What is the place of rules in our lives? How do Jewish commandments reflect Jewish values? Shavuot, also known as Zman Matan Torateinu (the time we received our Torah), is an opportune time to think about and discuss these questions. This resource opens with a thought provoking activity (see attached template below) that enables learners to articulate the pluses and minuses of rules in general, and continues with a focus on the rules of Judaism in particular. Students will study the text of the Ten Commandments and can choose to research a specific commandment that is meaningful to them or to create an artistic representation of the commandment that demonstrates both the personal connection and the Jewish value that lies at its heart.
The learner will:
Understand why and how Torah commandments improve and enhance our lives
know what the Ten Commandments are and the structure in which they are organized
be able to choose a commandment and express either through art or writing why it is meaningful to them and what value is reflected within it.
When you click on the Jewish Education by Design resource link featured above, you will find the following educational building blocks for the creation of a lesson plan:
Essential questions that get to the “heart” of the learning
A hook/s to open the lesson in an engaging fashion and spark the learners’ curiosity
In depth discussion questions that are designed to elicit conceptual thinking and personal reflections about the featured source/s
Suggested activities that enable the students to both process and apply what was learned in a thought provoking and creative fashion
A further study option/s to related materials on the JEBD site or to external links
Student handouts, projector, art supplies