Shalom School Curriculum
Our classes are based on a progressive Hebrew
and Judaica curriculum and they include a variety of approaches
toward instruction. Teachers plan lessons and activities,
games and projects that are based on students’ interests
and strengths. In order to reach every child, we include
music and art projects and participatory experiences. Whole
group instruction is balanced with group, paired and individual
work assignments. Lessons are enhanced by music and a school-wide
prayer service for Grades Four through Seven. Classes are
designed for the age groups specified; however, any child
who would benefit from and be able to participate in a different
level will be welcome. In addition, each child will have
the benefit of participating in holiday programs that are
run by the Temple; these are centered on Sukkot, Simchat
Torah, Chanukah, Purim and a model Passover Seder. The students
will also participate in a student-led Shabbat service during
the school year. A few of the subjects we cover in our classes
include Torah, Jewish History, Holidays, Prayer, and Hebrew,
Israel, Mitzvot, and the Jewish life cycle.
Methodology
Classes are curriculum-based and they include
an experiential approach toward learning. Whenever students are
able to "learn by doing", teachers give them the opportunity.
For example, Partner-reading is a technique where students read to one
another in Hebrew, correcting each other along the way! Whole group
instruction is balanced by group-work which allows students to foster
working relationships. Motivation is included in terms of initiatives
e.g. earning a prize upon the completion of the monthly Hebrew reading
calendar; team play to review material learned and performing parts
in the Student-led services. Music, art, drama and cooking are incorporated
into class lessons in order to reach children with varying learning-styles!
In addition, Grades Four through Seven enjoy a weekly school service
where they practice prayers learned in class.
Class Descriptions
Preschool (Gan)
This monthly class is a wonderful introduction to Judaism for children ages 3-5 years old.
Filled with song and spirit, the children learn about the Jewish holidays, their traditions, and
significant symbols. Games, crafts, and creative projects accompany each session. The children
are taught the importance of Tzedakah and Mitzvot and how these are embedded not only in our culture
but in our Jewish obligation. Beginning letter recognition and familiar prayers and blessings are introduced.
The class is taught by a licensed Early Education teacher.
Kindergarten/Grade 1 (Gan Hovah /Kitah Alef)
This is a weekly, two-hour Sunday morning class.
The Kindergarten/Grade 1 class has fun learning in a creative, easy-going environment.
Subjects include: Hebrew/Prayer, Holidays, Bible, Israel, Mitzvot/Tzedakah (Jewish obligations)
and the Synagogue. Teacher resources, including wonderful picture books, games,
art projects, and music classes, are incorporated. Children enjoy a weekly snack of
challah and grape juice, and they participate in holiday programs with their
new friends in the K/1 Class.
Grade 2/Grade 3 (Kitah Bet/Gimel)
This is a weekly, two-hour Sunday morning class. Subjects include: Hebrew, holidays,
Gemilut Chasadim (the value of loving-kindness), Mitzvot/Tzedakah (Jewish obligations), and Prayers/Blessings.
Grade 2 students are introduced to the letters and vowels in the textbook Shalom U'vracha, The New Hebrew Primer.
Grade 3 students continue to build their skills in The Back to School Hebrew Reading Refresher. Holidays are
highlighted through story, discussion, crafts, traditional holiday foods, and blessings. Students prepare to
lead the Sh'ma and participate in the Kindergarten-Grade 3 Friday evening service. Games, art projects,
music, and innovative activities create a fun and interactive community-building experience that is
enjoyed by our students.
Grade 4 (Kitah Dalet)
Students meet twice a week (Sunday and Thursday) for two hours each session.
Subjects include: Bible, Holidays, Hebrew/Prayer, and Israel. Lessons include a daily reciting of the Hatikvah,
Israel's national anthem, as well as Hebrew conversational phrases. Students enjoy interacting with one another
using Hebrew language! The Hineini Book One Hebrew textbook is used along with the accompanying CD for an interactive
home review. Our curriculum goal is to increase reading fluency with team games and partner reading. Students
read and discuss Bible stories using The Explorer's Bible, Book One. Students participate in class discussion of
the holidays and prayers; in addition, they prepare for a Grade 4-7 Shabbat morning service
in the spring.
Grade 5 (Kitah Hey)
Students meet twice a week (Sunday and Thursday) for two hours each session.
Subjects include: Hebrew, Prayer/Blessings, Bible, Israel, and Holidays. Grade 5 students learn in pairs and
focus on reading fluency and a general understanding of the prayers, using Hineini, Book Two. The Explorer's Bible
allows for the discussion of Jewish history during Biblical times. Welcome to Israel is the text
that Grade 5 will use in their continued study of Israel. In addition, Grade 5 students participate in
a Jewish music program and weekly school service where they lead and recite the Shabbat prayers with the
rest of the school. Students prepare for and participate in a Gr. 4-7 Shabbat morning
service in the spring.
Grade 6 (Kitah Vav)
Students meet twice a week (Sunday and Thursday) for two hours each session.
Subjects include: Hebrew, Prayer, Conversational Hebrew, Jewish History, and Ethics and Values.
Students are involved in discussion-oriented lessons and they work in groups and pairs
to accomplish educational goals and objectives. Grade 6 students spend significant time
building their reading fluency and understanding of Shabbat prayers in
preparation for becoming B'nai Mitzvah. Hineini, Book Two and the Gates of Prayer siddur
are the textbooks used for Hebrew studies. The History of the Jewish People, Vols. 1 and 2
and Ten Thousand Children are the textbooks used for Jewish History and Holocaust studies.
Music classes and Kabbalat Shabbat, a weekly prayer service that welcomes the Sabbath,
enrich the Grade 6 studies.
Grade 7 (Kitah Zayin)
The B'nai Mitzvah class meets for two hours on Thursday for classroom
instruction and on Sunday morning for individual tutoring. Subjects include: Hebrew,
Prayer, Jewish Historical Figures, Conversational Hebrew and Midrash (Stories).
Grade Seven uses the textbook Jewish Heroes, Jewish Values, which introduces noteworthy
Jewish personalities and their contributions to society, along with the Jewish values that
they teach us. The class uses Hineini , Books Two and Three and the Gates of Prayer siddur
for Hebrew studies. Uplan Alef and Bet are used for converstional Hebrew.
Every Thursday ends with a Kabbalat Shabbat service in which the whole school
joins in a joyous prayer ceremony that welcomes the Sabbath.
Grades 8-12 (High School Program)
The High School Program meets weekly on Wednesday evenings,
6:00-8:00 p.m. at Temple Shir Tikvah in Winchester. Students begin the
evening with a pizza dinner and song session with Cantor Beth.
Students take core classes in the fall, followed by electives in the winter
and spring. Core classes include comparative religions (Grade 8), a study
of Jewish denominations (Grade 9), Tikkun Olam - the Jewish mandate to take
direct action in repairing the world (Grades 10-11), and being Jewish
in college (Grade 12). Electives may include a study of Israel, exploring
Jewish culture through cooking, introduction to Talmud, or Jewish
portrayal in the media.
No matter where your child is in their Jewish development, we have a
program to help them toward an appreciation for Judaism!
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