Summary of School Curriculum for Grades K-7
Students in grades K-2 begin their Jewish studies by attending school once a week for 1 hour and 20 minutes on Monday afternoons. The main objective of these grades is to provide enjoyable learning experiences, which will create pleasurable associations and identification with Judaism. The emphasis is on customs and rituals in the Jewish home as well as holiday observances in the synagogue. In addition, introduction to the Aleph-Bet begins in Grade 1 as part of the reading readiness program.
Grades 3-7 attend school twice a week: 2 hours on Sunday morning, and 2 hours on a weekday afternoon. One hour each day is spent on Judaica, and the other is spent on Hebrew. The Judaica curriculum also includes a musical component of about 15-20 minutes per week.
In 3rd Grade, students are introduced to the Jewish concept of God, and learn Bible stories from the Creation to the Sinaitic Covenant. Students begin Hebrew reading and are introduced to writing Hebrew script.
Students in 4th Grade, focus on Jewish holidays, customs and ceremonies. The Early Prophetic Books of the Bible (Joshua, Judges, Samuel I and II) are read and discussed. Students begin Hebrew comprehension with a series of packets entitled "Mitkadem" which was created by the Union of Reform Judaism and continues throughout the 5th and 6th grades. Special concentration is also given to learning the Havdalah Service during this year.
In 5th Grade, students learn about the historical development of modern Israel, its cities, lifestyles and the importance of Israel to the Jewish people. Study of the history of the Jewish people from the Second Temple Period to the modern era is the focus. Hebrew language key words, roots, prefixes and suffixes continue to be learned as part of the Mitkadem curriculum. The study of Torah through Parshat HaShavua begins with the Book of Genesis. Special concentration is also given to learning the Shabbat morning Shacharit Service in preparation for leading an actual Shabbat Service this year.
In 6th Grade, students study life cycle and year cycle subjects in a more advanced fashion, and become familiar with the traditions of Judaism. Through units of study, students learn basic Hebrew terms and concepts for Jewish ethics and values. Study of Hebrew language continues, and the Torah and Haftarah blessings are learned. Students continue the study of Chumash with the Books of Exodus to Deuteronomy. Special concentration is given to finding the Bar/Bat Mitzvah portions of each student in the Chumash and eliciting a particularly meaningful verse. Students work on Bar/Bat Mitzvah materials to prepare for their ceremonies and services.
The 7th Grade level of study includes a special course in Jewish living with subjects related to the most difficult questions that Jews face. Questions about being chosen, how to pray, and belief in God are some issues that are discussed. Students are introduced to the history, beliefs, and lifestyle of the Jews of Eastern Europe and its virtual destruction through the onset of the Holocaust. The goals for Hebrew study at this grade level are to give students a personal connection to the State of Israel, to enhance students' Jewish identity, to increase basic modern Hebrew vocabulary and the understanding of sentence structure and grammar concepts, enabling students to converse at a basic Hebrew level. Students study the history and current events of modern Israel as well as learn about Israeli society through exposure to daily teen life in Israel.
