CURRICULUM OVERVIEW THIRD GRADE Our third

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CURRICULUM OVERVIEW THIRD GRADE Our third grade students will spend the year thinking about the concept of kadosh (holiness.) Through their examination of Jewish ritual objects, our students will confront questions such as: How do we decide what is sacred and holy? How do we treat holy objects differently than everyday objects? Together, they will learn the Jewish people’s traditions and determine if these rules enhance our lives and make each moment special, or if they detract from the moment. Third grade students will have the opportunity to touch, feel, find, and create various Jewish ritual objects throughout the year. We will end the year by thinking about what it means for humans to be holy. Our students will debate what it means to be created in God’s image. Students will construct their own ideas about what it means to live a holy life – one where we are aware of our actions, of what we put into our bodies, and how we act in community. As a class, they will relate their new understanding of holiness to their brit hakavod (honor code). Third grade is the beginning of our formal Hebrew program. During this year, students will learn the Hebrew letters and vowels, and how to combine them to read basic Hebrew words and phrases. By the end of the year, students will be able to read shorter prayers such as Sh’ma and Chanukah blessings. Students have the opportunity to reinforce their Hebrew skills and learn more about our prayers during tefilah (prayer services) each week. The third grade family program is an opportunity for students and parents to think about what holiness means to them and the ways they live holy lives every day. Together, parents and children will determine the mitzvoth (good deeds) that they engage in or would like to try in order to live the holiest life they can. They will think about the ways that being holy impacts their family rituals and makes their home a sacred space.