Western Studies
Ms. Portman

Purpose
-An ancient Jewish technique for learning

-Based on the notion that each person has access to a piece of the truth; we should talk to others to get closer to the truth.

-You gain a greater understanding of the text, yourself, and your place in the world than if you were studying alone.

How It Works
-You will each be assigned a partner that you will keep for the entire quarter. Partners will be rotated each quarter, and the final quarter you will have the opportunity to choose your own partner.

-You will each be given a text. You and your partner must face each other. One person reads aloud and the other follows along with the text. If the text is long, you should take turns reading different sections.

-After reading the text, you and your partner will answer the guiding questions asked of you after the text. Take brief notes while discussing your answers because we will be having a class conversation based on your responses.

-In order for the Hevruta method to work the way that it was intended, you have to trust your partner, speak honestly, and listen to each other.

-I will be circling the room to answer questions and listen in on your discussion of the material.