Fourth graders use their solid text skills to notice details, ask deep questions and develop meaningful Torah interpretations. Through guided text-study, artistic exploration and in-depth discussion, students:

Analyze the impact of the lives of the patriarchs and matriarchs on the development of the Jewish people

Engage in in-depth exploration of the development of the character of Yosef

Examine Yosef’s complex trajectory with a particular focus on analyzing his choices and the meaning and impact of these choices

Fourth grade Hebrew students deepen their knowledge of Hebrew grammar and vocabulary while strengthening their ability to express themselves in Hebrew. Through songs, games, drama, discussion and writing, students:

Develop the concept of achdut/togetherness by cultivating a “united classroom”

Identify shoreshim/root letters

Conjugate verbs in past, present and future tense

Practice reading comprehension as well as writing and verbal skills

Respond to and reflect on material read in class through Hebrew writing

Share their writing in Hebrew with each other and develop peer-editing skills

Share experiences with each other verbally and in writing

Develop Hebrew storytelling skills

Extend their Hebrew grammar skills to include fluency with the future tense

Fourth graders access their increasing maturity to deepen their personal connection to prayer and to discover new layers of meaning in Jewish rituals and celebrations. Through text study, art, songs, hands-on projects and discussion, students:

Examine the relationship between people, according to Jewish values, and the importance of community within the Jewish tradition

Analyze the diverse human encounters in Jewish sources and examine their relevance in teaching us about ethical relationships

Apply their understanding of ethical relationships to their everyday lives at school

Explain how Jewish law contributes to the building of a community and how a community supports Jewish practice

Engage in conversations about G-d, kedusha (holiness) and ruchaniut (spirituality).

Examine the Amida prayer, blessing by blessing to better understand and connect to its meaning

Study the 39 Melachot of Shabbat, or actions of work that are traditionally forbidden to do on Shabbat.

Understand the major concepts from which the halacha of Shabbat is derived, such as an av melacha -- a general category of work containing other, smaller categories.

Celebrate Oneg Shabbat spirit through zemirot, stories

Fourth graders build their connection to the land and people of Israel through focused and in-depth study of the history of the city of Jerusalem. Through songs, hands-on projects, art explorations and discussion, students:

Explore the sacred history of Jerusalem and how it became referred to as the holy city.

Trace the roots of Jerusalem back to the Torah and follow the development of the city through today

Journey through the different gates that surround the Old City.

Learn how the Jewish people have maintained Jerusalem as a center of Jewish life

Understand the importance of Jerusalem in Jewish life, rituals and celebrations