The Kohelet Prize Database

Database Entries Tagged with: Differentiated instruction

The Berachot Bee

Our school holds a Berachot (Blessing) Bee every year. We have readjusted the old format of the "bee", so that every child can succeed. We have used differentiated instruction, so even children with learning difficulties can excel.

By: Shoshana Silver, Miriam Schonthal from Yeshiva Yavne

Grade(s): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Elementary school, Middle school

Subject(s) of entry: Halacha, Tefila

Pedagogy: None of the Above

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Teaching For Artistic Behavior

Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) is a style of choice-based art education that focuses on the students, their interests, and their ideas. Students are viewed as authentic artists, and groups of materials are made available. Play and experimentation are essential to creative development and confidence in risk-taking.

By: Jill Stepak from Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation's Capital

Grade(s): 1, Elementary school

Subject(s) of entry: Art

Pedagogy: Blended Learning

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A Meaningful Megillah

In our school, kindergarteners traditionally create Megillot Esther featuring each child retelling the Purim story. However, this approach ignores the individual learning styles and needs of our students. We rethought this method in order to tap into the interests, skills and talents of the students in the class and focus on process over product.

By: Erica Edelman, Hen Lerrer from SAR Academy

Grade(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Elementary school

Subject(s) of entry: Art, English/ Writing/ Language Arts, Ivrit, Social and Emotional Learning

Pedagogy: Language Immersion, PBL - project based learning, Social and Emotional Learning

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The Shefa Revolution: Strategizing Judaic Studies

To access Torah’s rich narratives, students require solidified language skills and strategies. At Shefa, reading comprehension and writing strategies explicitly taught in ELA classes provide a springboard to dive into Torah. This Judaic Studies curriculum created for Shefa is a replicable model for cross-curricular integration and differentiation.

By: Shulamit Roth from Shefa School

Grade(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Elementary school, Middle school, High school

Subject(s) of entry: English/ Writing/ Language Arts, Literature, Philosophy/ Values/ Ethics/ Hashkafa, Tanach

Pedagogy: Language Immersion, 21st Century Skills

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Hebrew for all- the whole child approach.

In my class I have various levels of students.Each activity which I create is designed to reach all my students in a way that appeals to them.I generally arrange my class into working stations,whereby each student can explore the subject that is being taught in a variety of ways.I modify each activity to various levels so each student can succeed.

By: Michal Mouallem from Akiva school

Grade(s): K, Elementary school

Subject(s) of entry: Ivrit

Pedagogy: Blended Learning

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The Super You Project

To give my students the opportunity to creatively document their lives as 5th graders, I assigned them the “Super You” project. It didn’t turn out to be the productive tool for differentiating instruction I’d hoped. In the end, though, my students were happy with their products and I felt committed to improve the project for the future.

By: Sari Kopitnikoff from Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey

Grade(s): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Elementary school, Middle school, High school

Subject(s) of entry: Art, English/ Writing/ Language Arts, Technology, literature

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

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Two Poems–Two Teachers–Two Classrooms: Creating a Collaborative “Howl” for today’s teens.

We used two poems as an opportunity to challenge a very significant norm at many schools--the lack of interaction among students in different levels/grades. Students in two classes--one an AP senior class, the other a grade-level junior class--analyzed both poems, asking questions of each other and answering as many as they could.

By: Dr. Hannah Saltmarsh and Ms. Victoria Plaza from Berman Hebrew Academy

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

Subject(s) of entry: English/ Writing/ Language Arts, Social and Emotional Learning, literature

Pedagogy: Blended Learning, Constructivist, Flipped Learning, PBL - project based learning

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Three Models of the Integrated Online Classroom

Three different models of the integrated online classroom are examined and evaluated in this study. All three models utilize the PowerSchool Learning platform (formerly Haiku Learning). The study compares and contrasts the models, highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of each.

By: Daniel Freund from Yeshivat Kadimah High School

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

Subject(s) of entry: Gemara, Halacha, Tanach

Pedagogy: Blended Learning, Flipped Learning, 21st Century Skills

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Talking Trees in Kitah Alef-Impact of Trees in our Environment -An interdisciplinary Unit

1st graders learned about trees through literacy, science, math, Ivrit, art, movement and by working in cooperative groups. The unit included studying the parts of trees in Hebrew and English, the impact of trees on the environment and its natural resources. We emphasized the mitzvah of tzedakah and of planting trees in Israel for Tu B'Shvat.

By: Shira Stein, Linda Sipzner, Rebecca Feldman from Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy

Grade(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Elementary school

Subject(s) of entry: Art, English/ Writing/ Language Arts, Halacha, Ivrit, Math, Music, Philosophy/ Values/ Ethics/ Hashkafa, Physical Education/Health, Science, Social and Emotional Learning, Social Studies, Tanach, Technology, Tefila, literature

Pedagogy: Blended Learning, Experiential Education, Hevruta Learning, Language Immersion, PBL - project based learning, Social and Emotional Learning

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The Integrated Online Judaics Classroom

The Integrated Online Judaics classroom is built on the PowerSchool Learning platform. It is an online experience that compliments classroom learning, and provides students the tools they need to improve reading, vocabulary, and conceptual skills. It utilizes a variety of learning modalities and also provides built-in tools for review and practice.

By: Daniel Freund from Yeshivat Kadimah High School

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

Subject(s) of entry: Gemara, Halacha, Mishnah, Tanach

Pedagogy: Blended Learning, Flipped Learning

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License to Read Hebrew

This is a reading program designed to foster an enjoyment of reading Hebrew while cultivating the skills necessary for navigating Jewish life.

By: Ms. Lisa Richman from Perelman Jewish Day School - Stern Center

Grade(s): 4, 5, 6, Elementary school, Middle school

Subject(s) of entry: Computer Science, Ivrit, Tanach, Siddur Liturgy, Hebrew Literature

Pedagogy: Blended Learning, Constructivist, 21st Century Skills

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Knowing When to Shut Up: Suggestions for Creating Collaborative Learning Environments

This method employs a play, poem, and novel to teach a variety of skills such as close textual reading, literary analysis, persuasion, and listening and evaluation. It incorporates three different formats of writing, research, and expression of knowledge with the ultimate goal being to create a classroom experience where students help each other learn and feel responsible for the establishment of a positive learning environment. The method also allows English literature students to learn from a variety of Judaic and secular sources in and outside of the classroom.

By: Mrs. Marsha Arons from Ida Crown Jewish Academy

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

Subject(s) of entry: Gemara, Halacha, Literature

Pedagogy: PBL - project based learning, IBL - inquiry based learning, Blended Learning

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Differentiated Instruction in a Learning Support Class

For the past 3 years I have been finding new ways to use differentiated instruction in my 2nd to 5th grade learning support classroom. In my class I teach students to take charge of their own learning in order to reach their potential. I use positivity and encouragement to build my students up so they have the confidence to take risks and try their best.

By: Mrs. Rachel Glauser from Perelman Jewish Day School-Forman Center

Grade(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Elementary school

Subject(s) of entry: Ivrit, Literature, Math, Special Education

Pedagogy: Constructivist, PBL - project based learning

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Chopped (pronounced “חפט“)

Inspired by the hit cooking show “Chopped” teams of Hilchot Brachot students used mystery ingredients to create their own recipes. While the members of a team had to work with the same mystery ingredients, each team member was responsible for developing a unique recipe for their specific bracha. Final recipes were put together into a class cookbook. Who has lots left to learn and who. has. chopped?

By: Mrs. Shira Greenspan from Ramaz Upper School

Grade(s): 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Elementary school, Middle school, High school

Subject(s) of entry: Halacha, Math, Science, Cooking, Health, Writing

Pedagogy: PBL - project based learning, UBD - understanding by design, 21st Century Skills

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בכל דור ודור – B’chol Dor Va’dor

“B’chol Dor Va’dor” is an independent anchor activity for accelerated Tanakh students that encourages meaningful inter-textual exploration of Tanakh requiring creativity and reflection. Students identified underlying themes of Pessach by analyzing eighteen events in Tanakh that took place on the dates of Pessach. Their work culminated in the creation of their own Seder Symbols which were then used at their family sedarim to help enhance the experience of these themes on Pessach.

By: Mrs. Shira Greenspan from Ramaz Upper School

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

Subject(s) of entry: Art, Tanach

Pedagogy: Blended Learning, IBL - inquiry based learning, Montessorri, PBL - project based learning, UBD - understanding by design, 21st Century Skills

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Rookies Approach

Ivrit, differentiated instruction, centers, multisensory learning, responsive classroom

By: Mrs. Rookie Badouch from Torah Academy of Greater Philadelphia

Grade(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Elementary school, Middle school

Subject(s) of entry: Art, Gemara, Halacha, History, Ivrit, Literature, Math, Mishnah, Science, Tanach

Pedagogy: Constructivist, Blended Learning, 21st Century Skills

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Learning Environment – Jennifer Dolny

My presentation displays the learning environment in my classroom. This learning environment encourages student centered learning and promotes academic, social, and emotional growth.

By: Mrs. Jennifer Dolny from Yeshivat Noam

Grade(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Elementary school, Middle school

Subject(s) of entry: Art, Computer Science, Gemara, Halacha, History, Ivrit, Literature, Math, Mishnah, Music, Science, Tanach

Pedagogy: Blended Learning, 21st Century Skills

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