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	E-Guide Home Welcome Teacher! Themes Curriculum Checklist Classroom Ideas Activity Sheets

Using Stories For Teaching

Elephant As Rav Shlomo Carlebach, Z'l, once said:
"The deepest knowledge is neither scientific nor mystical, but to know what life is all about. The difference between a teaching - whether scientific or Torah - and a story, is that in the first, we are asking to learn something we do not know. But in ths story, we are asking to be made holy, new - like a child and a Tzaddik. We are saying:
"Please tell me! Let me know what I know!"

The story is a wonderful vehicle for teaching children and adults alike and is the most powerful and effective means of conveying a message. All the stories in Storyland are rich in meanings, which the insightful teacher will carefully incorporate into classroom teaching.

In this section, we will refer to the stories in Storyland within the Kids' Club site and explain how they can be most effectively used in the classroom.All the stories in Storyland are suffused with the central themes of the High Holidays and are, as such, excellent triggers for classroom discussion.

The following are a list of the stories in Storyland. Click on the story you would like to teach for guide questions suitable for classroom teaching.

A Cold, Cold Day

A Special Gift

The King and the Butterfly

The Story of Rabbi Amnon

The Silver Flute

Blowing in the Wind

A Cold, Cold Day This story told by Dassi Rabinovitch about two friends walking on a snowy day and one gets buried under snow. Eventually his friend rescues him.

One of the main themes of Rosh Hashana is Tzedaka. Tzedaka is not only giving money to the poor. We can give in many different ways. Giving is one of the fundamental principles for good human relations both in the family and in all social settings.

The message behind the story is that through giving, we receive. In fact, the Hebrew root for "giving" - Nun Taf Nun (N-a-t-a-n) - reads the same backwards and forwards. Embedded in the root of the word is the essence of giving. Only when we give are we able to 'get'.

Guide Questions Snowman

What did Vananu mean when he said,
"Are you kidding around?
Because, to admit I am dutifully bound,
Had I not helped you, I guess,
I would have landed in a terrible mess!"

On what occasions have you given of yourself and gotten back more than you ever gave?

Is it easier to give or take?

Which Mitzvot do you know of where we are commanded to give? Read the "Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. Ask the class what the author wants to tell us through his story.

Does giving come naturally to most people or do we have to be educated to give?

A Special Gift This is a true story told about Dassi Rabinovitch by her mother. The story reveals a deep sensitivity of how to give Tzedaka in a way that keeps the dignity of the recipient intact.

Guide Questions Girl with flowers

What would you have done if you were Dassi?

What can we learn from Dassi about how to give Tzedaka?

Have you ever given coins to a beggar on the street? How did you feel? How did you think the beggar felt?

The story can be used as a great introduction to a class on Tzedaka, charity. Embedded in the word are the letters "Tsadi, Daled, Kuf", implying that giving charity is the correct, just thing to do, Tzedek meaning 'justice'.

You can introduce Rambam's 8 levels of giving charity and discuss each of them. Ask your students if they agree with Rambam's list.

The King and the Butterfly The story is about a pompous King who was outwitted by an old man who knew all the answers to all his riddles.

Butterfly This is a great story for teaching children that each and every child is responsible for his/her actions. It is especially relevant at this time of year. As Rosh Hashana approaches, we need to take stock and think about our actions. We can always do an "Action Replay" and re-do the scene, when we do something wrong, or say something that hurts someone, so that next time we'll get it right.

An important theme within the story is recognition of the fact that all our personal gifts, be they musical talent, artistic ability, or intelligence, are God-given talents and we should acknowledge this.

Another theme is how to treat others with respect and never to judge a book by its cover.

Guide Questions

Why is the King suspicious of the old man?

The King is desperate to prove that he is the wisest in his kingdom.

In which situations do you want to show off to his friends, and what are you trying to prove when you act this way?

What does the old man mean by the statement,
"It is always in our hands; we are the ones who decide"?

The Story of Rabbi Amnon This well-known story is about Rabbi Amnon's fate at the hands of the Duke and how he composed the central prayer,"Unetane Tokef". This story can be used to introduce the key prayer for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, "Unetane Tokef", in which God is proclaimed Ultimate Ruler over Man's destiny.

Rabbi Amnon The themes of Kiddush Hashem and faith in God are central in this story.

Guide Questions

What principle is Rabbi Amnon prepared to die for?

Can you think of an idea or principle that is extremely important to you?

Read the prayer "Unetane Tokef" - why do you think Rabbi Amnon composed it just before he died? What did he learn from his experience with the Duke?

Rabbi Amnon demonstrates tremendous faith in God. Is it easier to have faith in God when things are good or bad?

What can we learn from difficult experiences?

The Silver Flute Flute

This story lends itself to discussion about prayer. The story is based on a well-known Chassidic tale in which a young boy wants to connect with God and join in the Yom Kippur services, but he does not know how to pray. At the concluding part of the service, "Neila", Daniel can no longer contain his desire to express himself before God. He takes out his flute and plays it in synagogue in an attempt to express his feeling for God.

Guide Questions This story is an excellent way of introducing prayer into the classroom.

Take a look at "What's It All About?" for more on what Yom Kippur and its prayers are all about.

What is prayer?

Why is Daniel so frustrated?

How do you feel in the synagogue service?

Can we pray in any language we choose?

Is there any point to saying prayers we don't understand?

Why can't everyone just pray when they want for whatever they want?

Blowing in the Wind The story is about a man who wants to make amends on the eve of Yom Kippur, for talking "Lashon Hara", a common fault in us all. The story highlights the theme of forgiveness, saying sorry and the negative effects of "Lashon Hara".

Man with feather pillow This time of year is a time for repairing mistakes we have made during the year, and asking forgiveness from people we may have hurt.

Guide Questions

Why does the Rabbi tell the man to scatter the pillow feathers?

How do you think the man felt?

If the man had already come to ask the Rabbi forgiveness, how could the Rabbi have acted differently? What was the Rabbi trying to teach the man with this exercise?