The Kohelet Prize Database

Database Entries Tagged with: writing

JLab- the Jewish Learning and Skill Building Center

At Derech HaTorah we have taken the next step to provide extra support for children struggling in Judaic studies by creating a program called JLab- the Jewish Learning and Skill Building Center. JLab is an official Judaic Title I-like support service. The goal of this program is to assist students in building core skills, such as קריאה and כתיבה.

By: Rabbi Dov Chastain and Rabbi Adam Aranov from Derech HaTorah

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

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

Pedagogy: Blended Learning, Experiential Education, Language Immersion

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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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The Space We Create

The presentation that follows is based on years of perseverance and experimentation as to what makes for a meaningful and happy learning space for children. “The Space We Create" shows how this is cultivated by using everyday materials to create innovative and flexible classroom spaces. With dedication and care, children will thrive.

By: Amy Sroka from Solomon Schechter School of Westchester

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

Subject(s) of entry: English/ Writing/ Language Arts, Math, Music, Philosophy/ Values/ Ethics/ Hashkafa, Physical Education/Health, Social and Emotional Learning, Social Studies

Pedagogy: Blended Learning, Constructivist, Experiential Education, Social and Emotional Learning, Wholebrain Teaching, 21st Century Skills

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Finding Meaning: Prayer Through Reflection and Integration

We launched an initiative in our Lower School where the General Studies teachers collaborated with their Judaic Studies counterparts to help students make meaningful connections between themes that were being studied across both disciplines in the second and fourth grades and themes that emerge throughout their daily Tefilla.

By: Tali Seinfeld, Tami Teller from Ramaz School

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

Subject(s) of entry: Art, Computer Science, English/ Writing/ Language Arts, Ivrit, Music, Social and Emotional Learning, Social Studies, Tanach, Technology, Tefila, literature

Pedagogy: Language Immersion, Social and Emotional Learning

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100 Day Sculpture Museum

Happy 100th day of school! In this project, students will be challenged to use exactly 100 items to create a sculpture to be exhibited along with a bar graph and written statement for a special 100th Day Museum. Motivation increases as students apply mathematical skill, creative thinking, and problem-solving to this real-life learning experience.

By: Tamar Volosov from Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy

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

Subject(s) of entry: Art, Engineering, English/ Writing/ Language Arts, Math

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

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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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Alternative Energy Exploration Unit

This integrated writing and science unit focuses on energy, and asks the driving question “How and why should we use energy wisely?” Students investigate what energy is, where it comes from, and how we use it. They conduct research on sustainable fuels, write persuasive essays advocating for the use of a particular source of energy, design billboard advertisements for their chosen energy source, and participate in a debate judged by industry experts on different forms of sustainable energy. Finally, students design and create their own tikkun olam service-learning projects to make a positive difference in our community’s use of energy.

By: Ms. Rebecca Sheinbaum from Denver Jewish 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: Literature, Mishnah, Science

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

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Letters of Admiration

Students reflected upon the unique traits of leaders in Tanakh and wrote letters of recognition to modern-day figures who exemplify these traits.

By: Mrs. Shira Greenspan from Ramaz Upper School

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

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

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

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