FIRST GRADE
Grade: 1
Theme/Topic: The People of the Book – Torah, Bible, Siddur, Haggadah, etc.
Synthesis Project: My Jewish Library Portfolio – books we’ve read in class, Jewish books and scrolls we’ve examined at synagogue, and more
Special Events: Consecration, Saturday, October 27th, 9:30am
Our first grade students dive into the world of Judaism by examining Jewish books. Many of our rituals are associated with particular books. For example, during Shabbat services we use siddurim - prayerbooks. In each Beth Israel doorway, a mezuzah contains important Jewish prayers on miniature Hebrew scrolls. Many of our holidays also are tied to particular Jewish books. For example, during the Pesach Seder (the special dinner lesson of Passover), we use the Haggadah – the Passover guidebook.
In first grade our students also learn a great deal through Jewish stories. Visitors tell stories to the class. Teachers and students read Jewish story books. Students also illustrate their own experiences throughout year.
Sample Vocabulary:
Bible – All the books of the Jewish Bible – Tanach
Haggadah – the telling; the story of Passover; the book we use during Passover
Shabbat – Friday evening until Saturday evening
Megillah – scroll – for example: Esther and Ruth
Mezuzah – the written shma prayer on our doorpost (mezuzah cover is the covering that holds the prayer)
Siddur – prayerbook – from the word seder (order)
Torah – Teaching, the Five Books of Moses, the scroll in the ark
Questions Our Students Might Ask:
Why are books so important to the Jewish People?
Why does Passover have its own book?
Why is Esther a Jewish heroine?
Why can’t I see the prayer inside the mezuzah on the door?
Why do we stand up when the Torah comes out during services?
Sample Objectives:
By the end of this course, all students will be able to…
- Describe what is inside a siddur – prayerbook; the Torah scroll; and the Haggadah
- Sing along to the Barechu and the Shma in tefillah – prayer services
- Connect at least one Jewish book to a Jewish holiday and describe the connection
Sample Classroom Texts:
- The Treasure Chest of Books by Gail Kogen (Torah Aura Productions)
- The Purim Surprise, written by Lesley Simpson and illustrated by Peter Church (Kar-Ben Publishing)
- The Four Questions, written by Lynne Sharon Schwartz and illustrated by Ori Sherman (Puffin Books)
- The Well Dressed Torah, by Alan Rowe (Torah Aura Productions)
- Sholom’s Treasure: How Sholom Aleichem Became a Writer, written by Erica Silverman and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
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