Classroom Stations Bring Second Grade Study of Israel to Life

Coinciding with the celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut on May 2, second graders are learning about Israel and the importance of the country to the history of the Jewish people. Students were introduced to Jewish history, in which they learned about the Jews living in Europe during World War II. They also learned about Theodor Herzl (considered to be the visionary of the State of the Israel and one of the founders of modern Zionism). This week students engaged in classroom stations designed to provide them with a hands-on opportunity to learn about Israel. The stations included locating Israel and its neighboring countries on a globe (Did you know Israel is smaller than Lake Michigan?); learning about the many exports Israel sends around the world; decorating the Israeli flag and emblem; writing peace poems; and creating the Star of David out of pattern blocks.

 

This lesson is one of special significance to teacher Orit Solomon. “I am an Israeli adult, grew up in Israel, and lived there,” she explains, “but to see that an eight-year-old sees and understands the vital existence of this tiny place is a huge reward for a Jewish educator.” MORE PHOTOS