MaToK is a joint project of The Schechter Day School Network
of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Dr.Elaine Cohen, Executive Director
and
The Melton Research Center for Jewish Education of the
Jewish Theological Seminary of America
Dr. Barry Holtz, Director
Dr. Deborah Miller, Associate Director
Dr. Zachary Lasker, Director of Educational Projects
Click here to watch the MaToK Slideshow for an overview of the principles and methodologies of the curriculum.
SUMMER WORKSHOP IN JULY
FOR ALL MATOK TEACHERS, SUPERVISORS, AND CURRICULUM COORDINATORS
Both new and veteran MaToK teachers are invited to attend:
JULY 9-11, 2012 AT ADAT ARI EL DAY SCHOOL IN VALLEY VILLAGE, CA CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FORM: July 2012 MaToK Registration
(THERE IS A DISCOUNTED FEE FOR TEACHERS WHO WERE TRAINED IN THE PAST AND ARE ATTENDING FOR AN UPDATE/REFRESHER. CONTACT GALYA FOR DETAILS AT gagreeenber@jtsa.edu)
April 2012-Nisan 5772 Update
What does teaching Torah have to do with 21st Century Education? Find out by watching this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax5cNlutAys These are some of the skills that our students need to succeed in the 21st century: Problem Solving Cultural Awareness Communication Collaboration Share with your colleagues: What are you doing in your Torah classes to promote these skills? Your replies will be posted in next month's MaToK newsletter.
Digital MaToK Imagine: The year is 2017 and your students walk into class with their tablets/iPads, but with no hard copy textbooks. What does their digital MaToK text look like? What features would like to see in the digital MaToK text? Send your ideas to Galya at: gagreenberg@jtsa.edu
Monthly Newsletter If you do not currently subscribe to the MaToK monthly newsletter, and
would like your name added to the listserv, please send an email to
gagreenberg@jtsa.edu . (It is easy to unsubscribe,
should you change your mind, simply by clicking on a link at the bottom
of each newsletter.)
March 2012-Adar 5772 Update
February 2012-Shevat 5772 Update
USING THE ARTS WITH MATOK
Here are websites that may be helpful in your teaching. One unit, about Ya’akov and the Ish, gives specific directions for implementing a project using depictions of Ya’akov’s encounter as interpreted by artists throughout history. However, artwork can be incorporated into almost any unit, particulary if you have visual learners and/or students with “artistic intelligence”. Please share your ideas and experiences about using art to supplement teaching Torah.
artwork:
http://www.tali-virtualmidrash.org.il/
videos:
http://mediamidrash.behrmanhouse.com/sub_search.php?search_term=22
http://www.g-dcast.com/
songs:
http://www.bibleraps.com/
Have you tried making your own flashcards with ClassTools.net? Students can play computer games to learn the vocabulary!
Go to Premium Login: matokbibleproject Password: 5772
Check out the set I made for one unit: http://classtools.net/widgets/quiz_2/QL0CE.htm
Click on the link and then press “play” to see the choices.
New Posters to Help Your Students
Todah Rabbah to Marcia Kaunfer for a jazzy and attractive new set of access skill charts for MaToK classrooms! Marcia was one of the original curriculum writers for MaToK, as well as an experienced teacher of Torah. She is now a trainer and consultant for the Bible Standards and Benchmarks Project. Please print out the posters in color, laminate, and put in your classroom for daily reference!
Download the charts here: access skills posters
What should teachers be doing ? 1. Every class session begins with the brakha: . . .La’asok b’divray torah. 2. The class period begins and ends with a reading of the passage under study in a “text yafeh” (a chumash or tanakh). 3. The terminology for the literary access skills is posted. 4. Words that are repeatedly used in directions and exercises are posted, if necessary. 5. Student work reflecting critical thinking on previously studied passages is posted. 6. Important vocabulary and shorashim are posted. 7. An observer should be able to figure out by a glance around the room, what part of the Torah is being studied. 8. There is a “question box” or updated digital equivalent such as a question blog, wallwisher question wall, space on the class website or wiki, etc. TEACHERS- Please share how you accomplish these components of MaToK in your classroom! |
Supplementary Materials for Teachers
Introduction for teachers new to MaToK
All teachers’ guides can be downloaded directly from the USCJ Book Service website
MaToK simaniyot (bookmarks) with the access skills listed and illustrated:
Worksheet with list of acess skills and space to take notes:
Example of pages from the new English version of the LekhLekha student workbook: Lekh Lekha English sample
Assumed Vocabulary
When students begin their study of Torah, using MaToK, a certain amount of receptive vocabulary is assumed. These are words that can be used commonly in early childhood settings (pre-kindergarten through second grade) in informal (play, dance, conversation) and formal (story-telling, early reading and writing) activities. Obviously, we do not drill or practice word lists, but students can learn to comprehend and respond appropriately to these words.
We hope that you find them useful in preparing your students for Torah study.
Assumed vocabulary for Parashat Bereshit
Assumed vocabulary for Lekh-Lekha
An interesting article on vocabulary development
If there are materials mentioned in your teacher’s guide that you do not have, please contact Galya at gagreenberg@jtsa.edu.
Order forms for student booklets and downloadable pdf files:
Information on pricing and ordering of files for use with interactive white boards
Student Booklet Order Forms for the 2011-2012 School Year
The order forms may be printed out or filled in on line. They may be emailed, faxed, or hard copy mailed. Directions, addresses and fax numbers are found on each form.
Special pricing order form for schools new to MaToK
Order form for student booklets in color
The booklets that are printed in color may also be ordered directly on line from the United Synagogue Book Service www.uscj.org/booksvc. Search “MaToK” or go to “School Curriculum and Forms” in the menu. All teachers’ guides can be downloaded directly from the USCJ Book Service website.
The following student booklets, printed in black and white materials, cannot be ordered on-line: Noah, Ki Tissa, Bemidbar, Beha-alotekha, Shlah-Lekha, Korah, Hukat, Balak, and Halakha in Torah. Please download the following form for order instructions: Student booklets NOT in color
ANNUAL WORKSHOP WAS HELD IN AUGUST
The annual Summer Orientation for teachers who are new to teaching the MaToK Curriculum was held at the Jewish Theological Seminary in August. Seven teachers attended the three day workshop which was led by MaToK Director Galya Greenberg. The teachers came from the Jewish Primary Day School (Washington D.C.), Krieger Schechter School (Baltimore), Chicago Jewish Day School, and Gesher Jewish Day School (Fairfax, VA). The participants learned the principles upon which the curriculum is based and the main Torah access skills that they will be teaching to their students. Additional discussions included Differentiated Instruction, Critical Thinking, Moral Development, Social-Emotional Development, Midrash, and helping students make personal meaning from the text. Teachers had a chance to learn about the various components of the teachers’ guides and to begin planning their first unit.
We would like to plan the next Orientation to be in a part of the country where the maximum number of teachers might be able to attend. Schools interested in sending teachers to the next summer’s orientation should contact Galya at gagreenberg@jtsa.edu.
Debby Miller hands off MaToK to Galya Greenberg!
March 2011
Debby (right) hands off to Galya
We are thrilled to announce that the new Project Director of MaToK is Galya Greenberg. As you read about her, you will see why we believe that she is exactly the right person to move MaToK to its next level of excellence. Galya has infectious enthusiasm, and a marvelously positive attitude toward the potential of Jewish life and learning.
We know that you will reach out to Galya to welcome her. You can reach Galya at: 860-521-2626
Galya is a doctoral student in Jewish Educational Leadership at Northeastern University and Hebrew College. Her particular area of interest is in the professional development of Jewish day school teachers. She has an extensive background in day school education as both a teacher and administrator, and she has supervised MaToK teachers at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford. Galya graduated from Brandeis University with a BA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, and earned an MA in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary of
America. Galya and her husband live in West Hartford, CT.
(Debby Miller is stepping down from MaToK to take on other responsibilities at JTS.)
About our Design Partners
The full-color, professionally-designed MaToK student booklets are designed and printed in Israel by MaTaH (CET). MaTaH is the largest educational publisher in Israel. Their team is led by Zohar Harkov. The team includes specialists in layout, graphics and Hebrew.
To learn more about CET, please click here.