Students ‘become’ a favorite ancestor in this multifaceted exploration of their family tree.
Research: By interviewing relatives, 3rd graders collect stories and information about their chosen ancestor.
Jewish History: Family stories come to life, as students act out the events that led to life in America.
Writing: Narrative writing accompanied by treasured photos and keepsakes bring authenticity to each biography.
Performance: Using costumes and props, students present their relative’s story in their own words.
Disscusion: Students explore and comment on each other’s stories in a fully supportive environment.
Creating a Strong Jewish Identity
As in Jewish tradition, questioning is deeply valued at our school. The process of discussion is as important as the answers themselves. Each student is encouraged to discover how Judaism brings meaning and relevance to their lives, a process that fosters a love of Jewish culture as well as a strong Jewish identity.
Through celebrations, holidays, prayer, and Torah Study, children learn to appreciate their rich Jewish heritage. In addition, our Judaic program is tightly integrated into our General Studies program. Much of our secular curriculum is enriched by the presence of Jewish stories, thoughts and values.
Hebrew Language
The specific goals for our program are supported using the Tal-Am Hebrew curriculum. Through daily Hebrew instruction we teach our students to:
- read and comprehend modern Hebrew
- read and chant biblical Hebrew
- write and begin to converse in modern Hebrew
- analyze and understand the meanings behind the weekly Torah portions