Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy

Language Arts
Our literature program, the Houghton Mifflin reading program, uses selected readings that are of high interest to the students and integrate essential skill work in spelling, grammar, phonics, writing and comprehension. Individual skills are enriched and supplemented with a variety of related and leveled books. Small group activities include a wide variety of writing tasks, literature discussions, public speaking activities, drama and/or role playing and reading/writing workshop groups. Students also complement the reading program by completing theme-based book reports every other month. The reading program includes exciting and diverse literature topics using five themes throughout the year: Nature's Fury, Give It All You Got, Voices of the Revolution, One Land, Many Trails and Animal Encounters.

Math
The fifth grade math program mirrors the New York State requirements and curriculum. Additionally, a variety of enrichment activities are offered. This curriculum emphasizes conceptual understanding while building a mastery of basic math skills. The program affords students the opportunities to explore math concepts through a variety of hands-on activities. There are math games and activities, calculator computations as well as basic paper/pencil computation skills. The students start by reviewing and strengthening their multiplication and division facts. Throughout the year they build on prior knowledge and add to this in a spiral fashion, exploring more in-depth math concepts including place value, probability and chance, measurement, geometry, algebra, fractions, decimals and percents, collecting, organizing and graphing data, geometry, area and volume. A math enrichment program is also offered for students that demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities.

Social Studies
The social studies program emphasizes geography of both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. The tools needed for success in the study of history are taught, including an introduction to archaeology, map skills, using primary documents, and opportunities to explore a variety of different cultures.

Science
Earth science is the topic of the fifth grade science program. Students are involved in a variety of hands-on activities that teach them about the earth and its atmosphere. The study of meteorology and a visit to a TV station to learn about forecasting weather as well as a trip to the Herkimer Diamond Mine are an exciting part of the curriculum.

עברית – Hebrew
The Hebrew language arts program includes comprehension, reading, written expression, and oral expression. Special emphasis will be given to the later by having the class make up stories, talk to a friend, make presentations, have discussions, and more in Hebrew.
The text books used to achieve these goals are from the ""אלף בית, ילדים לומדים עברית " (Alef-Bet, Children Learn Hebrew) series. We started in the middle of 1st book, and will be starting the second book in a few months. In addition, a new song is taught almost every week. Stories, poems, and more are used to enrich the holidays.

חומש - Humash (Bible)
The book of Shmot (Exodos) will be our focus for this year. We will be using the Matok program, developed for the conservative movement in America.

חגים - Holidays
The holiday program is meant to enrich the children’s knowledge of the holidays, their laws and customs, as well as create an emotional connection to them. This is done by means of class discussions, Hevruta study, and arts and crafts.

ישראל - Israel
Every Friday we have a short מולדת (Moledet = homeland) session. We learn about what happened in Israel (and the world, if appropriate) in that week. In addition, stories, songs and projects are used to learn about the state and its history.

פרקי אבות - Pirkey Avot
This is a new addition to the 5th grade curriculum. We will be exploring Pirkey Avot (=Saying of our Fathers) on a weekly basis.

תפילה – Prayer
The aim of the Prayer curriculum is to strengthen prayer skills as well as understanding. To this aim prayer is approached in class on a daily basis, either by actual prayer or by learning prayers.