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5th Grade Curriculum

In our 5th grade program, student learning is focused on Jewish values and early Jewish history.  We want our learners to begin to see themselves in the chain of Jewish history and tradition as they explore some of what makes us unique as the Jewish people. By focusing on the everyday relationships and decisions that are important to our students, we seek to teach how Judaism and Jewish values can help inform their lives. Students expand their knowledge of Jewish texts by applying lessons from Torah and other rabbinic commentaries like the Mishna and the Talmud to their own life situations.  Their Hebrew learning picks up right where it ended in the previous grade as students continue the journey of learning Hebrew through prayer. 

Books/Materials

Judaica

  • Count Me In
  • Introduction to Jewish History

Hebrew

  • Shaaray Tefila’s Hebrew curriculum, Prayers and “Pray”ers

*Teachers’ Guides for all series are located in the office.  Please consult these guides when planning lessons as they contain specific teaching objectives and a variety of suggested learning activities.

Essential, Guiding Questions

1)    How can Jewish values guide my life and my decision making?

2)    What do our sacred texts (Torah, Prophets, Writings, Talmud, etc) teach us about how to lead moral and ethical lives?

3)    What lessons can we learn from early Jewish history?  How do those lessons impact my life today?

4)    How do our tefilot (prayers) help us connect to God and to our Jewish community?

5)    What are the ways that our tefilot express core Jewish values?


Evidences of Understanding/Experiencing

Upon completion of the year, students will be able to:

  • Describe a variety of real-life situations they have faced and how they used (or could have used) Jewish values to make a decision
  • Define a variety of Jewish value vocabulary words:  middah, mitzvah, brit, b’tzelem elohim, yetzer ha-ra/ha-tov, talmud torah, k’lal Yisrael, tzedakah, sh’lom bayit
  • Express what it means to be created in God’s image
  • Articulate ways that various Jewish values invite us to repair our world (tikkun olam)
  • Describe the types of communities they belong to and their roles in those communities
  • Explain various ways they can bring justice and righteousness to our world
  • Discuss the origins of the Jewish people and the concept of covenant
  • Define monotheism and explain its importance in Judaism
  • Identify some of the Judges and Kings of early Israel, as well as the lessons they can teach us
  • Explain the significance of the Temple that stood in Jerusalem and the impact of its destruction
  • Read the following prayers fluidly:  Barechu, Shema, Mi Chamocha, Avot V’Imahot, G’vurot, V’ahavta
  • Identify and explain the core theme of each prayer studied
  • Recognize and define key shorashim (roots) from each prayer studied
  • Define key vocabulary words from each prayer
  • Reflect on the characteristics/role of God in each prayer and compare to their own understandings of God
  • Express, either verbally or artistically, the meaning of each prayer (through the Siddur Sheli portfolio projects)