GRADE FOUR JUDAIC STUDIES

Overview

Fourth graders progress in their study of Chumash, and add the study of Navi as they continue to broaden their skills and knowledge base. They grow in their knowledge of and familiarity with tefillah, and grow more comfortable with the siddur. Students from families of all levels of observance are encouraged to observe holidays and customs with understanding and ruach. The students study more of the mitzvot bein adam la-chavero and attempt to integrate these ideals into their daily lives.

Safah -- Language Arts

Fourth grade students have a fluency and confidence that allow them to further intensify their Hebrew studies. The goal of learning Hebrew is to integrate the language throughout the Judaic studies curriculum. Linguistic elements are derived directly from the curriculum, and grammar is taught within the context of the material being studied. Based on their ability, students are divided into varying skill and challenge levels. Students learn to listen and comprehend oral reading of both teachers and fellow students, and follow classroom discussions; converse about daily issues and respond and offer judgment about subjects being discussed; learn perfect textual reading, with an emphasis on pronunciation, and reading text that is only partially voweled; and write properly structured sentences and short paragraphs on topics being studied. The Tal-Sela curriculum is used to reinforce these goals.

Texts:



זה לא אני •

תמר ועצי הזית •

התחפושת •

אביב העם והארץ •

ירושלים שלנו •

Chumash and Navi - Bible and Prophets

Students study the stories of Jacob and Joseph and his brothers as they learn the parashiyyot of Vayishlach, Vayeshev, Miketz, Vayiggash, and, if time permits, parts of Vayechi. Students build on their skills in reading commentaries and refine their ability to discuss concepts coherently. Students begin their study of Navi with the first ten and last ten chapters of the book of Joshua, learning about the conquest of the land of Israel. The students learn the vocabulary of the Navi and relate the narrative to the map of Israel. They are encouraged to relate events in the Navi to previously studied Bible selections, and to develop pride in the sovereignty of the Jewish people.

Dinim U'Minhagim - Laws and Customs

Students add to their knowledge of the halakhot of the various holidays, and progress toward a fondness for their heritage. They learn the laws of Torah reading and further details of the laws of kashrut. The students conduct an in-depth study of the laws of Shabbat, including the source for the thirty-nine melakhot and other guiding principles.

Tefillah - Prayer

As students continue their daily Shacharit and Minchah services, new tefillot are added to the repertoire. Students become knowledgeable in the format of the daily siddur as well as the Shabbat siddur.

Derekh Eretz - Good Behavior

In the next stage of their exploration of the halakhot of interpersonal conduct, students learn the laws of respect for peers as well as for property. A major unit focuses on the many halakhot of leshon ha-ra. Students study the laws as well as their underlying social values. They actualize their learning through projects and school-wide programs that give them the opportunity to translate what they have learned into "real life."

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