב (lulav) and practicing the blessings for Sukkot. 🍋🌿They each had the opportunity to shake the lulav and etrog.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Students should practice the highlighted sections of the Avot (orange through blue) in their prayer packet. 
  2. **Homework is also listed on their individual progress charts located inside their binder**

9/23: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Today started with an all-school T’fillah in the sanctuary led by Rabbi Prass. Rabbi Prass started the t’fillah asking the learners, “Why is it important to fast on Yom Kippur (if you are both healthy and post B’nai Mitzvah age)?”  The children had some really deep, interesting answers.  
  2. We continued working on the Avot V’Imahot
  3. Revisited the meaning of the prayer and its significance
  4. Reviewed last week’s homework (students had the opportunity to showcase that they practiced by reading and chanting)
  5. Completed more activities in our book (identifying key words, phrases, and exploring our personal connection to the prayer)
  6.  Students focused on the next section of the Avot in our prayer packets, using our highlighters 
  7. Daled & Hey went outside for Hebrew through movement led by Rabbi Prass. This is a fun activity where the students learn verbs by doing the action of the verb said in Ivrit.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Students should practice the highlighted sections of the Avot (orange and yellow) in their prayer packet. 
  2. **PLEASE make sure your child is practicing at home and prepared for class**

9/16: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Today started with an all-school t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass.  He introduced what T’fillah will be like for the school year, including that all the students will be wearing kippot during this time together. If your student would like to wear their own personal kippah, they are more than welcome to do so.  We also practiced the word/letter of the week and heard some announcements.
  2. We organized our Hebrew binders (each student received a prayer packet and a progress chart)
  3. Students will use the progress chart to keep track of homework
  4. We began learning our first prayer, the Avot V’Imahot
  5. Our lesson focused on the meaning of the prayer, why it is recited, and the significance behind its words
  6. We completed several activities in our books-practicing reading and vocabulary (Matching, True/False, fill in the blank)
  7. Students focused on the first 4 lines of the Avot, in our prayer packets, using our highlighters
  8. We gathered in the sanctuary for Hebrew thru movement led by Rabbi Prass. Rabbi Prass taught them how to blow a shofar. It was fun to listen to. I hope the students had fun and learned they can do it!

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Students should practice the first 4 lines of the Avot (orange section) in their prayer packet. 
  2. Please bring the following to class next week: 
    •  A 3-ring binder (1-1.5 in)
    • Highlighters (yellow, orange, blue, green, pink and purple)
    • A case to store highlighters (compatible with a 3-ring binder)
    • Pencils w/erasers
  3. **PLEASE make sure your child is prepared for class**

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

  1. We enjoyed a brief all-school assembly with Rabbi Prass.  The students were very curious about the sanctuary remodel.
  2. Today we spent time getting to know one another and building our classroom community!
  3. We also reviewed some general Hebrew skills, including letters and vowels, while getting a sense of where each student is at in their Hebrew learning.
  4. This gave us a great starting point as we prepare to build on those skills throughout the year. 
  5. Aleph – hey enjoyed participating in the Hebrew thru Movement with us and learning about the class in the year in review and hearing the sound of the shofar for Elul.
  6. A special thank you to those parents and grandparents who joined us today to learn about our classroom culture. It is going to be a great year!

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Please bring the following to class next week: 
    • A 3-ring binder (1.5 in)
    • Highlighters (yellow, orange, blue, green, pink, and purple)
    • A case to store highlighters (compatible with a 3-ring binder)
    • Pencils w/erasers
  2. **All these supplies were listed in the welcome letter emailed last week.