| Students Curricula and Grade Level Work |
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Chaverim (Kindergarten
- 1st Grade) A school within the school, the Chaverim program is designed to ease the transition between pre-school and religious school. All students in grades K-1 participate in Chaverim. The Chaverim community is a warm and welcoming place, with special family education programs for the whole family, and lots of opportunities for parental involvement. Chaverim programs take place during regular religious school hours, and are offered during both sessions. 2nd Grade In the second grade, community and synagogue are emphasized. The students learn about our synagogue through the study of ritual objects and artistic symbols. The students are introduced to a variety of prayers and are exposed to the concept of “Jews around the world”, with special emphasis on Israel. The school year culminates with an Israeli breakfast. 3rd Grade The third grade resumes the Chai Curriculum. This curriculum weaves together the topics of Torah, worship, and deeds of loving-kindness Third grade highlights the book of Leviticus so that the students can refine their own understanding and definition of K'dushah (holiness). They also study selections from the Torah from creation through the generation of Isaac. Among the many concepts explored within the study of holidays is the role of legend in Jewish tradition. In addition, the third grade is the first year of our five-year Hebrew curriculum, which emphasizes the study of prayer Hebrew. In the third grade students learn to read the Hebrew alphabet and to combine letters and vowels into key prayer vocabulary. 4th Grade The fourth grade curriculum continues the study of Hebrew and the Chai Curriculum. The books of Numbers and Deuteronomy are highlighted so that students see a direct relationship between being a member of the community and their own behaviors. We also cover the stories of Jacob and Esau through Moses. In Hebrew, students continue to develop prayer reading proficiency and begin to focus on the prayers that are contained in the beginning of the standard daily service. Students receive a blessings tape and study guide along with a Hebrew prayer practice CD so that they may extend their learning at home. At the end of the year the students lead a service in Hebrew for their parents. 5th Grade A major component of the fifth grade curriculum is the life cycle. Life cycle celebration is integrated with family history, Midrash, and Hebrew. We place particular emphasis on reading and understanding the prayers used at holidays and at life cycle celebrations. Students have an opportunity to experience life cycle events through a mock bris and a wedding ceremony. We teach Midrash to gain an understanding of the holidays and life cycle events. There is also an introductory unit about Israel. 5th Grade Retreat The fifth grade students spend one night at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute. The retreat is an integral part of the fifth grade program and is included as part of the tuition for that year. Staff members join the students as they continue their learning in the informal camp environment. Activities include cooking, dancing, singing, art projects, group Shabbat prayer experiences, and free time. Fifth grade students should put this wonderful experience on their calendars. 6th Grade The sixth grade curriculum begins an intensive study of mitzvot in preparation for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah and mizvah points requirement. The Torah curriculum incorporates Chai Curriculum on Judges, Prophets, and Writings. The students also study selected major events of the biblical period through the Age of the Rabbis. Hebrew study is continued with emphasis on the prayers of the Torah service and the Bar/Bat mitzvah service. 6th Grade Retreat Our sixth grade retreat focuses on Tikun Olam – Repairing the World. As with the fifth grade retreat, the sixth grade retreat is part of the curriculum and is included as part of your tuition for sixth grade. The retreat enhances the theme of Mitzvot that prepares our sixth graders to enter their Bar/Bat Mitzvah year with a deeper understanding of the significance of this important lifecycle event. Sixth grade students should put this wonderful experience on their calendars. T.A.G. You're It! Torah (Study) Avodah (Prayer) Gemilut Chasadim (Acts of Kindness) T.A.G. is an exciting NSCI enrichment program for 6th grade families. It is an interactive four part family program that adds depth of meaning to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience. During the T.A.G. program families are given the opportunity to explore their Bar/Bat Mitzvah Torah portion through art, and to create a giant sculpture of the Shabbat morning service. T.A.G. also includes a Mitzvah project and a Havdallah program. 7th Grade The seventh grade curriculum continues the study of Hebrew history, and ethics. The students study the development of Ashkenazi Jewry in Germany through the birth of Israel. They also study American Jewish History. In Hebrew class, they review the entire morning service and study The Sayings of the Fathers in Hebrew. They study selections from the weekly Torah portion. Students complete independent projects related to these themes and prepare for Hebrew Graduation at the end of seventh grade. ALL STUDENTS WHO BECOME BNAI MITZVAH AT NORTH SHORE CONGREGATION ISRAEL GOODMAN CENTER FOR JEWISH EDUCATION ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THEIR JEWISH EDUCATION THROUGH SEVENTH GRADE GRADUATION, EGHTH GRADE MITZVAH CORPS, AND TENTH GRADE CONFIRMATION. 8th Grade Mitzvah Corps The eighth grade Mitzvah Corps is a unique program that integrates practical social action projects with the study of Biblical texts, combining formal and informal Jewish education. At the heart of the Mitzvah Corps lies the idea that it is not enough merely to teach values of responsibility, participation, and integrity - we believe that children must discover them for themselves. Our main goal in this program is to provide the context in which the students can begin to experience the meanings of essential Jewish values and to explore how these values fit into their own lives. HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM The High School serves grades 9-12. It combines common core classes in grades 9 and 10 and elective that are offered to all high school students, allowing students greater flexibility and choice. Electives include Studio Art, Jewish Views of the News, Living Biblically, Jewish Tales, Sex in the Texts, Talmud with Training Wheels, Photography, Cooking, Art and Meditation, Jewish Science Fiction, etc. Electives vary every trimester and are open to ninth-twelfth graders. 9th Grade The ninth grade common core class is Judaism 101 that includes a review of life cycle and holiday rituals as well as key Jewish concepts. Second trimester teaches about modern Israel, and the final trimester deals with contemporary ethical challenges. 10th Grade (Confirmation) The tenth grade core includes a unit on Judaism and Christianity, and Searching for God/Jewish Philosophy. During this most significant year, students prepare for their Confirmation service. Confirmation marks the end of formal Jewish education at North Shore Congregation Israel Goodman Center for Jewish Education. 11th and 12th Grades (Post-Confirmation) After Confirmation, teens that wish to continue their studies participate in a special North Shore Seminar program offered in conjunction with the senior youth group. Teens who participate in this program are recognized for their outstanding achievement at the end of twelfth grade. |