ABOUT THE AUTHOR
And now - the movie (book trailer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF7K58xZ0VI
Roni Rosenthal-Gazit, 35, was born in Haifa, Israel.
She started working with kids as a guide when she was 16 and was given her first group at the youth movement HATZOFIM (a group of Israeli scouts).
After graduating from the University of Haifa, where she double-majored in Education and Sociology for her Bachelor degree and a Master degree in Sociology & Counseling , she continued her education with the Hebrew Literature Department.
Over the years Rosenthal-Gazit continued her teaching career in formal and non-formal structures, in Hebrew schools and Jewish schools, teaching kids at various levels of the Hebrew language and kids at different grades, from pre-k through 8th grade.
"I still believe" she says "that the best way for a child or an adult to get a feel for a language is by playing games.
Here is an example:
A person walks into a restaurant, sits down, and asks for a menu. After a careful review of the menu, he will probably pick a dish. Chances are, he will not remember that menu again, but he will definitely remember eating at that restaurant, or he might remember the name of the dish he had liked, and he might even remember its taste. The next time he walks into this restaurant he will feel more comfortable reading the menu and he will try remember what he had ordered before.
Children experience much the same thing. When children have enjoyed playing a certain game in Hebrew, they will ask to play it again and again. They will remember having fun but most important they will feel comfortable using Hebrew vocabulary as a means of playing games. In game playing children’s imaginations are hard at work. They will conceive variations of words, symbols, and meanings as well as basic vocabulary while acquiring new language skills, and all... by playing games".
In 2003 Rosenthal-Gazit published her first novel in Hebrew called: "Love at high Risk", by Gvanim Publishing house.
In 2007 she published her second book in English, it was a children's book, in rhymes called: "On Shapes and More", by storytimeworld Publishing house.
Rosenthal-Gazit was also the chief editor of the WashingTone newspaper, a monthly publication in the Hebrew language for Hebrew readers in The DC Metro area.
"Over the years," she explains "I have collected over 1000 (!) games. In this book I would like to share with you those
I graded as ‘my 101 top list’. The games in this book were the most popular, captured the interest of my students and made them want to participate.
Above all, through the use of these games I have always been able to teach the kids something new; sometimes it was new vocabulary or reinforcement of basic words, and other times the students grew more confident with conversational Hebrew".
"It's a real joy" she exclaims "To see the children seating down on the floor and arguing about which word should fit into the puzzle from the vocabulary they just learned 2 minutes ago... "
Rosenthal-Gazit is currently teaching in a day school, in a Hebrew school and giving guest lectures all over the U.S.
"I've gained a lot from my experience and my working with children. Every day in this profession is a blessing".
