Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Goal Setting in Kitah Vav
We are quickly creating a safe learning community in Kitah Vav and we are settling into our classroom routine. Mr Weisberg has joined our team on Tuesdays as our Hebrew Reading Specialist, and he spent time with each student introducing the Torah Service we will be studying all year.
In the Life Cycle Rotation, we discussed Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the basic tenets of the high holidays. Our roundtable discussions centered on tefilah, teshuvah and tzedakah, and the ways to move forward in the coming year. Students shared their thoughts and ideas on being Jewish, taking responsibility for observing the commandments, and goals for the upcoming year.
As we begin the path to becoming Bar and Bar Mitzvah, all students are encouraged to try fasting this year on Yom Kippur, even if they do not make it through the day. By all means this does include making the effort and giving up snacking and eating between meals.
Wishing everyone an easy fast, see you in Southfield on Sunday, October 4, 2009.
In the Life Cycle Rotation, we discussed Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the basic tenets of the high holidays. Our roundtable discussions centered on tefilah, teshuvah and tzedakah, and the ways to move forward in the coming year. Students shared their thoughts and ideas on being Jewish, taking responsibility for observing the commandments, and goals for the upcoming year.
As we begin the path to becoming Bar and Bar Mitzvah, all students are encouraged to try fasting this year on Yom Kippur, even if they do not make it through the day. By all means this does include making the effort and giving up snacking and eating between meals.
Wishing everyone an easy fast, see you in Southfield on Sunday, October 4, 2009.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Welcome To Kitah Vav:
As we begin our journey, our goal is to build a kind and caring learning community where everyone has a voice and feels they can be heard. We will work together to reach out to those in our classroom, our family, and in the community at large. As the year continues, we will learn about ways to reach beyond the walls of Shaarey Zedek and try to connect with those outside our learning community.
Your child is coming home with a brand new dollar bill this week, compliments of their Kitah Vav teacher. No, I am not trying to buy their love, nor am I trying to convince them to continue coming to class. I am encouraging them to try to make a difference with that dollar. Their job for the year is making that dollar work. Try to make it grow, share it with someone, make a difference in the life of someone else. In other words, "Pay it Forward." We will talk about the dollar in class for several weeks, and then they are on their own. Please take some time to talk about how the dollar can be turned into far more than just a dollar, and brainstorm together to make a difference in Kitah Vav.
I am looking forward to meeting you this morning, and encourage you to check back weekly as I will try to post regularly. Please don't think a lack of a post is a lack of activity in our class. Feel free to leave a comment, let me know what you think, and welcome to Kitah Vav.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year,
Barbara
As we begin our journey, our goal is to build a kind and caring learning community where everyone has a voice and feels they can be heard. We will work together to reach out to those in our classroom, our family, and in the community at large. As the year continues, we will learn about ways to reach beyond the walls of Shaarey Zedek and try to connect with those outside our learning community.
Your child is coming home with a brand new dollar bill this week, compliments of their Kitah Vav teacher. No, I am not trying to buy their love, nor am I trying to convince them to continue coming to class. I am encouraging them to try to make a difference with that dollar. Their job for the year is making that dollar work. Try to make it grow, share it with someone, make a difference in the life of someone else. In other words, "Pay it Forward." We will talk about the dollar in class for several weeks, and then they are on their own. Please take some time to talk about how the dollar can be turned into far more than just a dollar, and brainstorm together to make a difference in Kitah Vav.
I am looking forward to meeting you this morning, and encourage you to check back weekly as I will try to post regularly. Please don't think a lack of a post is a lack of activity in our class. Feel free to leave a comment, let me know what you think, and welcome to Kitah Vav.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year,
Barbara
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Final Stretch
The students in the Kitah Vav Circle of Life rotation have completed core units on the Hebrew calendar and holiday celebrations, circumcision, Bar and Bat Mitzvah and Jewish identity. As the year quickly comes to an end, we will continue to explore the Jewish values and hidden meanings found in our weekly Torah portions, and introduce lessons on the Jewish traditions, laws, and customs concerning dating, marriage, divorce, death and dying.
We have spent a considerable amount of class time on our b’nai mitzvah unit. This unit introduces students to the b’nai mitzvah process, encourages them to begin thinking about the personal responsibilities associated with becoming a b’nai mitzvah and provides an opportunity to explore the many Jewish values embraced in their specific Torah portions. All of the students are familiar with their specific b’nai mitzvah portion, have learned to navigate the siddur and chumash found in the seat backs of our sanctuary, and many have finished writing their b’nai mitzvah personal statements or mini d’vrai Torahs. If your child has not shared these assignments or handouts with you, please encourage them to do so. All papers are due on or before Sunday, May 3, 2009. (one week later than I announced in class.)
Our Life Cycle Unit on Death and Dying will begin on Sunday, April 19, 2009. In past years, this topic has been quite interesting for the students, as they seem to have many questions concerning this often taboo subject. The unit is taught in a sensitive, safe and non-threatening manner, but may be an uncomfortable topic for some students. Please take a few minutes to discuss the curriculum with your children and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Finally, as the year comes to an end, I want to thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child’s religious school education. This year’s students are kind, bright and cooperative, and it has been both rewarding and wonderful learning together. I thank you for your generous support throughout the year and encourage you to contact me if there is anything I can do to help your child pursue their Jewish journey into adulthood.
Have a wonderful Passover break, Barbara
We have spent a considerable amount of class time on our b’nai mitzvah unit. This unit introduces students to the b’nai mitzvah process, encourages them to begin thinking about the personal responsibilities associated with becoming a b’nai mitzvah and provides an opportunity to explore the many Jewish values embraced in their specific Torah portions. All of the students are familiar with their specific b’nai mitzvah portion, have learned to navigate the siddur and chumash found in the seat backs of our sanctuary, and many have finished writing their b’nai mitzvah personal statements or mini d’vrai Torahs. If your child has not shared these assignments or handouts with you, please encourage them to do so. All papers are due on or before Sunday, May 3, 2009. (one week later than I announced in class.)
Our Life Cycle Unit on Death and Dying will begin on Sunday, April 19, 2009. In past years, this topic has been quite interesting for the students, as they seem to have many questions concerning this often taboo subject. The unit is taught in a sensitive, safe and non-threatening manner, but may be an uncomfortable topic for some students. Please take a few minutes to discuss the curriculum with your children and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Finally, as the year comes to an end, I want to thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child’s religious school education. This year’s students are kind, bright and cooperative, and it has been both rewarding and wonderful learning together. I thank you for your generous support throughout the year and encourage you to contact me if there is anything I can do to help your child pursue their Jewish journey into adulthood.
Have a wonderful Passover break, Barbara
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Passover Preview Day
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 is our Passover Preview Day
Last Call Before Passover Break Begins - All Students Meet in the Library
Bring a song, tradition, bit of trivia or something interesting to share at our co-operative seder.
Last Call Before Passover Break Begins - All Students Meet in the Library
Bring a song, tradition, bit of trivia or something interesting to share at our co-operative seder.
SPRING IS IN THE AIR!
If March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb then April showers bring us to the beginning of our Life Cycle unit on dating and marriage. Most of the students have completed their personal commitment statements and many have begun writing their mini d'var torah in class. This paper, while it does seem a bit overwhelming, has been the focus of our Bar and Bat Mitzvah unit for the past month. Students have had class time to complete their papers each week, and many have started to bring their folders home so they can type them and save a copy for later. If your student did not bring home a copy of the assignments, please ask them about it or give us a call.
The final product is dues on Sunday, April 26, 2009.
The final product is dues on Sunday, April 26, 2009.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
HAPPY PURIM!
So much to do, so little time. I can't believe our blog hasn't been updated in over a month. Rest assured, we have been busy, we just haven't been sharing the news with you. Here's the excuse, and trust me, it is a really good excuse, just in time for Purim. We tried to hire what we thought were responsible and reliable students to take responsibility for the weekly updates, and they just weren't up to the task. So, I guess Tracye and I will have to fire the students we trusted with this most important job, and we will have to start doing our own work once again, just as soon as we are finished celebrating Purim with the best Kitah Vav class in all of Shushan!
See you in a few, have a great holiday, and don't forget to wear your costumes!
See you in a few, have a great holiday, and don't forget to wear your costumes!
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