<HTML>In the schools I have taught in, including the one I teach in now, the
curriculum for Parashas Hashavu'a is teacher driven. I can tell you what I
do for my 4th and 7th grade classes as well as what my wife does for 8th
grade.
In fourth grade - I spend about 1 hour on Fridays going over the main
ideas of the Parsha. (I use the NCSY Aliya by Aliya summary as a guide). I
throw in short Divrei Torah for the kids and pull out major lessons for
today which they can relate to. The kids normally take notes (the less
skilled kids sometimes draw out scenes from the Parsah). I also use R'
Plisken's "Love Thy Neighbor" for stories related to the various lessons.
I also teach a 7th grade Girls class. The girls have to write out a 1 page
summary of each Parsha. This is due the last school day of the week. 2
girls need to research a Divar Torah to present to the class (they do not
have to do the outline). On Monday, I give a short quiz on the past
Parsha. I also have the girls write down and submit questions they have on
the Parsha during the week, so that I can answer some of them on Fridays.
I spend 1 period or so on this (about 45 minutes).
My wife teaches the 8th grade girls. She divides the Parsha up among most
of the girls in her class each week. They are responsible for a short
summary. Those who do not have to summarize, must find a Divar Torah to
write up. She then collates the work into a packet and copies a set for
each girl to take home and share with their families. She also spends
about 1 period (45 minutes) each week.
Because I have my own children in several other grades in our school, I
have an idea of content taught in the other classes and would be happy to
share these if you want to write me directly.
Kol Tuv,
R' Aryeh Blaut
Seattle, WA
Rebbe B613@aol.com</HTML>
