Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy

English Language Arts
Students continue to develop and enrich all of the language arts in the eighth grade. Grammar and mechanics remain an important part of the curriculum. Students read selections from the literature book along with outside materials. The class reads A Midsummer Night’s Dream and selections from The Odyssey. Students also produce a variety of creative and expository writing, including monthly book reviews. A research paper of 8-10 pages for social studies and English is also required.

Earth Science
This science course is an in depth study of the Earth, its many geological components, and all the forces that have an effect on it. The students study the earth’s materials including rocks and mineral resources. Astronomy, which is the study of the structure of the universe, the solar system, motions of celestial objects, insulation and the seasons, and the motions of the earth and moon, is also included in the curriculum. Meteorology, the study of the atmosphere, weather, and climates is another fascinating area of study. Additionally, the students learn about topographical maps, plate tectonics, earthquakes, earth’s history, weathering, erosion, deposition, and landscape development. This course may be taken for Regents or school credit. Weekly lab participation and written labs are an important requirement of this course.

Social Studies
This course is the second half of American history. Students read Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave. This begins the chronological study of American history from the Civil War through contemporary times. Using primary documents as sources of information and in the writing of essays is emphasized. One research paper of 8-10 pages is required for this class and English. Students also play the Times Union sponsored Stock Market Game as part of this course.

Spanish 8
Students continue their two year study of the Spanish language. Vocabulary and conversational Spanish are emphasized. This is the second year of a two-year study preparing students to take the New York State Spanish proficiency exam. High school credit can be earned with successful completion of the New York State Spanish proficiency at the end of this course. Students can then enroll in Spanish ll in high school.

Math 8
Students enrolled in the eighth grade math program will work through the standards set forth by the New York State eighth grade curriculum. More challenging algebra, polynomials, functions, coordinate geometry, and transformations are among the topics taught. Also included is a study of geometry and measurement, data analysis, and probability. Students enrolled in this course will be prepared for entry into a freshman high school math course (Integrated Algebra Regents course) the following year.

Intergrated Algebra
Our most accelerated eighth graders (and occasionally younger students) take Integrated Algebra, which is the first of the high-school level New York Regents courses in mathematics. The curriculum includes number theory, algebraic equations, systems and inequalities in two variables, quadratic and exponential functions, coordinate geometry, right-triangle trigonometry, probability and combinatorics, and equations involving radicals or rational expressions. The Regents curriculum is enriched with a number of hands-on labs and concept applications. Students completing this course take the New York Regents Examination in Integrated Algebra in June and enter high school having earned 2 of the required six credits for a Regents diploma.

Hebrew - עברית
The NETA Hebrew curriculum continues to be linguistically sequential; texts and tasks increase in length and complexity as the student’s Hebrew improves. The curriculum consists of four levels. Lessons are centered on themes of interest to students, ranging from computers and sports to friendship and freedom. Each theme is presented from three perspectives: Jewish tradition, modern Israeli culture and general world knowledge, including art, science, mathematics, literature and philosophy. Each unit of study incorporates art, music, prose, poetry, news articles and Jewish texts, in layers of language ranging from biblical Hebrew to current scientific Hebrew terminology and common colloquialisms.

Chumash (Bible) - חומש
In Chumash 8, we return to the Book of Bereshit, Genesis, now with a focus on the moral dilemmas presented in the text and the emergence of monotheism. We explore the text accompanied by rabbinic commentaries, analyze the material through extensive discussion, and internalize the material while promoting a love of Torah through many guided projects. In addition, the eighthth graders learn Shmuel Bet and analyze the character of King David, his family, and the struggling monarchy of Israel.

Mishna - משנה
Jewish identity and practice are rooted primarily in Torah Sheb'al Peh, which is itself presented and detailed in the Mishnah, related Tannaitic texts, and Amoraic and Talmudic texts. Kitah Het continues the steps of a fully integrated curriculum for the study of Torah Sheb'al Peh using the V'Shinantam curriculum.

Jewish History
The Jewish history curriculum is divided into three units. The year begins with the study of Jewish history from the early 1900’s through the establishment of the State of Israel. Next, we focus on advocacy for Israel’s right to exist, and the year ends with an exploration of our own Jewish identity in the Diaspora.

Prayer - תפילה
The focus of the prayer curriculum is to strengthen prayer skills, as well as the understanding of the t’filot. T’filah experiences include communal prayer blended with more intensive learning of the prayers directed by the teacher. Students develop the skills to lead prayer and read Torah.

Chesed Project
Kitah Het participates weekly in the ROAR (Reach Out And Read) program with second grade children from Albany’s inner city, helping them to increase their literacy skills.

Library Information Center
Our Library Information Center is truly a learning center for the entire school community. Staffed by a New York State certified library media specialist, it is home to both flexible and scheduled library and computer classes, as well as casual use. The spacious facility includes a collection of Judaic and general studies books, both to support the school curriculum and students’ individual reading interests. The Library Information Center houses a computer lab to accommodate whole-class, small group and individual use.

The Library Information Center prepares students to be lifelong learners. It affords the students opportunities to find information from many sources; provides the students with electronic access to information; acts as a link to other libraries; assists in the research process locating current research information; collaborates with teachers to plan, teach, and evaluate instruction; and develops systems to help provide access to internet resources.

Physical Education
Bet Shraga is fortunate to have a large, well equipped gymnasium, as well as an extensive outdoor play yard including three separate playing fields. During their two weekly classes of PE, students have opportunities to engage in developmentally appropriate exercises, team sports, gymnastics, and physically challenging games that develop a sense of teamwork.

Art
Art classes emphasize good drawing technique, learning about the elements of art and using the principles of art, practicing shading and using values to emphasize realism, and gaining a sense of art history and aesthetics. Middle school students learn about art in ancient cultures such as cave painting, aboriginal bark painting, x-ray painting, Egyptian tomb painting, Greek vase painting, Roman mosaics, medieval gargoyles, Gothic rose windows and Renaissance linear perspective. Judaic art lessons consist of wood burned challah trays and silk painted challah covers. The works and movements of Pop artist, Andy Warhol, and Op artist, Bridget Rilley, are studied by creating linoleum prints and drawings. Middle school students add to the beauty of the school’s hallways with group mural projects.