DECODING
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The most common reasons offered for why children in part-time/synagogue settings do not learn to decode accurately and fluently are external to the curriculum - there are not enough hours, attendance is spotty and children are "not motivated." Until recently, Jewish educators did not considered the possibility that some of the issues might lie in teaching strategies that are usually based on a teacher's kishkes, not on research-based practice.
Over the course of three years, Onward Hebrew engaged educators to determine if research findings from general studies' "science of reading" might offer more effective teaching strategies for our part-time/synagogue programs. The resources on this page offer results from Hebrew teachers who engaged in practitioner research. We thank them for moving us forward! In addition to the resources provided on this page, the "Teaching Decoding" webpage offers specific teacher-tested learning strategies and activities. |
Resources are linked to the photos, videos and green underlined text.
Click on what interests you!
Click on what interests you!
START with the big picture
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VIDEO: How can we help students conquer the challenge of Hebrew decoding? This video offers an overview of Onward Hebrew's research, as well as recommended strategies. Invite a colleague to watch it with you! (45 min)
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RESOURCE: These research-based teaching strategies address 10 of the most common challenges students have with decoding. Click the image to explore them in an easy-to-access format. If you are interested in the research that led to the listed Hebrew learning strategies, download this other Onward Hebrew resource.
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INFOGRAPHIC: Eleven research-based Hebrew teaching strategies summarized from "Conquering the Challenge of Hebrew Decoding" in an easy to read infographic. Click on the image above and print copies for teachers/tutors! For details on each of the strategies, see Appendix A in the "Conquering Decoding" resource.
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VIDEO: "Does Sound-to-Print Learning REALLY Work?" This video shares a Hebrew teacher's hypothesis, data and conclusions on whether helping students learn to recite prayers first, makes a difference with decoding. (28 min)
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VIDEO: "A Really Brief Look at the Science of Reading" (14 min) offers a short overview of the science of reading in the context of Hebrew decoding in a part-time/synagogue setting.
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VIDEO: This video offers evidence for not introducing decoding to younger students. (5:00 min) PS - Early Onward Hebrew materials used the term "delaying decoding," but since no one likes to feel "delayed" Onward Hebrew now uses different language.
NOTE: "Let's Learn Hebrew Side-by-Side" is a sound-to-print online program for one-on-one teaching of decoding to 5th graders and above. Developed by the JEC and offered by Shalom Learning. |
Check out THESE PD supports
RESOURCE: There's no need to spend hours developing workshops for teachers, clergy and committees. The first half of this manual offers adaptable learning strategies that help stakeholders better understand the Onward Hebrew approach. The second half offers PD ideas that help teachers/tutors explore, adopt and adapt research-based sound-to-print teaching strategies. Click on the image to download.
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discover ways to assess decoding progress
A GPS tells us where we are and how to get "there." And, "GPS" is a less scary way to say "test."
ASSESMENT (GPS): Assess knowledge of the AlefBet and Vowel Signs. These documents include a rubric that allows for tracking progress over time.
GPS: The Alef-Bet
RUBRIC: The Alef-Bet
BUT, more accurate than giving students a letter to identify (as with the GPS, above) is asking them to write one from memory. For example, "Write a Lamed." There's no guessing ("hmm, is that a Mem or a Tet?") when students have to produce the letter or vowel sign by themselves.
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ASSESSMENT (GPS): Assess all the letters and vowel signs, sound-to-print, within words or phrases. Includes a rubric.
GPS (PDF) - All letters/vowels, embedded in words
RUBRIC (Word Doc) - All letters/vowels, embedded in words (allows edits)
RUBRIC (PDF) - All letters/vowels, embedded in words
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ASSESMENT (GPS): Assess a learner's S2P decoding of familiar words from HTM, JLV, & t'fillah (you may choose your own). Includes a rubric.
GPS (Word Doc): Familiar words from HTM-JLV-T'fillah (allows edits)
GPS (PDF): Familiar words from HTM-JLV-T'fillah
RUBRIC GPS (Word Doc) - Familiar words from HTM-JLV-T'fillah (allows edits)
RUBRIC GPS (PDF) - Familiar words from HTM-JLV-T'fillah
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REMINDER:
Explore the "Teaching Decoding" webpage for specific teacher-tested learning strategies and activities
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