Shalom and welcome to Hebrew Through Movement!
עִבְרִית בִּתְנוּעָה
עִבְרִית בִּתְנוּעָה

Hebrew through Movement is a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to Hebrew commands. Hebrew through Movement is an adaptation of James J. Asher’s Total Physical Response (TPR). Hebrew Through Movement is being used in synagogues, day schools, camps, early childhood programs and other settings. HTM does not teach communicative Hebrew, but students can easily move on to other Hebrew forms (as early childhood and day school colleagues will attest). And camps just have a lot of fun!
Hebrew Through Movement introduces Hebrew in a playful and meaningful way, creating a positive first link between children and Hebrew. Hebrew Through Movement (HTM) is supported by the latest brain research on learning, providing an aural foundation for Hebrew that opens the door to more facile Hebrew decoding and reading.
We hope you will enjoy using this program and will be pleased with how happily and productively your children learn.
Hebrew Through Movement introduces Hebrew in a playful and meaningful way, creating a positive first link between children and Hebrew. Hebrew Through Movement (HTM) is supported by the latest brain research on learning, providing an aural foundation for Hebrew that opens the door to more facile Hebrew decoding and reading.
We hope you will enjoy using this program and will be pleased with how happily and productively your children learn.
CURIOUS? CLICK FOR A QUICK OVERVIEW:
|
LOOKING FOR THE HTM CURRICULUM?
![]()
Scroll down to the bottom of this webpage for the other curriculum versions - one for virtual settings and one for camps.
|
SPECIAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
|
THE TEACHING / OBSERVATION RUBRIC
![]()
![]()
PLANNING CALENDAR
Better anticipate the timing of your units by thinking through your year in advance with the HTM planning calendar. Some holidays might be taught the week prior to the date and others might be backed up several weeks. When prompted, click on the button: "Make a copy" |
Did you know that:
- There is a full list of needed/suggested props for the Foundational Units? Click on the "Background" tab and scroll to the bottom of the page. Also check pages 13-14 of the regular curriculum guide.
- On each of the Foundational Unit and Holiday webpages we have two very special videos - one provides Hebrew pronunciation help and the other offers clues about correct use of the vocabulary and/or grammar.
- There is a collection of VERY short videos with Teacher and Director tips - check the Tips tab at the top of this page.
- All our curriculum guides are a free download and set up to be printed back-to-back in color (looks great!) or B&W. Scroll down for the links. They are quite long - teachers, please ask directors to print a copy for you!
ADDITIONAL VERSIONS OF THE CURRICULUM GUIDE
HTM lessons for PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS are all online. Click on the "Prayers and Blessings" tab at the top of this page.
For those teaching HTM IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT, the guide, below, is for your. It assumes you have been trained in HTM . Make sure to read the introduction carefully. NOTE that this version has 60 pages and is based on the 2018 version of the curriculum. Teachers will want to ask their directors to download and print this version AND the general 2023 update. ![]()
In addition, there is a separate Hebrew Through Movement webpage page that includes a quick video overview on teaching HTM virtually, plus sample teaching videos and lots of helpful hints. You'll find it all here!
|
This document is for SUMMER CAMPS. There are 82 pages. As a draft, we welcome your feedback!
|
SPECIAL: FOR DIRECTORS
SUPPORTING TEENS AS HTM TEACHERS
In the last few years, a number of directors have reported
success using teens with Hebrew background as HTM teachers.
SUPPORTING TEENS AS HTM TEACHERS
In the last few years, a number of directors have reported
success using teens with Hebrew background as HTM teachers.
We have two resources to share.
The first is a 2021 webinar which includes one of the teen teachers. |
The second is a 2022 conversation between a group of directors who use teens as teachers. It focuses on professional development and supports.
|
WANT TO BE A SKILLED HTM TEACHER?
Thousands of teachers have taken advantage of the JECC's ONLINE LEARNING SEMINAR! Ten hours of interesting, engaging and hands-on learning will provide the basic skills and understandings for YOU to be ready to integrate Hebrew Through Movement. This is asynchronous learning - participants set their own pace, based on their personal schedules. |
EXTRA RESOURCES
#OnwardHebrew HTM is a key part of #OnwardHebrew's Sound-to-Print approach to Hebrew learning. For more information: http://OnwardHebrew.org. jPrayer is a curriculum that integrates teaching prayer for meaning, Hebrew Through Movement and decoding skills. http://JECC-jPrayer.weebly.com. HTM curriculum for prayers and blessings can be found in PRAYERS & BLESSINGS A supplies list can be found on the bottom of the BACKGROUND page |
A director says...."We started using Hebrew Through Movement in our Hebrew School this year and it has TRANSFORMED our school. The children LOVE it and they continue using the words and actions from HTM in their regular classrooms. Parents have told me that the kids are even using the HTM Hebrew at home!!! Last night, a mom asked her son to sit down at the dinner table and he replied, "Lo lashevet!!!" ("don't sit down!"). When the students see the Hebrew Through Movement teacher in the hallways, they immediately ask her, "Are we going to have Hebrew Through Movement today?" The students love getting up and moving around while they are learning. I am going to expand the program into Kindergarten through 2nd grade next year so that the children will have a solid base of Hebrew words before they begin their formal Hebrew School classes in 3rd grade. Hebrew Through Movement has made a huge difference in the quality of our Hebrew program. I recommend that every school begin this program!!"
Ellen Fox Temple Solel School Director Cardiff, CA |
"Hebrew Through Movement" was developed by
Dr. Lifsa Schachter, Professor Emeritus, Siegal College with the support of Nili Adler z"l, Marcia Anouchi and Gloria Grischkan, and the Hebrew teaching staff of The Temple - Tifereth Israel & Temple Emanu El, Cleveland, OH. It is based on Dr. James J Asher's Total Physical Response (TPR), as well as the work of Bina Guerrieri who was one of the pioneers in applying TPR to the teaching of Hebrew. JEC Editors: Nachama Skolnik Moskowitz, Curriculum Director Ronna Fox, Teacher Center Director Paula Sass, Intern |
Powered by the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland
|