The Learning Center PK to 12th

If you have questions or need help determining which program is best for your family, please contact Rabbi Stacy Schlein, Director of Learning, at 216-831-3233, sschlein@ttti.org

 RETURNING FAMILIES: USE THE PERSONALIZED LINK IN YOUR EMAIL FROM PAYQUIQ. WHY? BECAUSE IT HAS A LOT OF YOUR INFO ALREADY FILLED IN!

NEW FAMILIES PLEASE REGISTER HERE!

We look forward to launching TLC the weekend of October 17th! Our new programming offers virtual learning with some limited in-person options.

K-6th grade weekend learning

All K-6 programs will use a new curriculum that builds resilence and strengthens our ability to face these challenging times inspired by Jewish values.

• Shabbaton will be Family Learning with a modified in-person & online options. Meet Saturday afternoons 5:00-5:45 pm. There will be weekly or monthly options for families who want to work independently at home and meet with Shabbaton once a month. Each session will feature a breakout component with another family which can continue virtually or in person at your home. All 3rd through 6th graders will participate in the Sunday Hebrew Program.
• Sunday will focus on small grade level cohorts online at least through December. Jewish studies will have 10-12 learners and Hebrew will have 5-7 learners per group. Sessions are short and sweet – 30 minutes for Hebrew and 45 for Jewish studies. This includes 15 minutes for hands on projects with madrichim (teen helpers) to expand the learning and foster closer personal connections. 
• Hebrew options are detailed below. 

7th Grade in-person and virtual options

• Sunday morning 11 am – 12 pm we will meet virtually.
• Monday night 7-8 pm will meet in small groups in-person. 
• Both have an optional Hebrew lab that can be added on a half hour before the class. It is geared towards those with Spring B’nai Mitzvah or those who want to boost Hebrew skills. 

8th – 12th grade in-person and virtual options

• Weekly Monday Chai 7 – 8 pm. Due to smaller numbers of our students we will be able to meet in person. Students who prefer may meet via Zoom. 
• Monthly Mentoring mensches (M&m) Kallah Program – this year our Kallah retreat style program will train our 8th – 12th graders to be mentors to younger temple members. The teens will visit either in-person or virtually with our elementary age congregants to play games, do activities and celebrate the holidays 4 times this year starting with Hanukkah.

Select your schedule

Coordinated schedules especially for K-6th can be a challenge to develop, so we ask you to pick a program (Shabbaton Family Learning or Sunday) and Hebrew options for 3^rd through 6^th Grade. The Zoom sessions will be scheduled during these time frames. Please note that Zoom sessions will be 40-75 minutes depending on age.

Hebrew Refresher!

3^rd through 6^th Graders participate in Hebrew on the weekend, plus:

Wednesday small groups  Hebrew learning with their peers.

Parent Child: parents attend the Hebrew session with their child on the weekend. It is geared towards families who want to learn together and spend 30-45 minutes practicing at home. 

Skype: includes a 20 minute private Skype lesson midweek and 30-45 minutes of independent practice at home. Returning students and their families may select times starting July 29th. New students may select times August 5th.

If you have questions or need assistance, contact Rabbi Stacy Schlein sschlein@ttti.org or Gloria Grischkan ggrischkan@ttti.org 

Downloadable and printable PDF

SHABBATON FAMILY LEARNING

Shabbaton is an innovative alternative to Sunday Learning Program, which provides Jewish education for the entire family. It is an opportunity to spend quality Jewish time together, learn in a warm informal atmosphere and create memories that will last a lifetime. This Saturday afternoon program meets from 3:00-5:30 pm. It is geared for families with children in grades pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Shabbaton includes a separate adult study, grade level cohorts, family learning and whole group worship and singing.

Children younger than four years old have a separate play program on Saturday afternoon called ShabbaTots. Older siblings (grades 7 – 12) of children still enrolled in Shabbaton with their parent(s) serve as Madrichim (teaching assistants) in Shabbaton. Families will choose between Parent Child Hebrew, Midweek or Skype classes based on enrollment.

Schedule:
3:00-3:30 Opening Service/Song Session

3:30-5:00 Adults will learn with Rabbi Schlein and have a short break for snack.

3:30-5:00 Children grades Pre-K to 6 will learn within grade level clusters. Everyone will have a combination of Hebrew and Jewish Studies.

5:00-5:15 All Group Learning

5:15-5:30 Havdallah

Background and historical information on the Torah

The Jewish Bible: A JPS Guide A wonderful overview of the Torah, historical background, in an easy to read and yet very comprehensive format. Click here to see the page about the book. You can also preview the book with Google Preview. http://www.jewishpub.org/product.php?id=102  

Translations of the Torah

The JPS Torah Commentary:

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
SUNDAY • K – 6
Pre-K and Kindergarten: Me and You, Jew and Jew! *
Judaism is a religion based on values that, when followed, help our world be a better place. The focus of this kindergarten curriculum uses the phrase from Leviticus 19:18, “Love your neighbor as yourself” to look at the Jewish holidays, tz’dakah, Jewish Book Month, synagogue life, and our general interactions with each other. Kindergarteners visit the library, music and Hebrew Through Movement Specialist. 

1st Grade: Cycles of My Jewish Life
Jewish holidays and lifecycle are interwoven in this exciting hands-on year of learning. Our congregation’s Consecration ceremony, welcomes the first graders into their formal years of learning, and creates an inspiring beginning to the year. Music and Hebrew Through Movement introduce them to songs, prayers, and cultural expression appropriate to their age.
2nd Grade: Treasures of Israel
There are so many amazing things to learn and discover about Israel. Throughout the year you will create your own treasure collection. At the end of the year our second graders will host a treasure hunt for their families.  Hebrew Through Movement, Music and Library add to the experience!

3rd Grade: We Are Family!
With the start of Hebrew decoding, Sunday morning is divided between Jewish Studies and Hebrew. In Jewish Studies, we meet our ancestors, learn the stories of our people and begin to explore the invaluable lessons of the Torah. One of the highlights of the year is creating and starring in our Torah Movie which shares their interpretations of our sacred literature. 

4th Grade: It’s Up to You!
We are taught that “It’s not upon you to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” In Jewish studies we will delve deeply into this concept through suspenseful stories from our tradition, history and today. The second half of the year we will put the values into action through a variety of projects and challenges.
Hebrew: L’sim Lev – Pay attention*
Our Hebrew studies will strengthen our ability to L’sim Lev – pay attention in multiple aspects of our lives through the prayers of the Shema and Its Blessings. Click here for a great resource to practice. Both Hebrew and Jewish studies will focus on Jewish values.
5th Grade: Love Peace & Pursue Peace!*
Our fifth graders will examine one of the most powerful concepts in Judaism through challenges, technology, project based learning, group exploration and in depth hands on activities. 
Hebrew: Stand Up!*

The focus of our Hebrew learning for the year is the Amidah. In addition to understanding these prayers, we will also find ways to integrate these values into our lives. What do you stand for? Click here to see the prayers we are learning. 
5th & 6th Mitzvah Corp: We know it can be hard to find meaningful, engaging volunteer experiences for our children especially as they prepare for B’nai Mitzvah. That is why we are launching our Mitzvah Corp so our children can sample a variety of volunteer opportunities. This is an enrichment opportunity outside of Shabbaton and Sunday Learning. 
6th Grade: All In!*
Building on your experience in 5th Grade you will work in teams exploring a variety of Jewish values challenges as they unfold. Creativity, tough questions and curiosity help to make this interactive learning experience even more engaging. The depth and meaning of these lessons depends on you. Are you all in? 

* Please note that all items with asterisks are projects of the JECC supported by the Fund for The Jewish Future of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

ONLINE RESOURCES (Click the Grade for links to online resources or check out HEBREW KARAOKE HERE)

3rd Grade – Learn All of the letter and vowels in the Aleph Bet.

4th Grade – L’sim Lev – Pay Attention Shema & Its Blessings*

5th Grade – What do you Stand For? – Amidah*

6th Grade – Torah & Concluding Blessings

 OPTIONS:

Wednesday: children attend on the weekend and Wednesday from 4:00-5:30 pm. This includes Tefillah Tech where children work together to create large scale projects (like games, art walks, movies and more.)
Parent Child Hebrew: children and parent/s attend Hebrew during Shabbaton or Sunday. This option is for families who want to learn together and spend 30-45 minutes at home during the week. There is an additional $35 fee.

Skype Hebrew: children learn Hebrew during Shabbaton or on Sunday. This also includes a private 20 minute Skype lesson midweek and 30 minutes of practice independently at home. Past participants may select Skype times starting on July 17th and new participants starting on July 24th. There is an additional $125 fee.
HEBREW LANGUAGE PROGRAM

We are proud that our Hebrew program begins in Kindergarten! Our students participate in the innovative and highly successful Hebrew Through Movement Program* – a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to Hebrew commands. It is an adaptation of James J. Asher’s Total Physical Response (TPR).[1] It starts with a foundation in modern, spoken Hebrew but has as its goal making the prayers, as well as synagogue and Jewish vocabulary, more easily accessible to those with limited learning time.

This Hebrew Through Movement program was developed by faculty at Siegal College of Judaic Studies through courses and community workshops. It introduces Hebrew in a playful and meaningful way, creating a positive first link between children and Hebrew. This program is supported by the latest brain research on learning, providing an aural foundation for Hebrew that opens the door to more facile Hebrew decoding and reading.

Hebrew Through Movement is based on ways that children learn naturally:

They learn by moving about and doing.
They learn in an environment of positive emotional support.
They learn when they feel safe from the embarrassment of not knowing.
They learn when they can move forward at their own pace.
They learn best when learning is joyful and playful.
They learn through songs, chants and rhythmic activities.

(Please note, this description is adapted from the Hebrew Through Movement Website. Please click here to read more and see samples from classroom settings. http://www.hebrewthroughmovement.org/ )

OVERVIEW OF OUR HEBREW LANGUAGE PROGRAM GRADES 3-6

Students in third through sixth grade intensify their exposure to Hebrew language and allow their learning to accelerate as their study of prayers and ritual Hebrew intensifies. Building on the solid foundation, our students continue with Hebrew Through Movement and begin to decode during Third Grade.

Hebrew Flash Mob: a specially trained team of madrichim (teen assistants) that will work with small groups of 3rd & 4th Grade students to boost their Hebrew decoding through hands on activities or computer games. You will learn Hebrew in a flash! *

For questions regarding our Hebrew programs, please contact Gloria Grischkan, Assistant Director of Learning at (216) 831-3233 ext. 122

* Please note that all items with asterisks are projects of the JECC supported by the Fund for The Jewish Future of The Jewish Federation of Cleveland

Chai Learning– Grades 7-12

Monday Madness: The Second* Monday Night of Every Month from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm all of our teens will join together for Monday Madness. Dinner will be served (and it will not be pizza) and a fun, social, and interactive programs will be hosted by TEFTY – our Senior Youth Group. Contact Jamie Collins for dates.

7th Grade Options

Your child has the choice of attending Sunday Morning or Monday Night. The first half of the year we offer a Hebrew Lab for those with Spring B’nai Mitzvah or those who want to boost their Hebrew skills. 7^th Learning continues the entire year through May.

* Sunday 9:30-10:30 Hebrew Lab (through December), 10:30-noon – 7^th Learning.

* Monday 5:30-6:30 Hebrew Lab (through December), 6:30-8:00 pm – 7^th Learning. 

8th to 12th Grade Options

• Chai – Monday 7:00-8:00 pm.
• Kallot Mitzvah Corp – is a hands-on retreat style experience for learners in grades 8-12. Each lesson is a mix of learning, fun, volunteering & teamwork. This year our focus will be on intensive Tikkun Olam learning and experiences. Sessions may include: field trips, guest speakers, art projects, and text study too. We meet six times throughout the year for four hours at a time.  Learners are asked to attend five times during the year. There will be a variety of Friday, Saturday and Sunday Sessions.   
• Independent Study – Please call Rabbi Schlein to make arrangements 216-831-3233 ext 133

Curriculum for Chai Program

7th Grade – TEXTING
Take out your cell phones! Get ready for a scavenger hunt. Help create a meaningful school wide Tzedakah Fair. These are just a few of the exciting elements of our new 7th Grade Core Class. Our students may think they are the first generation to text. Think again! There are many powerful text messages hidden throughout the Torah. Come discover them with us. Each session will have intellectual challenges and hands on activities. Many of the sessions will integrate technology into the learning.

8TH GRADE – Members of the Tribe
Our 8th Grades will spend the semester on a quest for self and communal discovery. We will learn about what it means to be a community and specifically explore our incredible Cleveland Jewish Community.

9TH GRADE – MAKING JEWISH DECISIONS
The Israeli Experience
Students will interact with people, places, culture, and modern dilemmas facing Israel today in an effort to create a relationship with her that explores the Jewish past, present, and future. Our Shinshin, Israeli Year of Service Volunteer, will assist in teaching this course.
Whose Business Is It, Anyway?
Students discuss making ethical decisions in relationships with friends and family, in business dealings medical dilemmas, school violence and abuse. Judaism guides and directs us to make the right decisions.

10TH GRADE – CONFIRMATION
Teachers: Rabbis
Students study with our clergy in preparation for a meaningful ceremony marking this rite of passage into adult, faith-affirming, personal decision making. They explore the Ten Commandments, the text read at Confirmation, on the holiday of Shavuot. Studying together this trimester prepares them for the highlight of their year – their trip to New York City!

11th & 12th Grade Senior Seminar: On Monday nights our oldest students will have an opportunity to explore current events and larger questions of meaning in this fun and intensive seminar with our clergy.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Families today live busy, complicated lives. Our goal is to provide choices and guidance that match our students’ schedules and interests. We understand that teens don’t all connect to Judaism in the same way, nor do they all learn in the same manner. Our teen program expands the boundaries of time, place, and method of learning by offering choices for when and how students learn. Our CHAI PROGRAM is the expression of an educational Vision that inspires lifelong Jewish learning and living, and creates commitment to Jewish community. Students will choose among five core areas that connect us to Jewish living. Those five categories are: Talmud Torah – Jewish Learning, Gemilut Chasadim – Acts of Lovingkindness, Kehillah – Jewish Community Involvement/Social Interaction, Avodah – Spirituality and Me’aynai Yahadut – Seeing Contemporary Issues through a Jewish Lens.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

The year is divided into two parts. The first half we have core classes and second half learners are able to choose their electives. Learners are able to sign up for the program and times that work best for them. Requirements not met during the academic year can be made up over the summer or will be carried over to the following school year and made up through Individualized Learning Projects.

Reform Judaism recognizes that young adults should continue their studies after becoming B’nai Mitzvah. Our teen programs provide a variety of experiences designed to encourage lifelong connections to Judaism. A special class ceremony of Confirmation takes place at the end of the 10th grade year at the holiday of Shavuot.

Link to Youth Page