עִבְרִית בִּתְּנוּעָה
HEBREW THROUGH MOVEMENT
Shalom and welcome to עִבְרִית בִּתְנוּעָה, or “Hebrew through Movement,” 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).[1] While TPR was designed by Asher as the foundation of a full language program, it has also been effective in situations with limited language goals. Hebrew Through Movement is being used in Jewish congregations, day schools, camps, early childhood programs and other settings. The curriculum for Hebrew Through Movement starts with a foundation in modern Hebrew, but in part-time educational settings has as its goal making the prayers in our siddur, as well as synagogue and Jewish vocabulary, more easily accessible to those with limited learning time. 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 was developed by faculty at Siegal College of Judaic Studies through courses and community workshops. As with other TPR curricula, it 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. Hebrew Through Movement is based on ways that children learn naturally: They learn by moving about and doing. They learn in an environment of positive emotional support. They learn when they feel safe from the embarrassment of not knowing. They learn when they can move forward at their own pace. They learn best when learning is joyful and playful. This curriculum is a guide and not a recipe or blueprint because Hebrew Through Movement works best when it is responsive to specific individuals, groups and settings. Educators working at schools, camps or other part-time educational settings are encouraged to select or adapt units that are right for them -- this is what makes HTM most effective. We hope you will enjoy using this program and will be pleased with how happily and productively your children learn. _____________________________ [1] Detailed information on the program can be found on Asher’s TPR website (http://www.tpr-world.com/) and in the classic TPR manual authored by Asher: Learning Another Language Through Actions, 7th edition. Los Gatos, CA : Sky Oaks Productions, 2009. Bina Guerrieri, a former staff member of the BJE of San Francisco, was one of the pioneers in adapting TPR to Jewish settings. |
NEW:
HTM Master Teacher Certification! HTM Ambassador Certification! Summer, 2018 Click here for more information. Looking for HTM curriculum? Scroll down this page. Both the general (revised, spring 2017) and camp guides (new, spring 2017) are a free download.Curious? Here's a very quick overview of
Hebrew through Movement!
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HEBREW THROUGH MOVEMENT CURRICULUM GUIDES,
The documents have been formatted for printing back-to-back.
Both are a free download.
They may be printed fully in color (expensive, but the photos will be crisp!).
Or they may be printed in black and white, with only the cover in color.
The choice is yours!
The documents have been formatted for printing back-to-back.
Both are a free download.
They may be printed fully in color (expensive, but the photos will be crisp!).
Or they may be printed in black and white, with only the cover in color.
The choice is yours!
This doscument is for part-time settings, early childhood and day schools. Note that this has 160 pages - teachers will want to ask their directors to download and print for them.
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This document is for camps. There are 80 pages.
As a draft, we welcome your feedback! ![]()
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We're almost at 1000 teachers who 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.
To register, click the REGISTRATION tab, at the top of this page.
To register, click the REGISTRATION tab, at the top of this 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 |
Around the World:
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"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. JECC Editors: Nachama Skolnik Moskowitz, Curriculum Director Ronna Fox, Teacher Center Director Paula Sass, Intern |