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Passover: Tradition & Freedom

Gal

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Traditions of Passover

Students will explore and understand the traditions of Passover by connecting historical customs to the concepts of freedom through interactive storytelling and hands-on crafts.

This lesson fosters an appreciation for cultural heritage while helping students understand the universal themes of struggle and freedom by engaging with historical traditions.

Audience

3rd Grade Group

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive storytelling, crafts, and reflective discussions.

Materials

Symbolic Foods and Customs, Storytelling and Crafts, and Reflecting on Freedom

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review the Traditional of Passover lesson plan for context.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Symbolic Foods and Customs slide deck content to illustrate key symbols.
  • Prepare the Storytelling and Crafts Activity Guide by gathering necessary craft supplies and visual aids.
  • Read through the Reflecting on Freedom Cool-Down Instructions to guide closing discussions.

Step 1

Introduction and Storytelling

15 minutes

  • Introduce key symbols and traditions of Passover using the Symbolic Foods and Customs slide deck.
  • Engage the group with a story illustrating the significance of Passover and the idea of freedom.
  • Pose guiding questions to encourage dialogue and curiosity about the traditions and their historical impact.

Step 2

Craft Activity

15 minutes

  • Explain the craft activity where students create a representation of a Passover tradition (e.g., designing a symbolic plate or themed collage).
  • Utilize the Storytelling and Crafts guide for step-by-step instructions and monitor student engagement.
  • Encourage creativity while connecting the craft to the themes of freedom and history.

Step 3

Cool-Down and Reflection

15 minutes

  • Gather students for a reflective discussion using the Reflecting on Freedom Cool-Down guide.
  • Invite students to share insights and reflections on the symbolism of Passover and its relation to freedom.
  • Summarize the lesson by emphasizing how traditions preserve historical narratives and inspire modern understandings of freedom.
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Slide Deck

Symbolic Foods of Passover

Explore the foods that are central to Passover traditions. Each item tells a story of heritage and freedom.

Introduce the topic of symbolic foods and customs linked to Passover. Explain that these symbols have deep historical and cultural significance. Encourage students to look closely and think about what each item represents.

Matzah: The Unleavened Bread

Matzah reminds us of the quick departure of the Israelites, symbolizing a past of rushed freedom.

Discuss the Matzah (unleavened bread). Emphasize that its flat shape represents the quick departure of the Israelites from Egypt, symbolizing hurried freedom. Ask if anyone can connect this to the idea of rushing to secure freedom.

Maror: Bitter Herbs

Bitter herbs remind us of the hardships experienced during slavery, symbolizing the bitter taste of oppression.

Highlight the significance of Maror (bitter herbs) as a reminder of the hardships and bitterness of slavery. Introduce a brief discussion on the meaning of bitter symbols in traditions.

Charoset: Sweet Mixture

A sweet paste made with fruits and nuts, representing the mortar used in building, yet symbolizing the sweetness of freedom.

Explain Charoset as a symbol of hope and the sweetness of freedom despite the hardships. Use this slide to evoke thoughts of resilience and optimism.

Karpas: A Vegetable of Remembrance

A vegetable dipped in salt water, representing the hope of new beginnings mixed with the tears of past hardships.

Discuss Karpas dipped in salt water, symbolizing both the hope of new beginnings and the remembrance of past hardships. This duality offers a visual metaphor for transition from oppression to freedom.

Connecting Symbols to Freedom

Each element on the Seder plate is a powerful symbol of history, struggle, and the pursuit of freedom. Let's reflect on these connections.

Conclude the slide deck by inviting reflections on how these symbols connect to the broader themes of tradition and freedom in Passover.

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Activity

Storytelling and Crafts Activity

This interactive activity invites students to connect with the traditions of Passover through a blend of storytelling and hands-on craft creation. The goal is to help students engage deeply with the themes of freedom and tradition in a creative and expressive manner.


Activity Overview

  • Storytelling Session: Start with a captivating story focused on the journey of the Israelites during Passover. Emphasize the significance of key symbolism like Matzah, Maror, Charoset, and Karpas to highlight the ideas of both hardship and hope.


  • Craft Creation: Students will make a craft item that represents one of the Passover traditions. This could be a symbolic plate, a collage of traditional elements, or a miniature model representing one of the main symbols of the holiday.


Materials Needed

  • Storytelling props or visual aids (optional)
  • Craft supplies such as paper, markers, colored pencils, glue, scissors, and assorted craft materials
  • Reference to the Symbolic Foods and Customs slide deck for understanding the significance of each symbol

Instructions

1. Storytelling (15 minutes)

  • Gather the students in a circle and introduce the storytelling session.
  • Narrate a story that emphasizes the journey and the significance of Passover traditions. Highlight symbols such as Matzah for freedom, Maror for remembering hardship, Charoset for hope, and Karpas for new beginnings.
  • Ask questions to engage students:
    • What does freedom mean to you?
    • Why do you think these symbols are important?




2. Craft Making (15 minutes)

  • Explain that students will now create a craft that represents one of the Passover traditions discussed in the story.
  • Provide step-by-step guidance on the craft project. For example, if creating a symbolic plate, instruct them how to draw and label different sections for each symbol on the Seder plate.
  • Circulate around the room, offering support, asking reflective questions, and encouraging creativity.




3. Reflection and Sharing (15 minutes)

  • Once the crafts are complete, invite students to share their work with the class.
  • Encourage each student to explain the meaning behind their craft and how it connects to the themes of tradition and freedom.
  • Facilitate a discussion using these guiding questions:
    • What did you learn about the symbols of Passover?
    • How does your craft capture the spirit of freedom?
    • Can you see any parallels between these traditions and what freedom means today?




Follow-Up Points

  • Encourage students to think about the importance of traditions in preserving history and inspiring hope.
  • Ask them to write a short reflective paragraph or draw a sketch of what freedom means to them, tying back to the symbols discussed.
  • Remind the students that every tradition carries a story of struggle, perseverance, and hope, reinforcing the timeless value of remembering our past to build a better future.
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Cool Down

Reflecting on Freedom Cool-Down

After an inspiring exploration of Passover traditions, it's time to wind down and reflect on the themes of freedom and tradition. This cool-down activity is designed to give students a moment of quiet reflection and a chance to share their personal insights.

Activity Steps

1. Quiet Reflection (5 minutes)

  • Invite students to find a comfortable spot in the room.
  • Ask them to close their eyes and take a few deep breaths, recalling the symbols, stories, and crafts they experienced today.


2. Journal or Sketch (5 minutes)

  • Provide each student with paper and pencils or markers.
  • Prompt them to write a few sentences or create a sketch that represents what freedom means to them, inspired by the Passover traditions discussed.




3. Group Sharing (5 minutes)

  • Gather the students in a circle for a group discussion.
  • Invite volunteers to share their reflections. Encourage them to discuss what freedom feels like and how the symbols of Passover help illustrate the journey from hardship to hope.


Final Thoughts

Explain that reflection is a vital part of learning, allowing everyone to connect with the material on a personal level. Emphasize that traditions not only carry historical significance, but also inspire us to cherish and protect the freedom we enjoy today.

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