Teaching Yom Kippur in Two Days

Engaging lessons that fit tight schedules

As Yom Kippur draws near, Limudei Kodesh teachers are presented with an opportunity to dive deep into the meaning and minhagim of this important day— all in just a few teaching days!

That’s why we’ve collected interactive teaching ideas that will not only engage your students but also help them absorb a lot of information in a short amount of time.

Fast Facts

Start with a mini challenge! Hand your students a list of statements about the new topic and let them decide if each one is true or false—or if they agree or disagree. It’s a fun way to get brains buzzing and conversations started, plus it gives you a sneak peek at what they already know (or think they know!).

Example: True or False?

We fast on Yom Kippur to commemorate the shattering of the luchos.
We hear 100 shofar blasts on Yom Kippur.
When Yom Kippur falls out on Shabbos, we don’t fast.

Four Corners

Pose a question with four possible viewpoints and let students physically “take a stand” by moving to the corner that matches their opinion. They then get to explain why they chose it, sparking conversation and giving everyone a chance to justify their thinking.

Movement + discussion in one fun learning activity.

Example: What is our main avoda on Yom Kippur?

Teshuva 2. Being Mamlich Hashem 3.Davening for a good year 4.Fasting

Brain Dump / Think-Pair-Share

Set the timer and have students jot down all the facts, ideas, or memories they can think of about a specific topic. Then, let them pair up to compare their notes and catch anything they missed. Wrap up with a class discussion to see all the memories combined.

Example: What are some minhagim, tefillos, or halachos that you remember about Yom Kippur?

Gallery Walk

Place important terms and questions on chart paper around the classroom. Students move in groups from station to station, writing down their thoughts and discoveries. It’s an interactive way to encourage collaboration, spark conversation, and turn learning into a fun, moving activity.

Example: אבינו מלכנו, תשובה\תפילה\צדקה, סעודה המפסקת, תפילת נעילה

K-W-L (Know, Want to Know, Learned)

Students write down what they already Know and what they’re curious about (Want to know) before diving in. Once the lesson is over, they fill in the Learned column. It turns learning into a mini journey and makes the “aha!” moments extra satisfying.

Quiz-Quiz-Trade

Have students write a question about Yom Kippur on one side of an index card and the answer on the other.

Next, students pair up to quiz each other, check answers, and trade cards. After some time, they find new partners and repeat the process.

As a closure, hold a debrief to discuss the most interesting or challenging questions created by students.

MORE TO EXPLORE

The Power of PTA

Parent-teacher conferences can feel intense. It’s a long evening, squeezed into an already packed week, and it sometimes comes with anxiety on both sides of the desk. But when approached thoughtfully, PTA can become one of the most uplifting, relationship-building parts of the school year—for you and for parents. Here are some practical, real-world insights designed to guide teachers—new and experienced alike—toward meaningful, productive conferences. Want to hear more? These tips come come from Torah Umesorah’s The Power of PTA—a rich, practical session packed with guidance, insight, and live role play. Click to watch. Why PTA Still Matters In many schools, teachers are already in consistent contact with parents. You make your welcome calls before the year begins, send notes home, reach out when needed. So why gather everyone on one night? Why the babysitters, parking, schedules, and stress? Because face-to-face connection builds something no email or phone call can.

Report Card Comments

Report card comments serve a vital purpose in a student’s educational journey. These comments offer insights into a student’s strengths and overall character. It’s important to be careful and thoughtful when writing report card comments. Positive language can encourage and inspire, while negative comments can stifle a student’s enthusiasm. By weighing every word carefully, educators can provide constructive feedback that nurtures growth and resilience, fostering an environment where students feel valued for their qualities and contributions to the class, beyond academic achievement. Some principals feel that report cards should only reflect positive aspects of the student. “We can share constructive criticism separately, either verbally or through written memos, allowing the comment section to focus solely on positive feedback,” says one veteran Bais Yaakov principal. “Along with academic performance, most schools include a section to rate character, effort, and conduct, providing students with clear feedback on areas that need improvement.“ Don’t

Making Connections

Starting the year with a positive connection can pave the way for successful communication throughout the school year. This isn’t just a formality; it’s an opportunity to lay a solid foundation between you, the teacher, and the parents of your students.

Grading Shortcut

https://tuteachercenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Excel-grading.mp4 Spreadsheets make calculating students’ grades quick and easy. They’re efficient and can be easily updated if anything changes, saving you from redoing all the math. Plus, they help keep everything organized and accurate, reducing mistakes. With a digital backup, your data is safe and easy to share with the school office, making it simple to include grades on report cards. Overall, spreadsheets make grading a breeze! If you’ve never done this before, here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your custom grading spreadsheet. 1. Set Up the Spreadsheet Header Open Excel and in Row 1, create the following headers: A1: Student Name B1: Test 1 C1: Test 2 D1: Test 3 E1: Test 4 F1: Final Score G1: Grade You can adjust the number of assignments/tests to suit your needs. 2. Enter Students’ Scores In rows 2 and onward, enter data for each student. Example: A2: Aviva B2: 85 C2: