Curriculum

Torah: Vayikra/Leviticus
Students will review the books of Beresheet and Shemot, then study the book of Vayikra focusing on the theme of what it means to be holy.  Kitah Gimmel will explore these guiding questions: How can I be holy?  How can a community or space be holy?  Students will explore and experience mitzvot (laws) and middot (values) in the book of Vayikra, including the power of our words, living on Jewish time, and caring for the earth.  

Chagim/Holidays and Shabbat:
Experiencing the Jewish Holidays
Through engaging, experiential, and age-appropriate activities, students will explore the meaning of the Jewish holidays, including their rituals, mitzvot, and the way they're 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 Gimmel participates in Tefillah with the whole school on Sunday mornings and with both Kitah Gimmel classes on Wednesday afternoons. Kitah Gimmel focuses their tefillah study on the Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service.  Students will personalize the covers of their own Siddurim, then use their siddurim when participating in Tefillah. Students will lead prayers in Junior Congregation on 12/1/12 and 4/6/13 and participate in a Grades 2&3 Family Shabbat Dinner on 4/19/13.

Click here to listen to Shabbat and holiday prayers and songs.

Ivrit/Hebrew:
Tiyulim/Journeys: A Hebrew Primer
Students will strengthen their Hebrew skills when participating in tefillot, singing Hebrew songs, using modern Hebrew phrases in class, and through the Tiyulim Hebrew program.  The Tiyulim program builds the students' Hebrew reading skills from simple to complex words and incorporates Hebrew vocabulary and lessons about Israel, including images of Hebrew in Israel.

Israel:
Israel is integrated throughout the curriculum in their Torah study,  Hebrew curriculum, and study of the holidays.  Morah Ziva shares her own experiences in Israel with the children.  Students study basic Israel geography as well.

Building community:
Kitah Gimmel will be divided into different groupings regularly. Students will be all together during tefillah, music, art classes, and snack time. By varying the groups, students will get to know all of the students in their class. Students will build connections with their Kitah Vav chaverim (buddies) throughout the year, as well as with BAS Seniors through their Gemilut Chasadim program. We gather together for whole-school holiday celebrations, as well as for grade level family programs on Shabbat and Sundays during school.

Music:
Kitah Gimmel and Kitah Dallet will participate in music class twice a month led by Kitah Dallet Teacher Eti Rozen.  The music curriculum includes holiday songs, Israeli songs, and traditional Jewish songs.

Gemilut Chasadim/Acts of Loving Kindness:
As part of our school wide Gemilut Chasadim program, Kitah Gimmel will learn about the Jewish value of Kibud Z’kaynim, honoring the elderly.  Kitah Gimmel students will build connections with BAS Seniors to strengthen our community across ages.  Students’ older relatives and BAS seniors are invited to share stories with the class, including before Pesach. Students will create holiday cards for local seniors in nursing homes.  The study of this value will be integrated into their Torah study as well, as they explore how to behave in a holy way.