Second Grade

In second grade, the concepts taught in the previous grades are reinforced and expanded upon. The Hebrew lessons evolve from letter recognition to reading entire words. Various aspects of being Jewish are introduced and discussed. The children also begin to internalize many of the Jewish teachings by relating them to their own lives. Throughout, a variety of teaching methods are using to reinforce these topics, including class discussion, games and crafts. Areas of study include:

Alef Bet - The Hebrew letters are reviewed out-of-order and many vocabulary words beginning with each letter are introduced. The students learn the vowels and begin to put letters and vowels together to make words. By the end of the year, they can read most simple vocabulary words and know the significance of many of them.

Hebrew Vocabulary - Many beginning conversational Hebrew words are introduced in second grade. Many of them stem from the Hebrew reading lessons as well as discussions about the holidays and observances in the synagogue. The children also learn numbers to 50, colors, months, days of the week and the names of the books in the Torah.

Holidays - All of the major Jewish holidays are discussed, including the story behind each holiday, its significance (both historical and contemporary), its symbols and rituals. Students are encouraged to share their traditions with the class and discuss the relevance of the holiday to their lives. Concepts are reinforced through class discussion, blessings, stories, activities and crafts.

Blessings, Prayers and Songs - The blessings learned in Kindergarten and first grade are reviewed. These include the blessings for Shabbat (candles, wine, challah), Havdallah, Chanukah and Passover. The children also learn many of the prayers which are part of the Friday night and Saturday morning services. Several Hebrew and Israeli songs are also introduced.

Talmud Torah (Jewish Learning) - In second grade, students begin to apply Jewish teachings to their own lives. They explore various aspects of Jewish life, including the activities in and significance of the synagogue, the Jewish symbols in their daily lives, and the mitzvot that they are expected to follow. In addition, each week we read a biblical story or folk tale that contains a (sometimes hidden) moral. Students are encouraged to seek out the moral and discuss the ways it applies to their own lives.

Texts and Teacher Resources:

• The New Siddur Program – Reading Readiness
• Stories from our Living Past
• Let’s Explore Being Jewish
• My Jewish Year