CUXX-13

CU PKK K-1:14 Derek Eretz – Correct Behavior (literally, the way of the land) Goal: Students will discuss the types of behavior that model Derek Eretz while taking care of our families and the environment. Materials – tree picture, person picture, construction paper tree trunks, green construction paper, glue sticks, and trash bag 1. ** Gain attention of the learner ** Draw a picture of a tree and a picture of person. How many similarities can your students make between the two pictures? 2. ** Review relevant past learning ** This month we’ve studied how important trees are to our world. How many ways do we rely on trees? 3. ** Present new material ** Many people compare people to trees. We both have long bodies; we both have roots – our family heritage. Some people compare our brains to the branches each has room for lots of leaves and our brains have room for lots of information. Trees grow in the earth and people also depend on the earth to survive. Jews maintain a custom called Derek Eretz. Translated into English it means way of the land; it also means to follow the customs of good conduct. 4. ** Provide guided practice ** Ask students to suggest different extra nice things they can do for their families or friends without being asked by their parents or other grown ups. 5. ** Provide independent practice ** (In advance cut out brown trunks from construction paper.) Distribute the trunks, construction paper base and green paper. Ask students to trace a hand to represent each member of their family. If they have six people in their family they should trace six hands. Write the name of their family members on each hand and glue the hands onto the paper to look like leaves and branches. Send the trees home and ask their parents to add a leaf to the branches when the child displays Derek Eretz for someone in their family without being asked.
 * Close the lesson ** Derek Eretz is not only performed for people it is performed for the environment. Take the children outside with some trash bags. Walk around the school property and ask the class to pick a section around a tree outside to adopt that needs some attention. Together pick up the trash and commit to check out the area periodically to make sure that the tree is free of trash that would inhibits its growth.