Overview - Special Programs - Kindergarten - Lower School - Middle School - Extracurricular Activities - Library

Lower School – K thru 5th Grade
 
Language Arts
Through a comprehensive and integrated reading/language arts program, our goal is to develop proficient, lifelong readers, writers, thinkers, and learners. The key components of our balanced literacy program are: read-alouds, shared reading, guided reading and writing, paired/cooperative reading and writing, word study, independent reading and independent writing. Listening and speaking skills, spelling strategies, grammar, punctuation, and usage are woven into daily instruction. The skills and strategies needed are modeled on quality literature and writing samples. Reading and writing skills are reinforced and applied in all curriculum content areas.
Speaking and listening skills are important elements of our program. Expressive reading and dramatization allow students to explore the many dimensions of language and literature and enhance comprehension.
Our teachers create a risk-free environment in which students feel comfortable sharing reflections about what they’ve read as they find their unique writing voice. Our hope is that all our students feel they are readers and writers, even outside of the school walls.
 
Science
The primary goal of the AJA lower school science program is to encourage children to understand and appreciate the world around them. Through purposeful exploration and meaningful experimentation our students develop critical thinking skills applicable to all aspects of life through the integration of scientific methods and disciplines. By examining the physical, chemical and biological realms students begin to identify relationships. These relationships include cause and effect, patterns, and cycles. Process skills are taught by integrating background knowledge with experiential classroom activities and scientific terminology. These skills are reinforced and expanded at each grade level.
 
Social Studies
Our social studies curriculum is based upon consideration of diverse cultures and incorporates Judaic and secular holidays and celebrations. One of AJA's primary goals is to help our students understand how, through personal participation in their community, they can make a difference in building a better and safer place to live. This is expressed in the curriculum sequence that develops from self to family, community, state, country, world, and universal environment.
Language arts and social studies teachers collaborate to teach research skills at each grade level. Research allows students to pursue their individual interests within the framework of the program.
 
Math
Our mathematics curriculum is one that encompasses both traditional and investigative models. The primary goal of the math program is to have math make sense from every perspective and the students are taught to see math as a meaningful tool in their lives. Students use manipulative materials, calculators, computer programs and cooperative learning to introduce and reinforce new concepts and skills. This optimizes the mathematical learning experience in approach and content and is designed to develop sound arithmetic skills, strong problem solving ability and an interest and respect for the subject. In Grades 1-4, two teachers co-teach each math class. This way, differentiation can occur easily and effectively and allows us to meet the needs of all students.
 
Hebrew
Whether it is on signs around the building or in the echoes of conversations through the hallways, Hebrew is always happening at AJA. Beginning in kindergarten, all our students are exposed to the rich language of our people and tradition. Taught by an outstanding faculty of native Israelis and Hebrew linguists, our program begins with an immersion model, where students are engaged in the oral and auditory components of language acquisition. Through singing, dancing, storytelling and conversation, students at AJA create and maintain the necessary foundation for the advanced reading and writing our students encounter as they progress with the language. From third grade onward, all of our classes have two teachers in each room, allowing us the advantage of flexible grouping and the provision of scaffolding needed for students who may enter into our language program later.
 
Judaics
Judaics classes at AJA are a wonderful time for students to connect with a variety of materials and subjects relating to our people and religion. At the heart of our curriculum is the study of TaNaKh, which fosters the ability to analyze text and think critically. Beginning in second grade, our students use a modified Hebrew version of the original Biblical text. In addition to Bible, our Judaics program also teaches about living a Jewish life. From mock weddings to baking round challot, our students experience the breadth and depth of Jewish living not only in America, but also around the world. Israel and the history of our culture play a central role not only in our studies, but also in our weekly activities. Israeli games and food are often seen at lunch and recess, and our holiday programs include an understanding of Israeli customs as well. At AJA we believe it is not enough just to learn about being Jewish, we celebrate it! Each week, we gather as a school to celebrate a holiday, Rosh Chodesh, or Shabbat. Through games, plays, projects, art, dance, and music, our students experience the wonders of being Jewish and coming together as a community.
Our Hebrew and Judaics classes are integrated blocks of ninety-minutes, enabling both curricular areas the enrichment of the other.
 
T’fillah
Expressing a connection to God and the world around us is an essential component of our curriculum. Our students learn that services can be a time for both rejoicing and reflecting and that the keva and kavanah are equally important in praying. Discussions about the t’fillot and learning how to make spiritual connections are part of our daily services. All of our students have the opportunity to lead t’fillah, and in the fifth grade year, they begin reading from the Torah and leading our weekly Torah service. Our first graders have a special Siddur Ceremony, where they receive their very own school prayer book, which they will learn from and use throughout their years at AJA.
 
Art
AJA’s art program encourages children to express their ideas and feelings visually. The curriculum supports the stages of children’s artistic development and each art activity is geared towards individuality, creativity and success. Much of what happens in art is connected to what the children are learning in other subjects.
AJA also students learn about the lives and works of master artists. The introduction of many different media, techniques and styles builds students' confidence in their own artwork, and gives them skills for the future.
Through exploration of materials, young children learn to organize, arrange and build shapes, and to use colors that become symbols of expression. These early art experiences under-lay increasingly complex subject matter.
 
Drama
AJA’s drama program augments classroom instruction by weaving and integrating the theatrical into subject areas in ways that inspire, teach and engage. If students are studying the American Constitution they may act out some portion of that particular piece of history to support classroom instruction and help students gain a better understanding of concepts. To underscore the message of a Middah (value) of the Month, dramatic play may be used in the form of a skit or an improvisation.
Drama includes a wide area of techniques and incorporates physical movement, vocal action, and mental concentration.
At AJA it is used to reinforce curriculum, build self esteem, and help develop personal skills.
 
Music
AJA’s music program gives students the benefit of musical instruction at an important and impressionable time in their lives. We emphasize musical skills, achieving musical literacy and familiarity with a variety of musical forms, both secular and Judaic.
The formal music instruction program includes singing English and Hebrew songs, and engaging in tonal and rhythm activities. Students study music history and the music of different cultures. Students often learn songs connected to classroom themes.
 
Physical Education
The physical education curriculum is centered on a comprehensive program of health related fitness designed to engage students in both the physical and educational components of Physical Education, as well as to provide each individual with the means of recognizing and maximizing their own personal fitness level. The physical aspect of the program aims at imparting basic skills at age appropriate levels of ability, allowing the students to perform a variety of physical activities safely and successfully.
Educationally, the program aspires to both teach and inspire the students to take an active interest in their own health and well being. In so far as sports and game play are an integral part of the Physical Education curriculum, the teaching of and appreciation of sportsmanship and fair play is paramount.
 
Technology
AJA students use computers as a learning tool within the overall curriculum. AJA utilizes Dell computers with networking capabilities that allow classes to share resources. We have both a computer lab and a COW (Cart on Wheels) equipped with 22 laptop computers. Through twice weekly scheduled classes with a technology specialist, computer activities introduce students to the fundamentals of the computer technology and enrich classroom studies.
Technology can add new dimensions to children’s learning and thinking. For example, in language arts, social studies and science, multimedia software programs enhance the writing process. Through databases, spreadsheets and graphics programs, students learn to organize and view information differently.
 
Library
Students in grades K-5 attend scheduled library classes weekly. During their library time, students learn about library science, books, and technology. Our goal is to help students of all levels to learn to become independent library users, to develop sound research skills and to develop a life-long love of literature and learning.
In grades 5-8 the library is often used for research and to support the learning being done in other classes and time is scheduled as needed. Students also have the opportunity to listen to book talks and check out books.
 
Guidance
The guidance curriculum addresses developmental needs of students in Grades K-5. It is proactive in nature. Jewish values and ethics are woven throughout the developmentally appropriate guidance lessons. The goal of school guidance is to help students to help themselves by learning lifelong skills.
In Kindergarten, initially, the focus is on identification and expression of feelings. Subsequently, the following topics are presented (but not limited to): friendship, sharing, teamwork, anger control and management, social skills.
In Grades 1-5, initially, the focus is on the topic of friendship, e.g., how to make/keep friends, relationships/peer relations (which are integrated into the friendship lessons). Some additional topics presented are: self-confidence; belief in self; expression of feelings; use of tools, such as Power Talk in peer relations (standing up for yourself by stating what you want/don't want); responsibility; honesty; integrity; caring; problem solving; teamwork; social skills; anger management; bullying.
Students will take home extension activities when completed within the time frame of the guidance lesson.