Using technology in the classroom

Recently there have been a number of discussions regarding using technology in the classroom. My personal opinion is that it is a tool, it doesn’t replace good teaching, and the focus must always be learning. Today I tried to incorporate the two in a lesson about Sukkot. I showed the class a video about the Arabah Minim. Then I asked them to each write down questions based on facts that they saw in the video. I showed the video twice. After that I shuffled the papers and gave each student someone else’s questions to answer. Before they answered the questions I showed the video again.

Most of the students came up with at least 10 questions and all the students were engaged in watching the video so that they could come up with their own questions and answer the questions they were given. The four and half minute video incorporated many of the same facts that I would presented in a lecture but I know with 100% certainty that the format in which the same facts were presented was more engaging and therefore I believe in the end the students learned more.

Technology and videos cannot nor should they replace teachers or good teaching but teachers should use these tools to help their students learn.

Wishing you all a Chag Sameach

A Rosh Hashanah Message

Rosh Hashanah is a time of a lot of symbolism. We eat certain foods, we don’t eat other food like nuts, and some have the custom not to take a Yom Tov nap on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Why do we do all of these different things after all we are not a religion that believes in superstitions? I would suggest that the reason can be found in a concept that the Sefer HaChinuch mentions often as to the reason behind certain Mitzvoth. He says that one’s thoughts follow ones actions. So if one is involved in giving of Tzedakah he will begin to not only to do acts of kindness but actual start thinking that way. I believe the same is true with our actions on Rosh Hashanah; we do things so that we will have the proper frame of mind as we enter into Rosh Hashanah, Yom Hadin, the Day of Judgment. Perhaps by not eating nuts we will think about the reason behind this custom ,and focus less on the concept of Chet (sins). Therefore even things that we may not do the entire year we do on Rosh Hashanah with the hope that these actions will lead to thoughts that will indeed change the way we think and act for the entire year. In order to get the year off on a proper note I have sent home four divrei torah so that there can be one dvar torah at each meal.

My hope is that through all of our actions and deeds may we all be inscribed for a happy and healthy new year.

Ketiva V’chatima Tova
Rabbi Greenblatt

The week in Review

Before I begin the formal review of what we did this week I just wanted to thank the parents for attending Back To school Night. One of the my personal goals and theme that we have as a school communication and parent involvement. I hope to work together with you through out the year to make this a successful year of learning for each of your children.

As I look back on this week I am happy to say that not only did we learn a lot but that as a class we were engaged and participated in the learning. Some of the skills that we worked on this week include;Shorashim, Understanding basic facts, knowing Rashi letters, questioning, sequencing,and critical thinking to name a few. Next week I hope to start learning the Rashi's inside the Chumash and working on the skill of reading Rashi.

We worked on and assessed these skills through; matching games, a creative project, exit cards, and the I have Who has game.
All of this was just in Chumash. We also did a Web to see what we already know about the Shofar and Boy! did they know a lot already. We also leaned the meaning of the word Teruah and why we blow the different sounds. We even integrated some math into our lesson about the Shofar.

Today we discussed the Parsha and how from the mitzvah of Bikurim we learn that we need to be careful about ones feelings and shouldn't embarrass anyone. Every student was also given a Dvar Torah.

I would also encourage you to look at the Judaic Studies blog at mhalowerschooljudaics.blogspot.com to learn about a special activity that I did with the fourth and fifth graders today.

UP COMING EVENTS
Sunday ASBEE BBQ
Monday School Mitzvah Raffle
Pre Rosh Hashanah Oneg Next Shabbos at my home from 5:45-6:30 ( More details to follow )

Have a Great Shabbos

Rabbi Greenblatt

Back to School Night

Using the Smart slate

This year one of the things we are getting use to including myself is using the smart slate here are some pictures of the students using it during class today

Get a Voki now!

First Week

I would like to use the blog as a means of communication and also getting the students familiar with it so at some point in can truly be a fifth grade blog with their input as well. I would also encourage parents to follow and leave comments. I will send out a soin email as well letting you all know that posted something new to the blog.


WHAT A WEEK!

This week was an amazing week in fifth grade it is hard to remember everything. We met our class Avitar. If anyone would like to name him I am taking suggestions.
We tried writing our names using the Smart slate. it is going to take us some time but we are getting better using the slate every day. We also tried playing a sequnece game with the Smart board software and did some fun ice breaker activities, to welcome everyone back but also to welcome Meira finer to our class.
With all of that we still did some Chumash,Dinim, and Parsha. I gave out a Dvar Torah to each child as well as a parsha sheet that highlights some of the key points.
Next week we will continue with Chumash and start the laws of Rosh Hashanah and we will review our class/personal goals.
I hope to see you all monday at the BBQ and then again for Back to School night.
At Back to school night I will discuss more about the curriculum and class rules and expectations
Have a Great Shabbos.
Rabbi Greenblatt