MitkademMitkadem: :

Setting Up Your Classroom

Overview of TutorialOverview of Tutorial

Purpose – to outline the administration of the Mitkadem program- What is needed to run Mitkadem- Tips and hints for the classroom

PeoplePlacesPaperwork

Tips and Hints Glossary

Essential Questions Essential Questions

How does a student progress through the program

What makes for good record keepingWhat people need to be involved and in

what rolesWhat kinds of space do we needHow will I organize my classroom

Evidence of UnderstandingEvidence of Understanding

You will identify how the paperwork, people, and places will be organized in your school for Mitkadem to work

You will create a plan for your own class

PeoplePlacesPaperwork

Tips and Hints Glossary

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Where can I look for information Where can I look for information on how to use on how to use Mitkadem Mitkadem in my in my

classroom?classroom?

The Mitkadem Teacher’s Guides

UAHC Press

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Some Some MitkademMitkadem Teacher’s Guide Teacher’s Guide ResourcesResources::

Steps to the Mitkadem ProgramPrayer MapCumulative Report

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What process will my students go What process will my students go through?through?

Steps to the Mitkadem Program

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Steps to the Steps to the Mitkadem Mitkadem Program:Program:

Student BeginsRamah

Work on Contract Activities

Complete the Ramah and Study for the Quiz

Take the Ramah Quiz

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Steps in the Steps in the MitkdemMitkdem Program Program

Student Begins a Ramah

Start with the brit pamphlet (including contract, milon, and prayer) and hakdamah

introductory pamphlet

After completing the hakdamah activities students are given

all the remaining activitiesStart with the brit

Work onContract Activities

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Steps to the Steps to the Mitkadem Mitkadem ProgramProgramWork on Contract Activities

As students complete and check off activities, teachers or

assistants sign off on the brit

Activities can be done in any order – some reading should be

done in each class

Students can work alone or in groups to complete

the activities

CD players set up in the room for listening activities

Complete the Ramah and

Study for the Quiz

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Steps to the Steps to the Mitkadem Mitkadem ProgramProgram

Complete the Ramah and Study for the Quiz

Once students have completed at least the required activities,

they can be tested

It is suggested that students complete the “review” activities to study for the quiz

All students should study prior to the quiz

Take the Ramah Quiz

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Take the Ramah Quiz

Students are sent to the designated place to take the quiz

Each Ramah assessment involves both a written and reading portion

The written portion tests the knowledge of Hebrew principles

and prayer content

The reading portion is a test of the reading and chanting of the prayer – it can include

reading unseen texts

Passes Quiz

Does not pass Quiz

Steps to the Steps to the Mitkadem Mitkadem ProgramProgram

Study for ReQuiz

Begins New

Ramah

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Study for ReQuiz

Student studies the review activities more

Teacher may assist student with one-on-one teaching

Steps to the Steps to the Mitkadem Mitkadem ProgramProgram

Student does not pass quiz:

Take the Ramah Quiz

Student will either take the whole quiz

or just retake the specific section(s)

passesBegins

NewRamah

Doesnot pass

Repeat this step until

passes

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Steps in the Steps in the MitkdemMitkdem Program Program

Student Begins New Ramah

Tester gives student the newbrit pamphlet (including contract, milon, and prayer) and hakdamah

introductory pamphlet

After completing the hakdamah activities students are given

all the remaining activitiesby the teacher to complete in the

order of their choice

Student passes quiz:

Process continues

Back to Steps

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What will help guide my students’ What will help guide my students’ learning?learning?

Prayer MapRamot ContractsMitkadem CD

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Prayer MapPrayer Map

Shows the order of the service

Demonstrates how their learning fits into the service

Acts as a place to mark what they know

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RamotRamot Contracts Contracts

Explain tasks to complete each ramah

Used by teacher and student to track progress

List required and review activities of each ramah

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MitkademMitkadem CD CDAllows students to listen to the sound of

words and prayersRequired in the k’riah sectionConsider having CD players and headsets

- setup a listening center for student use

Select to order

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How will my students keep How will my students keep organized in class?organized in class?

Individual student folders

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Student FolderStudent Folder

Materials specific to the ramahMaterials needed throughout the program

- prayer map- Milon – either in a machberet (notebook) or as index cards on a ring or in a box

Contains:

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Student FolderStudent Folder

Keep in the classroom for students to access

When the student passes a test the ramah worksheets should be sent home

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How will student records be How will student records be organized?organized?

Cumulative record folders

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Cumulative FolderCumulative Folder

Cumulative recordEach ramah test the student has passed

Contains:

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Cumulative FolderCumulative Folder

Stored in the school by the “tester”- the tester may be the teacher, administrator, or another person on staff

Student does not use this folder

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Cumulative FolderCumulative Folder

Filing Tip:

Each “class” of students can be color coded. For example, select blue for the 3rd grade of 2004 and keep the color across the years.

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PeoplePlacesPaperwork

Tips and Hints Glossary

People

Who currently helps you with Who currently helps you with Hebrew planning and teaching?Hebrew planning and teaching?

Consider:

People

Is your list similar to ours?Is your list similar to ours?

No one Educator/Principal Hebrew coordinator Student teacher

Another teacher Rabbi Cantor

People

What are the roles for the personnel What are the roles for the personnel involved with involved with Mitkadem?Mitkadem?

People

The Role of the TeacherThe Role of the Teacher

People

What do you think the teacher’s What do you think the teacher’s role as facilitator might look like?role as facilitator might look like?

Consider:

People

Teacher as FacilitatorTeacher as FacilitatorBeing creative and flexible in teaching

styles

Assisting individual students

Bringing your class together

Other ideas?

People

Assisting your students:Assisting your students:

Students needing assistance list their names on the board- assist students based on the list

Circle the room repeatedly in set order helping those that need assistance

Teacher’s assistant circles the room while the teacher remains in the front for those with more needs

People

Assisting your students:Assisting your students:

Use parent volunteers to assistHave a person other than the teacher

administer testsCollect papers and review them between

classes, not duringOther ideas?

People

Bringing Your Class Together:Bringing Your Class Together:

Discuss a prayer that most of your students have completed or are completing

Teach the class about a common mistake or challenge

Teach a theme from the liturgy (see the teacher’s guide for themes)

People

Bringing Your Class Together:Bringing Your Class Together:

Teach the structure of the serviceTeach general grammar – use roots from

the ramotOther ideas?

Discuss any group teaching with your Director or Coordinator to ensure that year to year there is continuity

People

The Role of the The Role of the Educator/Principal/Hebrew Educator/Principal/Hebrew

CoordinatorCoordinator

People

How might the educator be able to How might the educator be able to act as a resource?act as a resource?

Consider:

People

Educator as a ResourceEducator as a ResourceProvide for teacher training and support

Allow time for teachers to share ideas

Assist with program administration

Other ideas?

People

Teacher training and supportTeacher training and supportMitkadem is a new experience for teachers and students

The educator may:

Provide teacher development workshops and opportunities to

• assist teachers with implementation

• allow teachers to develop new ways of teaching

People

Time to share ideasTime to share ideasTeachers need to be flexible in their teaching styles

The educator may:

Provide time for teachers to meet to

• share ideas

• work as a team

People

Assist with administrationAssist with administrationMitkadem requires administrative planning

The educator may:

Provide administrative support with the program by

• acting as a/the test giver

• keeping the cumulative records

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The Role of the The Role of the Co-Teacher/Student TeacherCo-Teacher/Student Teacher

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How might a How might a co-teacher/student teacher assist co-teacher/student teacher assist

students?students?

Consider:

People

You might:You might:Split the number of students that you

attend to with the other teacher

Have the second teacher provide assistance to students working at a slower pace

Other ideas?

People

The Role of the Rabbi/CantorThe Role of the Rabbi/Cantor

People

How might you utilize the clergy in How might you utilize the clergy in your classroom?your classroom?

Consider:

People

You might:You might:Have the rabbi or cantor come to class as a

special visitor

Have clergy teach a special class to advanced students (even on a once a month basis)

Other ideas?

People

The Role of the TutorThe Role of the Tutor

People

How might tutors be helpful in a How might tutors be helpful in a Mitkadem Mitkadem classroom?classroom?

Consider:

People

You might:You might:Use tutors to provide special attention to

those students needing a little more assistance

Use teenagers as tutors

Other ideas?

People

PeoplePlacesPaperwork

Tips and Hints Glossary

Places

What is the physical space needed What is the physical space needed for Mitkadem?for Mitkadem?

Places

Physical SpacePhysical Space

Learning spaceTesting spaceAdministrative records spaceOptional tutoring center

Places

Learning SpaceLearning Space

How many students will be in the classroom?

How much assistance will there be?

When deciding how to set up the classroom, consider:

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What might the classroom look What might the classroom look like?like?

Places

Classroom Layout OptionsClassroom Layout Options Individual student

desks with teacher in the corner

Develop a “reading lab” learning center

Group desks so students working on the same ramah can work togetherLeave space for students to work independently if they choose

Allow students to move desks to be with whomever they might like

Set up a listening center with headphones so more than one student can listen or provide walkmans for independent listening

Other ideas?

Places

Individual student desksIndividual student desks

With the teacher in the corner

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““Reading Lab”Reading Lab”

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Group DesksGroup Desks

With room left for those

choosing to work alone

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Allow students to move desksAllow students to move desks

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Listening CenterListening Center

Center with multiple headphones

Personal listening devices

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Testing SpaceTesting Space

Who is the right person to administer the test?Where is the best place to give the test?

When your school designs the testing space, consider:

Places

Administrative Records SpaceAdministrative Records Space

Who is the right person to keep the records?Where is the best place to keep the records?Where is the best place to keep ramot packets?

When your school decides how to keep records, consider

Places

What might your school look like?What might your school look like?

Places

School Layout OptionsSchool Layout Options

Testing room(s) - you may want one for written testing and one for oral testing

Set up classrooms for different ramot - advantage – teachers responsible for only

a certain number of prayers- disadvantage – segregates students and might create social issues

Places

PeoplePlacesPaperwork

Tips and Hints Glossary

Tips and Hints

Remember:Remember:

The size and the resources of your school will be a main variable in how you choose to answer the questions about Paperwork,

People, and Places

Tips and Hints

Where do I go from here?Where do I go from here?

Tips and Hints

Questions for you to considerQuestions for you to consider Paperwork

- When and why will you bring your class together as a group?

People- How will you assist all of the students in your class as they work independently at their own level?

Places- How might you choose to layout your own classroom and use other school space?

Tips and Hints

Where to Get More InformationWhere to Get More Information

Congregational Educator

Mitkadem overview

More on ramot

Teacher’s Guide

Other schools using Mitkadem

Union for Reform Judaism Regional Educator

Tips and Hints

PeoplePlacesPaperwork

Tips and Hints Glossary

Glossary

My DictionaryMy Dictionary

Glossary

ה ָמ5 level – ָר5ית ָר; student contract of activities – ְּב>ּלֹון student dictionary for the ramah – ָמ;ה ָמ5 קָד5 Cה – introductory activitiesיָאה ָר; reading activities – ק>

ים ּל; ָר ָמ; Cאֹוַצ – vocabulary activitiesּדּוק ק> grammar activities – ּד;

ה ּל5 י ּתִפ; Lָר ְב> ּד; – “words about prayer” activitiesים ִׁש; ָר5 roots – ִׁש5ן ָח5 ְב> quiz – ָמ;

Credits:Credits: Cheri Ellowitz Silver, MAJE, MAJCS, M.S. Ed, RJE, author of

Mitkadem Nina Price, MAJE, creator of the Steps in the Mitkadem Program

chart adapted here Lisa Lieberman Barzilai, MAJE, RJE, Regional Educator Greater

NY Council and Debbie Joseph, Regional Educator Mid-Atlantic Council, the creators of the Mitkadem retreat track session adapted here

UAHC Press, publishers of Mitkadem Rabbi Jan Katzew, Ph. D., RJE, Director of the

Union for Reform Judaism Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning

Wendy Rapport, RJE., Associate Director of the Union for Reform Judaism Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning

Renée B. Rittner, MSW, MAJS, MAJE, M. Ed., Educational Technology Specialist, Union for Reform Judaism for adapting this tutorial

Return to:Return to:

Mitkadem: Hebrew for YouthTeacher toolsEvaluation of the CHAI curriculum