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Lower School » Judaic Studies

Judaic Studies

למודי קודש - Judaic Studies

Yavneh provides its students with a superior Limudei Kodesh program whose foundation is built upon Torah Sh’bichtav, Torah Sh’Baal Peh, Mitzvot, Middot, Ivrit, Eretz Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael.

In the Lower School our students are not merely analyzing text, but are learning a way of life. Hence, the primary goal of our program - in all grades - is to instill in our children a love of learning and a passion for Yiddishkeit.

In order to inspire lifetime learning, we not only provide our students with skill-building to develop competency and confidence, but we inject creativity and innovation into the classroom to make text and history come alive. Enthusiastic teachers provide a wide array of memorable experiences that enhance the learning experience of students in all grades.

The study of Torah actively involves students in the learning of the text, traditional commentaries and their ethical/moral lessons. The Navi curriculum familiarizes students with the texts of Neviim Rishonim, their universal messages, the political, economic and social issues that were prevalent during their lives and the impact of their prophecy.

Below is a brief overview of areas of focus in each grade:

'כתה א - Grade 1

Tefilah - תפילהIntroduction to the Siddur - Daily Tefilot (oral recitation/melodies)
Dinim - דיניםPerforming and Practicing  Mitzvot Yom Yom and Mitzvot of Shabbat and Moadim
Chumash - חומש
Parshat HaShavuah: The weekly Torah Reading highlighting Mitzvot, Middot, and personalities in Tanach
Hebrew - עברית - Tal Am/iTalam Language Arts Curriculum
  1. Oral Expression - שיחה - Exposure to Hebrew sounds, words, idioms, phrases through songs, games and dramatization - Use iTalam for digital online content and skill building
  2. Phonetics - Recognizing words, letters and vowels by name and sound
  3. Reading, קריאה and Writing, כתיבה - Block print and cursive print

'כתה ב - Grade 2

Tefilah - תפילה
Shacharit Tefilot including Shmoneh Esrei, and Hallel
Dinim - דינים
Mitzvot Yom Yom
Chumash - חומש
  1. Parshat HaShavua: The weekly Torah Reading's
  2. Parshiot בראשית, נח, לך לך, וירא
    Highlighting Chumash vocabulary and phraseology; common prefixes and suffixes and shoreshim, שרשים
  3. Introduction to learning Chumash Textually
  4. Chagigot HaChumash - receiving Chumashim
Hebrew - עברית Tal Am/iTalam Language Arts Curriculum
  1. Oral Expression - שיחה
  2. Phonics
  3. Reading, קריאה and Writing, כתיבה - Follow and review cursive from 1st grade
'כתה ג - Grade 3
 
Tefilah - תפילה
Shacharit Prayers - Introduction of additional Tefilot.  
Shema with Torah trop.
Dinim - דינים Mitzvot Yom Yom
Chumash - חומש
  1. Parshat HaShavua: The weekly Torah Reading's main mitzvah and values
  2. Chumash Beresheet: Parshiot חיי שרה, תולדות, ויצא, וישלח
  3. Introduction to Rashi and Rashi letters
Hebrew - עברית - Tal Am/iTalam Gimmel
  1. Oral Expression - שיחה
  2. כתיבה - Writing
'כתה ד - Grade 4
 
Tefilah - תפילה
Shacharit Tefilot - Introduction of additional Tefilot; Az Yashir
Dinim - דינים Mitzvot Yom Yom
Chumash - חומש
  1. Parshat HaShavua: The Weekly Torah Reading: Mitzvot; Midot
  2. Chumash Beresheet: Parshiot וישב, מקץ, ויגש, ויחי
  3. Chumash vocabulary, shoresh and phraseology; prefixes & suffixes;
  4. Developing skills in Rashi reading and understanding, identifying Rashi’s question answer on the text
Navi - נביא  
Sefer Yehoshua: crossing the Jordan; conquering C’naan dividing the Land
Hebrew - עברית - Tal Am/iTalam Language Arts Curriculum
  1. Oral Expression - שיחה
  2. כתיבה - Written Expression
'כתה ה - Grade 5
 
Tefilah - תפילה
Shacharit Tefilot introduction of additional Tefilot; Rosh Chodesh (Hallel; and Musaf)
Dinim - דינים
Mitzvot Yom Yom
Chumash - חומש
  1. Parshat HaShavua: The weekly Torah Reading's main mitzvah and values
  2. Chumash Shemot: Parshiot שמות, וארא, בא, בשלח
Navi - נביא
Sefer Shoftim until Pesach then change to Megilat Rut
Hebrew - עברית - Tal Am 5  Language Arts Curriculum
  1. Oral Expression - שיחה
  2. כתיבה - Writing
Mishna - משנה Introduction to Torah She-Ba’al Peh and the learning of parts of Masechtot Brachot

If you have more questions, please contact Rabbi Steven Penn at [email protected]