Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy

Math
The students will learn mathematical skills through the Houghton Mifflin Math Series. Topics include:

Students will learn to use different methods of computation and will be encouraged to choose the method that works best for them. Skills and concepts are presented in a spiral fashion. This means that topics are introduced in parts and then built on and reinforced throughout the school year. Mastery of facts and strong computation are expected. Students will be given drills and real life situations for the use of mathematics.

Language Arts
Reading, Writing and Listening and Reading Comprehension skills are influenced by maturity and experience as well as by the general ability to think, reason and interpret the written symbols. Advanced decoding skills, literal, critical, inferential and interpretive skills are developed as a process using the literature anthology and selected trade books.

Social Studies
The primary focus in fourth grade is the study of New York State. Topics include:

The study of New York will be explored through the use of our text book, various trade books and research via the internet and library. The incorporation of primary source documents and their relevance and interpretation will also be addressed. Please note these are the topics that I hope to explore with your child, but due to time constraints and a shortened school day we may not go into great depth with each of these topics. The course of study and length of time spent will be dictated to some extent by your children.

Torah
Students in fourth grade complete their study of the Book of Genesis. Narrative portions starting with Parashat Vayishlach are taught. Students learn grammatical constructions unique to the Torah text as well as new vocabulary words that are essential to the understanding of the text. An understanding of the biblical narrative will be stressed; however, commentaries will be introduced occasionally in order to enhance the understanding of the text.

The following will be taught during the course of the year in Bible:

Hebrew Language Arts
In Hebrew Language Arts, the following areas are emphasized: 1. Oral-Aural, 2. Reading, 3. Writing, 4. Grammar, and 5. Hebrew Literature.

The texts used for the Language Arts are as follows:
Hakol Chadash, Aleph Bet, (Yesodot Halashon-supplimental) Comprehensive language programs are built developmentally:

Israel
We will study about different areas in Israel and enrich our understanding about the geography and people of Israel. The textbook to be used is HaKol Chadash (Traveling Through Israel).

Holidays
We will study all the different holidays as they approach. While expanding their knowledge of concepts, vocabulary, and customs associated with the holidays, students experience the joy and richness of the holidays through stories, songs, and art projects. Selections from Megillat Esther and the Passover Haggadah are studied in depth. We will use the booklets “Nilmad Dinim” as a guide.

The Fourth Grade holds a family oriented participatory model Seder. The children prepare intensively by learning the prayers of the Haggadah, the laws of Pesach and the story of the Exodus of Egypt. Each family is given a part in the Seder to present to the class.

Prayer
Students in fourth grade begin Monday mornings with the Havdalah. Our daily prayer is Shaharit for the mornings. We will be joining third and fifth grade in the Bait Hamidrash for communal services twice a week. On Fridays we will study Kabbalat Shabbat prayers.