Tu BiShevat offers an entryway to helping students explore the Jewish values of Bal Tashchit (“do not destroy”), bettering the environment and creating a greener, more abundant world for themselves and for others.
We’ve gathered up some resources - suitable for all ages and grade levels - to help you and your students explore the full meaning of the Tu BiShevat.
Introduction to Tu BiShevat
100+ Jewish Art Projects for Children (grades PK-6)
100+ Jewish Art Projects for Children, originally from A.R.E Publishing Inc., teaches different aspects of Jewish life through the arts. With an entire chapter on Tu BiShevat, choose how to introduce the material to your students.
The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail (grades 2-3)
In a fun, adventure-filled text, The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail leads young learners on a journey through various Jewish holidays. The chapter on Tu BiShevat walks students through fun facts, stories, riddles, and quizzes sure to entertain while simultaneously teaching. At the end of each chapter, students are prompted to reward themselves with a holiday-themed sticker.
The Book of Jewish Holidays (grades 4-6)
The Book of Jewish Holidays helps 4th-6th graders explore why each holiday is celebrated and how. Throughout the book, teachers can engage students with activities, recipes, writing opportunities, and more.
Values of Tu BiShevat
Examine environmental issues through Biblical text in The Natural Bible, an interactive iBook that explores six religious environmental values, including consumption and sustainability, stewardship, our relationship with living creatures and God’s creation, and environmental justice.
This iBook breaks new ground in the field of Jewish environmental studies. Take it with you, highlight text, take notes, and bookmark favorite passages. Search for specific text and tap the audio icon to hear Hebrew titles. Also contains a built-in glossary and index, multimedia, and hypertext links. 
Our Place in the Universe (grades 6-8)
Look at environmentalism through a Jewish lens using the powerful tool of a reflective journal. This innovative approach offers students the opportunity to contemplate their own relationships with the natural world from a Jewish perspective.
For example, in a chapter called "Large Tasks, Small Steps," help students explore the question of how we can affect global issues when they seem too overwhelming. Read the story of Rabbi Akiva, who noticed stone that had been cut back by water, one drop at a time, and realized that big change happens only when we take small incremental steps.
For a sample lesson plan about Large Tasks, Small Steps, click here.
Jewish Holidays, Jewish Values (grades 4-6)
As students grow and develop their own writing voices, journals are an excellent option for them to grow their knowledge in a different, more creative way. The Jewish Holidays, Jewish Values journal gives learners grades 4-6 an opportunity to think critically and use their own voices. Through writing prompts, stories, debate topics, lists, and more, students are able to explore their feelings aboutTu BiShevat and consider how they can contribute to a greener environment.
As always, our Pinterest page has boards for each holiday and is always growing. Bookmark us to stay updated with the most recent pins and let us know if there's something you'd like added to our board.
