Sukkot - ToTal

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LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
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Lower Grades
School Curriculum
Sukkot
EDUCATION
ToTal
EDUCATION
is a series of Jewish educational programs steeped in the
wisdom of the Torah and designed to provide cultural, historical
and social enrichment to Jewish youngsters and their families.
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The A
ToTal is a project of
The AFIKIM FOUNDATION.
LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
GOALS:
The purpose of this curriculum is to
create an educational structure for first and second grade students for the
holiday of Sukkot. We will be working with a simple 3 part outline:
1. Meaning of Sukkot
2. The Sukkah
3. The 4 species or minim
Each section contains a brief Lesson Theme, describing the topics of
exploration, followed by a series of games, projects, and stories to be used as
resources by the teacher.
Page 2
LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
MEANING OF SUKKOT
God asks the Jewish people to build Sukkot on the 15th day of Tishrei, and to live in these Sukkot for
seven days.
What is a Sukkah? - A temporary house.
Can we really live in our Sukkah? – We eat and spend as much time as we can in our Sukkah. In Israel
and in many communities around the world some people even sleep in the Sukkah.
Why do we do this?
More than 3000 years ago, the Jewish people were slaves to the Egyptian Pharaoh. Of course the Jewish
people only serve God, and so He sent us Moshe who led the Jewish people out of Egypt. But when we
left, we were in the desert for 40 years. The desert is hot and dry, we were weak and tired, and we had to
live in Sukkot. But God took care of us and protected us. Today we are very comfortable and we live free.
But in order to remember how we were slaves once and God protected us in the desert; we go out to eat
in the Sukkah to remember how God took care of us over 3000 years ago.
Page 3
LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
THE SUKKAH
(For The Sukkah and Four Species units, the more visual and interactive the teacher is the more the children
will retain. There is a project at the close of these units which bring this point into focus. See: The Magic Sukkah Bus.)
How do we build a Sukkah?
We need 3 things:
• A proper place to build it
• Walls
• Roof
Where is a proper place to build a Sukkah?
Under The Stars
A Sukkah must be built in an area that is open to the sky above. There can be nothing hanging over
the special roof of the sukkah. Not another roof, not a ledge, not even a tree whose branches bend
over the top of the Sukkah.
What makes a “kosher” Sukkah wall?
A Sukkah needs to have at least three walls, (possibly two and a half if a doorway makes up the other
half of the wall). The walls can be made of almost anything that will not blow down with a regular
strength wind. You do not have to build the walls for the Sukkah. You can simply use walls that already exist, such as the outside walls of a building, or a room where the roof comes off.
What makes a “kosher” Sukkah roof?
The roof of the Sukkah is different than any other roof and is designed specifically for a Sukkah. This
special roof is called Schach.
Page 4
LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
SCHACH FACTS!
What are Schach?
• The Schach must be made from some type of tree, or anything that grows in the ground. It can be the
branches or the leaves – BUT they can no longer be attached to the ground, they must be detached.
• No other material can be used on the roof. The Schach should have spaces so that a little sunlight comes
through. (There must always be more shade inside the Sukkah than sunlight.)
• The Schach are the last thing to be put on the Sukkah and can only be put up once all the walls are in
place.
• The Schach of choice is usually bamboo poles. Today many use bamboo or reeds joined together in a
mat that can easily be rolled out over the Sukkah.
Why do we have a Schach roof?
The special roof symbolizes the temporary nature of the Sukkah. When it rains, the Sukkah gets wet. This
can help us remember just how vulnerable we were during those years when God protected us in the desert.
Decorations
Even though it is temporary, the Sukkah is still our “home” for seven days. Because of this many people like
to create all sorts of nice decorations to hang in their Sukkah so that is looks more beautiful. This is a way
we can take extra pride and joy in the Mitzvah God asked us to do.
Page 5
LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
NAME THAT SUKKAH
Show each Sukkah one by one. Let the class respond “Kosher” or “Not Kosher.”
– And finally – Who can explain why?
1
4
The Kahans built their Sukkah
like a teepee.
The Lasky family built a 2.5 sided sukkah
with branches for the roof. They put it on
their back porch.
5
2
The Friedmans made 3 walls for their
sukkah out of old doors and had
branches on the roof.
The Strauss family built their sukkah out
of lattice. The 3 sides were hinged
together and the roof was branches.
6
3
The Jacobs made a sukkah by decorating
the gazebo in their garden
The Baines took 4 poles which they placed
in cans filled with cement, used sheets for
walls and a plastic table cloth for the roof.
Page 6
LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
THE FOUR SPECIES
Aside from building the Sukkah, God asks us to go out and get 4 special types of plants.
Well, actually, it’s three plants and one fruit…. Altogether we call it The Four Species.
What are the four species?
• Etrog – We take 1 Etrog.
o A fruit which is related to lemon, but is not a lemon. It is yellow, shaped
in an oval and has a sweet smell.
• Lulav – We take 1 Lulav
o A palm branch which has not yet spread its leaves. It is tall and straight.
• Hadasim – We take 3 Hadasim.
o Little branches that have small clusters of three leaves together
along the stem. These branches also smell very nice.
• Aravot – We take 2 Aravot.
o These little branches have two long leaves that grow out in
pairs down the stem.
N
W
E
S
Page 7
LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
THE FOUR SPECIES – INSIDE EDITION
WHAT’S BEHIND THE PLANTS?
Every Part Of The Body…and Soul
• Etrog
o The Etrog is shaped like a heart to remind us that deep down in our heart
we always want to do good.
o Can you think of good deeds you can do?
• Lulav
o The Lulav looks like a spime, like a person who is standing tall and proud –
the way a Jew should always stand.
o What helps the Jewish people stand up tall and proud? (Israel – Kiddush Hashem)
• Hadasim
o The leaves of the Hadas look like eyes. This reminds us that we need to be careful
to always look at people favorably and give them the benefit of the doubt.
o When is it good to give someone the benefit of the doubt?
• Aravot
o The leaves of the Aravah look like lips. This reminds that we must always be
careful with what we say.
o Can you think of examples of things that we should not say?
So when we bring all the species together, we remember
exactly what we need to be a good person.
To do good deeds with a happy heart
To stand up tall proud of who we are
To always judge people favorably
To not speaking poorly of others
Page 8
LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
“BY INVITATION ONLY”
(Source: www.aish.com)
It was one month and counting to the big day -- Shimmy’s bar mitzvah. The hall was rented.
The caterer was hired. Shimmy, always a good student, had already learned by heart everything he had to say.
There was only one thing missing -- the invitations. It had taken ages for them to come back
from the printer and now that they had arrived at last, the envelopes had to be addressed
and fast.
“Shimmy, your job is easy,” said Shimmy’s older sister Ruth. “Just tell me who you want to
invite and I’ll address the envelopes.”
Ruth loved the job because it let her show off her calligraphic skills.
Shimmy shrugged. “No problem,” he said, handing her a list of his classmates. “I want to invite everyone in my class, except for Randy.”
Ruth blinked. “Why don’t you want to invite that one boy?” she asked,
confused. “Did he do something to hurt you?”
“Well, no,” Shimmy answered. “It’s just that he’s ... you know, kinda
weird. He dresses funny and just sits by himself and doesn’t talk to
anybody. Besides,” he added nervously, as if to justify himself, “the last guy in the class who
made a party didn’t invite him either.”
Ruth put down the stack of envelopes she was
holding and looked at her brother across the table.
“Shimmy, think about what you’re saying. Is it right
that people are inviting the whole class and leaving
one boy out, just because he’s not so popular?”
Shimmy looked down at the ground. He thought
about his sister’s words. “Would it be so bad to
count him in?” she urged.
Shimmy looked up at Ruth and said quietly, “You
know, when I went to the party last week and
Randy wasn’t there, it really didn’t seem right. He’s
part of the class, too. Let’s invite him.”
Ruth smiled at Shimmy in approval and began her
calligraphy. The invitations went out and the big
night arrived. The Bar Mitzvah was a huge success.
Even Uncle Abe had a good time.
Page 9
LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
After the party, Shimmy was up late opening all his gifts and cards. He opened up one present
and read the card. “Hey Ruth,” he called out to his sister sitting on the couch across the room.
“Come see this!”
His sister put down the book she was reading and came over to take a look. “What is it?” she
asked. “A big check from Aunt Lil?”
“No,” he laughed. “Something even better. Read this.” He
handed her a small card. It said:
Dear Shimmy,
Happy Bar Mitzvah. Thanks so much for inviting
me. I didn’t think anybody even knew I existed.
Now I feel like I’m one of the guys... thanks to
you.
Randy
Shimmy looked at his sister and said, “Thanks for helping me make the right decision. You
never know what one little invitation can do.”
Points of Focus:
• How do think Randy felt?
• How would it make you feel if all your friends did something and excluded you?
Page 10
LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER…
CLASS ACTIVITY
THE MAGIC SUKKAH BUS
(This project should be created using the theme from The Magic School Bus)
The teacher will create some sort of “bus” decorated in the Magic School Bus theme for the children to ride
in. Tip: A hollow cardboard box decorated as the bus. The children stand inside the box holding it up with rope
handles attached to the inside. (Think Flintstones car meets Magic School Bus). The class will travel in The
Magic Sukkah Bus to explore each of the areas we just discussed.
First Stop
Going outside to build a Sukkah…
Tip: This does not have to be a real Sukkah (although that can be a lot of fun if there are
safe ways to be found for the children to participate in the building), but can be made from
cardboard and branches. The key: hands-on involvement
What do we need to build? -- How many walls? -- What kind roof? – etc.
Second Stop
Getting our four species
This can be done in two ways.
1. Reality – If it is possible to get a hold of non-kosher (chinuch) materials so that each child
can create their own “real life” set.
2. Arts & Crafts – The obviously more common way of having the children create their own
4 species sets using A & C materials. (Below we have listed some good options in Arts &
Crafts Solutions)
Third Stop
Sukkah Decoration
Creating fun and exciting Sukkah decorations - See below Arts & Crafts Solutions
Fourth (and final) Stop
Visiting the Sukkah
Visiting as Ushpezin
Each class member (or small group) receives an Ushpezin identity. (Perhaps a card with
one special fact about their person.) They are then called into the Sukkah in the proper
order. There, they can hang their decoration and complete the Magic Sukkah Bus tour.
Page 11
LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
ARTS & CRAFTS SOLUTIONS
Species:
Etrog and Lulav
What You’ll Need:
• Paper towel tube
• Two sheets of green construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Staples or tape
• Cardboard egg carton
• Yellow paint
How to Make It:
To make the lulav, wrap a sheet of construction paper around the paper towel tube and glue or tape in place.
Ask a grownup to help you cut long “fringes” in the second piece of construction paper, leaving about 2 or
3 inches uncut along the edge. Roll the fringe so that you can insert it into the paper towel tube and glue or
staple into place.
To make the etrog, have an adult help you cut two egg cups from the egg carton, careful to leave a small lip
around the edges. Glue the two egg cups together, edge to edge, to form an oval-shaped etrog. When dry,
paint the etrog yellow.
Decorations:
Sukkah Paper Chains
What You’ll Need:
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Staples
• Markers, crayons, poster paints, glitter, stamps or other decorative objects
How to Make It:
Ask a grownup to help you cut 1 to 2-inch wide strips of colored construction paper. If you wish, decorate
the strips with markers, crayons, glue and glitter, stamps or other decorative objects. Loop the strips and glue
or staple them together. Hang the paper chain in your sukkah for a colorful and festive touch.
Page 12
LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
MARZIPAN FRUIT MINIATURES
•
•
•
•
What You’ll Need:
One block white marzipan
Food coloring
Whole cloves
Small box
How to Make It:
Cut the marzipan into five even pieces and
make an indentation in the middle with your
finger to hold the food coloring. Add 6 to 8
drops of red food coloring to one piece, yellow to another, green to a third and orange to
the fourth. Mix blue and red to make purple
for the fifth. Knead each piece until the color is
evenly distributed. To make the various fruits,
roll small bits of marzipan into balls. For apples,
roll small red balls; oranges, small orange balls;
pears, small green balls with a pinch around the
centers; bananas, small yellow balls that you can
then roll into tiny ropes and shape; grapes, very
small purple balls that you can group together.
Use any extra green to fashion small leaves. For
stems, insert whole cloves. Carefully place your
miniature fruit into a small box for a charming
(and edible!) decoration for the Sukkot holiday
table or as a special gift.
Page 13
LOWER GRADES
SUKKOT CURRICULUM
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