Tech-i-ya 2.1

Adrian Durlester

So what does it mean to be a 21st century educator? This wiki on the 21st Century Teacher, highlighted by the good folks over at Edutopia  helps you to discover the answer. It appears on Edutopia, in their feature “Twenty Tidbits for New Teachers,” which is a worthwhile read for experienced teachers as well. Another tip on the site which I highly endorse is their recommendation thsat teachers star bloggin. It is an incredibly useful tool for professional and personal reflection as an educator.

Why Do Children in Preschools Make New Year’s Cards?

Idie Benjamin and Dale Cooperman

Did you ever stop to think….?

As early childhood educators, we know what young children need developmentally. We know that play is the “work” of young children and that experience is the best, and sometimes the only teacher. We know about designing environments: affective, child-centered, hands-on, experiential, learning by doing, sensory learning, emergent, Reggio Emilia project approach, critical thinking, and problem solving—environments where a child’s questions and interests can emerge.

So, here is our question: Why is it a given in a Jewish early childhood learning environment that we have children make New Year’s cards for Rosh Ha-Shanah? If left alone, would they spontaneously ask to make these cards? We know the answer to that. They might only if they had had enough real experience with New Year’s cards for them to be interested in making one for someone. Is that the case with our children?

In Praise of Summer Conferences

Joel Lurie Grishaver

The Summer of 2011

This summer I taught at four different summer conference. I went to the Institute for Southern Jewish Life training event in Jackson, Mississippi, NewCAJE in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Shevet: The Jewish Family Education Exchange event with the Alliance for Jewish Education of Met. Detroit and J.E.F.F. (You Can join the Shevet Community of Practice). Finally I went to New Zealand for their Winter Limmud Conferrence. While none of these matched the impact of the CAJE Conference of old, they all did lead to the conclusion: Jewish Education Conferences are good.

Upcoming Torah Aura Webinars

Torah Aura invites teachers to join in the two upcoming webinars on our two new experiential texts—Experiencing the Jewish Holidays and Experiencing the Torah.

Each webinar, to be held at PGI Meet, begins at 1:00 p.m. EST/10:00 a.m. PST, and will run 20–30 minutes.

Sign up for webinars by clicking on the title of the webinar, or RSVP below for upcoming webinars.

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Tuesday, September 13, 2011:
Teaching Experiencing the Jewish Holidays

Wednesday, September 14, 2011:
Teaching Experiencing the Torah

In these webinar for teachers, Joel Lurie Grishaver explains the new Torah Aura experiential texts—Experiencing the Jewish Holidays (September 13) and Experiencing the Torah (September 14). Joel quickly introduces the concepts behind experiential education, and discusses the ways teachers can use these texts to introduce and hep students experience the material.

Announcing New Jewish Big Books from Torah Aura Productions

Big Books are ideal for group story time.  The larger, colorful illustrations make details more easily seen by children in a shared story time.  The story becomes more visually engaging and helps to develop attention and listening comprehension skills.

We are proud to announce two new books join our growing line of Jewish Holiday Big Books—one on Rosh ha-Shanah and one on Sukkot. 

These full-color books are printed on 18” x 12” heavy-weight cardstock bound with an easy to use spiral binding.

The price for Jewish Big Books are $29.95 per title.

Order before September 30th and mention the coupon code BGx543 to receive a 20% discount.

Order online at http://www.torahaura.com or call the order line at 800–689–0793.

Rosh Hashanah: What’s New?

Happy New Year!  What does that mean to young children?  With child friendly language and beautiful illustrations, children are introduced to the concepts of “new” and “old.” A simple but engaging text builds on these concepts and the many things that could be new for children at this time of year including the symbols and traditions of the Jewish New Year.

Sukkot

What is a Sukkah?  What do we do in it, and why do we do it? With illustrations that appeal to the senses, young children learn about the sights and sounds of Sukkot.  From seeing the stars through the roof, shaking the lulav and etrog and learning about being thankful for what they have, children assume an “attitude of gratitude” as they joyfully connect with the symbols and history of this harvest holiday.

Order these books before September 30th and mention the coupon code BGx543 to receive a 20% discount.

Order online at http://www.torahaura.com or call the order line at 800–689–0793.