<HTML>In reply to Ms.Wasser I have tried to deal with Tefilla both at Primary and Secondary levels in schools with a very mixed ( both religiously and sexually ) population where Tefilla was a compulsory part of the programme.
At High School level my policy has been to offer alternatives.
Firstly in general those who do not want to daven the official amount
should have the option of either going to a 'learning' service or a
'discussion one' ( I would insist that the boys wore tefillin even if they
were just going to talk ).
I am not in favour of girls davening with boys in the traditional way
because this puts them in the role of spectator and at school we should be
engaging them all the time. They too should have a choice between the
traditional and the innovative.
I have tended to allow the 'regular' daveners to run their own service.
Easier if the antis are absent.
It is much more difficult to be creative. Kids need guidance and a
moderator. I have preferred to use sparse man( or woman ) power with the
less committed kids.
Turning to Primary level I have tried to achieve three things (these apply
to the older kids as well)
Familiarity with the traditional texts
Understanding what they are saying
Thinking about what they are saying
Actually doing some genuine Tefilla ( LeFallel meaning to express,
LeHitpallel meaning to express oneself. Drush if not Pshat ).
Familiarity (starting at Kindergarten), starts with Shema and first part of
the Amida and proceeds in either incremental or alternate stages. This may
vary depending on the background of the kids.
Understanding requires the teacher taking a line, a bracha or a phrase
every day and spending a few moments explaining it. Then ideally getting
the kids to talk about how they understand it, asking them to make it
relevant to them ( Avot can remind them of Grandpa, of history etc. )
Finally getting them to daven or to think for themselves silently.
How you do all this depends on time. In some situations I alternated,
conventional one day, innovative the next. Sometimes it varied by semester.
Sof Davar.
Lots of things can be done in schools with prayer. Things that one can do
in the name of education allow for great flexibility, creativity and
satisfaction.
Don't despair. Keep trying.
Tefilla is difficult, for adults as well, as the last correspondent
mentioned. But that doesn't mean we can't try !
Jeremy.</HTML>
