Hands-on learning enhances students’ education at Striar Hebrew Academy By Debbie Ellenbogen, Pre-K teacher at SHAS In these modern times, when it is possible to find everything from kosher l’Pesach pizza crust and noodles to “bagels” and “hamburger buns,” it is increasingly difficult for kids to differentiate between what is chametz and what is not. At Striar Hebrew Academy Early Learning Center in Sharon, MA, we take a hands-on approach, involving math and science as well as Jewish law, to learn the differences. Students learned which ingredients are used to make challah and the amount of time necessary to mix, knead, let rise and bake the challah. Students watched the activation of the yeast, and showed how they can fill their mouths and lungs with air, just as the yeast makes the dough get big and puffy. Then they had the opportunity to knead the dough in a variety of ways and shape it into challot. Before Pesach, students made matzah in the SHAS Matzah Factory. In contrast to the process of challahmaking, they learned about the time limit of 18 minutes for the dough to become matzah, so they had to work quickly to go through all of the steps. Having an opportunity to directly experience the differences between these types of dough helps our students have a better understanding of the types of foods that are considered chametz.
Premier Modern Orthodox day school in South-area Boston Enrolling Toddlers to Grade 6
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Summer Program 2013 Located in beautiful Sharon
June 24-August 2 (ages 21 months to 5 years)
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2013
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