Noar Blog

As you know, each student is placed into an eidah (unit) based on age level with its own curricular focus (lifecycle events, Torah stories, Jewish history, etc.). We explore social emotional spiritual learning through the mensch middot (Jewish values) to help students learn to be active, engaged members of their communities and to be their best selves. During each session, Noar students move through different electives, small groups, Hebrew, and t’filah (prayer).

In addition to Bayit (home base), students rotate through electives called Chugim. We know that kids learn best when they feel empowered. Part of each Noar session is made up of elective courses for students to choose from (or different weekly rotations for our K-1 learners!). A chug might focus on cooking, sports, music, and so much more!

Note that Noar Jr. (Pre-K) and Shoreshim (Kindergarten and First Grade), do chugim as rotations instead of choosing an elective. Each rotation re-iterates what they learned in Bayit, but through a different modality at each rotation so that each student is learning in a way that works for them. 

Below are the chugim frequently asked questions for grades 2-6.

What are the Chugim focusing on?

Regardless of what modality students chose, all chug classes are following the same learning targets. This semester, September-November 2021, chugim are focusing on the Mensch Middot, Jewish Values that help us become our best selves! Noar programs at Temple Sinai has 6 Mensch Middot that are used as core values for classroom management, Jewish knowledge, and common vocabulary across all Eidot. For more extensive research on how the Mensch Middot are structured at Noar, please read this article.

The Learning Targets for Chugim September-November are:

• September 19: Student Will Be Able To (SWBAT) define B’tzelem Elohim, or “all created in God’s image” as a Jewish value, and list how they showed this value during chugim today.
• September 26: SWBAT define Kavod as “respect” and be able to give examples that show kavod to themselves, others, and the environment.
• October 3: SWBAT define “Rachmanut” as compassion towards others and use examples of how their actions during chugim show rachmanut.
• October 17: SWBAT define “HaKarat HaTov” as gratitude and give examples of what it means to be grateful.
• October 24: SWBAT define “Ahava” as “acting with a big heart” and show examples of ahava.
• November 7: SWBAT use all of the Middot that they have learned to show how to be a mensch and define “Bina” as understanding.

How long does the Chug last?

Each chug each day is 40 minutes long. We are intentional that students stay with a chug for 4-6 weeks, culminating in a project or big picture understanding of the learning targets. 

What are the options for chugim this semester?

We offer different types of chugim based on the strengths of the teachers on staff. As there are different teachers for each grade level, each grade is being offered a different set of options this semester. We may have different options next semester.

• 2nd Grade: Art, Science, or Sports with Coach Anthony
• 3rd Grade: Science, Art, Sports or Israeli Scouts with our Shinshin
• 4th Grade: Science, Sports with Coach Anthony, or Israeli Scouts with our Shinshin
• 5th Grade: Gardening, Science, Sports, Hebrew through Movement
• 6th Grade: Theater, Art, Sports with Coach Anthony

What is Israeli Scouts?

Israeli scouts is a chug led by our Shinshin from Israel, Shahaf! It combines elements of youth movements from Israel to teach our Noar students more about Israel from a cool Israeli. Shahaf is here for 1 year, working at different Jewish organizations in the Atlanta community to bring Israel education to life for our students. Israeli Scouts chug students will learn about Israel in a fun, authenitc way with games, hands on learning, and more. Click here to see more about the Atlanta Shinshinim program.

How did my child choose their chug?

On the first day of Noar Sunday, teachers gave a presentation about what they would be learning in each chug. Students wrote their choices #1-3 on a slip of paper and turned it in.