Birthday of the World | Sweet New Year | Forgiveness | Shofar Sounds

Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur: The Shofar Sounds

Motivational Tools:

Have shofarot of varying colors, shapes and sizes on a small display table. If you are unable to borrow shofarot, perhaps children could bring in one from home.
Pictures accessed from the computer (web) showing the process of shofar making would be helpful.  Remember children need visual reminders and items to hold to help master their learning!

Lesson Plan: (30 minutes)

Have students seated in a half circle, facing the small display table that is to the left or right of the seated teacher.  In this way, the student’s eyes will be focused in one direction, facing the teacher.

Immediately, the students will recognize shofarot and ask if they can blow it or if you will blow it.  It is amazing the excitement this lesson brings out in children.  Explain to the students we are going to learn about Shofarot and everyone will have a chance to hold them.  (If you feel comfortable allowing the children to blow the shofarot, use a towel and hand washing gel in between though.)

Where do shofarot come from?

Ram, gazelle, antelope (Remember to use pictures to show what various animals look like!)

A rhinoceros has a beautiful big horn in the middle of its head; can we use that for a shofar?  (Show a picture of a rhinoceros!)

No! Shofarot can only come from animals that are kosher.  A rhinoceros is not a kosher animal.

What do we do with a shofar?

-Blow it
At this point take a shofar and blow it in any fashion you choose.

Do we have to blow it with special sounds on Rosh Hashanah?
Yes!

Those sounds have names-Tekiah, Teruah, Shevarim, Tikea Gedola
Use the shofar and have the children say the word Tikeah, while one sound is blown.
Have the children say Teruah, while three sounds are blown.
Have the children say Shevarim while nine sounds are blown
And finally have the children say Tikea Gadola and one long sound is blown

When the word Tekiah is said, have the students clap once
When the word Shevarim is said, have the students clap three times
When the word Teruah is said, have the students clap nine times
When the word Tekiah Gedola is said, have the students clap once really hard

This activity can use feet instead of hands, for extra movement opportunities.
To assess their recall of the words, mix them up when calling out directions, or have a student be the caller of directions.

Reinforcement Activities:

Lacing a shofar

Using a shofar template [see PDF template], precut shofatot and punch holes around the outside edges.  Precut yarn that is long enough for the diameter of the shofar, but with a little extra available.  Tape one end with masking tape to avoid raveling and allow a needle like point for sewing.  Instruct the students to go in and out each hole going into the neighbor’s hole next door.  Visually showing the class how to proceed is important, as well as helping individual students who may be weak in eye hand coordination.  (Unfortunately, Velcro sneakers and computer games leave our students at a disadvantage having not had small motor experiences!)