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Curriculum Guide

2018-2019

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW Judaics The curriculum of the Berman-Lipavsky Religious School is designed to give students and their parents a broad vision of central Jewish concepts and practices. The curriculum is designed on a spiral format which means that broad themes are taught school wide at every grade level. Each age group is taught subjects that are developmentally and intellectually appropriate to it. Kindergarten through 6th graders will study the following central themes in Jewish life: • Tanach (Bible) • Jewish values & mitzvot • The Fall Festivals • Shabbat • Pesach (Passover) • Israel • Tefillah (Prayer) Hebrew Hebrew fluency and understanding is essential to the curriculum of the Berman-Lipavsky Religious School.

Primary Grades:

• Gan and Aleph students learn the Aleph/Bet and understand Hebrew language as they learn basic words and phrases with a native Israeli.

• Bet students begin to put the letters together to decode the language. They also learn the Aleph/Bet in script.

Gimel- Hay Siddur Hebrew:

• All students in 3-6th grade will be evaluated at the beginning of the year to determine if they may need one-on-one support for a short period of time with a tutor. We will be in touch with families if we determine a need. If you do not want your child to be tutored, please let us know.

• Starting in Gimel, students learn prayer skills using the Behrman House curriculum, Hebrew in Harmony. Through songs, activities and reading students will learn prayers that will prepare them for their b’nai mitzvah.

• A prayer list is listed under the Hebrew section for each grade. All School Programs Throughout the school year, there will be opportunities for large scale programs for several grades at a time or the entire school. The themes of the programs will be related to holidays or Jewish values. Such programs include: • Ari Lesser, Orthodox hip hop artist (3rd through 6th grades) • The Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas PJ Library Book Program with Author Pamela Ehrenberg • JCRAFTS • I Dissent– Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark– Grandparent’s Day Program (3rd-6th grades) Please see school calendar and be on the lookout for more information about these programs as families are encouraged to attend. Specials In addition to the formal learning, students will have weekly minyan to increase their Jewish literacy and encourage them to become active participants in the synagogue service at Beth El as well as in any congregation throughout the world. Students will have several opportunities to engage with the Shinshinim, Israeli emissaries who are spending the year educating students in Baltimore. In addition to those listed on the overview, there are many other occasions for which to engage in learning, both formal and informal at Beth El’s Berman-Lipavsky Religious School.

Beresheet/Preschool Class The Beresheet class is the introduction to religious school. Preschool students will begin to recognize the Hebrew letters, Jewish holidays and songs through music, movement and art

activities. Students will be exposed to the general religious school community at minyan, prayer services and all school holiday programs.

Teachers: Shawna Rubenstein and Gail Benesch

Hebrew • Students are exposed to Hebrew language through games, songs, books

and drama • Students begin to recognize Alef/Bet letters and sounds.

Judaica

• Students will learn the rituals related to the yearly cycle of Jewish holidays.

• Students will participate in hands on activities (crafts, games and holiday celebrations) that relate to class themes.

• Students will be able to recognize and sing along with the blessings for Chanukah, Passover Four Questions, Sh’ma and Shabbat Blessings

Minyan • Students will participate in weekly Gan – Dalet Minyan in the Gorn

Chapel.

Specials

• Students will participate in music with Becky Gordon, music specialist • Students will visit the library to check out books that relate to holidays

and class themes to bring home and share with their family. • Students will have the opportunity to learn about Israel with the

Shinshinim, emissaries from Israel.

Hebrew

• Students are exposed to Hebrew language through games, songs, books and drama

• Students begin to recognize Alef/Bet letters and sounds. • Students learn the following thematic units in Gan: - Mishpacha (family),-

Tzvaim (colors), - Guf (body parts), - Chayot (animals)

Judaica

• Students will learn the rituals related to the yearly cycle of Jewish holidays. • Students will learn the ritual items and people related to the synagogue as

well as visit with the Beth El Rabbis. • Students will participate in hands on activities (such as shaving cream to

learn the Alef/Bet, creating holiday crafts, etc.) that relate to class themes. • Students will be able to chant the blessings for Chanukah, Passover Four

Questions, Sh’ma and Shabbat Blessings.

Minyan

• Students will participate in weekly Gan – Dalet Minyan in the Gorn Chapel. • Students will lead specific prayers with their class at the Gan led

Shabbat Family Service on Saturday morning April 6th, 2019. • Students will participate in discussions about both the meaning of

prayer and its place in the Jewish tradition, lifecycle and holidays.

Specials

• Students will participate in music with Becky Gordon and Cantor Melanie Blatt.

• Students will learn Hebrew Language taught by Hebrew specialist Einat Ziv • Students will visit the library to check out books that relate to holidays and

class themes to bring home and share with their family. • Students will meet regularly with our Shinshinim, Israeli emissaries who

are spending the year educating in the Baltimore community. • Students will meet regularly with our Shinshinim, Israeli emissaries who

are spending the year in the Baltimore community. • Students will work with Beth El’s food educator to cook dishes that connect

to the educational goals of the grade.

Texts Let’s Discover the Holidays, Behrman House

Let’s Discover the Synagogue, Behrman House Let’s Discover the Alef/Bet Packets, Behrman House

Gan/Kindergarten Our Gan program serves as a multi-sensory transition from preschool into Religious School. Students will ease into their first year of Religious School with their former pre-K teachers.

Familiar prayers and songs will accompany them as well. Gan students have the opportunity to participate in school wide Minyanim and Shabbat morning family services.

Teachers: Rachel Lurie & Arielle Adler

Kitah Aleph/ 1st Grade Kitah Aleph continues their mastery in Hebrew letters and vowels. Students are also introduced to

the Torah stories from Genesis, and continue to explore the taste, sounds, and meaning behind Jewish holidays.

Teacher: Lisa Gerber

Hebrew

• Students learn to identify each Hebrew letter and vowel • Students acquire basic decoding skills • Students learn the following thematic units in Kitah Aleph:

- Mezeg Avir (weather), Teva (nature), Misparim (numbers), BaKitah (classroom/school vocabulary), Mishpacha (family)

Judaica

• Students will explore Jewish holidays through stories, songs, prayers, and food.

• Students are introduced to Torah stories and characters from Genesis in-cluding Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Noah and more.

• Students will review the blessings for Shabbat blessings, Chanukah, Pass-over Four Questions, Sh’ma, and V’ahavta.

Minyan

• Students will participate in weekly Gan – Dalet Minyan in the Gorn Chap-el

• Students will lead specific prayers with their class at the Alef led Shabbat Family Service on Saturday morning,

• Students will participate in discussions about both the meaning of prayer and its place in the Jewish tradition, lifecycle and holidays.

Specials

• Students will participate in music with Becky Gordon, music specialist and Cantor Melanie Blatt

• Students will learn Hebrew Language taught by Hebrew specialist Einat • Students will visit the library to check out books that relate to holidays

and class themes to bring home and share with their family. • Students will meet regularly with our Shinshinim, Israeli emissaries who

are spending the year educating in the Baltimore community. • Students will work with Beth El’s food educator to discuss food through a

Jewish lens that connects to the educational goals of the grade.

Texts Journey Through the Alef/Bet, Torah Aura

Teach Me Torah, Set 1, A.R.E My Jewish Year, Behrman House

Kitah Bet/2nd Grade This year, Kitah Bet has two tracks: one day a week track for three ours or twice a week, Sunday

and mid-week on Tuesday. Our students learn to read Hebrew throughout the year. Our Hebrew curriculum connects the study of language with Israeli culture, music and food. Technology, ipads

& the Smart Board as well as hands on projects will be utilized in the classroom. Teachers: Mia Aronin (Sun only) & Jill Davis (Sun/Tuesday)

Hebrew

• Students will learn to read Hebrew with accuracy and confidence. • Students are exposed to Israeli street signs, graffiti, pictures and maps. • Students will learn to write the Alef/Bet in script in their personal

machberet Hebrew writing journal. • Students will learn the following T’filot: Hanukkah blessings, Passover

Four Questions, Ein Keloheinu, Adon Olam.

Judaica • Students will utilize the Shalom Learning 2nd grade curriculum, which

emphasizes Jewish holidays and the values associated with them. • Students will utilize technology as a tool for exploring of Jewish values.

Minyan

• Students will participate in weekly Gan –Dalet Minyan and begin to learn the prayer choreography.

• Students will begin to learn Kabbalat Shabbat, and receive a youth siddur at an end of year Shabbat Bet led Shabbat Family Service on ‘Friday night, May 3rd.

• Students will participate in discussions about both the meaning of prayer and its place in the Jewish tradition, lifecycle and holidays. Students will be encouraged to attend two family services per semester.

Specials

• Students will participate in music with Becky Gordon, music specialist and Cantor Melanie Blatt.

• Students will visit the library to check out books that relate to holidays and class themes to bring home and share with their family.

• Students will meet regularly with our Shinshinim, Israeli emissaries who are spending the year educating in the Baltimore community.

• Students will work with Beth El’s food educator to discuss food through a Jewish lens that connects to the educational goals of the grade.

Texts Tiyulim & Script Class Workbook, Torah Aura

Shalom Learning 2nd Grade Curriculum The Voice of Children Siddur, Reconstructionist

Hebrew

• Students will learn the following T’filot; Friday Night Kiddush, General blessings, Barchu, Sh’ma and V’ahavta, Shalom Aleichem,Havdalah, Hanukkah Blessings and Passover Four Questions.

• Students will learn common prayer vocabulary and choreography. • Students will study rabbinic texts, midrashim, and modern stories to

unpack the theology behind the prayers they are learning.

Judaica

• Students will explore the stories of the Early Prophets and Writings, focusing on post biblical heroes.

• Students will continue their study of Jewish holidays, focusing on Shabbat from Kabbalat Shabbat through Havdalah.

• Students will learn Israeli geography and important historical/religious locations throughout Israel.

Minyan

• Students will participate in weekly Gan – Dalet Minyan in the Gorn Chapel

• Students will lead specific prayers with their class at the assigned Gim-el led Shabbat Family Service on Friday night May 17th

• Students will participate in discussions about both the meaning of prayer and its place in the Jewish tradition, lifecycle and holidays.

Specials

• Students will participate in music with Becky Gordon, music specialist and Cantor Melanie Blatt.

• Students will meet regularly with our Shinshinim, Israeli emissaries who are spending the year educating in the Baltimore community.

• Students will work with Beth El’s food educator to discuss food through a Jewish lens that connects to the educational goals of the grade.

Texts Hebrew in Harmony, Behrman House Explorer’s Bible, Vol. 2

Kitah Gimel/3rd Grade

Students in Kitah Gimel are focusing on their siddur prayers. introduced to the land of Israel through the study of geography and important locations. Students will utilize Hebrew, art,

cooking and more to explore the curriculum goals of this grade.

Teachers: Malca Friedman & Patti Hobbs

Hebrew

• Students will learn the following T’filot: Avot, G’vurot, Kedusha, Mi Chamocha, Havdalah, Hanukkah blessings and Passover Four

Questions. • Students will learn common prayer vocabulary and choreography. • Students will study rabbinic texts, midrashim, and modern stories to

unpack the theology behind the prayers they are learning.

Judaica

• Students will explore Israeli history and current events focusing on events and personalities.

• Students will explore the book of Exodus as they continue their biblical studies.

• Students will be familiar with Israeli geography as it relates to other countries in the Middle East.

• Students will celebrate holidays as a class community.

Minyan

• Students participate in weekly Gan – Dalet Minyan in the Gorn Chapel.

• Students lead specific prayers with their class at the Dalet led Shabbat Family Service on Saturday morning, February 2nd, 2019.

• Students will participate in discussions about both the meaning of prayer and its place in the Jewish tradition, lifecycle and holidays.

Specials

• Students will participate in music with Becky Gordon, music specialist and Cantor Melanie Blatt.

• Students will learn with Idan, Shaliach at the Baltimore Zionist District. • Students will work with Beth El’s food educator to discuss food through

a Jewish lens that connects to the educational goals of the grade.

Texts Hebrew in Harmony, Behrman House (Siddur)

Yisrael Sheli: People & Places, Torah Aura Bible People Book 2, Behrman House

Kitah Dalet/4th Grade Students in Kitah Dalet begin a more in depth study of Israel. They learn about important events

and locations in Israeli history. They are also introduced to important Israeli personalities.

Teachers: Rabbi Samson Wach & Elie Fagan

Hebrew

• Students will learn the following T’filot: Birchot Shalom (Shalom Rav, Sim Shalom, Oseh Shalom), Yotzeir Or/Ma’arriv Aravim, Aleinu, Ashrei, Birchot HaTorah, Hanukkah, Passover Four Questions.

• Students will learn common prayer vocabulary and choreography. • Students will study rabbinic texts, midrashim, and modern stories to

unpack the theology behind the prayers they are learning.

Judaica

• Students will begin learning about major events and personalities in Jewish history from King David and the establishment of Jerusalem to events and themes during the Middle Ages, Golden Age of Spain, and Haskalah/Enlightenment.

• Students will explore their own family history through their genealogy. • Students will focus on the Jewish values related to holidays. • Students will continue their understand of Israeli culture through their

participation of year 2 of Shevet Achim.

Minyan

• Students will participate in weekly Middle School Minyan in the Gorn Chapel.

• Students will lead specific prayers with their class during the service that features Kitah Hay on Saturday morning, December 1, 2018.

• Students participate in discussions about both the meaning of prayer and its place in the Jewish tradition, lifecycle and holidays.

Specials

• Students will participate in music with Cantor Melanie Blatt. • Students will meet regularly with our Shinshinim, Israeli emissaries

who are spending the year educating in the Baltimore community. • Students will work with Beth El’s food educator to discuss food through

a Jewish lens that connects to the educational goals of the grade.

Texts Hebrew in Harmony, Behrman House (Siddur)

History of the Jewish People: Vol 1, Behrman House Jewish Holidays, Jewish Values, Behrman House

Kitah Hay/5th Grade Our 5th graders begin their study of Jewish history. They learn about how Judaism is a diaspora

community, and how the diaspora affects our Jewish identity. Students will continue to participate in Shevet Achim, a three year Israeli partnership program. Technology, including the use of iPads

and the Smart Board will be frequently utilized.

Teachers: Rachel Dressin & Rob Hiken

Hebrew • Students will practice prayers common to the B’nai Mitzvah

experience such as Torah Service, Birchot HaHaftarah, L’cha Dodi, Kaddish, Ashrei, Hanukkah, Passover Four Questions.

• Students will be able to lead Ashrei independently.

Judaica

• Students will study Jewish history from the turmoil and strife of Russia in the 1880's, to the great migration to the United States, the creation of the modern State of Israel, modern American Jewish life, and life in the Diaspora.

• Through the study of Torah, students will learn and practice different types of tikkun olam, repairing of the world.

• Students will celebrate Jewish holidays as a community.

Minyan

• Students will participate in our weekly Middle School Minyan in the Gorn Chapel.

• Students will lead specific prayers with their class during the service that features Kitah Hay on Saturday morning, November 3, 2018.

• Students participate in discussions about both the meaning of prayer and its place in the Jewish tradition, lifecycle and holidays.

Specials

• Students will participate in multi-sensory music experiences with Cantor Melanie Blatt.

• Students will meet regularly with our Shinshinim, Israeli emissaries who are spending the year educating in the Baltimore community.

• Students will work with Beth El’s food educator to discuss food through a Jewish lens that connects to the educational goals of the grade.

Texts Hebrew in Harmony, Behrman House

History of the Jewish People: Vol 2, Behrman House To Learn is to Do: A Tikkun Olam Road Map, Behrman House

Kitah Vav/6th Grade Kitah Vav students begin to focus on the prayers that are essential to the b’nai mitzvah service.

Students will continue their study of Jewish history as they begin to learn about modern Jewish life in America and the Diaspora. Students will participate in Pearlstone Farm’s Hebrew School on the

Farm program, which meets three times throughout the year.

Teachers: Holly Tiedeman

Hebrew • Students will practice prayers common to the B’nai Mitzvah

experience. • Students will be able to lead Ashrei independently.

Judaica

• Students will be able to articulate Jewish values and how they can be ap-plied in the contemporary world.

• Students will discuss current events and how they reflect Jewish values.

• Students will create action plans for how to incorporate Jewish values into their lives.

• Students will discuss their b’nei mitzvah torah portion as a class and discuss how it relates to the modern world.

Specials

• Students will enjoy breakfast together on Sunday mornings while having an interactive discussion with a leader in the Beth El Community

• Students and their families will have the opportunity to participate in service days where they will do tikkun olam work in the community.

• Students will work with Beth El’s food educator to discuss food through a Jewish lens that connects to the educational goals of the grade.

Lapid Learners/7th Grade

This is a pivotal year for 7th grade students as they engage in the b’nai mitzvah experience and will move forward as young adult learners. We want their time at Beth El to be worthwhile and have

relevance to their lives and to offer an opportunity to experience Judaism beyond the b’nai mitzvah experience. Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Saroken will lead a discussion based class that will be

relevant and engaging. Lapid Leaners meets two Sundays a month.

Facilitator: Andy Shankman