Third Grade

In third grade, the students continue to build upon their knowledge of the Hebrew letters, holidays and prayers. By the end of the year, students will be able to read Hebrew slowly - and they will have been introduced to over 200 prayer words. Script writing is also introduced.

Hebrew- Students use a basic primer to review letters, vowels, words and numbers introduced in second grade. Lesson builds upon lesson, providing reinforcement as students develop siddur reading skills. Selected siddur words are presented with English translations, establishing a foundation for prayer comprehension.

Holidays - Holidays continue to be discussed in season.

Blessings, Prayers and Songs – In addition to reinforcing what was learned in previous grades, new age appropriate holiday songs, prayers and blessings are taught.

Bible - Students learn stories from the Torah using a simplified textbook. Discussion of stories includes how lessons learned are applicable to their lives today. The third graders learn to understand Peshat - "What does it mean?", Drash - "What does it teach?” and Remez- "A Lesson about Torah" . Through stories, the students are introduced to the patriarchs, with an emphasis on Abraham and his family. Jewish legends, which teach morals and ethics, are presented along with customs and rituals of Jewish life.

Ethics - The third grade students will explore the moral lessons of the Ten Commandments with timeless stories from the Bible, Talmud, and Jewish folklore. Presented in child-friendly, everyday English, each commandment is accompanied by hands-on activities to help students integrate the lessons into their own lives.

Texts and Teacher Resources:

• The Ten Commandments
• A Child’s Bible, Book 1 – Lessons from the Torah
  The New Siddur Program – Primer with Script Workbook