Fourth Grade
Reading:
Students will be able to analyze the books they read and evaluate the plot and information given in a text. They will apply this knowledge to analyze themes/main ideas in a text and how it relates to their own lives. Students will also compare and contrast texts, while make connections both within one text and across multiple texts.
Writing:
Students will be able to write multiple paragraphs, quote and paraphrase sources, and demonstrate basic keyboarding skills.
Math:
Students will be be able to use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems, use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic, understand decimal notation for fractions, and compare decimal fractions, solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit, represent and interpret data, and use lines and angles to classify shapes.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL):
Students will continue to incorporate SEL into their academic lives cultivating self regulation, self awareness, flexibility, and the ability to consider other perspectives.
Judaic Studies
The Study of formal Torah /Chumash text learning is a main subject in our Judaic class. Emphasis is placed on students gaining a clear understanding of the fascinating narratives of Parshiyot/sections: Vayeira and Chayei Sarah, (in the book of B’reishit - Genesis). Students will continue to build their Torah vocabulary base of high frequency words, prefixes, and suffixes and most common root words. The aim is for our students to become independent Torah scholars.
As important as the textual knowledge, is the moral and ethical values, as well as the personal association and relevancy that extend from this learning. The in depth textual study of Rashi’s script and commentary, is introduced to our students in 4th grade. The aim of Rashi learning is to better clarify the Torah verses with more in depth insight and analysis. This learning will stretch, expand and strengthen our students higher order thinking skills. Instruction is done in a variety of ways including, teacher led instruction, Groupings , differentiated instruction and independent discovery learning.
Yahadus - Jewish Tradition and Culture
Our Jewish Holidays, traditions and culture come alive with energy and spirit ,as our students see, hear and feel first hand from their teachers all about the significance and uniqueness of every holiday.
Students of the Hebrew Academy receive a complete and comprehensive awareness and full understanding of Judaic culture and the timeless messages that are as relevant today as ever before. Hebrew Academy Students will learn and know the traditions and how to participate and often lead Jewish rituals, ceremony and celebrations.
Each week, special emphasis is given to the Torah Reading. Each week the story of each Parsha comes alive and becomes relevant, as our students learn and connect to the main Parsha themes. Our students take personal notes of their favorite Parsha themes and personal lessons and are very proud to share their extensive knowledge with family and friends around the Shabbat dinner table.
Tefillah / Prayer
Students broaden their knowledge and fluency of the traditional daily prayers from a Siddur (prayer book), as well as gain an appreciation for the meaning of the prayers they are reciting. Our goal is for our students to become familiar with the Jewish prayers in the Siddur and to appreciate and connect with their prayer experience.
“Power of Prayer” is a very beautiful scrapbooking project, exclusive to the Hebrew Academy, which follows our students from 3rd to 5th grade. Power of prayer is a fun and exciting way of giving our students an in depth look at the deeper meaning of the prayers beyond the literal translation of the words. With Power of Prayer, our students have an opportunity, in art form, to express what the prayers mean to them on a personal level.
Ivrit - Hebrew Language
The acquisition of conversational Modern Hebrew is a main theme at the Hebrew Academy. Our aim is for our students to develop a love for the land and people of Israel thru the use of Hebrew language. In Ivrit, students develop their Hebrew oral skills. As they advance in their knowledge and accuracy of Hebrew, they become confident in their communication abilities. Lessons are built around and are based in our recently adopted Migdal Ohr workbook series. Ivrit classes include fun projects, exciting games and the use of technology to enhanse lessons.
In 4th grade, the emphasis is on advanced sentence structure related to the human body, family relationships, and school and neighborhood environment. Strong Jewish Values are highly emphasized throughout the Ivrit curriculum.
Core Values
We are proud that learning and internalizing Jewish values are integral parts of the outstanding Hebrew Academy educational program, and look for opportunities to recognize students who embody these character traits. Each month our school highlights a different core value. Our teachers, both General Studies and Judaic, will be teaching lessons connected to the core value of the month. Students also reflect on the role that each core value plays with their families and friends extending beyond our campus. Every Rosh Chodesh, at our school community assembly, the children are recognized for their achievements and a Community Leader Award is chosen from every grade for exemplifying the core value(s) of the month.