When It All Comes Together

re-posted from The Principal's Post


How many of us have read something know something to be true but either don't see enough evidence of it or at times feel like we are going the wrong way on a one way street. 


Well I have had the experience. I have read about how we need to move to a more student centered approach, with a focus on active learning and I believe it. I also believe that technology is an important tool but just that a tool.  This theme is one that have read about and blogged about myself. However it is a lot of theory and sometimes I felt like I was either preaching to the already converted or to those that just don't get it. Then I saw it action and had one of those great moments. 
By the way if  in fact if I do write a book one day the title will be "What the Books Don't Teach You". Reading and learning are great but there is nothing like when it actual happens and you experience  it in person. 


Here is my story:


Note: This is a copy of the email I shared with the faculty 

Truth be told I really didn't do anything but I just wanted to share one of those moments when it all comes together.

I am now teaching about copyright laws and intellectual property in my digital citizenship class. Rabbi Perl forwarded me a curriculum that I am using.

Today's lesson stated with the following scenario. A class wrote a play and they found out that their script was used to make a film. That film was entered in a film contest and won a cash prize.

The class wanted to know if any laws were broken and if they had any rights to the money.

so we started brainstorming some questions that the class would have.

Whose idea was it?
How did people get it?
Who got it? – was there an email or proof
What changes if any were made?
What if you were included/credited

We discussed each one and then we got to the one about Were any changes made. 

One student started talking about the similarities between the movie Pocahontas and Avatar. Then students starting looking it up online. Someone found a website that pointed out the similarities. Someone else found how there were certain suits brought when there were too many "coincidence's"  in the scripts and story line

A simple brainstorming about a made up  case led to some real life and actual case discussions. 

Next Step research some of these law suits etc. 

It was just one of those moments when learning happens. 

What Presents Are You Giving?

Last night Jews around the world celebrated the first night of Chanukah. Chanukah celebrates our religious freedom and I have always found it to be a holiday that spoke to me as a Rabbi and educator. I try to find an appropriate Chanukah message to share with people each year. . This year I came across the words of Lord Rabbi Sacks.

The message is one that we as parents and educators need to take to heart.

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Wishing  you all a Happy Chanukah and in the words of lord Rabbi Sacks, “The best present we can give our children is the chance to do something great.”

I hope Rabbi Sacks words speak to us as much as they spoke to me

Editors note: Because of the important message I will be posting this on a number of my blogs 

Here is a link to the complete article: http://www.chiefrabbi.org/ReadArtical.aspx?id=1424

“The best present we can give our children is the chance to do something great.

Children grow to fill the space we create for them, and if it's big, they grow tall. But if we turn them into mini consumers, we rob them of the chance of greatness, and I've not yet met a child not capable of greatness if given the opportunity and encouragement.

I do a lot of public speaking, and people sometimes ask me who taught me. The answer is simple. I went to a Christian school with a lot of Jewish pupils but no Jewish teachers. So we had to run the Jewish assembly ourselves, and that's how I learned as a teenager how to speak in public, because somebody gave me the chance. It was best piece of education I ever had.

Judaism is a child-centred religion. My earliest memories are of putting the bells on the Torah scroll in the synagogue, asking the Passover questions, lighting the chanukah candles. Judaism stayed young because it made heroes of the young. The best present we can give our children is the chance to do something great. It's a gift that will last a lifetime and transform their lives.” 

First Graders Skype

In my previous post I spoke about the educational benefits of skyping. Yesterday our first graders skyped with a Day School in Jacksonville Florida. They also do the Tal Am program and they shared songs and stories.

Thank you to Morah Katz and the teachers in Jacksonville for making this all possible.

Enjoy the videos!!

Why Should You Skype

picture: geeky-gadgets.com

Over the last two years since I have been active on Twitter I have skyped a number of times with different schools and different educators. I have also encouraged my teachers to skype with different schools. Many of our teachers have skyped with other schools and have established e-pals and skype buddies.

I have become known in school as somewhat of the Skype expert and classes that want to skype come to me. The truth is skyping is really very easy all it requires is a web cam and a skype account.

Some one asked me why do I skype so much. I don’t really but the question got me thinking as to what are some of the educational benefits to skyping.

Here is my quick ( short list) Please comment and add your own ideas.

1. Makes learning real
2. Allows students to connect with experts
3.Lets students become experts and teach others
4. Allows students to collaborate and communicate with others
5. Allows for students to be engaged in the learning and become active learners

6. Expands the walls of the classrooms and allows students to learn with peers all over the world
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This week our first graders will be skyping with a another Jewish day school about Chanukah. The teacher has been preparing them for the experience. She came to tell me that when ever she mentions it her students get all excited and can’t wait. One of the students said to her ” They learn the same things that we are learning”.

Last week my fifth grade class had the opportunity to skype with @michellek107 class in Denver. The first question I was asked afterwards was when can we do that again.

That in a a nutshell is why I skype and would encourage other to skype provided that it offers a learning opportunity for all.

A Thanksgiving Message

I posted a while ago before Rosh Hashanah about the importance of saying Thank You.
In that post I was referring to the the teachers and all that they do and I as an administrator need to be better at saying thank you, and showing my appreciation.

Last night I saw this you tube video of how educating our children is a sacred trust that both teachers and parents have, and that "We've got to be that light"
Therefore I want to thank you the parents for all that you do and for entrusting us the teachers with your children.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you enjoy and are inspired by this video

Bat Ami Sukkot program

Today our Bnot Sherut put together a Pre Sukkot program for grades 1-6.
They had three different stations. At one station students made Sukkah decorations, while at the second station there was a Tishrei quiz as well as some puzzles about sukkot that challenged our students.
Perhaps the most interesting station was the water balloon toss. Many of you might be asking what does this have to do with Sukkot. We are told that on Sukkot the world is judged on the amount of water and rain we will receive. As each student tossed the water balloon the one who caught it had to say how we use and why water is so important. Not only did they learn the importance of water in our lives and had fun doing it.

Please enjoy the brief slideshow taken from today's activity


Kol Hakaovd to Michal and Yehudit for putting together today's program

Chag sameach

Kindergarten Buddies- Yonah Story Books

YONAH STORY BOOKS

Today the fifth graders together with their Kindergarten buddies created their own version of the story of Yonah using Story Jumper.

Click on the link below for the links to the stories

Gmar Tov

Akevy

https://sites.google.com/a/mhafyos.org/rabbi-greenblatt-s-class/student-page