Language Arts

Reading: continued word analysis, phonemic awareness, reading fluency and vocabulary building, comprehension, literacy response and analysis, cause and effect, fact and opinion, predicting, sequencing • Writing: coherent sentences and paragraphs, beginning writing process, drafting/editing, essay structure, penmanship, script, spelling practice, spelling in writing using more conventional spelling and some creative spelling, research and dictionary skills • Grammar: language mechanics and punctuation • listening and speaking

Math

Number Sense: problem solving, mathematical reasoning and math vocabulary, place value to 1,000, addition/subtraction of two and three digit numbers, beginning multiplication/division, fractions/decimals, data and graphs, money, time and temperature, estimation and measurement—standard and metric • algebra and functions • Geometry: plane, congruent figures and lines of symmetry • Probability

Science

Understanding the scientific process • Life Science: life cycles in animals—constancy and change • Physical Science: energy and motion—light, lenses, motion, sound, heat • Earth Science: earth’s materials—soils, plants, water, weathering, erosion, rocks/minerals • Health: germs, illness prevention

Social Studies

People who make a difference, distant history and today’s events, US map skills, government institutions, law, trade and diplomacy, US Presidents, basic economics • environmental awareness • Family history

Prayer

Students explore theological concepts • Students review the prayers they learned in first grade and learn additional parts of the morning service, Birchot HaNehenim (other special blessings) and Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals) • Students learn about Havdalah, culminating in a Havdalah service at a local synagogue for family and friends

Hebrew

Students advance their reading, comprehension, writing and speaking skills • Students use the TaL AM 2 curriculum to reinforce the development of learning, thinking and language skills • Hebrew literature: Students become familiar with the writing of three major Israeli authors and poets

Judaic Studies

Students are exposed to the language of the Torah and begin to learn to read and understand it • Students study the weekly Torah portion • Students study in-depth the key content, concepts and values in the portions of Bereishit and Noach • Through experiential approaches students explore the historical context, meaning and spirit of Shabbat and the Chagim (holidays) • Students celebrate the coming of Shabbat with parshah review and singing, in the classroom and in school-wide Kabbalat Shabbat assemblies • Students learn about the Jewish calendar • Students expand their knowledge of modern Israel including major cities and key governmental leadership positions • Students discuss, in a developmentally appropriate way, current events from Israel • Students celebrate Israel Independence Day and learn how it is observed in Israel • Students study the history of the creation of the State of Israel • Tzedakah, g’milut hasadim, ethics and value