Middot Thru Media

What character traits enable a human being to find within himself the courage to risk his life for the sake of others? This is only one of many questions discussed in an exciting, interactive class that catapults high school seniors into a deep exploration of their own character and what it means to achieve a “life well-lived.” During high school, a time when adolescents actively struggle to form unique identities, Middot Through Media offers a pathway of discovery through a thoughtful exploration of topics addressing the questions teenagers ask of themselves: Who am I? What do I believe? What is my purpose? How will I show up in the world?

Middot Through Media includes seven modules entitled: No Limitations, Forgiveness, Racism and the Benefit of the Doubt, Meaningful Life, Happiness, Chesed – Kindness on the Road, and What Do You Truly Own? Each unit of Middot Through Media begins with an introduction to a topic from a Torah perspective using original Judaic sources, and then exposes students to a multitude of voices on the subject through videos, articles, songs, and movies. All media selections have been selected so as to offer insight into a broad range of cultures, ethnicities and religions. Rather than emphasizing differences, however, the focus is on similarities that bind all people to the race of humanity. These media selections are then paired with experiential exercises and reflective essays that allow the students to grapple with these topics on a personal level.

The culmination of Middot Through Mitzvot - the Final Project - tasks students with creating their own Middot Through Mitzvot unit with the goal of internalizing the lessons of the course and providing a practical hands-on approach for future character growth. Some examples of units that students have created are courage, bullying, love, leadership, and confidence.

ראה כי אין דברי החסידות ועניני היראה והאהבה וטהרת הלב דברים מוטבעים באדם עד שלא יצטרכו אמצעים לקנותם.אלא ימצאו אותם בני האדם בעצמם כמו שימצאו כל תנועותיהם הטבעיות כשינה והקיצה, הרעב והשבע, וכל שאר התנועות החקוקות בטבענו. אלא ודאי שצריכים הם לאמצעים ולתחבולות לקנות אותם.

Observe that matters of piety and fear and love [of G-d], and purity of heart are not things innately implanted in a person whereby he would not need means to acquire them such as sleep and wakefulness, hunger and satiation, and all the other responses naturally implanted in our nature. Rather, certainly it is necessary to employ means and strategies to acquire them. (Misilat Yisharim)

1. Misilat Yisharim Worksheet

1. Rambam Hilchot Da'ot & WS 1:1,4,6,7

2. Sefer HaChinuch Mitzva 16 Not Breaking the Bones

Mitzva 16 WS

3. NY Times Moral Bucket List- Résumé virtues vs. the eulogy virtues.

Moral Bucket List Worksheet

4. The Science of Character WS

5. Periodic Mentsch Table

6. Periodic Mentch Table WS

7. The Via Institute

Mussar the Making of a Mentch Video 10:52

8:00

Overview

Middot through Media

Students will have the opportunity to study ethical and moral principles by viewing, reading and discussing current media sources in a group setting to explore Torah perspectives and practical applications of Torah principles.

Goals for the course: Students will be expected to come to class ready to listen, learn and engage in sharing and discussing their opinions, original ideas and personal insights.

Grade will reflect: Class participation, attendance, submission of written reflection, text analysis and final class project.

5 HABITS OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS:

Be on time and ready to actively learn

Be respectful and patient with others

Use class time efficiently

Participate in class discussions

Do personal best work

LATENESS AND ABSENCE

Work missed during excused absence must be made up; work missed during an unexcused absence will not receive credit.

It is student’s responsibility to determine what work was missed, and to hand it in upon return. The instructor is not responsible for notifying students of missed work.

Tests missed due to excused absence must be made up on the day of return to school.

Homework

1. Accept and sign into Google Classroom.

2. HW is always due by 9pm the night before the next class. Submission after set time will result in either partial or no credit for your work and will impact your final grade.

3. HW submission is to be turned in to Google Classroom.

4. HW will be graded by content , presentation and timely submission. HW will not be graded on spelling or grammar.

Google Sites

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