Something magical happens when your students see their Teva instructors walk into their classroom. Whether presenting them with a well deserved earth bead, singing some of their favorite Teva songs, or rewarding a class for completing its ³Bring it Back to Our School² project, having Teva educators come to your school is an exciting, entertaining and educational experience as it reframes the four days at Teva in a familiar context. Over the past two years we have increased the overall number of in-school programs we run, and now include a basic school visit as part of the Shmorei Adamah curriculum.

Below are some examples successful school programs designed and run by Teva educators.

So it¹s six weeks after your Teva trip and the memories have started to fade away. But then, in walk four Teva educators, guitars and drums in hand, song posters raised, and immediately, your students are on their feet and singing about compost or Psolet. After a few songs, your students have a chance to talk about their personal britot (commitments) and are issued the sacred earth beads if they¹ve been successful. Then we¹ll move onto the Bring it Back to Our School projects and the Teva staff will be able to help your students overcome any obstacles they may have faced. If the project has been completed, your class will be receive a beautiful, framed color certificate. A fabulous way to rejuvenate your students and help close the gap between the four days at Teva and their lives at home.

Want More?

In recent years, Teva has begun to run more extensive in-school programs that combine our understanding of ecology and current environmental issues with the expertise of teachers and the formal setting of a classroom. These programs provide your students with a change of pace and perspective while addressing pressing environmental causes in more detail than is possible while at Teva. Additionally, we have had great success with running informal, experiential and outdoor oriented programs on your site that are unique, educational and fun for everyone involved.

Here is just a sample of the more comprehensive programs we have run:

• School Energy Audit: Together with the 6th grade students of the Gerard Berman Day School in Oakland, New Jersey, we devised a method for gauging environmental inefficiencies in the school. Over the months that followed, the students educated the rest of the school about how to conserve energy and then measured the effectiveness of their actions.
• School Garden: In the spring of 2004, we worked with 6th and 7th graders at the Robert Saligman Middle School to establish a school-wide garden program.
• Environmental Activism: Over the past several years, Teva has worked closely with the Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy in Albany, NYto transform an illegal dump on the school grounds into a nature trail andoutdoor classroom.
• Holiday-Based Programs: In 2004, the Solomon Schechter of West Hartford, the Ezra Academy and SSA of New London celebrated Tu B'Shvat with a Teva reunion and experiential role-playing program on various logging practices and our use of natural resources. In 2002, we conducted a school-wide energy audit building off of the themes of Hanukkah for the Solomon Schechter of Essex and Union Counties in New Jersey. Let Teva design a holiday-based program for you!

Teacher Workshops

Have you ever left Teva wanting to do more to help the environment but not sure how? Oftentimes the teachers who accompany their students to Teva are also inspired to help the planet. Whether you want a specific piece of curriculum, such as a text-based study of biodiversity, or simply a general review of an environmental concept, Teva educators will be happy to work with you in an efficient and helpful way. We have compiled resources for integrating Teva themes into subjects ranging from Science, Social Studies, Hebrew and Judaics, and can adapt our programs to meet your specific needs.

For More Information or to Schedule a Visit

Please call us at 212-807-6376 to schedule your school visits

Please contact BBTOS Coordinator, Sarah Chandler, at bbtos@tevacenter.org or 860-824-3175 to schedule your school visits.