Young Avraham

By Nechama -
They finally convinced me. My students asked several times for permission to watch the Young Avraham Animation Film. This would be during class time, naturally. Though I was personally interested in seeing the film, I was rather reluctant to give up class time for it. Trust me, it was worth it.

Avraham's birth


A video captures the heart in a way that it is hard for text to emulate. Videos speak to an emotional level; texts to the intellect. Young Avraham really brings the medrashim to life. We watched the video after learning the material, so the girls' questions were based on the material they had studied. I only wish there was a viewers guide listing the meforshim the film is based on. I would love to use that as my curriculum, then highlight our learning with the final viewing. Alternatively, we could watch and query (as they were) and WRITE DOWN the questions. Then, they should be motivated enough by their own curiosity to research the answers on their own.

Theory aside, there was one scene that moved me most as a mother. Avram managed to escape from Nimrod's soldiers and returned home to his delighted mother. Amthalia encouraged her child to leave. Did you hear that? The mother sent her son away. Sure, he was threatened with death at the moment so there was little other recourse. Still, I was moved by the scene. Picture it: a mother letting go of her child. I struggle with that image.

True, our goal as parents is to form separate beings, individuals who can give of their own strengths and talents to the world. I hope to give my children wings to fly and discover their own truths. Still, ouch! I want to cuddle my babies forever, not let go of them! That takes real courage, Amthalia. You are my role model today. I needed this lesson. Yesterday I picked up my toddler early, just to hang out with him. By day's end, I was rather irritated. I had stacks of preparation and marking to do and the house was messier than usual. Maybe I need to give my little guy some more space. Sigh. The trials of a working mother.

Should the film be a finale or trigger to our learning unit?

Comments

  1. Yisroel BernathApril 12, 2013 at 7:11 AM

    Someone sent me your post. Thank you for this review. If you email me rabbi@jewishmonkland.com I will send you a Midrashic Source Sheet.

    Would love to create a teachers guide.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

On a Guilt Trip

By Nechama -
Image
The moment I pulled the car into park, Guilt knocked on my door. Actually, she just barged in unannounced. "You should have picked up Daniel!" she accused. I reached out to switch the car back on. A quick look at the clock told me it was a futile effort. 12:28, the little guy would already be nestled in his cot by the time I'd arrive. Waking him and transferring him to the car would spell the end of this nap time. Been there, done that. The result? Frustrated mother. Sort of defeats the purpose of early pick-up, if you ask me. So I snapped up Mussy's coat and headed into the house with a clear conscious. Well, almost. Guilt wasn't quite through with me yet, "Then you should leave a few minutes earlier!" Sigh. Why do I go through this again and again? As soon as my work hours have ended, I speed out of school fueled by Guilt. If only it was this easy... Why do I feel like a bad mother if I am not mothering all day? Why do I feel a need t...
Read more

Four More Questions

By Nechama -
1. Why is this student different from all other students? 2. How does one tolerate her incessant queries? 3. How could I diffuse her classmates' frustration? 4. What can I, personally, gain out of this experience? [Credit to  Rochi and Rivki ] Shoshi* is in Seder-mode all year long. She doesn't miss a thing and questions every detail of my lecture until it is absolutely clear to her. Most teachers and classmates are bothered by her endless queries. Not me. She charmed me on day one with the most gorgeous smile ever, so I am completely won over. Besides, I admire her sincerity (and focus!). Pirkei Avot teaches that the shy student will not learn (לא הבישן למד). I've seen it time and again. Students are too often afraid to raise their hands. I wonder about it... Perhaps they are lacking poker chips that day and are afraid of sounding dumb. I've tried to assure students that asking is harmless, to no avail.  Teachers may be known for giving pat answers, or simp...
Read more

The Same Path

By Nechama -
I walked from the main building to the school's entrance twice today. The first time as a teacher, the second time as a student. Well, to be totally accurate I was chatting with my collegue, but as I was seeking her advice it was more of a mentoring situation. This morning Vicki* brought me to the art room (located near the entrance) to show me her canvas-in-progress. Vicki is a student in my 11th grade Chumash class. This is my third year teaching her, so I already knew that she would have a hard time remaining focused. I also knew that she liked to doodle in her notebooks. Two years ago, I encouraged her to take illustrated notes during my lessons. I just wanted her to have an idea of what was going on in class, really. At the end of the year, Vicki wrote a lovely note thanking me for "encouraging [her] artistic side". When I saw Vicki's name on my class list, I knew what my action plan would be. Vicki would research the details of Noach's Taivah (Noah's...
Read more