A High School classroom is an excellent space for growth-oriented discussion, even during secular studies. Bashy, a teacher of ninth-grade English Language Arts, uses literary pieces on self-growth topics during Sefira.
She sometimes brings in children’s books, too. The students love the lighter atmosphere that picture books bring.
The lesson is structured just like all other Literature classes, and the theme, rhyme structure, imagery, etc. spark quality literary discussion.
Books that can be purchased at national bookstores
The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss
A typical Dr. Seuss-style book about a community of Sneetches who are divided into two groups: those with stars on their bellies and those without. Through the storyline, the Sneetches realize that their external differences do not define their worth, leading to a conclusion about equality and friendship.
Brings home the meaninglessness of peer pressure and how people tend to perpetuate such an environment.
A book about a group of colored circles who stand up to Red, a powerful color that shames and excludes Blue. Through a simple narrative and vibrant illustrations, the book conveys a message about the importance of individuality, friendship, and the impact that one voice can have in creating more inclusivity.
Well-known book that shows a picture and keeps zooming out further and further to add perspective. The children in the first picture are really on the cover of a magazine, in an ad on a bus which is pictured on a tiny postage stamp, and so on.
Can be used to highlight how limited our view of a situation can be. Can be used to encourage taking a wider perspective, or to be dan l’kaf zechus.
Although this book has no words, there is quality to the experience of sharing this book with your class.
A hilarious, almost nonsensical book about a boy who gets his kite trapped in a tree and keeps throwing items at the tree, and they all get stuck too. Highlights how we sometimes react to challenging situations in ways that either don’t solve them or even make them worse.
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
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.
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:
There’s nothing more exhilarating than a pile of marked papers. And there’s nothing more overwhelming than a pile of unmarked test papers. Testing and accurate marking are necessary to hold students accountable and give them the feedback they crave. Here are some tips to lighten your marking load and help you finish the school year paperwork-free! In General: Plan Ahead When creating your test, set up the questions to make the marking move quicker. Use more short-answer or multiple-choice questions. (Click HERE for more tips on creating tests.) Small increments Tackle five to ten tests at a time. Section by section Create a sample answer sheet and cut out the answers to each section. Put the answer key near the students’ answers to rely less on your memory. Magic Marker Hire an assistant or a colleague to help with grading. For Essays and Long Answers: Use symbols or
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
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.
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
There’s nothing more exhilarating than a pile of marked papers. And there’s nothing more overwhelming than a pile of unmarked test papers. Testing and accurate
Creating Questions Create an outline of the material taught Mark “must know” vs. “nice to know” information. When creating questions, prioritize questions on “must know”
At this time we offer classroom setup materials only for General Studies. You can also browse themed bulletin boards by clicking General Studies in the menu.
