The fifth graders have been hard at work! Last Sunday, they had the opportunity to celebrate Sukkot by participating in a "sukkah walk". The students discussed the importance behind the harvesting holiday and had a chance to shake the lulav and etrog. The temple members who hosted us were impressed with our class and very much enjoyed having them over.
In class last Wednesday, the fifth graders took part in an amazing discussion about what it means to be "lifted up". We took a look at three short stories. One story was about the Jewish people lifting the ark in the desert during their travel to the promised land, one story was about a rabbi lifting up a Torah, and one story was about a grandfather lifting his grandson and carrying him during World War II. At the end of each of these stories, the Jewish people, the rabbi, and the grandfather all said that it was not them who were lifting up these objects and people, but it was the ark, Torah, and grandson who were lifting them up. After reading these stories, the students shared some incredible insights. When asked what was similar about each of the three texts, one student explained, "The ark, the Torah, and the grandson are all synonyms for G-d. Even the grandson, because he is a child of G-d." Another student shared, "When you really care about something you're holding, it makes you happy. It makes it so it is easier to carry and it gives you more motivation." We discussed that these objects and the grandson were not literally lifting people, but were figuratively doing so.
I was so impressed by these brilliant minds.
This past Sunday, we started learning the prayer, "Vayehi Binsoa", which is the prayer following "Ein Kamocha" in the Torah service. The class was given a copy of this prayer as well as a QR code and website link they can use to access the written prayer and audio recording of the prayer at home.
Attached, is the homework calendar for the month of November.
Best,
Diana
Attached, is the homework calendar for the month of November.
Best,
Diana
Thank you, Diana, for this wonderful summary! I'll add a little side note that fifth graders from Wednesday's class partook in a Simchat Torah lesson in which they discussed reasons for why we, as Jews, read the Torah from beginning to end each year. I will facebook post a picture of the ideas that students brainstormed as a result of our discussion. Following this lesson, fifth graders made origami Torah scrolls as part of the celebration!
ReplyDeleteOn Sunday, we welcomed a new student, Jack, to our class! He is already such an amazing part of our special community! We also jumped right into a mature discussion about dignity. Our fifth graders connected to this lesson through the lens of bullying. Many ideas were exchanged on how to preserve one's dignity and the dignity of others in the modern world. A common theme that emerged from the students was to stay true to their own values and to take the high road when faced with difficult situations.