Classroom Rounds - We've Begun!

This week we began our collaborative classroom observations. Up until now, we have been practicing our protocols - how to communicate with one another. Our first round went extremely well. (Solid preparation paid off!). General studies teachers divided into two groups. We had asked two teachers to volunteer to be observed. We divided the "observers" randomly between the two groups such that we had upper el teachers observing lower el teaching, and vice versa. This cross-level conversation helps build our collaborative environment - a focus for our year. The Hebrew/Judaics teachers stayed together as a group, because of sheer numbers; there are fewer teachers in this group.

The General Studies teachers and Hebrew/Judaics teachers each had 1.5 hours. During the first ten minutes, the teacher being observed gave an introduction to the lesson and identified the areas for which s/he wanted feedback. We then observed for about 30 minutes, and reconvened for the remaining time to share our observations. Following our morning, our leader (the educator who is leading these efforts) de-briefed both with me, and with the teachers who had volunteered to be observed. This is only the beginning of the process of debriefing.

What were we asked to observe? There were a number of areas, but here is a sampling. One teacher wanted us to observe how well she was dividing her time between all of the students. Another teacher wanted us to observe whether students were staying on task during small group time. Were they conversing in English or Hebrew? The third teacher wanted us to observe the effectiveness of physically spreading out the groups throughout the (large kindergarten) room. She had been reflecting on how the placement of the groups (closer or further apart) effected their work.

During our feedback section, we had the protocols up on a poster board. We were reminded to use such phrases as, "What were your thoughts when..." This was also a wonderful opportunity to congratulate our colleagues on the fabulous interactions and instructional methods that we saw in the classroom.

We will be tweaking the process as we go forward. One suggestion was to have a list in front of us of the three items that we were observing - to help us stay focused on the specific areas that we were asked to comment on. All in all, it was a fabulous beginning and it felt great to hear our colleagues speak about the many factors they consider when teaching a lesson, to highlight their accomplishments, and to help them grow.

Dina

School Spirit Day

Some schools call it Spirit Day; others call it Fun Run. We are calling it "Ruach Run." Next week, the school is taking a field trip to a local university indoor gym for spirited games and activities. We are calling it "Ruach Run" to connect to the prayer added in the morning service after Simchat Torah, "Masheev HaRuach U'Morid HaGashem." This prayer acknowledges God who brings the wind and rain at this time of year. The Hebrew word for wind is also the word for spirit!

The morning of our Ruach Run is also Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, the beginning of the new month of Cheshvan. Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan is also Rainbow Day, a day dedicated to the story of Noah that we read on Shabbat that week. Children come wearing their Spirit Wear - their colored class T-Shirt. Each grade has a different color T Shirt, and the school, as a whole, looks like an actual rainbow! To combine a social action element with our morning of spirit, students bring in stuffed animals which will be donated to our children's hospital. The children place their animals on our makeshift "Noah's Ark" which adorns our main hallway.

The theme for our upper grades this month is "God in nature." We highlight this theme through story telling about our Giborei HaChodesh, our two heroes of the month. Heroes for the month of Cheshvan are the biblical Noah who was righteous in his generation, and Rabbi Eisenberg Sasso, author and Rabbi who wrote books for children about God in the world around us, such as God's Paintbrush.

Rainbow Day, Ruach Run, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan - all in one spirited morning!

We've got Ruach, yes we do! We've got Ruach! How 'bout you? Yeish Lanu Ruach, Kain Kain Kain. Yeish Lanu Ruach! Mah Itchem??

Erev Yom Kippur at HDS

Uplifting moments permeate the school today, our last day before our Yom Kippur break. Here is one example. In the fifth grade, the students read a Hebrew Tal Am story about two friends, Avraham and Yoseph, who take a hike in the desert. When they reach a juncture, they get into a fight over which direction to go. Avraham hits Joseph during the argument, and Joseph, in anger, writes in the sand, “Here, my friend hit me.” Along comes the Wind of Forgiveness (Ruach Haslicha) and wipes away the words.

The friends continue on and reach a pool of water which is good for swimming. Joseph finds the water too deep, and is saved by his friend Avraham. Avraham finds a stone and carves in the words, “Here, my friend saved my life.”

Following the reading of the story, each student was given a plate of sand in which they were directed to write a word for the Ruach Haslicha, the Wind of Forgiveness. The students then switched plates for their friends to blow away the words written in the sand. Each student was then given a stone on which to write, with a permanent marker, a word that they want to endure.

The story did not have a title, and the students gave their suggestions: Forgiveness in the Sand; Joseph’s Engraving; The Sand and the Stone.

May your words of anger be like the sand, and may your words of healing be like the stone.

Shana Tov and may you be inscribed in the book of health and life.