The Kohelet Prize Database

Database Entries Tagged with: Kohelet Prize 2016-17

Movement, Music & Midot

M3a is a stand- alone or supplemental curriculum for teaching character development. It consists of process and value concepts attached to musical anchors impacting class behavior.

By: Mr. Alan Rosen from Gindi-Maimonides Hebrew Academy

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

Subject(s) of entry: Music, Character Development

Pedagogy: Blended Learning

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Maimonides Better Together

Maimonides Better Together students & seniors share & grow together; students actualize their study & seniors share their life experiences.

We integrate timely and relevant Jewish Respect for elderly, Torah values in classroom lessons, before meeting & hands-on activities with seniors.

By: Rabbi Yossi Rubin from Maimonides Hebrew Day School

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

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

Pedagogy: PBL - project based learning

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No soil in a soil-less environment – Hydroponics for the real world

A full curriculum and real-life experience growing bug free lettuce in our greenhouse. "Farm to Table" concepts presented with participation across the grades. Interdisciplinary connections will be made.

By: Mrs. Besie Katz, Mr. Stephen Bray from Politz Hebrew Academy

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

Subject(s) of entry: Science

Pedagogy: PBL - project based learning

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Using Spanish (or any language) to Navigate the World

Given that it is an election year and we recently lost Shimon Peres, I demonstrate how teachers can use world events to increase student awareness while building their skills in the target language. Spanish is particularly relevant right now given the Spanish speaking population in the US and a key issue in the elections; immigration.

By: Mrs. Susan Schwartz from Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy

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

Subject(s) of entry: Spanish, Foreign Language

Pedagogy: Language Immersion

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The Cyber Path to Critical and Creative Thinking

This is a revolutionary approach which incorporates innovative technology to engage students in using higher order thinking in Jewish texts. Using the platform of Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy, students are guided to create their own content as a means of presenting their understanding of the texts. This approach is also being used by secular studies teachers in our school.

By: Rabbi Yehuda Schwartzberg from Stars of Israel Academy

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: Gemara, Halacha, History, Ivrit, Literature, Mishnah, Tanach

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

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Interdisciplinary Perspectives on HeLa Cells

My 12th grade AP Language and Composition students read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a non-fiction text which explores the intersection of race, American history, and medical ethics through the lens of the discovery of an immortal cell line tied to an African-American woman named Henrietta Lacks. My students’ final project was to examine these intersections through a project that blended independent research with multi-media content. Of particular interest to this category is the student project that tackled the ethical questions raised in the text through the lens of Judaic studies; students who completed this project consulted primary sources as well as experts in Jewish medical ethics to create a presentation they later delivered to the entire student body.

By: Mrs. Vanessa Mehenti from Meira Academy

Grade(s): 11, 12, High school

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

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

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B’reisheet Unit

The basic foundation of everything is the creation of the world, or as we Jews know it: Briat haolam. In my Kindergarten class, Briat haolam is not taught in the mere few days before Parshat B’reisheet, but rather over the course of two to three weeks, depending on the calendar of that specific year. The reason that we take this long in teaching our students about Briat haolam is because we are not just imparting information to them about what was created on each day, but rather, we are allowing our students to experience creation in many different ways: through Science, Literacy, Art and Math. By integrating so many different aspects of the world into the creation unit, we are sending our students an extremely important lesson: Everything is from Hashem!

By: Mrs. Rivki Slepoy from Yeshivat Noam

Grade(s): K, 1, Elementary school

Subject(s) of entry: Art, Ivrit, Literature, Math, Music, Science, Tanach

Pedagogy: Blended Learning, IBL - inquiry based learning, PBL - project based learning, 21st Century Skills

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1 Kav in 4 Amos

The students learned a section of the Talmud that deals left over wheat that was left by an owner. The Talmud calculates if the owner would bother and come back for his wheat. We must consider the effort and value before taking someone else's wheat.

By: Rabbi Reuven Hoff from RYNJ

Grade(s): 6, Middle school

Subject(s) of entry: Gemara

Pedagogy: PBL - project based learning

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Rabbi

I have developed special materials and a methodology to teach students how to accurately translate a Chumash regardless of their abilities. The system allows for the ability to teach and track multiple grade levels simultaneously without hampering the student’s natural progression. Each student can maximize his/her growth. Students are much more engaged since the material is neither overly challenging or excessively simple. The work load fits like a glove. On one hand, I have students in sixth grade translating independently, probably on a High School level. On the other extreme , I have students who would probably fall through the cracks in a conventional system moving forward at a slow but acceptable pace. It does wonders for behavior issues since academic frustration is one of the leading causes of behavioral issues. It took years to develop.

By: Rabbi Chaim Gourdji from Torah Day 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: Tanach

Pedagogy: Independent Learning

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Water: An examination

Using the bracha Mashiv HaRuach and Parshat Noach, this unit investigates water on a deep level. It includes many types of instruction so that all students can access the learning.

By: Mrs. Anna Sanders, Ms. Bayla Clement from Ben Porat Yosef

Grade(s): K, 1, 2, Elementary school

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

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

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Torah N Technology- Mishna PowerPoint

The TNT Program (Torah ‘n Technology) at Maimonides integrates curriculum studies and enrichment programs with technology, following our school motto: “A Beautiful Blend, Torah and Worldly Experience.” This program helps students find relevant and creative expression to their learning, as well as instruction in important technology skills.

The Mishna/Talmud PowerPoint program empowers students to creatively visualize the content and Mishnaic language, transforming basic words, letters, and text into an exciting multi-media format.

By: Rabbi Shmuly Rubin from Maimonides Hebrew Day School

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

Subject(s) of entry: Art, Computer Science, Gemara, Halacha, Mishnah, Tanach, Graphic Design

Pedagogy: Blended Learning, IBL - inquiry based learning, PBL - project based learning, 21st Century Skills

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The Talent Center Handbook & Extra Challenge Project Kit

The Talent Center Handbook shows how to develop creative young Jewish leaders with an 18 word curriculum in just 30 Minutes a Week. Emek’s game-changing Extra Challenge Projects connect holistic Torah learning, technology, and Jewish design thinking through child-led community service passion projects.

By: Mrs. Rae Shagalov from Emek Hebrew Academy Teichman Family Torah Center

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

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

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

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The Secret of Platform 13 – Fantasy Genre Study

The Secret of Platform 13, which inspired JK Rowling's Harry Potter, is a fantasy that will engage, thrill, and entice all students. It is filled with twists, turns, suspense, fantasy, and other elements. The final project included a choice board - an easy way to differentaite for all learners. Due to its interest level being above students' lexile, this was a read aloud.

By: Mrs. Missy Friedman, Mrs. Ilene Brot from Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago

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

Subject(s) of entry: Literature

Pedagogy: Constructivist

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Shake Your Lulav!

This is a Google Slide presentation about the mitzva of Ushpizin, welcoming honorary guests into the sukkah, which integrates content and skill building, as well as Hebrew language acquisition. It was originally designed for use as a flipped classroom.

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

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

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

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

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Personalized Talmud Learning

The model of Talmud instruction in Jewish Day schools has remained mostly intact for decades. The trends suggest that a higher percentage of middle school students are graduating with weak Talmud skills, and a lack of understanding of the purpose of Talmud and appreciation for its role in Jewish life. This has led many schools to even consider abandoning Talmud in middle school curriculum. Our innovative approach to Talmud uses a data-driven model to create personalized learning pathways that students progress through based on proficiency and mastery in eight specific domains that provide a comprehensive understanding of Talmud - including content, vocabulary, functional structures, and real-life application.

By: Rabbi Yoni Fein from The Moriah School

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

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

Pedagogy: Blended Learning, UBD - understanding by design, 21st Century Skills, Personalized Learning

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Navi News-Bringing Navi to Life

A three-part program to teach Navi that includes differentiated instruction, collaborative learning, higher level thinking, multi-media presentations and a battle reenactment complete with "swords."

By: Rabbi Eliezer Kessler from Yeshiva Torat Emet

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: Tanach

Pedagogy: Collaborative Learning

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MULTI-LEVELED DIFFERENTIATION

This is a revolutionary system that uses technology to differentiate learning based on multiple cognitive learning factors that affect the learning process. Each student is catered to according his or her unique circumstances and abilities.

By: Rabbi Yehuda Schwartzberg from Stars of Israel Academy

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: Gemara, Halacha, History, Ivrit, Literature, Math, Mishnah, Science, Tanach

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

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MAP & LEAP Program

The Pressman Enrichment Academy Program is designed for those children in grades 2-5 who demonstrate the ability to work beyond their current grade level and offers opportunities for appropriately challenging learning as an adjunct to instruction in the classroom. The program is an acceleration program which is designed to meet the rate at which the child learns and to meet the level at which the child shows academic competence. The program consists of two parts: Math Acceleration Program ( MAP) and Language Arts Enrichment Acceleration Program ( LEAP).

By: Ms. Barbara Schmidt from Pressman Academy

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

Subject(s) of entry: Computer Science, Literature, Math

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

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Ma’ayan Program: Differentiated Learning

Ma’ayan is a program we designed as a vehicle to ensure that all students, regardless of academic or other abilities and/or needs, participate in the school’s Hebrew and Judaics program, at a level that is appropriate for them. It is also designed to ensure that students who want to come to our school and have not been studying Hebrew and/or Judaics are not deterred from attending our school. Finally, it is a proven tool through which we provide Hebrew classes at a high enough/challenging level for Israeli students (or those who come to our school who are fluent in the language).

By: Ms. Gussie Singer, Ms. Etti Berkman from Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School

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

Subject(s) of entry: History, Ivrit, Literature, Tanach

Pedagogy: Constructivist, IBL - inquiry based learning, UBD - understanding by design

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Lower Elementary Country Project

Our Lower Elementary Country Project was the culminating project at the end of our spring semester of the 2015-16 school year. First, second and third graders completed this project in mixed-age groups, at the research and writing level that was developmentally appropriate for them. The students learned about the Fundamental Needs of Humans and how those needs differ depending in which country a person lives in. Each student completed a written report on one of five countries, prepared a creative visual aid on a Fundamental Need of his or her choice and participated in a group presentation to their classmates and parents on everything they had learned about the country they had studied.

This research project, including the activities that my students completed, is an example of a unit of study that could be applied to any elementary classroom, traditional or Montessori. Being mindful of your students’ strengths and weaknesses and selecting appropriate materials for their use will help them succeed and to take pride in their work. At the end of the day, that is the goal of the teacher; encourage the child to feel proud of the accomplishments that he or she makes during the time they are in your classroom.

The beauty of teaching in a mixed aged Montessori classroom comes with being able to simultaneously teach a group of students across three grade levels, but at a curriculum level that is age and developmentally appropriate for the students. In our classroom, we have first graders who read at a second or third grade level and it is wonderful to be able to offer them the writing assignments that are being offered to their older classmates. Additionally, we also have weaker second and third grade students, who feel very comfortable being paired with a first grade classmate to work on an assignment that might be the appropriate level for them, despite being something that was assigned to someone a full grade lower than they are. In order to best need the needs of all of my students, and to set them up for success, I am always differentiating our general studies curriculum and adapting our assignments appropriately.

By: Mrs. Alexandra Cooper from Netivot The Montessori Yeshiva

Grade(s): 1, 2, 3, Elementary school

Subject(s) of entry: History, Literature, Geography, Social Studies

Pedagogy: Montessorri

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