Curriculum

Transitional Kindergarten supports children’s love of learning and gives them the gift of time to develop the social, emotional, and academic skills needed to succeed in kindergarten. Through thematic units such as All About Me, The Five Senses, and Oceans, AJA transitional kindergarteners are actively engaged in their learning. They experience integration of Hebrew and Judaic Studies by beginning to develop their listening and speaking skills in Hebrew, learning basic prayers and the meanings of those prayers, and discussing Torah stories. Students learn about Jewish holidays and celebrate Shabbat each week by lighting candles, saying blessings, and baking challah. In our nurturing environment, children become increasingly independent as their sense of self-reliance and self-confidence increases. Our youngest students have many opportunities throughout the day to explore, make choices, and develop lifelong friendships.

Kindergarten is the time to build lasting positive feelings about learning and school. Through thematic units such as All About Me, Community Helpers, and Space Travel, AJA kindergarteners are actively engaged in their learning. They experience integration of Hebrew and Judaic Studies by beginning to develop their listening and speaking skills in Hebrew, learning basic prayers and the meanings of those prayers, and discussing Torah stories. Students learn about Jewish holidays and celebrate Shabbat each week by lighting candles, saying blessings, and baking challah. In our nurturing environment, children become increasingly independent as their sense of self-reliance and self-confidence increases. Our kindergarteners have many opportunities throughout the day to explore, make choices, and develop lifelong friendships.

First graders love to ask questions and tell jokes. AJA students are encouraged to stretch their thinking as they make connections and discuss their learning. These young students learn to read independently and use feedback to add details and improve their writing. They develop the ability to use context clues to comprehend, predict what will happen next, describe cause and effect, and discuss characters. Math incorporates real-life problem solving using manipulatives and a spiraling curriculum to develop meaning. Hands-on, inquiry based science units include Matter, Energy, Soil and Natural Resources, and Garden Plants and Animals. In Judaics, there is an emphasis on the Jewish calendar, learning morning t’fillot (prayers), and the weekly Torah portion as well as celebrating Jewish holidays. Students continue developing their Hebrew vocabulary and listening and speaking skills. They also begin the process of learning to read and write in Hebrew. First graders begin to make choices about friendships and practice treating everyone with kindness and respect.