A wealth of Judaic studies information, professional development material, and learning activities for students, teachers, and families is available on a variety of websites. In addition to Jewish educational podcasts and blogs on JCast Network, here are 4 more websites well worth exploring.
www.akhlah.com
This site is especially useful for Hebrew teachers. Among the Hebrew offerings are colored information sheets on the Hebrew names for colors and seasons; aleph-bet flashcards; aleph-bet coloring pages; and a guide to writing Hebrew block (print) letters. In addition, there are sections, in English, about Holidays, Jewish Heroes, Israel, and more. Information is presented concisely, at a reading level appropriate for Grade 3 and up.
www.elijahrocks.net
For gamers in Grades 3-6, this site is a lively, interactive way to learn about the Holidays. Clever game formats include a baseball game for Sukkot and a skateboarding game for Rosh HaShana. To reinforce classwork, encourage students to play related games on elijahrocks as “homework.” If you have computers in your classroom, students can play the games as a small group activity.
www.babaganewz.com
This website is packed! In minutes, I was able to download a Tu B’Shevat Seder and accompanying lesson plans; read an article on the educational theory of “backwards planning” (aka “understanding by design”); and discover a power point lesson on “Learning Torah,” one of a long list of “Jewish Values” selections.
Material on babaganewz is best suited for middle school to adult learners and teachers.
www.torahaura.com
This is the website of Torah Aura Productions, a Jewish educational publishing company whose innovative, contemporary materials have been a feature in my lesson plans for many years. I subscribe (for free!) to Torah Aura’s monthly newsletter, “Torah Aura Bulletin Board” (TABB) This resource may also be found on their website. TABB includes thought-provoking articles on the latest theories in education; insightful ideas (applicable to older students as well) from two master Jewish Early Childhood educators; and amazing Judaic art projects for hands-on enrichment. While examining this site, be sure to sign up for TABB and check out Torah Aura’s extensive array of learning and teaching resources.
Happy 4th Night of Hanukkah!
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