Fourth Grade



Dear students and families,
 
This school year was a treat.
Our Fourth graders organized a folder with a lot of Jewish illustrations we've worked on during the year. You are all welcome to take a look.
Also, this is the first group that has used Hebrew Through Movement program. 
Tammy suggested it last summer and I was happy to try it in class . The students learned a lot  by listening and following instructions in Hebrew.
 
This upcoming week and next week--
 
This Sunday is the last Sunday class in school. We'll play Hebrew Bingo, Jewish Jeopardy and create a Hebrew poster. If you wish to send a small snack, that will be greatly appreciated (We have 11 kids and a madricha.) No eggs or nuts please.
 
Next Wednesday will be our last day of Hebrew School. The students will take home their  notebooks and Hebrew books. At the students' request I will provide a Hebrew chart to review during summer.
 We'll have a school party with food and games organized by Cookie. Thanks!
 
More thanks--
A big thank you to our madricha, Molly. She is a great help on Sundays!
Also,  a huge thanks to our director Tammy, for all her help, guidance and great ideas.
 
Thank you  parents for being involved and supporting this program.
Have a good relaxing summer,
 
Rona
 











Shalom Alef Class students and families,                                         February, 2013

"When Adar comes, Joy is Increased."

Alef class has started the semester with learning
 more Hebrew letters:
H
ה
Hei
R
ר
Reish
V
ו
Vav
K
כּ
Kaf
Ch
כ
Chaf
Ch
ך
Final Chaf
N
נ
Noon
N
ן
Final noon
S
ס
Samech
S
שׂ
Sin
A/Scilent
ע
Ayin
G
ג
Gimel
K
ק
Koof
TS
צ
Tsadik


And  vowels:
a (long) like in aqua
אָ
kamatz
a (short)
אַ
patach
o   like in orange
אוֹ
cholam
ee like in green
אִ
chirik
ey like in grey
אֵ
tzerei
e like in Red
אֶ
segol
oo like in blue
אוּ
kubutz
oo
אֻ
shooruk

We've studied the Etz Chaim T'fillah and discussed the tree of life metaphor regarding the Torah. Our 'Hebrew of the week' words included Tu B'shvat, Shabbat, Challah, Kiddush, beit sefer (school.)
The kids learned to recite the Kiddush blessing. Also, we studied the "Yotzer Or" (creator of light) t'fillah.  We are thankful for Or (light), Choshch (darkness) and "Hakol"(everything.)

Thank you so much for sending snacks on Sunday; we still have several openings so let me know if you can help.

Thanks for your support.

B'shalom, בשלום
Rona


Shalom 4th Grade students and parents,

Welcome back to second semester.

The following is the list of dates parents sign up for snack on Sundays--second semester. We receive Challah from school so any additions+juice will be appreciated. NO nuts/peanut butter, eggs or fish please!

Let me know what date works for you:

1/13/13_____First Sunday of Second Semester--  Rona
1/20/13_________________________
1/27/13___________________________
2/3/13________________________
2/10/13____________________________
2/24/13(Purim)_________________________
3/3/13__________________________
3/24/13____________________________
3/26/13(Passover)____________________________
4/7/13____________________________
4/14/13____________________________
4/21/13____________________________
4/28/13____________________________
5/5/13 Last Day of Albert School

Please feel free to contact me:

Thanks for your help,
Morah Rona


Happy Chanukah 5773!!






The Temple:









Shalom students and parents-- 4th Grade                         10/28/12

Our history unit on Sundays is based on Jewish communities around the world. 
This month we've studied about Abraham's journey to Canaan (the biblical name of Israel) and his covenant with God (around 1740 BCE). We concluded that Abraham and his clan were the first Jewish community. The students became reporters and Molly, our madricha, edited the great articles and illustrations on our 'Canaan Times' newspaper.
After studying the exodus from Egypt and the Torah receiving on mount Sinai, we realized  that Moses lead the first Israeli community (Israelites) to freedom.
This week the kids discovered the two Holy Temples in Jerusalem; the students researched for facts about the temples and the community life around them. We thought  our temple (and actually every synagogue around the world) is a reminder of the Holy temple of Jerusalem. Our assignment  was to sketch the first temple King Solomon built and the map of Judah and Israel from that time(around 950 BCE.)
This group is a pleasure to work with. 
Thank you for all you do,
Rona


Shalom Fourth Grade parents,                                                    10/16/2012



Next month, I am planning a project concentrating on Jewish names, as part of Jewish identity.
If your student has a Jewish name, please talk to her/him about the meaning of this name and why you chose it.
If your student does not have a Jewish name, please discuss the meaning of their first name and we will write it in Hebrew.
Your student may write his/her Jewish name below with some comments.

Please see that she/he brings this information next Sunday.

As always, feel free to contact me.

Thanks for your involvement,

Rona


My Jewish name is:________________________________________________

What I've learned about my name:
________________________________________________________________________






Shalom Alef Class students and families,                                                              10/11/12

During the month of Tishrei, we've learned  Jewish Holidays vocabulary:
Roah Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Shofar, Shanah Tovah, Sukkot, The four species, Luav, etrog, Torah and more.

So far we've studied several Hebrew letters:
Sh
שׁ
Shin
B
בּ
Bet
V
ב
Vet
T
ת
Tav
M
מ
Mem
M
ם
Final mem
L
ל
Lamed
D
ד
Dalet
A/Scilent
א
Alef

And vowels:
a (long)
אָ
kamatz
a (short)
אַ
patach
o
אוֹ
cholam
ee
אִ
chirik

The students receive fun work sheets for studying the letters. Please encourage your child to practice at home.

Every week we decide on  'The Hebrew Word of the Week'  -- So far we had Shanah Tovah, Oogiya (cookie,) Stav(fall,) Ivrit (Hebrew.)
Soon enough we'll start our prayer unit and hopefully the kids will be able to read some words from the T'fillah.

We enjoy our Hebrew Through Movement unit and the kids are doing great!

B'shalom, בשלום
Rona



Decorations for the Sukkah





Shalom 4th Grade Parents,

The following is the list of dates parents sign up for snack on Sundays. We receive Challah from school so any additions will be appreciated. NO nuts/peanut butter, eggs or fish please!
Let me know what date works for you.

Thanks for your help,
Morah Rona

8/26 First Sunday--  Rona
9/9 Ed Day at Albert Cemetery
9/30Jonah Minkus
10/7Lela Allen
10/14Aviva Elliott
10/21____________________________
10/28____________________________
11/4____________________________
11/11Jake Morin
11/18 Mitzvah Mall
12/2____________________________
12/9(Chanukkah)____________________________
12/16____________________________

Please feel free to contact me:
runagold@gmail.com
(yes, it's 'u', no typo:)


Shalom Alef class students and parents,

I am Rona Gold and it is my privilege to teach Alef class.  I was born and raised in Israel so this language is very dear to my heart. 
Hebrew school has been in session twice already and the kids are doing well!
We have students from 3rd, 4th and 5th grade in our class since we go by level and not by age. 
In Alef class we start from basics-- learning the Hebrew letters and vowels and moving on to reading and understanding prayers, blessings and some Modern Hebrew.
This year we introduce an additional wonderful program Morah Tammy brought: "Hebrew Through Movement." The students follow directions in Hebrew and learn their vocabulary by moving (walk, run, jump etc.)
Last Wed. I sent  two Hebrew letter worksheets (Bet and Shin) with the students to take home. It is not homework but a fun practice. More letter worksheets will follow.
Don't hesitate to contact me with any idea/concern:
(runa with U)

Thanks for all you do and Shanah Tovah,
Rona Gold 


Shalom 4th grade parents and students,
Welcome back to Albert School and Shanah Tovah!
I would like to recommend two useful sites for our Jewish and Hebrew studies:
1)Akhlah: The Jewish Children's Learning Network:
http://www.akhlah.com/
2) Morfix free Dictionary: Hebrew-English, English-Hebrew--only Morfix displays
the Hebrew vowels as well.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions/concerns/ ideas:
runagold@gmail.com
(yes, it's U. No typo:)
The sign-up sheet for snacks is ready in class. If you prefer please contact me and
I'll let you know which dates are still available. Thanks!













I will post pics and news on our Life long learning blog.
Visit us at: http://call-me-doll.blogspot.com/
Thanks and hope for a joyful, healthy, productive year.
B'shalom,
Rona







Rona Gold

5773 School Year Above
5772 School Year Below


Shalom students and parents,

The Fourth grade has been learning the Sephardic Jewry unit.
We studied a poem by Yehuda Halevi ("My Heart is in the East" 1070-1141) and the 8 levels of Tzedka by the Rambam (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, 1135-1204.) The students discussed the Spanish inquisition and the special case of Crypto Jews. We learned the fascinating story of a Catholic girl, who lived in the 1400s and at the age of13 discovered her family were actually hidden jews. ( The Cross by Day, the Mezuzah by Night/ Deborah Spector Seigel.)
We concluded the unit by creating our own Hamsas (five fingers =the hand that is a sign of protection and represents blessings, power, and strength.)

On Purim we had fun making our own unique paradise flowers and solving word searches in English and Hebrew.

After break we will start exploring the Ashkenazi Jewry in Germany, Poland and Russia. Also, the class will get ready for Passover.

Alef class-- Homework will be sent on Wed. The idea is for the kids to practice Hebrew reading at home. Please see that your student brings it next Wed.

As always, feel free to contact me.

Thank you for all you do.
B'shalom,
Morah Rona





Shalom 4th grade parents and students,
11/1/ 2011

Our Tishrei (the first month of the Jewish year) classes included a
lot of information about the Jewish high holidays' minhagim (customs.)
We learned special prayers (Yom Kippur, Sukkot) and Jewish symbols (
the shofar, the four kinds, the Torah.)
Thanks to our wonderful parents the kids snacked on apples and honey
and honey cake (twice!) and had a feast on Sukkot. Everybody approved!

Last class we returned to our Jewish history unit. The students
learned about the second Temple and its destruction by the Romans. We
discussed what could we do if our synagogues in Albuquerque  were
demolished and Judaism forbidden.
The kids came up with insightful answers ("I would keep the Torah in a
hidden place and study it.") and actually were very close to what the
Rabbis did during the first century in Israel. We studied about the
Yeshiva (Jewish school) and the Mishnah (oral law) Rabbi Akiba and the
Tana'im (the Rabbis at that time) created according to the Torah. The
students set in pairs, just like in the Yeshiva, and discussed Jewish
law questions. We reminded ourselves that the Rabbis were under Roman
threat  for teaching Judaism.
The kids were introduced to the heroic fight in Masada, according to
"Masada" by Neil Waldman. We were impressed by the courage and
determination to maintain Judaism by Ben Yair's Jewish warriors.

Last but not least: We understand you prefer sending fresh food on
Sunday so please sign up the snack schedule with Julie Murphy, for the
second round. If you wish to send
the 5 dollars instead, please make arrangements with Julie. I
purchased "emergency snacks" (thank you Tammy!) so we are all
covered:)
Thank you Julie for your help!

Toda, (thanks)
Morah Rona






Shalom everybody,

We had a great time in the beautifully decorated Sukkah yesterday!
The students learned the words Sukkah, Schach(the roof covering) and
the 'four kinds' in Hebrew.

We prayed and practiced shaking  the Lulav.
The class discussed the many symbols the 'four kinds' represent and
ate its snack in the Sukkah (Thank you Tammy!)

As promised to the kids, here is the wonderful site for Jewish
holidays, Hebrew, Jewish history and much more:
http://www.akhlah.com/

Have a joyful holiday, חג שמח
Morah Rona







The Holy Temple and Fourth Grade
Sunday September 17th 

This Sunday we followed King David's dream to build a temple in Jerusalem.
We discovered that in fact  it was his son King Solomon who built the
first temple and stored
the Ten Commandments in the Holy of Holies.
We tried to imagine how did the temple look like and studied some
Jewish symbols
which were used during Temple times: The Menorah,  Shofar and  Star of David.

Every group gathered information about the symbol they chose to study
and then we planed our project.
Just like the original mosaics floors that were discovered around Jerusalem,
the students designed their Jewish symbols from small "stones" made
out of Magazine paper.
Next week we hope to finish the project and present it.

Also, next Sunday we'll study, play games and eat according to Rosh
Hashanah's traditions and customs.
If your child wants to share a special item/minhag (custom) from home,
we will be honored.

Thank you so much for your involvement,
B'shalom
Morah Rona







Sunday, August 28, 2011
Dear students and parents,


I'm Rona and I teach (and learn from) your 4th graders. We will cover Jewish history on Sundays and Hebrew (Alef 2) on Wednesdays.


I am a native Israeli and studied Art, photography and Art education in Beit Berl College. That's why we'll use a lot of Hebrew words in class and hopefully be engaged in several Art projects:)

This Sunday we followed Abraham, Sarah and their clan to the land of Cannan. We tracked their route on a wall map the kids prepared.

The covenant between G-d and Abraham was our first biblical text to discuss. We listened to Debbie Friedman's beautiful song "Lechi Lach,"
 which was based on the biblical promise.

We spoke about the Hebrew names Abraham and Sarah. If you have several minutes at home, please talk to your child about her/his Hebrew name, if they have one.

Towards the second part of our lesson, some of the kids became reporters that interviewed Sarah , Abraham and their family in the News Studio. The students thought about the hardship of leaving one's country and family.

I'm starting to know your wonderful kids. Please don't hesitate to introduce yourself after/before T'fillah.  Since your input is very important to me, please feel free to contact me via e-mail. Also, thank you so much for these nutritious and yummy snacks!

L'hitraot,
Rona
















Shalom Everybody!
The Fourth graders and I are going to travel in time along great Jewish communities through history; you are all invited aboard!
In the beginning of our journey we'll wander with Abraham, the first Jew, to biblical Israel (Canaan.) We'll get to know great Rabbis like the Rambam and Rashi, and wonderful poets like Ibn Gabirol and  Y'huda Halevi. Along the way we'll learn about Sephardic jews (from spain) and Ashkenazi Jews (from Eastern Europe) and identify great Jewish communities on the map.
In order to enjoy our traditions and Jewish lore we'll create Art projects, short skits and maybe listen to Jewish music from around the world.Hopefully, we'll be back in modern Israel for a nice tour of the Western wall and a great Israeli falafel:)
Dear Fourth Grade parents: please feel free to share any concern/wish/idea with me via e-mail. I learn a lot from your comments. Since I'm native to Israel and  have a big family around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, I enjoy taking pictures there.This time I attach two holy necessities for our trip:)
Let the journey begin... 
L'hitraot,Rona Goldrunagold@gmail.com




Welcome to the 5772 School Year!!!