Hebrew
The Hebrew Curriculum in The Day School at Baltimore Hebrew encourages a hands on, interactive, experiential approach to learning about Hebrew language, culture, and Jewish holidays. Programs are developed sequentially through concepts, skills, and techniques and their application, which emphasize mastery. Knowledge acquisition is incrementally developed and individualized programming is implemented. Students utilize language and communication skills, writing and reading skills, and reasoning skills. In addition, the use of print and non-print materials reinforce class learning. Units of study are assigned for each grade level. Judaica is integrated into the Hebrew curriculum in all grade levels throughout the year. Students are taught prayers, Judaic concepts, and Hebrew vocabulary related to Jewish theology appropriate to each grade level. Using their knowledge, students at each grade level participate in school-wide presentations related to Jewish holidays and customs.Kindergarten, through games, stories, songs, and creative movement, the students are exposed to and begin to express themselves through the use of simple vocabulary related to a variety of units. Included among these units are topics related to holidays and culture, family, animals, colors, numbers, and familiar objects. Students learn to follow simple directions given in Hebrew.
First Grade students extend their knowledge and use of Hebrew vocabulary through continued use of games, stories, songs, and creative movement. Students are introduced to, and begin to recognize, the Hebrew block print alphabet and vowels. First Graders begin to use simple sentences in order to express ideas and answer questions. Students learn to follow increasingly complex directions given in Hebrew.
Second Graders master the Hebrew block print alphabet and through the use of Hebrew textbooks, begin to read, write and interpret elementary Hebrew stories. They end the year with the introduction of cursive Hebrew writing. Second Grade students extend their communication skills by increasing both their expressive and receptive abilities. Students begin to be able to follow Chapel Service in the Siddur
Third Grade students focus on improving their reading and writing abilities. They read and interpret more complex stories and answer more intricate questions. Third Graders continue to use the Hebrew cursive alphabet, and sharpen their skills in reading and writing in cursive. They begin to learn Hebrew grammar skills. Students take an active role in leading weekly T'filah Services.
Fourth Grade students continue to improve their reading and writing abilities in cursive. The majority of work is done in cursive. They read and interpret more complex stories. Fourth Graders begin to use their Hebrew skills to summarize short stories they read independently. They begin to learn to converse in Hebrew. Fourth graders take a more active leadership role during T'filah Service.
Fifth Grade students use their language skills in composing short stories independently. They are able to write detailed summaries, in Hebrew, of stories read independently. In class, students converse in Hebrew. They extend their knowledge of Hebrew grammar. Fifth Graders begin to understand the meanings of prayers more fully by utilizing grammar concepts and linguistics skills. The students enjoy studying trope under the direction of the Cantor and demonstrating their skills during teflllah each week. There are weekly lessons in Hebrew grammar.
