Curriculum Goals

CURRICULUM GOALS BY GRADE
Gan/Kindergarten
Aleph/First Grade
Bet/Second Grade
Gimel/Third Grade
Dalet/Fourth Grade
Hey/Fifth Grade
Vav/Sixth Grade
Zayin/Seventh Grade

עברית HEBREW CURRICULUM
Hebrew language plays a prominent role in our school in all grades. It is incorporated throughout the day in authentic ways.  Music, Israeli dancing, special electives and other interactive learning strategies are used to reinforce Hebrew learning and to provide an element of modern Hebrew.  Students are also exposed to common Hebrew words and phrases as they pertain to the cycle of the Jewish year, the classroom and basic conversation.

יהדות ותרבות JEWISH HERITAGE AND CULTURE
Through experiential education, our students learn Torah and Jewish history.  They learn the origins, customs and laws of the Jewish holidays and then join together in celebration of each.

תפילה PRAYER
In addition to our historic ties to our לשון הקודש, lashon hakodesh (special language), the ability to read and follow along in a service is key for helping our children as they grow into adulthood and feel comfortable in the Jewish community. We focus on the ability to accurately pronounce words, help students develop a basic prayer vocabulary and to better understand our prayers. 

Each grade has a set of prayer goals that we expect them to master over the course of the year.  In addition to accuracy and fluency, we teach leadership skills, enabling our students to take an active role in services upon becoming b'nei mitzvah.

אתגר ETGAR
The Etgar program was created by the Melton Research Center of the Jewish Theological Seminary to attend to the innovations and challenges emerging in the early decades of the 21st century. Educators across a diverse range of congregational and day schools settings use this educational program to engage students through active learning, meaningful Judaic content, and deep personal reflection. The program is supplemented by ongoing support for teachers.

Etgar Yesodi is a 3rd-5th grade curriculum with an integrated approach to teaching Judaics. Its three-year scope and sequence invites students to find personal meaning in their Judaism through a variety of learning modalities, including text study, art, music, writing, projects, and other hands-on experiences. Click here to find out more about Etgar Yesodi.

Project Etgar, a curriculum created especially for middle school students (Grades 6-8), builds on students' prior knowledge and experiences while promoting new learning. It empowers them with the ability to articulate positive Jewish identities with pride, while adding breadth and depth to their understanding and observance of Judaism. By continually addressing students’ developmental needs, Etgar schools throughout the country create a positive, productive Jewish learning experience. Using the Etgar curriculum, teachers act as directors, leaders, and guides in the learning process. 
Click here for more information about the curriculum.