Kitah Bet - Grade 2

Teacher:

Morah Rhonda Resnick

Curriculum

Torah: Shemot/Exodus:
Students will review the book of Beresheet/Genesis, then focus their study on the book of Shemot with the theme of "As If I Were There."  Exodus is our Jewish communal experience which connects us to our people, our land, and our history.  The Exodus story inspires us to treat people with chesed (kindness).  Students will reflect on their Torah study with a Torah journal, adding to it as they learn through experiential activities: fleeing slavery from Egypt, rejoicing their freedom with song, hearing the lightning and thunder at Mt. Sinai, receiving the Torah, being guided by mitzvot, and building a sacred space--mishkan.  Integrated into the Shemot curriculum is Hebrew vocabulary, holidays, mitzvot, prayers, music, and art.  Kitah Bet will perform the story of the Splitting of the Sea during Shabbat morning youth services during their 2nd grade Shabbat on 1/26/13 when this story is read from the Torah.

Chagim/Holidays and Shabbat:
My Jewish Year
Through engaging, experiential, and age-appropriate activities, students will explore the meaning of the Jewish holidays, including their rituals, mitzvot and the way they are celebrated in Israel.  Students' holiday experiences outside of class will enrich their understanding of and personal connection to each holiday.

Spirituality and Tefillah/Prayer:
Kitah Bet will participate in Tefillah with the whole school on Sundays at 9am, and get together with K&1 for music with Kitah Alef Teacher Rachel, during which they will learn the meaning of selected tefillot from the Friday night and Shabbat morning services.  Students will recite brachot for different foods during their snack time, and practice blessings associated with the holidays.  Kitah Bet families will participate in a Grades 2&3 Family Shabbat Dinner on 4/19/13 at Bet Am.
Click here to listen to Shabbat and holiday prayers and songs.

Ivrit/Hebrew:
After mastering the Hebrew letters and vowels, students will move on to reading basic words.  Each student's Hebrew skills are assessed throughout the year.  Hebrew reading skills and vocabulary are incorporated into every aspect of the curriculum.  Basic modern Hebrew is used in the classroom as well.

Building community:
Students will have snack on Sundays with their Chaverim (buddies) in Kitah Hay, and get together for special activities throughout the year. We gather together for whole-school holiday celebrations, as well as for grade level family programs on Shabbat and Sundays during school.

Israel: Israel is integrated throughout the curriculum in their Torah and holidays studies, as well as during music time.

Music:
Kitah Bet will join Torah Lataf and Kitah Alef for music each week. The music curriculum includes Shabbat morning tefillot, holiday songs, Israeli songs, and traditional Jewish songs.

Gemilut Chasadim/Acts of Loving Kindness
As part of our school wide Gemilut Chasadim program, Kitah Bet will learn about the Jewish value of Tzaar Baalei Chayim, caring for animals. They will collect supplies from a wish list of a local animal shelter and participate in other hands-on projects for animals. The study of this value will be integrated into their Torah study as well, such as laws in Exodus that teach how we should treat animals.