Before you begin, make sure everyone knows what the sweet treat is and the expectation that everyone will participate nicely. Make a big deal of it, especially those first few times! Children will look forward to Tiptoeing each week.
How can I integrate this activity into holiday lesson planning?
Either start your Torah at Simchas Torah or in preparation of the holiday, start making the Torah scroll cover. On Simchat Torah, pre-K students love dancing with their Torahs.
How can I include parents?
For homework, have students ask a parent one of the questions to be shared the following class.
Have parents supply the treat each week.
Some classes like to invite parents during the kick off of the Tiptoe Torah with the students.
What do I do if my student doesn’t want to Tiptoe?
- Offer the student to be the one who reads it out loud or answers the first question.
- Offer the child to make up his or her own questions into instead of using the ones provided.
- If student doesn't want to illustrate, that's okay. It's not required. Or they can do it at home.
Tips For Leading A Torah Discussion
The goal is to connect with Torah and each other.
- About the answers. The most important thing is respecting each persons answer. They are not right/wrong or true/false. They are individual perspectives and interpretations that create a personal connection with the Torah.
- Find something positive to say. — “I hadn’t thought about it that way”, “interesting idea”.
- If you keep an open mind, you will be surprised how much you will learn. If you answer, the students will appreciate how
- If large class, share answers in smaller groups.
What about School Breaks?
- Don’t worry. Just begin where you left off.
- Offer the students to continue their Torah scroll at home, possibly sharing progress when they return.
Details
Setting
- After School and Beyond
- Camp
- Congregational Learning
- Day Schools and Yeshivas
- Family Engagement