I agree with Janice – the older kids love to listen to picture books, 
especially the more sophisticated stories, and especially on Monday and 
Wednesday afternoons when they are just exhausted from a long day at school.  
Below is a listing of some of my “tried & true” favorites for 2nd grade and up. 
 Feel free to contact me if you want a more specific lesson plan.  

 

Good luck!

 

Rachel Kamin, Director

The Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural & Learning Center

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El

1175 Sheridan Road

Highland Park, IL 60035

847/432-8900 x242 or [email protected] 
<blocked::mailto:[email protected]> 

 

“Tried & True” Library Lessons

 

STORIES

Gershon's Monster: A Story for the Jewish New Year by Eric A. Kimmel

When his sins threaten the lives of his beloved twin children, a Jewish man 
finally repents of his wicked ways. A great vehicle for discussing the concept 
of teshuvah.

 

The Mysterious Guests: A Sukkot Story by Eric A. Kimmel

Three mysterious guests appear at generous but impoverished Ezra’s table on 
Sukkot and bless him, while they bring curses upon his rich but selfish brother 
Eben.  

 

Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen

Told to make a doll like a pilgrim for the Thanksgiving display at school, 
Molly's Jewish mother dresses the doll as she herself dressed before leaving 
Russia to seek religious freedom--much to Molly's embarrassment.  Also connects 
Thanksgiving and Sukkot. A 24 minute DVD is also available.  

 

Make a Wish, Molly by Barbara Cohen

The sequel to Molly’s Pilgrim.  As a young Russian-Jewish immigrant, Molly's 
troubles increase when her first Passover in her new country conflicts with a 
friend's birthday party.  Should she eat the birthday cake?  A 30 minute DVD is 
also available.  

 

Cain and Abel: Finding the Fruits of Peace by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

Retells the story of two brothers who, after years of sharing everything, 
become angry enough to lose control and bring violence into the world.

 

As Good as Anybody: Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Amazing 
March Toward Freedom by Richard Michelson

Provides the story of the friendship of civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther 
King, Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and their collective efforts to end 
discrimination through their non-violent peace protests and marches.

 

Abraham's Search for God by Jacqueline Jules

Sarah Laughs by Jacqueline Jules 

Beautifully explains and describes how Abraham came to believe in one G-d and 
the story of Isaac’s birth.  

 

Terrible Things by Eve Bunting

In this allegory of the Holocaust, the animals of the forest are carried away, 
one type after another, by the Terrible Things, not realizing that if perhaps 
they would all stick together and not look the other way, such terrible things 
might not happen.

 

The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate by Janice Cohn

Describes how people in Billings, Montana joined together to fight a series of 
hate crimes against a Jewish family. A documentary film may also be available.  

 

ACTIVITIES USING BOOKS

Shuli & Me by Joan Benjamin-Farren

This storybook recounts the biblical Exodus from Egypt told from the 
perspective of a young girl and her best friend.  As each of the days between 
Pesach and Shavuot are counted, students can look up the corresponding verse in 
the Torah.  

 

Ruth and Naomi: A Bible Story by Jean Marzollo

With this picture book, students can easily act out the story of Ruth & Naomi. 
See also: Daniel in the Lion's Den, David and Goliath, Jonah and the Whale and 
the Worm, and Miriam and Her Brother Moses.

 

Noah’s Ark Stories

Creation Stories

Students break up into small groups or work individually to read various 
versions of the story found in picture books and Bible story collections.  
Students then discuss how this account is similar and different from what is in 
the Torah, how the book helps us to understand the story better, what gap in 
the story is this book trying to fill, and what questions about the story does 
this book answer. Students can also explore the concept of midrash and write 
their own version of the story.

 

Sedra Scenes: Skits for Every Torah Portion and Bible Scenes: Joshua to Solomon 
by Stan J. Beiner

Parashah Plays by Richard J. Allen

Short scripts that can easily be acted out by students with little or no 
rehearsals, props, or costumes.  

 

Exploring Jewish Values in Stories & Literature

Students break up into small groups or work individually to read various 
stories and/or picture books that exemplify a specific Jewish value (humility, 
welcoming guests, tzedakah, etc.) They can then complete a worksheet, present 
to the rest of the class, create a poster, etc. about the character(s) in the 
story and the Jewish value.

 

“Two Brothers” Stories

Individuality or in small groups students read different versions of the “Two 
Brothers” story and compare/contrast.  Can also be used in conjunction with a 
study of Jacob and Esau, Jerusalem, and/or the current situation in Israel. A 
similar exercise can be done with various versions of “The Crowded House,” 
“Joseph Had a Little Overcoat,” “Challahs in the Ark,” and other folktales that 
have numerous adaptations/versions.  

 

From: hasafran-bounces+rkamin=nssbethel....@lists.service.ohio-state.edu 
[mailto:hasafran-bounces+rkamin=nssbethel....@lists.service.ohio-state.edu] On 
Behalf Of Janice Lieberman
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 4:39 PM
To: Etta Gold; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] Curriculum Suggestions for 3-5 grade?

 

I would not assume that the 3rd-5th graders will no longer want to have stories 
read to them. I am librarian at the Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor, and our 
3rd-5th graders are still VERY enthusiastic about listening to and discussing 
books that I read aloud. I share with them lots of picture books and chapter 
books - historical fiction, folktales, midrashim, holiday tales and more. There 
are many enriching and thought-provoking choices for this age group! The 
students love to discuss predictions, debate characters' actions, and explore 
lessons that can be learned. When we do other types of activities, they often 
ask when they'll get to hear more books, so I try to balance their desire to 
enjoy literature (and my desire to discuss it with them) with my need to engage 
them in a variety of library tasks. Perhaps your upper elementary students will 
be enthusiastic about listening to literature as well!

 

Janice Lieberman

Librarian

Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor

 

  _____  

From: Etta Gold <[email protected]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>; 
"[email protected]" <[email protected]> 
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 12:55 PM
Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] Curriculum Suggestions for 3-5 grade?

 

If there are any great responses to this request, please respond to ALL.

Thanks!

 


Description: Description: TBA_logo_BLK

Etta Gold                  


Library Director


The Richard and Janet Yulman Campus


5950 N. Kendall Drive, Pinecrest, FL 33156

786.264.6543 Direct



305.667.6667 ext. 128 (W) |305.662.8619 (F) |[email protected] 
|www.tbam.org/library  
 <https://www.facebook.com/BethAmMiami>    
<http://www.youtube.com/user/TempleBethAmTV>    
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/templebetham/collections/> 

 <http://jewishmiami.org/cjl/home/> 

 

 

From: [email protected] 
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Betsy 
Gephart
Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 9:06 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [ha-Safran] Curriculum Suggestions for 3-5 grade?

 

I would like to expand our small Religious School library program to our 3-5 
grade class (yes, all in the same small class) this year.  I already meet for a 
short time with each of the younger classes – about 15 minutes each Sunday – 
and am planning to add a session with the older children.   Since this age 
means moving beyond my reading stories aloud to them, I’m wondering if anyone 
has any suggestions for activities, books that might work for discussion, or 
other ideas for what I might do with the kids.   Their classes will be working 
with Year 5 of the CHAI curriculum.

 

Any suggestions would be very welcome!

 

Thanks –

Betsy Thal Gephart

[email protected]

Congregation Achduth Vesholom

Fort Wayne, Indiana

 

 


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Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author
and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL)
==================================
Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to:
[email protected]
To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: 
https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: [email protected]
Ha-Safran Archives:
Current:
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Earlier Listserver:
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