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| Bim and Bom's traveling house was lovingly built by local PJ Library dad, Howard Fleischer and beautifully painted by PJ mom and Meyer Art teacher, Adrienne Turk. |
Bim (the girl doll-carpenter) and Bom (the boy doll-baker) are part of the traveling curriculum project we created here at the Commission for Jewish Education to visit schools, Jewish community centers and synagogues around our community (the Greater Palm Beaches) this year. They are the brother/sister main character duo from the PJ Library book, Bim and Bom, A Shabbat Tale by Daniel J. Swartz. They, along with their associated curriculum materials (created in part by local educators) and interactive components, are visiting classrooms (early childhood- 2nd grade) and joining in at family events and programs throughout the community.
Bim and Bom are actually the third traveling curriculum project the CJE has created and shared with the community. I am always amazed at what each location, school, class, teacher, student, child, mother, father, grandparent, etc. does with them. Yesterday was a "travel day" for Bim and Bom which means they come back to me for a quick refreshing (and a hug) before they carry on to their next location. I carefully fix them up, straighten their hair, wash their clothes and make sure the kit has everything it needs to go to the next stop. I also take a minute to peek at their "scrapbook" which is a record of everything they do. Teachers paste in photos of what they did with the dolls and they record the curriculum pieces that "grew" from the students in response to Bim and Bom. They share what the students wanted to investigate as a class, and what Bim and Bom inspired them to learn about. You would not believe where a 4-year-old can go in his/her little mind after reading about how Bom bakes challah each week for those who can not afford it.
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| Inside the house on wheels is where all the scrapbook, curriculum binders, music, and of course, Bim and Bom are stored. |
Yes, I love these dolls---not because they are soft and adorable and almost three feet tall, but because they are already inspiring the children in our community to think about mitzvot, to cherish their siblings and to explore new ideas. I love these dolls because they are challenging teachers to listen to their students and to let them steer the course for where today's lesson plans may go. And now, as I pack Bim and Bom into their house once more, I know that when I see them back here in about a month, I will love them even more.
For more information about this project, contact Amy Bergman, a.bergman@cjepb.org or Robyn Hurvitz r.hurvtiz@cjepb.org.
Bim and Bom is a very interesting concept to teach small kids about the moral values and to value relationship with your kins and how to become a better brother or sister? You guys did well by making it a part of your curriculum because kids are playful beings and they should be taught important lessons in a fun manner. These playful little dolls would teach them those important life lessons in a much easier way than those drab text books.
ReplyDeleteI think this concept should be thoroughly explored and matured, teachers should be trained appropriately to teach using these dolls effectively. Once successful, it has the potential to be replicated across the country.
Jeff Rivera
Bestselling Author
http://www.amazon.com/17-Cents-Dream-Incredible-ebook/dp/B00AXCVJ6Y/
Thanks for your comment Jeff,
DeleteThe Professional Development sessions that we have been doing with local educators have been extremely well received and effective. This traveling curriculum has challenged our teachers to use Project Based Learning concepts which our schools have also been able to apply to other areas of their curriculum. We are really delighted with what we are seeing in our community with this traveling curriculum and are excited about planning next year's project.
-Amy