|
|
Gan-Bet (K-2)
The K-2 curriculum is designed to be engaging and exciting – using a variety of hands-on media including stories, arts and crafts, drama/storytelling, music, movement, etc. The main goals of our K-2 curriculum is to offer experiences that : nurture a child’s personal Jewish identity (“I’m Jewish! – and I’m learning more and more about what it means to be Jewish.”), to instill a joy of Jewish learning (“Being Jewish is fun!”) and a sense of Jewish community (“I have Jewish friends and Temple Isaiah is my synagogue!”). We also offer family education programs that strengthen the connections between school and home.
Our K-2 curriculum includes the following core concepts, which we approach from a different perspective at each grade level. Please see the chart below:
|
Core Concepts
|
GAN (Kindergarten)
|
ALEF (First grade)
|
BET (Second grade)
|
|
Jewish Holidays
|
What do we celebrate with (symbols) and How (with our families in our homes)
|
Who are the holiday
Heroes/”Mitzvah Makers”?
|
Becoming Holiday Experts: How and Why we celebrate as a community and When (understanding the Jewish calendar)
|
|
Jewish Values and Mitzvot
|
Shalom Bayit
(Peace in our home and classroom)
|
Mitzvot
(Commandments for Jewish Living)
|
Hoda’ah
(Thankfulness)
|
|
Torah/Bible Stories
God and Spirituality
|
Creation story
Stories that promote Shalom Bayit
Up Close with the Torah Unit
Shema Unit
|
Torah Stories and Torah Midrashim (creative/ interpretative tellings) that focus on Mitzvot/Heroes
Mitzvot and Blessings
|
Making Room for God Unit
Shabbat Morning Blessings
|
|
Ivrit:Hebrew Language
|
Holiday symbols and terms, everyday words (manners, greetings, etc.)
“Short” Food Blessings
Alef-Bet Exploration Center
|
Introduction of Alef-Bet letters; mitzvot terms
Hebrew name Unit
Blessings: “Short” food blessings and Mitzvot blessings
|
Reading Readiness Hebrew (letters and vowels);
Blessings: Chanukah, Shabbat and Havdalah, Passover 4 Questions
Jewish time and calendar terms
|
|
Israel
|
My Israel: Meeting Children in Israel through Shalom Sesame and stories
|
Mitzvah of Ahavat Yisrael (love of Israel)
Jerusalem through our mitzvah and holiday stories
|
Explore sites and cities of Israel alongside the Alef-Bet learning
Holiday celebrations in Israel
Israeli Astronaut, Ilan Ramon
|
|
Grade Specific Special Units
|
Shema Unit
Up Close with the Torah Unit
Creation
My Jewish Homes: My Fmaily Home, My Synagogue, My Israel
|
Mitzvahland Unit
Mitzvah Makers
Hebrew Name Unit
|
Setting Your Clock to Jewish Time Unit
Rosh Chodesh
(the new Moon holiday)
Making Room for God Unit
Hebrew Name Unit
|
Kitah Gimel (3rd grade) students become Hebrew readers over the course of the year. They also explore their questions and ideas about God and delve into the Torah texts from the first chapters of the Book of Genesis through study, discussion, drama, and arts & crafts.
Becoming Hebrew readers
- Students learn to read Hebrew words and phrases using the text book, Alef Bet Quest, and by participating in a variety of group reading games and activities. Students are encouraged to use the The Alef Bet Quest DVD for home practice.
- Students learn to write in Hebrew script
- Students participate in class checkpoints when children each have one-on-one reading time with their teacher to assess their progress..
Exploring Torah
The children explore several Torah texts in a more mature and analytical way than they have in the past. They study:
- The two stories of Creation
- Cain and Abel
- Noah
- Tower of Babel
Students read the text looking for hints on the important ideas, people and events. After reading the text of the story, students analyze the story in partners, small groups or as a class. The discussions focus on what we can take away from these stories today and how they apply to our lives. Then, the children spend one or two classes doing hands-on activities to help them engage with the stories in a variety of learning styles.
Milestone Event in Kitah Gimel
At the end of the year, after the children have learned to read Hebrew, they prepare for the Siyyum Hasefer (celebration of the book) ceremony. Each student reads a phrase in Hebrew from Psalms, and the students and the cantor lead a variety of fun Hebrew songs for their families. Students receive a copy of the Mishkan T’filah Prayer book inscribed with their English and Hebrew names and a dedication plate written by their parents.
Third Grade meets two days per week.
- Sundays 8:45-10:45 and Wednesdays 3:40-5:30
- Sundays 11:00-1:00 and Wednesdays 3:40-5:30
Dalet (4th grade)
Kitah Dalet (4th grade) students strengthen their connections to their religious school community as they hone their Hebrew and text study skills. Fun and learning are interwoven as students participate in a Hebrew carnival, compete in the Bracha(blessing) Cup Games, attend the Schlogworts Mitkadem Academy for Hebrew Wizards in Training, participate in the Four Question Olympics and track the journeys of the first Jewish families in the Torah.
Hebrew/Prayer
Mitakdem
The students learn Hebrew blessings and prayers using URJ’s Mitkadem prayer program. Mitkadem is an innovative and comprehensive prayer curriculum. Students work individually and in small groups within the class to progress through the levels (ramot) allowing students of varying abilities to work at a pace that is comfortable for them. Teachers and Hebrew aides guide the students through the process. Every level (ramah) includes the following components:
- Kri'ah/Reading
- Otzar Milim/Vocabulary
- Dikduk/Grammar
- Divrei T'filah/Words of Prayer (students investigate the central themes of the prayer book and what they mean to them)
Since prayer in Jewish tradition has a strong communal component, the small group and individual work is balanced with large group Hebrew games and opportunities for students to practice prayers together in the classroom In addition, students participate in monthly t’filah (services) during religious school led by fellow students and participate monthly in a teaching t’filah session with the entire 5th grade led by Cantor Doob.
Schlogworts Mitkadem Academy for Hebrew Wizards in Training
Here at Temple’s Isaiah’ Hebrew Academy students learn to become Hebrew Wizards by learning such things as the “Blessing Formula”, the proper blessing for various foods – HOW to say them and WHEN to say them. They will become word detectives by learning the Hebrew Codes (Shoreshim or Roots) of Hebrew words and of course, much, much more. Hebrew Wizardry Learning Games will sharpen their skills and allow for great interactive activities that all students enjoy! Students are sorted into one of three houses: Gimmeldoor, Hamanpoof, or Reishinclaw
Torah Study
During Torah study, the students work in pairs, small groups and as a whole class to explore the family stories found in the book of Genesis (from Abraham and Sarah through Joseph) and the journeys of the Children of Israel in the Book of Exodus (from Moses’ birth through the exodus from Egypt). After reading the text of the story, the students discuss what ideas and lessons they can take away from these stories and how they apply to their lives today. The following two classes are spent delving further into the texts using a variety of learning activities from dramatics to journal writing to art projects.
Kitah Dalet finishes the year with exploration of the Ten Commandments.
Fourth Grade meets Sundays 11:00-1:30 and Wednesdays 3:40-5:30
.
Heh (5th grade)
Kitah Heh (5th grade) students extend their sense of Jewish connection to include the land and people of Israel through a variety of hands-on learning experiences. Students increase their mastery of prayers and their understanding of how the Hebrew language works with the continued use of the mitkadem program.
Hebrew/Prayer
Mitakdem: The students learn Hebrew blessings and prayers using URJ’s Mitkadem prayer program. Mitkadem is an innovative and comprehensive prayer curriculum. Students work individually and in small groups within the class to progress through the levels (ramot) allowing students of varying abilities to work at a pace that is comfortable for them. Teachers and Hebrew aides guide the students through the process. Every level (ramah) includes the following components:
- Kri'ah/Reading
- Otzar Milim/Vocabulary
- Dikduk/Grammar
- Divrei T'filah/Words of Prayer (students investigate the central themes of the prayer book and what they mean to them)
Since prayer in Jewish tradition has a strong communal component, the small group and individual work is balanced with large group Hebrew games and opportunities for students to practice prayers together in the classroom In addition, students participate in monthly t’filah (services) during religious school led by fellow students and participate monthly in a teaching t’filah session with the entire 5th grade led by Cantor Doob.
To help familiarize the students with some basic conversational Hebrew phrases, the Kitah heh students will participate in an Ulpan (conversational Hebrew sessions) using some of the roots that they have learned in Mitkadem. The ulpan will culminate in a Hebrew camp during the last few weeks of religious school.
Israel: Yesterday and Today
Through an exciting series of hands-on activities, the students learn about the people and events that led to the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948. Using the book The Wonders of Israel they connect to the people and places found in Israel today.
Israel activities include:
- Meet the movers and shakers in Israel’s history
- Exploring Theodore Herzl and his dream of creating a Jewish homeland culminating in a party celebrating the birth of the state of Israel.
- Foundations of Modern Israel: the Kibbutz experience (explored at a one day retreat)
- Builders of Israel Hall of Fame: In partners, students study a historical figure from early Zionism and teach other students about their historical figure.
- The students create a travel brochure to learn teach about the geography of Modern Day Israel.
- Israeli rotations: Israeli Dance, Israeli crafts, and Israeli cooking
Fifth Grade meets Sundays 11;00-1:30 and Wednesdays 3:40-5:30.
Vav (6th grade)
Kitah Vav (6th grade) students have the opportunity to hone their skills as service leaders and teachers of Torah as they explore what it means to become a bar or bat mitzvah (son or daughter of the commandment). Students are encouraged to think about the history of bar/bat mitzvah as a rite of passage as they explore how other traditions mark rites of passage at this age.
In addition, to classroom and grade-wide activities, the students attend a weekend retreat (Bar/Bat Mitzvah Kallah) where they build a stronger sense of community, experience the joy of Shabbat, and have time to delve more deeply into their B’nai Mitzvah Torah and Haftarah portions. This is all done in a fun camp setting along with the education staff, teen Madrichim (counselors) and clergy.
Hebrew/Prayer
In addition to continued use of the mitkadem program Hebrew program, 6th grade students learn Torah trope (cantillation). Through a series of activities they become familiar with the symbols and their corresponding melodies. The students lead a Shabbat morning service for their families at the end of the sixth grade year. This gives them an opportunity to use their trope skills as they chant a line of Torah and to build up their confidence about leading services in advance of their becoming a bar/bat mitzvah.
Living Jewish Values
Our Kitah Vav students are inheriting a legacy of Jewish values and they learn about some individuals in recent Jewish History who have put those values into action and made a significant difference as a result.
Sunday rotations
On Sundays, the students cover::
Traditions and Rituals of the Jewish Tribe: The students study mitzvot (commandments) and rituals that are part of their Jewish inheritance. This includes learning Torah Trope as well as exploring the meaning of ritual items for use at home and at synagogue.
Mitkadem: The students will continue to work on Mitakdem individually and in small groups and to work as a class to discuss the concepts and ideas found within the prayers.
Top Ten Torah Texts: Students will engage in Torah study through discussion and interactive activities focus including web quests and living history experiences. They will focus on 10 foundational texts from the Torah and will learn how to navigate the Tanach (The Hebrew Bible).
Sixth Grade meets Sundays 11;00-1:30 and Wednesdays 5:45-7:15
Click here for the Sixth grade Special Events/Family Education Calendar (which includes parent and family Bnai Mitzvah Workshops)
Vav (7th grade)
Hillel says, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?" -- Ethics of the Fathers, 1:14
Overview of Temple Isaiah's 7th Grade Program
7th grade meets Wednesdays, 5:45-7:45 and Monthly on Sundays, 4:00-6:30 (includes dinner).
According to Paula Brownlee, “To do good things in the world, first you must know who you are and what gives meaning to your life.” Our hope is that throughout this year, each seventh grade student will learn more about him or herself, their Jewish identity, and that the Torah is not just an ancient document, but rather a way of life. By the end of the year, our students will gain important tools to help them become Jewish adults and leaders in our community.
The seventh grade program at Temple Isaiah lays its foundation with the Jewish concepts of Tikkun Middot (repairing the world from the inside out) and Tikkun Olam (repair of the world). From there, the students will learn about a variety of mitzvot and Jewish values, such as,
-
K’lal Yisrael: The Unity of the Jewish People
-
B’tzelem Elohim: Being Created in the Image of God
-
Hachnasat Orchim: Welcoming the Stranger
-
Tzedek: Justice
-
L’dor v’dor: From Generation to Generation
-
Ma la’asot? What should I do?
These mitzvot and important values will help the students better understand themselves and clarify their personal connection to Judaism. The seventh grade curriculum encourages the students to focus on themselves and their behavior, attitudes, sense of accountability, and their relationship to Judaism and the world.
In an effort to offer our students a well-rounded, exciting, and stimulating curriculum, each seventh grade unit consists of guiding Judaic text, Hebrew phrases, classroom learning, and experiential learning. In addition to the topics covered in each unit, the 7th grade students will also participate in monthly t’fillah services and community building activities by celebrating each others’ B’nai Mitzvah in the seventh grade K’hillah K’doshah (Holy Community) celebrations.
Our 7th graders and families also participate in Mitzvah Projects, which are hands-on family/student mitzvah opportunities that take place outside of the classroom, are another important component of the seventh grade experience. These projects empower our students to transform their in-class studies into hands-on acts of Tikkun Olam (repair of the world). Working together in family and student groups also helps our families build a stronger sense of community. Each seventh grade student/family is encouraged to participate in one of the Mitzvah Projects.
Please click here for the 2011-2012 Mitzvah Project sign-up information.
Curriculum Overview
Unit 1: (Tikkun Middot): Repairing the World from the Inside Out & (Tikkun Olam): Repairing the World
This introductory unit offers students a foundation for the entire curriculum. The goal of this unit is to help the students better understand themselves, to begin thinking about what they stand for, and to further develop their Jewish identities. Throughout this unit and the entire year, students will be challenged to think about their own lives, what is important to them, and how they can have an impact in the world through Tikkun Middot and Tikkun Olam.
Unit 2: (K’lal Yisrael): Unity of the Jewish People
In this unit our students will learn about K’lal Yisrael (Jewish unity) and Jewish responsibility as they come to realize that Judaism is much more than just a religion. As a Jew, one is part of a diverse nation of people with a 2000 year old history and culture. Additionally, as a Jew, one is part of a special community that not only shares an incredible history, but also a homeland, language, and traditions. This community building unit will help our students realize the importance of K’lal Yisrael and the value of one’s presence within the Jewish community. Throughout the unit, students will be challenged to think about what unites Jewish people throughout history and what it takes to develop and maintain a Jewish community.
Unit 3: (B’Tzelem Elohim): Created in the Image of God
This powerful unit encourages our seventh graders to recognize that all people, no matter what mental or physical challenges they might face, are created B’Tzelem Elohim (in the image of God). Our hope is for students to realize that we are all created in God’s image yet we are all different. The focus of this unit will not just be on people with disabilities or a handicap, but also on the fact that we are all unique in our own ways. Various questions/topics that will be touched upon in this unit are B’Tzelem Elohim (created in the image of God); what is a disability? Are there varying degrees of disabilities? What are the Jewish views of disability? Does general society influence Jewish attitudes or do Jewish attitudes help shape societies views? Students will watch the award winning documentary, Praying with Lior, as they consider how difficult and wonderful it is to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah when one has special needs.
Unit 4: (Hachnasat Orchim): Welcoming the Stranger
This unit gives our students the opportunity to learn about the incredible mitzvah of welcoming guests. Students will spend the beginning of the unit learning about the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim (hospitality) through rabbinic teachings and Torah as well as learning about the Jewish rules for hosts and guests. In an effort to bring this mitzvah to life, each seventh grade student will be asked to bring a friend with him or her to class for a Mock Shabbat Dinner. The Mock Shabbat Dinner will include a welcoming activity and a creative teaching prepared by the students about Shabbat in addition to a Potluck Shabbat meal for all the kids to enjoy. Upon completion of the dinner, the students will give their friends a gift bag with a special note showing their appreciation to their friends.
Unit 5: (Tzedek): Justice
This unit on hunger, homelessness, and poverty familiarizes students with the economic realities of the world and the Jewish response. Students will be introduced to this topic with an economic simulation that mimics the everyday struggles of real life. After reflecting upon and debriefing the economic simulation, students will spend the rest of the unit exploring the issues of poverty, hunger, and homelessness through both Jewish and secular sources/perspectives. Please note: we realize that this is an extremely serious and difficult unit, but we feel that it is imperative to include these topics as part of our curriculum.
Unit 6: (L’dor v’dor): From Generation to Generation
Every year on Pesach we strive to recreate the feeling of being redeemed from slavery. With the traditions, stories, and rituals of the Seder, we not only transport ourselves through history, but we also forge another link in our shalshelet hamesorah, the chain of our Jewish tradition. Every generation has continued to transmit the beliefs and practices of Jewish tradition, an unbroken chain based on the teachings of the Torah and Jewish values that grows stronger and longer as each generation assumes the responsibility of transmission. In an effort to bring these teachings to life, students will have a unique opportunity to interview members of Temple Isaiah’s SAGE (Senior Adult Group Extraordinaire) community. This unit is loosely based upon the shalshelet hamesorah curriculum published by Babaganewz in Nisan 5768/April 2008.
Unit 8: (Ma la’asot?): What should I do?
This final unit of the 7th grade curriculum will help to solidify our students’ commitment to Jewish ethics, responsibility, and values. Students will review the concept of Tikkun Middot as they learn about Jewish ethics and responsibility. Topics covered include: The ethics of L’shon Hara (evil tongue), friendship, and addressing with the “other.” This unit is primarily based upon the URJ curriculum The Great Balancing Act by Michelle Shapiro Abraham.
Questions?
Emily Messinger, 7th Grade Coordinator (emessinger@templeisaiah.net)
Alicia McGee, Miztvah Project Coordinator (amcgee@temlpeisaiah.net)
The B'nai Mitzvah experience combines the most joyous and solemn of moments among all of our rites. Welcoming young people as adults into our Jewish community enriches us all. At Temple Isaiah, our staff, clergy and families collaborate to make the experience one of deep meaning for our youth, while at the same time helping them to celebrate a milestone in a way that will be memorable.
For more detailed information click here.
To view/download the 2011-2012 Kindergarten Special Events Calendar click here
To view/download the 2011-2012 Grades 1 & 2 Special Events Calendar click here
To view/download the 2011-2012 Grade 3 Special Events Calendar click here
To view/download the 2011-2012 Grade 4 Special Events Calendar click here
To view/download the 2011-2012 Grade 5 Special Events Calendar click here
To view/download the 2011-2012 Grade 6 Special Events Calendar click here
To view/download the 2011-2012 Grade 7 Special Events Calendar click here
|
|