Gaon Gemara

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Gaon Gemara is an organization devoted to promoting skill-based gemara instruction at the middle and high school level. We provide a full curriculum, as well as teacher training resources based on 30+ years of experience in skill-based gemara instruction by the faculty at Shapell's College of Jewish Studies / Yeshivat Darche Noam, Jerusalem.

Core features of skill-based gemara instruction include:

A primary focus on the development of the skills required for independent gemara study
Making the gemara simple, predictable, and clear to students
Stimulating creative thought and problem solving
A use of real-world examples to minimize the language barrier and engage students
Scaffolding skill development to constantly stimulate higher order thinking even as basic skills are acquired
Avoiding 'learning at' students or expecting them to absorb skills by osmosis

For the first time, the curriculum is being provided in a modular format for teacher training, broken up by skill development, tools, and resources to use in the classroom. All training materials are accompanied by sample lesson plans, which can be followed in order to teach Elu Metziot in the classroom.

Module 1: Haschalas HaGemara
1. Intro to Gemara & Student-Driven Discussion
2. Skill Based Activities & The Halachic Statement 
3. Preparing To Jump In - Framing a Sugya using the משנה's Halachic Statements 
3b. Multiple Dinim and Halachic Statements (Extension)
4. Summative Assessment- Halachic Statement
5. Making Diyukim

Module 2: Navigating Shakla V'Tarya
1. Introduction to Shakla V'Tarya
2. Information & Attack Questions
3. Predicting Next Steps
4. Using Keywords
5. Review

Module 3: Learning Gemara Inside 1. Introducing Learning Inside & Talmudic History 2. Identifying & Resolving Stiras 3. Speaking Out a Sugya 4. Looking Up Quoted Sources

5. רֵישָא וְסֵיפָא's
6. שָׁקְלָא וְתָריָא from Context
7. Making an Ukimta 8. More Chilukim, Diyukim & Introducing Rashi 9. Bigger & Smaller חִידוּשִׁים 10. Making Maskanot

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Available courses

Section 1: Introduction to Gemara

Guest access

Teacher training, tools, tips and resources for teaching students to analyze a mishna in preparation for jumping into the gemara.

These are the building blocks for the gemara skills developed throughout in the curriculum, and thus a recommended starting point, even as a quick review.

Section 2: Navigating Shakla V'Tarya

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Self enrolment

Teacher training, tools, tips and resources for teaching students how to navigate through a shakla v'tarya simply, clearly, and with confidence.

This section contains the most crucial elements of developing independent gemara learners.

Section 3: Learning Gemara Inside

Guest access

Self enrolment

Teacher training, tools, tips and resources for teaching students to decipher the gemara text inside.

We continue building the analytical and navigational skills of previous sections, to bring students to a basic ability to navigate through a gemara sugya and identify the flow of its arguments.

Full Gaon Gemara Curriculum

Guest access

Self enrolment

The full Gaon Gemara curriculum and resources in the traditional format, including Teacher's Guide and Student Workbooks.

This is a full year program, working through the perek of Elu Metziot in Bava Metzia.