The Kohelet Prize Database

Database Entries Tagged with: American History

Connecting the Unconnected

“Connecting the Unconnected” is a collaborative learning experience that brings together sixth through eighth grade students at six Jewish day schools in small Jewish communities to connect Jewish history and values with social justice, civil rights, and American and Israeli heritage through classroom learning and real-world experiences.

By: Denise Bennett, Rabbi Amanda Brodie, Liora Chessin, Carolyn Hawks, David Prevositi, Matthew Russ from Friedel Jewish Academy, Ezra Academy, N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, B'nai Shalom Day School, Hillel Community Day School, The Lippman School

Grade(s): 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Middle school, High school

Subject(s) of entry: English/ Writing/ Language Arts, History, Literature, Philosophy/ Values/ Ethics/ Hashkafa, Social Studies, Technology

Pedagogy: Blended Learning, Design-Thinking Model, Experiential Education, Flipped Learning, IBL - inquiry based learning, PBL - project based learning, 21st Century Skills

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What Would George Washington Do?

This lesson plan introduces George Washington and his philosophy of government. We investigate and discuss how he dealt with issues during his first presidency and how political parties developed.

By: Whitney Kennon from Margolin Hebrew Academy

Grade(s): 8, Middle school

Subject(s) of entry: History

Pedagogy: Design-Thinking Model

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What do Greece and Arizona Have in Common? Empowerment, Life Skills, and Meaningful Research

Students planned a trip to Greece to learn about literature, ancient history, and Jewish history, researching content, budgeting, fundraising, and halakhot. Success was met with disappointment when the trip was canceled for terrorism. Students regrouped, changing the destination to Arizona to research nature, American history, and the arts.

By: Rachel Harari from Magen David Yeshivah High School

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12, Elementary school, High school

Subject(s) of entry: English/ Writing/ Language Arts, Halacha, History, literature

Pedagogy: Design-Thinking Model, PBL - project based learning, Social and Emotional Learning, Wholebrain Teaching, 21st Century Skills

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American Values in American Texts

Students learned the concept of a value and discussed different American values that exist in society. In groups they extracted various values from certain American texts (such as "The Gettysburg Address") and then connected the values they discerned from the text to values they could infer in a short piece of American fiction. The students had to then devise a lesson plan to teach the short piece of fiction and the value to a high school class. My students presented their work to the class and also wrote individual reflective papers about the entire learning experience.

By: Ms. Lauren Burstein from Torah Academy of Bergen County

Grade(s): 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Middle school, High school

Subject(s) of entry: History, Literature

Pedagogy: PBL - project based learning, 21st Century Skills

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HBHA Upper School Social Justice Project

Imagine an educational experience in which Jewish teenagers have the opportunity to take their classroom learning and direct that knowledge into a course of action that enhances their education and the Greater Kansas City community. This experiential learning is happening at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, in the form of the Upper School Social Justice Project. I developed and implemented this project - in partnership with peers from an urban charter school, as well as local leaders - which facilitates personal growth and community activism in our students as they address issues such as health care access, voter engagement, and universal early childhood education.

By: Mr. Todd Clauer from Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12, High school

Subject(s) of entry: Gemara, Halacha, History, Literature, Mishnah, Tanach, Civics/Government

Pedagogy: PBL - project based learning, Constructivist, 21st Century Skills

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