Aleph Champion Hebrew Literacy Program

The Aleph Champion Hebrew literacy program is changing the way children in Hebrew Schools across the world feel about reading Hebrew. The way it used to be, students would dread taking out their reading books, having to go through the grueling drill of reading aloud and listening to everyone else in the class read. Now, ask any child in Hebrew School what is their favorite part of Hebrew School, and chances are, you will hear all about the Aleph Champion program.

What is Aleph Champion?
The Aleph Champion program is a highly motivational Hebrew literacy program that is level-based according to color. Similar to the martial arts system that has participants start out at as "white belts" and work their way up to becoming "black belts", students in the Aleph Champ program start out with the very basics of reading at the white level and work their way up to master speed, accuracy, and proficiency up until the black level.

Who is it for?
This program is for grades 2 through 6. In the Kindergarten class as well as the first grade, students are introduced to the letters and vowels with tactile, kinesthetic and visual stimulation. By second grade, children are ready to begin working at their own pace and are responsible enough to complete their work in their own workbooks.

What makes it so successful?
With the Aleph Champion program, learning to read and write becomes tailor-made for each individual student. Rather than trying to find a level of reading where "most of the class" is at and just hope for the best for the rest of the students, this enables each child to work at his/her own pace. Another major advantage to the way to the program is designed is that there is a constant motivation for the child to want to read better just by the fact that he/she wants to be at the next level. It also is extremely helpful for students to have clear and reachable goals so that they can feel capable and confident that they will succeed.

How does it work?
This program is conducted in a special room called the Aleph Champion room. The room is set up with different centers - reading, writing, flashcard, and game centers. Reading books, workbooks, and flashcards are color-coded so that students are working with materials on the color level that they are up to. When students have finished their workbooks and have achieved fluency in their reading books, they are ready for testing. The teacher tests students to see if they have mastered the skills needed for the level that they are on. When students pass a level, they are presented with a special certificate and colored achievement medallion. At the end of the year, all students participate in a special recognition ceremony for students recognizing and applauding their achievements.