Finding exactly the right mix of oral and written exercises, experiential activities, frontal teaching, hands-on projects, and individualized learning is a never-ending challenge in Jewish education.
Sometimes, an unexpected element can make or break a lesson. “Classroom picks” as described in this and future posts are selected strategies, learning activities, techniques, ideas, and resources which I’ve found to be effective and which I look forward to sharing with you.
Classroom Pick #1 – “Food for Thought”
From challah to apples and honey to matza and charoset, food figures prominently in Jewish observance and naturally, in Jewish education. Students are perpetually ravenous, especially in afternoon Hebrew classes. I’ve learned never to teach a food-related lesson without supplying plenty of the food! While studying the Blessing for bread, only the most uncommonly focused student can count the syllables in V’tzivanu without being sidetracked by thoughts of fragrant, golden challah mmmmmm. Better have some ready to serve!
Holiday lessons aren’t complete without festive foods for students to sample. We’ve barely swept away the crumbs of Hanukkah donuts and latkes, when we begin to make a shopping list of the array of fruits which symbolize Tu B’Shevat. As the last date disappears from the Tu B’Shevat fruit platter, a hamentaschen recipe is being sent home along with a call for volunteers to bake Hamentaschen for the class Purim party and Purim Carnival. And so the cycle of Hebrew months and Holiday menues rolls on.
Sweet or salty snacks, while not high on the wholesome food pyramid, make great incentives when given as prizes for learning games or as a treat after completion of written assignments or tests.
In my class, arriving students are greeted with, “Shalom! Have an Oreo!” Students who come to class on time (ie before we’ve said the three introductory Blessings) may help themselves to an “on time” Oreo.
To welcome my students back from Winter Vacation, I’ll put a lollypop on their work folders which I put at each student’s seat before class.
Pretzel sticks and chocolate chips can be edible manipulatives when used to form letters and vowels as part of decoding practice.
A word of caution regarding food in the classroom – Be mindful of food allergies and avoid treats that contain peanuts or tree nuts as an ingredient or as traces from the manufacturing process. Some students may require gluten-free food as well.
Also, check your religious school’s policy on Kashrut.
From a sanitary point of view, have some hand sanitizer gel available so students can clean their hands before eating.
It’s ok for students to be hungry for knowledge as long as they’re not starving for snacks!
B’tayavon!
Happy 6th Night of Hanukkah!
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