Getting Started
STEP 1
Take a moment to review the contents of your complete one year program. You should have received:
a. 5 sets of cream Shabbat School Bulletins (54 lessons)
b. 5 sets of white Kindershul Picture Pages (54 lessons)
c. 5 Teacher Curriculum Booklets (w/Answer Keys inside)
d. 3 Supplemental Assessment Forms
e. 3 Program Brochures
f. IP Agreement (please sign and return)
STEP 2
E-mail us at info@goldenapples.org to get registered on our Teacher’s Forum and be sure to take time to learn more about our program, our team, our Statement of Faith and our Golden Apple “Core” Values. Check out our on-line tutorials! Also, please take time to sign and return our Intellectual Property agreement. Thank You!
STEP 3
Take note of which week’s Parsha is listed on the Jewish Calendar to know where to begin our program. There is a parsha lesson in this program for each week, except Jewish Holy Days.
(There are plenty of materials out there for those needs…)
STEP 4
Once you know where to begin, make the appropriate number of copies for that week’s lesson you will need for each child in your two age groups. The Shabbat School Junior Bulletins are for the 8-11 year olds and the Kindershul Picture Pages are for 5-7 year olds. And, feel free to make enlarged copies of the cover art to use as coloring pages for your even younger children.
Please keep your master copies in a secure location for renewed use another year.
STEP 5
On Shabbat morning, prepare a set time to hand out the bulletins and picture pages to the children. You choose the best time to do that: at the beginning of service, at the beginning of the Rabbi’s teaching, at the beginning of the in-class time, etc. The inside puzzle page of the Shabbat School bulletins and the front and back cover to the Kindershul picture pages are designed to provide about 15 minutes of “busy work” that could be done during the service time without disturbing the worship time itself. Be prepared to provide small bags of crayons or colored pencils.
STEP 6
IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU PREPARE your teacher’s
in advance of each week’s lessons by being sure to have
them read the Teacher’s Curriculum Booklet materials
and prepare “scaffolding” necessary to ensure the
success of each class. Having extra copies of the
bulletins for class time is helpful, as well.
Plus, a trip to the on-line Teacher’s Forum
can be inspirational, too.
The teachers of our movement need to start sharing ideas!
STEP 7
As the children are dismissed for in-class time,
our Golden Apples Program should incorporate
the following key standard elements:
a. The Shabbat School Class (8-11 years) includes three “threading scriptures” in their Junior Bulletins that must be linked together as a group activity at some time during the class time. It can be done at the beginning of the class time in a large print classroom copy of the Complete Jewish Bible, or make arrangements for your children to make these notations in each of their own bibles that they regularly bring to class each week. This weekly connecting of the scriptures is the hallmark of our Golden Apples Program and should not be overlooked or undervalued.
b. The Kindershul Class (5-7 years) should incorporate the paper project included on the inside of their picture pages. The teacher must have prepared the necessary cardboard backing and extra copies to make it possible for both adept and novice learners. The older children’s bulletin can be read to the children as a story book during this creative time if needed.
c. These specific standard practices, when used in conjunction with the weekly Teacher’s Curriculum provided, should give you a well rounded, structured program with PLENTY of room to add your own creative ideas and supplementation. Plus, it gives you a complete learning cycle to build on. It is also important to be sure to use and keep the teacher assessment sheets so that the leadership has an accurate accounting of teacher preparedness and learner retention.
d. Keep “sewing and sowing” God’s Word!
STEP 8
Try to spend a few moments talking about how to relate to the world as believers in Messiah. The final part of the older children’s bulletin includes a role-play question and answer about learning to respond to everyday comments from others. It is especially wonderful to have someone waiting after class to be ready to quiz the children before they leave with their parents. (It’s a great job to give one of the parents each week or even the Rebbetzin!)
Giving a simple piece of candy or dried fruit as a treat is an awesome way to connect each week with the children and let them practice “being ready with a Word!”
STEP 9
Be sure to close in prayer and allow the children to move in the gifts of Ruach Ha Kodesh. They will teach you as you teach them. At Golden Apples, we believe that it is our creative time spent with God that sparks “Holy Moments” of revelation that have eternal value. That personal revelation of our creator is what fosters our faith in Tikkun Ha Olam!
STEP 10
Feel free to contact us at GoldenApples.org (315-877-6728) with any questions or concerns
you may have. We are always ready to help!
Take advantage of our Teacher Training Programs at regional conferences in your area!
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