The Online Biblical Webquest

By: Leah Stein, Tomorrow’s Genius

Hello, my name is Leah Stein from Tomorrow’s Genius. I teach an online class in Chumash for 7^th grade students from the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School in Jacksonville Florida.

My students come from diverse backgrounds and teaching complex texts in Chumash can be a challenging task! After much thought on how to best engage my students in the learning, I decided to launch a class webquest about ancient Egypt.  Since we had just learned the chapter in Shmot which deals with Moses coming back from Egypt and we were about to learn about life in Egypt, I had the students research ancient Egyptian culture and geography.

Students were given a list of topics and websites to aide them in their quest for a better understanding of general life in Egypt during the Israelites’ enslavement. The diverse topics included Egyptian geography, daily life, art, religion and of course ancient Pharaohs. Some students worked alone and some in groups or pairs. They presented their work through powerpoint presentations, pictures and even songs. To help my students learn from one another they were asked to write down two facts that they learned from each presentation as they listened to them.

I was very impressed by how much information my students discovered on their own and the creativity of their presentations. Everybody learned a lot and the new information gave them a deeper understanding of what happened in Shemot. I definitely plan to do more projects like this in the future!

How Can We Help?

Tomorrow’s Genius staff members have been thinking of all of our US students affected by Hurricane Sandy. Several of our schools have missed classes during this past week, as they have been without power. Even though, most of our staff is based in Israel, we want to let our students and schools know that we are thinking of you.

Until the crisis is over and students are able to return to regular learning, the staff of Tomorrow’s Genius wants Jewish day school students everywhere to know that we are here to help. TG teachers are volunteering their time and expertise to help any students that have been affected by the hurricane. If your school is looking for options of continuing learning, our staff is ready to help free of charge for as long as it takes to get back to normal operations.

If your school has students that must continue learning in order to stay on schedule for AP classes, SAT dates, or other deadlines, please be in touch. Our teachers are trained in both Judaic and secular studies. Most of us, are former Jewish day school teachers and we would like to help in any way we can. Learning does not have to stop.

Please contact us at support@tomorrowsgenius.com or by phone at 732-572-6575 if we can be of service to you and/or your school.

After the Holidays…

In Israel the phrase “acharei hchagim” or “after the holidays” is often used to postpone an event or to push something off until later. Anyone living in Israel knows that between the end of August and the end of Sukkot, no major decisions are made. Most companies do not make any major hires during this time and most academic decisions such as class placements or Bagrut assignments are delayed.

So, what happens when the “after the holidays” time finally arrives? Here we are after Sukkot, getting ready to dive back in to school. There are no long breaks scheduled for the next two months and now we are faced with those tough decisions which were until now, pushed off until after the holidays. While this can be a high pressure time, it can also be a chance to make some important decisions that will have lasting effects on your academic futures.

It is difficult to think so far in advance but Bagruyot and mid-terms are not that far away. The material being covered in class now is going to count. Here are a few suggestions to ensure that the next few months are maximized to their fullest potential:

1. Challenge Yourself – Often, moving up to a new level or joining a more challenging subject can be difficult and scary at the same time. Students often find a comfort level that works, even though it may not be the best place academically. Change certainly comes with some risks but you will never know your true capabilities if you don’t try. Now is the time to go for the higher level of math or to add the extra megama in science. There will still be time to go back if it really proves to be too much. You never know however until you try.

2. Get Help Now - Throughout the past two years, Tomorrow’s Genius has had the opportunity to work with countless students who need help in preparing for a major exam. In almost all cases, we tell the students the same thing, that it would have been better if they had asked for help before the last minute. We are of course always happy to try to help a student, but there is a limit as to what can be accomplished the night before the big exam. Cramming for a major test almost never works. As students, we know our strengths and our weaknesses. There is no shame in asking for help, as we all know our capabilities. Instead of waiting for the last minute, start getting help now. With two months of uninterrupted time, a lot can be accomplished.

3. Be Your Own Best Advocate - The schools systems in both Israel and the US try to help each student. Let’s be honest though and admit that no system is perfect. Schools are overcrowded and have limited resources. So, don’t wait for the schools to offer services, as waiting may never bring the needed results. Your best advocate is yourself. In Israel for example, new Olim students are entitled to certain benefits and exemptions. Not all schools are going to be proactive about providing these services. You may have even heard the “after the holidays” excuse. Well, here we are and the students should not be deprived of their rights. In the US as well, students are entitled to academic support when appropriate. Even students in Jewish day schools are sometimes entitled to federal funding for extra support. If you are not receiving extra help, do what you can to ensure that you receive what’s coming. Tomorrow’s Genius can help you with this, as can other organizations. Typically, schools are not purposely withholding services. They just don’t realize that the options exist and they are trying to provide an education to hundreds of students at the same time. Don’t get lost in the system.

So, here we are “after the holidays” ready to make the most of the school year ahead. Take advantage of all of your capabilities, skills, talents, and options. Each student has unique skills and abilities. Now is the time to realize the potential!

Anything Can Happen in September!

The month of September is full of new beginning and surprises. The start of the school year brings all sorts of new challenges and ideas. The Yomim Noraim or High Holidays mark the start of the Jewish new year. This is a time where our slates are wiped clean and we are given the chance to start off with clean records. During this time of year, anything is possible.

Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland in the eighties, I lived a pretty ordinary life for a Jewish day school student. During this time of year, I was usually dreading the return to school. Most of my summers were spent working to earn money for those items important to every Jewish teen. Car insurance, CD’s (not the kind at the bank), and of course tickets to go see the Orioles. You see, for almost every Jewish teen living in Baltimore, the Orioles were an important part of our lives.

In the eighties, the team usually finished in their usual fourth or fifth place divisional slot and would spend September playing the role of the spoilers. The year of 1988 was especially memorable but for the wrong reasons. That was the year that the O’s started the season 0 and 21, a record that still stands today as the worst opening in professional baseball. Yet, through it all Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray, and the rest of the greats remained in our hearts and our minds.

Then, in the nineties something new started happening. The team actually became the team to beet in their division. In 1995 and 1996 the O’s finished second which was quite a feat. Then in 1997, the team went wire to wire and held on to first place the entire season. While they were eliminated in the playoffs, this was quite an accomplishment for a team that only a few years earlier could not get higher than third place.

So here we are fifteen years later. September still has not changed for most middle and high school students. Still present are the same dreaded first days of school wondering which math class we will get stuck in. But, September also marks the opportunity to start with a clean record and a positive outlook. Just take a look at this year’s Baltimore Orioles. After fifteen plus losing seasons, the team was projected to finish 4th in this year’s AL East division. No pitching, and only minimal hitting were not going to get this team past the Yankees. But, something surprising has happened. As of today, the Orioles are only one game out of first place! They still don’t have the best hitting or pitching in the league, but by working as a team and believing that anything is possible, the O’s have proven their critics wrong. We’ll see in the next few weeks how far they can take this dream, but we do know that anything is possible.

Students, the same is true for you guys. It is easy to go into a new school year with the same pessimism and bleak outlook as in past years. Sure, maybe you didn’t do so well in some classes last year. Or, maybe your best friends are no longer at your school. This however is a new year, so take advantage of the chance to start off strong.

No one in baseball would have ever picked the Orioles to be contending for first place in the last month of the season. But, by using their talents and tools they have surprised us all. You can do the same!

Getting Ready for the New Year

 

It happens every year. Summer goes by too quickly, and before we know it school time is here. In Israel, students go back to school tomorrow, and in the US, most students will be trading the pool for the classroom sometime next week.

So, here we are again. Ten more months of hard work and personal growth. Here at Tomorrow’s Genius, we are able to provide extra help to hundreds of students throughout the school year. Normally, we receive the requests for help immediately before the big exam or after a test comes back with a poor grade. While we are certainly able to help students in these last minute situations, there are more available options for success now, at the start of the school year.

Tomorrow’s Genius has used the tag line “Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!” on several ads and posters. The message of course is that if a student waits until he is in danger of failing before asking for help, the options can often be limited. A few months ago, we received an emergency call from a parent whose son was not prepared for his math Bagrut (final exam). She asked if we could help her son so he would pass the exam. The staff of Tomorrow’s Genius was of course happy to help, but there was one problem. The math Bagrut was in two days! We did what we could to help, but this student really waited until the last minute. After two days of intensive math sessions, I asked the mother why she didn’t call us earlier. She remarked that she wanted to but just never got around to it. Well, we found out later that this student actually did pass his Bagrut (barely). But, imagine what we could have accomplished with even a month of help from Tomorrow’s Genius.

The school year is full of new challenges and demands. Students are usually able to tell within the first week, which subjects are going to be the most difficult and which subjects won’t require as much attention. Some students find math and science to be easy but struggle with history and Lashon. Other students struggle every year in math. Why wait until there is a serious problem? With the school year about to begin, this is a perfect time to start the year off right!

Tomorrow’s Genius offers individual tutoring and learning sessions for every student. Whether your child needs remedial help or enrichment, we can help you. The teachers on our staff are fully trained and are all familiar with the Misrad Hachinuch (Ministry of Education) requirements and standards. Our teachers are also fully fluent in both Hebrew and English, so no matter which language your child finds easier, we can help. Most importantly, our educators love what they do. They are here to make sure that their students are able to succeed. The feedback on our teachers has been nothing short of fantastic! The amount of work they put in to each and every learning session is amazing.

So, get ready for the new year and start off on the right track. Don’t wait until the month before the exam. Get the help you need to succeed now. For more information or to discuss your personal needs, email us at support@tomorrowsgenius.com.

 

Developing Lasting Relationships

This past Friday, the Baltimore Jewish Times released its annual education supplement which included a wonderful article about Tomorrow’s Genius. The piece focused on the classes which Tomorrow’s Genius created for students at the Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community High School, in Baltimore, Maryland.

In its first full year, Tomorrow’s Genius ran pilot programs for eight US Jewish day schools, and all of the programs were successful. The courses with Beth Tfiloh however, were in a class by themselves. Yes, the students were amazing, and the TG teachers were top notch. What made this program special though was the relationship that Tomorrow’s Genius and Beth Tfiloh were able to build together. As the program continued, a truly collaborative relationship developed.

Beth Tfiloh and Tomorrow’s Genius sometimes spoke multiple times per day via Skype, email, and/or IM. The discussions were not to resolve operational issues, but were rather to ensure a seamless transition between the students classroom based lessons, and their online lessons with Tomorrow’s Genius. At the end of the year, all of the involved students (and their parents) were thrilled with the opportunities that Tomorrow’s Genius had provided. All of the classes with Beth Tfiloh will be continuing in September, enabling the students to continue to build their educational knowledge and personal relationships with their online teachers.

So, what separates this program from others? Since its inception, Tomorrow’s Genius has striven to be more than a third party provider. The goal has always been to serve as an central school resource. By working together with schools, we are all able to make sure that each student receives the best education possible. Tomorrow’s Genius’s involvement does not stop with the actual online classes. Our teachers are available to the school and to the parents whenever questions arise. TG staff members are also regularly present at PTA meetings and back to school  nights. Sure, it would be easier to just teach the online classes, but our goal is to truly help our students succeed. By becoming part of their global academic program, Tomorrow’s Genius is able to provide each student with the personalized program they need to succeed.

Beth Tfiloh is just one of the amazing schools with whom Tomorrow’s Genius has had the privilege of working. Each school brings its own needs and challenges. TG is able to work with each school to develop a program that meets the needs of the involved students. By viewing TG as a partner rather than as a provider, schools can ensure that online learning becomes not just an extra service, but an essential part of the educational program.

As we prepare for the new school year, Tomorrow’s Genius thanks all of its partners for helping us to ensure that every student has the tools for success.

Welcome Home!

This week, the staff of Tomorrow’s Genius participated in this summer’s first Aliyah fair which welcomed over 200 new Olim to Israel. The experience of moving to a new country, even a place as great as Israel, is not an easy task. Tomorrow’s Genius is always happy to be able to help Olim families to integrate into the Israeli educational and professional systems.

As we met each of the new Olim, it was amazing to hear each individual and unique story. One newly married couple, met here in Israel and after returning to the US to get married, decided to move back to where it all began. Another new family from New York, decided to make Aliyah with their 8 children who range from ages 14 to 1. Each story helps to make the Aliyah experience that much more meaningful. This summer, Tomorrow’s Genius is working with new Olim of all ages to ensure the best transition to life here in Israel.

For our grade school students, Tomorrow’s Genius is happy to offer a special summer school program. Running for six weeks, this online program focuses on math and Lashon, two subjects which historically are the most difficult for new Olim students. The courses are created specifically for the needs of each individual student and family. All of the TG teachers involved in this program are experienced in working with new Olim to make the Aliyah transition a bit easier.

For adults, TG is offering a wide variety of professional development courses. Often, new Olim are required to update their skills or to retrain in order to qualify for certain jobs here in Israel. Tomorrow’s Genius understands these challenges and has created a course syllabus designed to meet the needs of the Olim community. In addition, Tomorrow’s Genius is also offering a special three part course designed to help Olim integrate into the Israeli workforce. The course will focus on topics such as changing your CV, using social media, and expanding your skill set. To register for any of these exciting programs, contact us at support@tomorrowsgenius.com.

Of course, Tomorrow’s Genius is always here to ensure that every family living here in Israel is getting the best possible educational services. Whether we help you to create additional learning options, or we serve as your advocates in your school, TG is here to help.

Education is one of the most important aspects of Aliyah, but it is also one of the most challenging tasks. Let Tomorrow’s Genius help you succeed!

Mazel Tov to all of the new Olim!

 

4 Paths to Success: From the Job Search to the Job Market

Everyone you ask will look at you with hope and dreams when it comes to finding that perfect job, but not many know how to improve their chances of securing that dream opportunity. That’s why Tomorrow’s Genius has developed online courses in the key areas that will improve your job search and career prospects.

“Which courses will take my career to that next level?”

1. A Crash Course in Microsoft office – With almost all businesses relying on Microsoft products for everyday productivity, becoming proficient in the MS product suite, can give you that edge over other job applicants and colleagues. Although Microsoft says 77% of Mac users use Office, how many know how to use it effectively?
2. Linked-In Lead Generation – Using Linkedin effectively can not only create business connections and leads but has become an essential tool for successful sales and marketing campaigns. Acquiring this skill can make anyone an asset to their team and for future employment. With Linkedin being 277% more effective than Facebook for lead generation, now is the time to grab the chance and maximize the potential of social media.
3.  Promote Your Business – Learn how to create your own website, blog, connect to the press and use other communication and technological tools effectively.  This will expand your ideas and make your company stand out from the rest! With conventional newspaper advertising costing so much, learning the skills for successful Internet marketing can be cost-effective and can even bring in more revenue by aiming your campaigns at your target population.
4. Introduction to Technical Writing - Learn a new lucrative career for Anglos living in Israel. This course will providw the main principles of technical writing.  Technical writing develops the skills you already have without having to learn Hebrew, a huge plus for the average Oleh.

What is the next step?

If you register for any of these popular online courses before August 1^st you will receive 20% off.

 What courses would you want to see Tomorrow’s Genius offer next?

We want to hear from you! Is there a course you would like to take? Let us know so we can offer it to you. Tomorrow’s Genius Staff are always willing to hear what courses you always wished you could take to advance your skills and careers.

Contact us at support@tomorrowsgenius.com

Learning on the Go…

During these summer months, most kids are on the move. Between camps, trips, vacations, and other activities, the children are often busier than the parents. One of the challenges that parents face over the summer is making sure that their kids are still exercising their creative muscles. Too many children spend their summer months glued to the TV or running from one activity to the other. While everyone needs a break from school, summer does not mean that learning has to stop.

So, how can we ensure that our kids brains don’t turn to mush over the summer months? Well, thanks to technology and some innovative thinking, there are several ways that we can combine learning with fun summer activities.

1. “Know Where You Go” - Many families take vacations during the summer, and some kids even get to go away without their parents. Before your children leave on their adventures, ask them to learn about where they are going. Sites such as History.com and Traveling Through History offer virtual tours and information about some of the most popular travel destinations. Make this fun and encourage your kids through games or small rewards to do some research. Most likely, they will remember some important worldly facts even after the trip is over.

2. “Recording History” - Just about every teenager today has access to a digitial camera. Most cell phones have cameras as a regular feature and most teens will not leave to camp or vacation without this important piece of equipment. So, since your kids are snapping pictures anyway, ask them to be creative at the same time. Encourage your kids to create a scrapbook or diary of their summer experiences. They can take their photos and write descriptions or thoughts for each image. The best part is that with today’s technology, this can all be done online, where your kids are most comfortable. Sites such as Mixbook enable users to create and share online scrapbooks. You can even use a blog platform such as WordPress to publish and share images, videos, and written thoughts. Your child will have a great way to remember the summer and will have an opportunity to enhance skills such as writing, composition, history, and technology.

3. “Fantasy Summer” - Many students use the summer to both play and watch their favorite sports. As the season progresses, stats pile up and the competition increases. Well, as the players hit more home runs and kick more goals, opportunities for math enrichment also increase. Fantasy teams have been around longer than the Internet. Many of today’s popular fantasy sites such as ESPN and Yahoo take care of the stats for you, but with a teen, you can ask them to do the stats themselves. Microsoft offers several Excel templates for sports stats. Kids can get practice in factoring statistics and in working with advanced tools in programs such as Excel and Word.

4. “Daily Dose of Talmud” - For those students looking for a way to expand their Judaic learning options, Daf-Yomi is a great way to learn over the summer. With the Daf-Yomi schedule, a different page of Gemara is learned every day. There are websites such as Edaf that make Daf-Yomi easy with tools such as translations, practice questions, and other interactive activities. Daf-Yomi can be learned from almost anywhere including laptops, IPads, and even Smartphones.

5. “Enrichment Time” - Of course, Tomorrow’s Genius is here as well to help you maximize the summer months. Our Virtual Summer School program is already providing hundreds of students with online classes and enrichment opportunities. We schedule learning sessions according to the schedules of each individual student. So, even with camp, trips, and other activities time can still be made for some fun summer learning.

Summer is a great time for both kids and parents to kick back and enjoy some well deserved time off from homework and tests. But, there is also time for some fun learning options. During the school year, most students are working to meet an academic goal or to pass a test. Over the summer, students can study topics that interest them and can enjoy learning new information.

 

A Perfect Time to Learn a New Language

Since opening over two years ago, Tomorrow’s Genius has helped many students in both Israel and in the US improve their language skills. Hebrew is not an easy language to learn. Many new Olim students often have a difficult time integrating into a Hebrew speaking environment. The Hebrew language skills which these students learned in their Jewish day schools, may have been sufficient when Hebrew was just another foreign language, but now, these students are being asked to transition Hebrew from a foreign language into the everyday language.

It is not just the grade school students who need to make this adjustment. Often for parents moving to Israel, and learning a new language can be one of the most difficult parts of the Aliyah process. Sure, new Olim are given Ulpan instruction, but in most cases, these classes are just the beginning. Learning a new language takes time that many adults just are not able to commit.

So, whether the student is in school or a professional, there are online options that can make learning Hebrew easier.

1. Tomorrow’s Genius Ulpan - As a leader in online education, Tomorrow’s Genius has made helping the Olim community a priority. Since learning Hebrew is such an important part of the Aliyah process, TG has developed two learning options. The first is our self-paced online Ulpan course. The course which runs for ten weeks features pre-recorded video lessons as well as live on-line practice sessions with a qualified Ulpan teacher. This program is ideal for students who have busy schedules and cannot commit to regular classes. The second option is our intensive summer school program. In this program, which runs for six weeks, students will be assigned a private Ulpan teacher who will work according to the student’s specific needs and skill level. The student and teacher meet three times per week and will focus on the everyday Hebrew vocabulary required to function here in Israel.

2. Rosetta Stone - This popular language software is perhaps the most well known language skills solution. Using a variety of self-paced tools, users learn the language skills through hands on activities and practice. Rosetta Stone also includes a speech recognition technology that enables students to practice pronunciation skills as well as vocabulary. The program is one of the more expensive options, but Rosetta Stone has become a language solution for students of all ages.

3. Milingua - This service provides online Hebrew lessons to students of all ages. Much of their material is free, which makes this service one of the most affordable options. The lessons feature some type of interactive activity that reinforces vocabulary and comprehension skills. There is no real time component or pronunciation checker, but if you are looking for a low cost/free option for expanding your vocabulary, Milingua could be a great resource.

4. Israeli Ulpan Providers - Many Ulpan providers based in Israel, such as Ulpan Aviv and Ulpan Or have added online options to their list of available services. Ulpan Or, for example conducts online lessons using platforms such as Skype and Webex. They have also partnered with WebYeshiva, another online educational provider to provide online courses to small groups of students. Ulpan Aviv also offers online options for private classes, using Skype and IM. There are other Ulpan companies that offer online options as well. Each uses different educational techniques and curriculum guides. When choosing a program, it is important to find the solution that best meets your personal educational goals and budget.

Learning Hebrew does not need to be a stressful process. There are several options available, and each student can choose the options that best meets your needs. We at Tomorrow’s Genius are happy to help any new Olim family with any educational issues or questions.