1.13.2012

1.13.2012

Wow! We can write a lot of words using only cursive letters.

Cursive Hebrew letters:

First grade started to learn how to write cursive Hebrew letters. In this unit, we are focusing on forming the letters correctly and reading words written in cursive script. This week, we were practicing the letters:

 א=א, ב=ב, ג=ג, ד=ד, ה=ה, ו=ו, י=י, ן=ן, ס=ס

I know the students are very excited about writing their words in cursive,  but it is extremely important not to let them write it yet! The students are allowed to use Hebrew cursive letters only for the letters we have learned in the class. The students may think they know how to form the letters,  but if they are forming it incorrectly,  it will be very hard to fix their mistakes later.

Sentence of the week:
“כתב יד”- cursive hand writing
We are so busy to write:”בכתב יד יפה” (to write with nice cursive hand writing)

We started “Ariot 2 workbook” and “Ariot 2 CD”:
We started “Ariot 2” workbook, and Ariot 2 program on the computers.
Even though “Ariot 2” is more challenging,  it is even more fun to figure out the words in the  “Hachtava” (the spelling test at the end of each unit) and we are still able to figure out the words without help.

”My family” and “My house” unit:
We are supposed to start learning about our family and about our house in Hebrew. I asked a few weeks ago that you should send two pictures about your family.
1. A picture of the outside of your child’s house.

     2. A picture of your child’s family (a group picture of as many members of the family as possible).

Unfortunately, I’ve received pictures only from a few of the class and therefore I will have to push off teaching this unit for another two weeks. If you haven’t sent your pictures yet or you have sent only one of the pictures, please send your pictures this week!
At the end of this unit, the pictures will be posted in your child’s album. For your convenience you can send to school the SD card with your child (I promise to send it back the same day) or Email me the pictures and I will print it for you! (My Email is: iritkaravani@hotmail.com)

Parashat Hashavua-Parashat Shmot

The 1st grade began learning Sefer Shemot by studying the story of how the Jews became slaves in Egypt. They also learned about how Moshe was saved by the daughter of Paro and was raised in the house of Paro himself!

Homework:
First grade students are doing very well. We are ready to move to a higher level. We will have a small quiz every Thursday on the 5 words we have studied. Please look for our first list of words in the “Friday Hebrew Folder”. Please keep the words in an available place, sign the folder, and send the folder back.

To help your child study the words, each student will have a special notebook that he/she will take home on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with their homework assignment.
Every Monday, each student must write the words in Aleph-Bet order. Every Tuesday, they must write the words 3 times. And every Wednesday, they will have a word search puzzle with our week’s words.
This week because of the long weekend we will have our Homework on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The test will be on this Friday instead of Thursday.

For your convenience, I made flashcards to be practiced on line.

Please make sure your child is studying and doing his/her homework.

Please make sure your child is writing his/her homework with pencil only!

Please make sure the homework notebook is placed  back into your child’s  backpack.

Please make sure your child is using the cursive letter but make sure it is only cursive letter that we learned.

This is our first word list.

The test will be on Friday 1/18/12.

                          Pink וָרוֹד- 1  

Bear- 2 דֹב

Come-   3 בּוֹא

  Roof 4 גַג-     

Mr. - 5 אֲדוֹן

You can practice with flash card at:

http://www.flashcardmachine.com/1109491/w57b

Shabbat Shalom from Morah Irit Karavani.

12.15.11

Please don’t forget to come and see the 1^st grade recite the ברכות (blessings) for lighting the Hanukiyah and perform a play about the Hanukkah story! Our Hanukah performance will be next Tuesday in the school shul.

Hebrew Sentence of the week:
כִּי, נֵס גָדוֹל הָיָה! (Ki nes gadol haya) “because a big miracle happened”. (This is the answer for last week’s sentence: There are eight days of Hanukkah. Why?)

Hagim (Holidays):
We colored our own chart of the blessings for lighting the Chanukiyah. This chart is shaped like  a"סביבון" (driedel)/ Please use it for Chanukah and put it on the fridge for a decoration.
We have almost finished learning our Tal –At workbook for חנוכה Hanukkah! Every day we also practice asking:
כַּמָה נֵרוֹת אנחנו מַדְלִיקִים בַּלַיְלָה הַ____  (“How many candles do we light on the _____ night?”)
After we say each number, we light the Chanukiyah with the right number of candles.
In this way we practice the blessings for lighting the “Chanukiyah” (Chanukah menorah) and the song “הַנֵרוֹת הַלָלוּ” (Hanerot Halalu) -the song that we sing after lighting the Chanukiya as well.
We have also started a new workbook in English that teaches the students even more details about Chanukkah. I’m will send both workbooks B”H home on Wednesday with all the other art work we did (a chanukiyah, a sevivon box and the sevivon blessing.)

Parashat Hashavua:
This Friday you will find in your child’s folder a picture page with a summary of the story of Parashat: “וישב” – Vayeshev . We began learning the story of Yosef and his brothers and how Yosef was sold down to Egypt. We learned that Yosef is called a “Tzadik” because he always trusted in Hashem. He was able to keep his emotions inside himself and trust that Hashem had a special plan for him.  We learned that all the fights between Yosef and his brothers happened because Hashem wanted him to go to Egypt in order to save everyone from the terrible famine that would come.

Hebrew workbook:
This week we finished the workbook that teaches about the vowel sound “Segol” and “Tsereh”. We learned to spell words with all four of the vowels we have learned (“Ah”, “Ei” ,“O” and “Eh”). We also started learning the last vowel sound “Holam” sound “OO”.



First Grade Album:
We are working on a special album that reviews all the material we are learning in “Tal-Am” curriculum. Please send to school two of the following pictures (4”x6”):
1. A picture of the outside of your child’s house.
2. A picture of your child’s family (a group picture of as many members of the family as possible).
These pictures are very important for our learning in the class! You can e-mail me the picture and I will print it.
The due date is right after the winter break!


Coming after winter break:
I will be teaching a new unit on Hebrew script letters.
I will be adding a new weekly Hebrew homework and vocabulary test.
I will be starting a new unit on home & family (this is why the students need pictures of their home and family!)

Shabbat Shalom and have a great winter break!
Morah Irit

12.9.11

This week we learned more about חנוכה “Chanukkah.” We got to color our own Chanukiya that I made out of plaster of paris. We also made a “Sevivon” (Dreidel).

Hebrew Sentence of the week:
? שְמוֹנָה יָמִים בַּחֲנֻכָּה. לָמָה? (shmonah yamim ba Hanukkah. Lama?) – Eight days in Chanukkah. Why? (Ask your child to sing it to you. Next week you’ll find the answer.)

Hagim (Holidays):
We continued learning from our workbook for Hanukkah! We learned that we celebrate Chanukkah to remember the great miracles that Hashem did for us during that time. We are saying thank you to Hashem! “תוֹדָה, תוֹדָה אֱלוֹקִים. תוֹדָה עַל הַנִיסִים” (Todah, Todah Elokim. Todah al hanisim,)

Since Hanukkah is not going to be during school time we are pretending that Hanukkah is right now and we are lighting the candle every day. In this way we get to practice the blessings for lighting the “Chanukiyah” (Chanukah menorah) and the song “הַנֵרוֹת הַלָלוּ” (Hanerot Halalu) -the song that we sing after lighting the Chanukiya.

Parashat Hashavua:
This Friday you will find in your child’s folder a picture page with a summary of the story of Parashat: “וישלח” – Vayishlach . We learned that Yaakov prepared to meet Esav in 3 ways: 1- Shalom (peace- he send a מתנה present). 2-Tefilah (prayers to Hashem) and 3- Milchamah (war).
-Yaakov returned to the other side of the river to get the small כָּד –Kad (jar) that he had forgotten to take with him. Yaakov teaches us that we need to be responsibility for our things even if it is something not so expensive.

The “Asherey” Homework:

I’m very pleased to see that some of the students chose to participate in this activity.

I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear enough, but the signature paper need to come back in the Hebrew folder on Monday only after it is all signed! (only after your child read it to you at least nine times on a diffrent days).

First Grade Album:

We are working on a special album that includes all the subjects we are learning in “Tal-Am”. Please send to school (soon is better  - the latest time is after winter break).

two of the following pictures (4”x6”)

1. A picture of the outside of your child’s house.

2. A picture of your child’s family (a group picture of as many members of the family as possible).

These pictures are very important for our learning in the class!

You can Email me the picture and I will print it.

Shabbat Shalom, Morah Irit

12.2.11

Dear parents
This week we were busy studying about Chanukah.

Hagim (Holidays):
We started our new work book for Chanukah! We learned the story of Chanukah and we learned the Hebrew words: “Yehudim” (Jews) and “Yevanim” (Greeks).

Hebrew Sentence of the week:
אֲנִי אוֹמֵר/אוֹמֶרֶת תוֹדָה עַל...(Ani omer/omeret todah al…)
I’m saying thank you for …..
We learned last week (Thanksgiving week) to say thank you. This week we connected it to the Chanukah story. We learned the song: “Todah Elokim, Todah al Hanisim” (thank you G-d, thank you for the miracles.

Ariot: we started going to the computer lab and got to learn with the Ariot program on the computer.
We got to read stories listen to songs and practice skills by using games.

Hebrew workbook:
This week we continued our workbook which teaches about the vowel “Segol” and “Tsereh” (the short E sound). We learned to spell words with all four of the vowels we have learned (“Ah”, “Ei” ,“O” and “Eh”).

Parashat Hashavua:
This Friday you will find in their folder a picture page with a summary of the story of Parashat: “ויצא” (Vayeitzei). We learned that the 3 prayer services we say every day were established by each of our forefathers. We also learned the stories of Yaakov’s dream, how Lavan tricked Yaakov into marrying Leah and Rachel as well as the birth of the 12 sons of Yaakov.


Prayer:
We started to practice the blessing for lighting the “Chanukiyah” (Chanukah menorah).

Shabbat Shalom
Morah Irit.

11.18.11

בס"ד

כ"א בחודש חשון

Dear Parents,

Thank you for coming for the parent/teacher conferences. It was very nice to share with you my joy teaching your child!

Ariot
This week we started learning from Ariot 1 and we are already completed up to the middle of the workbook.
We can read all the Hebrew in it! Most of us can also spell the Hebrew words in our “Hachtava” (the spelling test).
Once a week we will go to the computer lab and work on the Ariot I CD-ROM which includes the same stories and activities as in the workbook.
We will have a lot of כַּיף " “!


Our Hebrew workbook:

This week we finished learning about the vowel “Holam” the long O sound).  We have learned to spell words using all three of the vowels we have covered so far: “Ah”, “Ei” and “O”.

We started a workbook with the sound Eh.

I’m very proud of everyone’s accomplishments! I am sending home the workbook for you to keep. Please encourage your child to go over the unit with you and read all the words.

Parashat Hashavua
This Friday you will find in their folder a picture page with a summary of the story of Parashat: “חיי שרה” (Haye Sara). We learned that Sarah died when she was 127 years old and Avraham bought the Ma’arat HaMachpela to bury her. We learned that the word “Ma’ara” means “cave”. We also learned that there are four couples buried there: Adam and Chava, Avraham and Sarah, Yitzchok and Rivkah, Yaakov and Leah. We also learned that Avraham sent Eliezer to find a wife for his son Yitzchok. Eliezer took 10 “gimalim” (“Gamal” means “camel”) and went to Charan, Avraham’s birthplace, to find one. There he finds Rivkah at a well.

 Shabbat Shalom,

Morah irit Karavani

Firrt grade 11.11.11

First grade is doing very well. Last week we learn how to ask for things only in Hebrew. We can now ask for a pencil, an eraser or our work book! We can even ask to go to get a drink water or to go to the restroom. We always start asking politely by saying: “ אפשר בבקשה....” (May I please.)  Please ask your child to ask you for things in Hebrew. I am sure you will be amazed at how much Hebrew your child can use!

Here are some things we learned this week:
Our Hebrew workbook:
This week we learned about the vowel “Holam” the long O sound) and we learned our letters up to the letter “ פּו  "(. We have learned to spell words using all three of the vowels we have covered so far: “Ah”, “Ei” and “O”.

A Special story
In your child’s folder you will find a story called: “מה יש בכיתה שלי” (What is in my classroom). Each child wrote down in his/her book the items we have in our class in Hebrew. They also learned to change these words from the singular to the plural form. This story served as a good exercise for your child’s Hebrew reading and for practicing their vocabulary as well. Please review this story with your child. If your child brings a note from home that he/she read it with you will get a “דג” (fish)!  Ask your child to tell you all about our fish! The children love to get the fish.

Ariot:
On Wednesday we played together using the “Ariot”  Hebrew program on in our class computer.

The kids were so excited to use the Ariot Hebrew games and exercises on our computer!

 Parashat Hashavua
This Friday you will find in their folder picture page with a summary of the story of Parashat:  “ וירא” (Va yerah). We learned about two important Mitzvot that our Parasha teaches:  Hachnasat Orchim and Bikur Cholim. The children also learned the story of how Avraham argued with Hashem to save the evil cities of Sodom and Amorah. They also learned the story of how  Lot was saved and what happed to his wife. Please encourage your child to tell you the stories he/she learned using the pictures on the sheets.

Reading home work for רשות (optional assignment):
We have finished reading the entire “Ashrei” psalm and we are now practicing singing it together. I recommend that you practice reading a few lines from this psalm every night with your child to help him/her become more familiar with the words.  I’m putting a page with the “Mizmor” and a chart for you to complete in your child’s folder. Please return it to school when you have filled it in and your child will receive a prize!  I hope your child will enjoy this reading program. I know that the benefits will be incredible!

Shabbat Shalom,
Morah Irit Karavani.

Reading home work for רשות (optional assignment):

אשרי יושבי ביתך

אַשְׁרֵי יוֹשְׁבֵי בֵיתֶךָ עוֹד יְהַלְלוּךָ סֶּלָה. (תהלים פד, ה)

אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁכָּכָה לּוֹ אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁה' אֱלֹהָיו. (תהלים קמד, טו)

תְּהִלָּה לְדָוִד,

אֲרוֹמִמְךָ אֱלוֹהַי הַמֶּלֶךְ וַאֲבָרֲכָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.

בְּכָל יוֹם אֲבָרֲכֶךָּ וַאֲהַלְלָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.

גָּדוֹל ה’ וּמְהֻלָּל מְאֹד וְלִגְדֻלָּתוֹ אֵין חֵקֶר.

דּוֹר לְדוֹר יְשַׁבַּח מַעֲשֶׂיךָ וּגְבוּרֹתֶיךָ יַגִּידוּ.

הֲדַר כְּבוֹד הוֹדֶךָ וְדִבְרֵי נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ אָשִׂיחָה.

וֶעֱזוּז נוֹרְאֹתֶיךָ יֹאמֵרוּ וּגְדוּלָּתְךָ אֲסַפְּרֶנָּה.

זֵכֶר רַב טוּבְךָ יַבִּיעוּ וְצִדְקָתְךָ יְרַנֵּנוּ.

חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם ה’ אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וּגְדָל חָסֶד.

טוֹב ה’ לַכֹּל וְרַחֲמָיו עַל כָּל מַעֲשָׂיו.

יוֹדוּךָ ה’ כָּל מַעֲשֶׂיךָ וַחֲסִידֶיךָ יְבָרֲכוּכָה.

כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתְךָ יֹאמֵרוּ וּגְבוּרָתְךָ יְדַבֵּרוּ.

לְהוֹדִיעַ לִבְנֵי הָאָדָם גְּבוּרֹתָיו וּכְבוֹד הֲדַר מַלְכוּתוֹ.

מַלְכוּתְךָ מַלְכוּת כָּל עֹלָמִים וּמֶמְשֶׁלְתְּךָ בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר.

סוֹמֵךְ ה’ לְכָל הַנֹּפְלִים וְזוֹקֵף לְכָל הַכְּפוּפִים.

עֵינֵי כֹל אֵלֶיךָ יְשַׂבֵּרוּ וְאַתָּה נוֹתֵן לָהֶם אֶת אָכְלָם בְּעִתּוֹ.

פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת יָדֶךָ וּמַשְׂבִּיעַ לְכָל חַי רָצוֹן.

צַדִּיק ה’ בְּכָל דְּרָכָיו וְחָסִיד בְּכָל מַעֲשָׂיו.

קָרוֹב ה’ לְכָל קֹרְאָיו לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָאֻהוּ בֶאֱמֶת.

רְצוֹן יְרֵאָיו יַעֲשֶׂה וְאֶת שַׁוְעָתָם יִשְׁמַע וְיוֹשִׁיעֵם.

שׁוֹמֵר ה’ אֶת כָּל אֹהֲבָיו וְאֵת כָּל הָרְשָׁעִים יַשְׁמִיד.

תְּהִלַּת ה’ יְדַבֶּר פִּי וִיבָרֵךְ כָּל בָּשָׂר שֵׁם קָדְשׁוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. (תהלים קמה)

וַאֲנַחְנוּ נְבָרֵךְ יָ-הּ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם הַלְלוּ יָ-הּ. (תהלים קטו, יח)

Reading home work for רשות (optional assignment):
Please sign the chart included in your child’s folder every time you read the “Ashrey” prayer with your child. Please return this chart signed every Monday (please send it back only on Monday) in their Hebrew folder. Please make sure to finish the entire “Ashrey” prayer at least one time. There is no time limit to this assignment!

Student name:________________

Date:_____________      read up to the letter________________   Parent signature____________    

Date:_____________      read up to the letter________________   Parent signature____________    

Date:____________      read up to the letter_____________   Parent signature____________            

Date:_____________      read up to the letter_______________  Parent signature____________     

      

 Date:_____________      read up to the letter________________  Parent signature____________    

Date:_____________      read up to the letter________________  Parent signature____________     

Date:____________      read up to the letter______________  Parent signature____________  

         

Date:_____________      read up to the letter_______________  Parent signature____________    

Date:_____________      read up to the letter________________  Parent signature____________