Teacher should lead discussion during a group meeting. This script is intended to give the educator an idea of how to explore the topic, the teacher should put the ideas in their own words.
"Chaverim, today, we will be exploring a special blessing that Jewish people can say whenever they see something beautiful in the world. Jewish people can say blessings when we do a Mitzvah or want to make something seem more special. What blessings do you know?"
Open Discussion
"Where did you hear them? Why do we say them?"
Open Discussion
"The blessing we are going to explore today is recited when we find beauty in the world. Please listen while I recite it."
Baruch Atah…Shekakhah lo be’olamo
"Which words have you heard before? (Recite again, slowly, as necessary.)"
Children discuss, with teacher facilitating common words the children have heard before, “Baruch Atah….” and “Olam”
"Yes, usually, some things are the same and some things are different when we recite blessings. The “baruch Atah” part you’ve hear before! Who knows what it means?"
Students (hopefully) supply answer, or teacher prompts “Praised are you, G-d, who created the universe”
"Now, try these new Hebrew words"
Shekakhah lo be’olamo
Children echo and practice new Hebrew words.
"Who thinks they can say them properly? We will take turns and echo you!"
(children calls on children who indicate their readiness to be the leader, saying Hebrew words Shekakhah lo be’olamo and the class repeating)
"Fantastic! These Hebrew words mean ;who has beauty in the world!'"
Activity #1: View “Beauty of The World” music video and slideshow.
Explain that a music group of grown ups were learning about this prayer while they sat in a beautiful place and decided to write a song about it. Today we’ll listen to the song while viewing pictures that inspire some people to make this bracha.
Present video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvWqluu5f20
"What do you think was the most beautiful in the pictures?"
Open Discussion
Activity #2: Let’s go look for beauty of the world!
Students and teacher will go on a ‘field trip’ around the community with either a camera or art supplies, and stop when a child sees something beautiful. Teacher will involve students in how they recognize beauty, asking open ended questions that might include:
- What about this thing makes it beautiful?
- How does recognizing the beauty make you feel?
- Does everyone agree that this thing is beautiful?
- How did this thing become beautiful?
Students will make the bracha and either photograph or illustrate the item. Students can work together or pick different items, a garden or large outdoor play area would be an ideal place to discover beauty so that different plants, creatures, people and weather can be observed, giving children options from which to choose.
Summation activity:
The students will present their images and the teacher can create a new slideshow with the song “Beauty Of The World” so that the children can present their ideas by sharing the movie clip.
Activity #3
Encourage children to look through their classroom library for examples of terrific beauty of the world. Volumes of photographs or art, National Geographic type magazines, or vividly illustrated picture books, or many more options can indpire children to recognize beauty.
Ask children to share with one another what they find beautiful in the images.
Open
Ask children if they think they will find more beauty in the world if they look for it
Yes!
Recite Bracha together for the world’s beauty.
Encourage continue recitation of this bracha and others as the children become more familiar with the concept and with specific blessing formations.