4th - 6th

Our 4^th - 6^th graders continue in our Religious School with a schedule that allows them time to meet more students and broaden their learning from two different teachers: Homeroom and Hebrew. This enhances their peer-to-peer socialization, gives them opportunities to be inspired in different ways by their teachers, and also allows them to study Hebrew with students who are at a similar level of learning. 

The Core Judaics Curriculum, or Homeroom class, is comprised of students who represent the diversity of the grade level as a whole. (It is not based on anyone’s Hebrew learning level.) In fact, we encourage parents to use the registration forms to request, if they wish, a student with whom they would like their child to be placed. 

The Hebrew curriculum for each grade studies a specific section of the prayer service. The focus is on:

• the meaning of the prayers
• the structure of each section of the service
• key Hebrew words and roots
• the ability to read/chant the prayers with fluency

In addition to grouping students according to learning levels, there is also a multi-age class for students new to Hebrew learning.

The 4^th grade core Judaics curriculum focuses on an in-depth study of ancient and modern Israel and on a creative approach to theology. The 4^th grade Hebrew curriculum emphasizes the first section of the prayer service (the Shema and its Blessings). The 4^th graders also study each holiday, have art and music classes with our specialists, and participate in the Tuesday night worship services with the rabbis.

4^th graders also have two special opportunities this year: a family education program which addresses bullying from within a Jewish context and the annual 4^th Grade Overnight at Camp Kalsman in late spring.

The 5^th grade core Judaics curriculum focuses on Jewish history from ancient times through the 1800s, the Jewish Life Cycle (from brit milah and baby namings through weddings and funerals), and the holidays as they occur throughout the year. The 5th grade Hebrew curriculum emphasizes the second section of the prayer service (called the Amidah, Shmoneh Esreh, or Tefillah).

Two special programs for 5^th graders include:

• The 5^th graders and their parents join in a special program with the rabbis to kick off the B'nai Mitzvah process.
• In addition, the 5^th graders help Batman and Robin learn about homelessness and how Judaism requires us to help those in need.

The 6^th grade core Judaics curriculum focuses on the history and books of the Prophets, and on exploring heroes and values as modern expressions of the prophetic tradition. The students study the American Jewish immigration experience and each of the Jewish holidays on an age-appropriate level. The 6^th graders also learn Torah trope and take part in a curriculum linking their education to the upcoming process of becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The 6^th grade Hebrew curriculum emphasizes the Torah service and the concluding prayers. 

One of the highlights of the year is the annual 6^th Grade Retreat at Camp Kalsman in the fall, which helps the students become a closer community and explore their Jewish values as they approach the Bar and Bat Mitzvah experience.