Self-Paced Hebrew Curriculum
At Temple Beth Shalom, we are focused on helping all our students find success whenever they walk into our building. One of the key values of Temple Beth Shalom, inclusive service to all means that we are dedicated to making "Jewish Life" accessible physically, intellectually and spiritually to our learners of all ages.
That's why we are proud to offer the Self-Paced Hebrew Ramah (level) program for our students in 4th-6th grade. Each week, our students participate in a program that allows them to interact with the prayers in our curriculum in differentiated ways and at a pace that is comfortable for them. Below are the answers to some of the questions you may have about this program.
Q. What is the Self-Paced Hebrew Ramah Program?
A. Our Self-Paced Hebrew Ramah Program is designed to meet students where they are and allow them learn at their own pace. Working in small groups, or sometimes individually, students will learn at their own speed until they have mastered the prayer. Once they've achieved that accomplishment, they'll move on to the next step. And that's the key-we want kids to have that feeling of accomplishment. We want them to have confidence in their ability to work with Hebrew.
Q. Don't all 4th and 5th graders at Temple Beth Shalom know the same amount of Hebrew? Why not just keep them all learning together in the same classroom?
A. Many of our students are in about the same place as their classmates, in terms of Hebrew and prayer skills. But not all of them. Some of our students started education at Temple Beth Shalom a little later than their peers. Some are regular participants in Shabbat services and have a familiarity with more prayers than other students in their grade. Some of our students have special learning needs or just need a little more time to work with Hebrew. Some students find Hebrew comes easily and they are looking for more challenges. What makes a self-paced program work for everyone is that everyone gets what they need.
A. Many of our students are in about the same place as their classmates, in terms of Hebrew and prayer skills. But not all of them. Some of our students started education at Temple Beth Shalom a little later than their peers. Some are regular participants in Shabbat services and have a familiarity with more prayers than other students in their grade. Some of our students have special learning needs or just need a little more time to work with Hebrew. Some students find Hebrew comes easily and they are looking for more challenges. What makes a self-paced program work for everyone is that everyone gets what they need.
Q. So how do you determine what my child needs?
A. We spend the first several weeks at the beginning of the school year reviewing the material that they learned the previous year as well as doing reading assessments of the students. We'll combine that assessment with what else we know about your child (for example: does he/she have an IEP?) and use all of that data to decide where they should begin their journey in our Self-Paced Hebrew Ramah Program.
A. We spend the first several weeks at the beginning of the school year reviewing the material that they learned the previous year as well as doing reading assessments of the students. We'll combine that assessment with what else we know about your child (for example: does he/she have an IEP?) and use all of that data to decide where they should begin their journey in our Self-Paced Hebrew Ramah Program.
Q. What is my children learning?
A. Each prayer packet has four areas of concentration:
? Translating - Students are taught the key vocabulary found in Jewish prayers and asked to use that vocabulary to translate the prayers. It is our belief that when a student knows what s/he is saying, it is easier for them to read.
? Reading - Students are expected to able to read or chant the prayer with an 80% fluency rate before moving on to the next prayer.
? Keva (structure and mechanics of the prayer) - In this section, students will learn the choreography of the prayer (do we stand or sit? Are our eyes open or closed? Do we bow? etc.), the history of the prayer (does it come from the Bible?), the main themes of the prayer, and anything else that might be unique to the prayer (is there a recurring pattern? Was it written as an acrostic? etc.)
? Kavanah (the intention behind the prayer) - In this section, students explore the reasons behind the prayer and through creative expression work to create personal meanings.
Additionally, each section (except for reading) has required activities and optional activities, allowing students some choice in the ways they are learning.
Q. How is the program run?
A. Every week, 4th-6th graders spend 20 minutes in their homeroom class based on grade. This gives them a chance to check in with their teacher, make a plan of action for what to work on that day, and participate in some universal Hebrew lessons (such as decoding skills and vocabulary practice). Students then spend 40 minutes working on their packets, visiting different teachers who specialize in one of the four sections listed above.
A. Every week, 4th-6th graders spend 20 minutes in their homeroom class based on grade. This gives them a chance to check in with their teacher, make a plan of action for what to work on that day, and participate in some universal Hebrew lessons (such as decoding skills and vocabulary practice). Students then spend 40 minutes working on their packets, visiting different teachers who specialize in one of the four sections listed above.
The process on a macro level is a cycle. It takes students an average of four weeks to finish their packet. Once they do, they test with a designated adult to show that they are able to read the prayer at an 80% fluency rate and explain the structure and intention behind the prayer.
Q. Is there homework given in Hebrew school?
A. While there isn't formal Hebrew homework, we highly suggest reading practice throughout the week to reinforce what is learned in class. Some ways to do that include:
- Participate in T'filah (prayer service) at Temple Beth Shalom Religious School
- Attend Shabbat services regularly, both Friday nights and Saturday mornings
- Use the B'nai Mitzvah mp3 files (provided to families in the Fall of your child's 5th grade year)
- Visit Behrman House and use the free Play and Learn prayer practice options.
Q. How many levels should my child get through in a school year? How many prayers should they master? What's the magic number?
A. Every child moves at their own pace, so we don't have a magic number. We have a list of Hebrew skills and prayers we want our students to feel comfortable with. Most get through that list over several years. Some move faster; some move slower. Some focus on a smaller number and some need more to keep them challenged and engaged. All of that is okay. However, here is a breakdown of the prayer goals by year:
A. Every child moves at their own pace, so we don't have a magic number. We have a list of Hebrew skills and prayers we want our students to feel comfortable with. Most get through that list over several years. Some move faster; some move slower. Some focus on a smaller number and some need more to keep them challenged and engaged. All of that is okay. However, here is a breakdown of the prayer goals by year:
Third Grade:
By the end of the year, students will know:
Hebrew consonants and vowels-both names and sounds (however, sounds will be emphasized)
How to blend Hebrew letters and vowels to read fluently
Sight vocabulary for common siddur words (for example: baruch, Adonai, Eloheinu)
The blessing formula (Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam)
The Short Kiddush
The Motzi
Festival Candle Blessings
Chanukah Candle Blessings
Shecheheyanu
La'asok B'divrei Torah
By the end of the year, students will know:
Hebrew consonants and vowels-both names and sounds (however, sounds will be emphasized)
How to blend Hebrew letters and vowels to read fluently
Sight vocabulary for common siddur words (for example: baruch, Adonai, Eloheinu)
The blessing formula (Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam)
The Short Kiddush
The Motzi
Festival Candle Blessings
Chanukah Candle Blessings
Shecheheyanu
La'asok B'divrei Torah
Fourth Grade:
By the of the year, students will know:
How to blend Hebrew letters and vowels to read fluently
Sight vocabulary for common siddur words (e.g. baruch, Adonai, Eloheinu, etc.)
The blessing formula (Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam)
Barchu
Morning Blessings
Ma'ariv Aravim
Yotzeir Or
Fifth Grade:
By the end of the year, students will know:
Shema
V'ahavta
Mi Chamocha/Shira Chadasha/Tzur Yisrael
Avot V'Imahot
G'vurot
By the end of the year, students will know:
Shema
V'ahavta
Mi Chamocha/Shira Chadasha/Tzur Yisrael
Avot V'Imahot
G'vurot
Sixth Grade:
By the end of the year, students will know:
Kedusha
Torah Service
Torah Blessings
Haftarah Blessings
Chatzi Kaddish
Kedusha
Torah Service
Torah Blessings
Haftarah Blessings
Chatzi Kaddish
Fri, April 25 2025 27 Nisan 5785