STEM Sixth Grade students continue to build on foundational knowledge from lower school to extensively explore systems and subsystems in Earth and Life Science including: cellular structure and anatomy, bodies and systems, water, thermal and kinetic energy, and the influences of weather and climate. The second half of Sixth Grade STEM-based science focuses on the anchoring phenomena of climate affect on organisms and global warming effects on living systems. Students work on application of all learned disciplines from their time at Levine to develop a cornerstone project showcased during our annual Family STEM Night. JEWISH STUDIES In Sixth Grade Chumash, we focus on the theme of Kedushah (Holiness). We continue to use the aforementioned Standards and Benchmarks of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Avi Chai Foundation, focusing on the original Hebrew text as well as contextualizing the biblical definition of Holiness. We begin our learning with the book of Vayikra, Leviticus, which begins with detailed instructions on korbanot (sacrifices). While foreign and perhaps off-putting to the modern reader the korbanot (literally “things that bring closer”) were what our ancestors did to feel closeness with G-d at particular events in their lives. We continue by learning about Mitzvot, the 613 Commandments of the Torah that make us unique among the nations. We learn how to categorize mitzvot whether between us and G-d or us and our fellow humans, whether positive or negative, and whether or not they are intuitive. We learn about Kedushat HaYom, how we make time holy, by looking at how time is measured astrologically by different cultures, how we use the sun and the moon to determine hours, days, weeks, months, and years. Afterwards, we get more specific and learn about the background traditional laws of Shabbat, which is also a day of delight. The students then become experts on each of the major and minor festivals on the Jewish and Israeli calendars. We end the year by delving into transitions in early biblical history, Moses passing on the torch to Joshua who, in turn, passes it on to the Judges. In Mishna, the students continue to use the Bonayich Torah She’beal Peh (Oral Torah) curriculum. They began to learn other forms of Oral Torah such as Braitot and Midrash. The students learn Mishnayot about the holidays and from Massechet Bava Metziafrom which they learn Jewish civil law and the ethics behind these laws. Throughout the year, students acquire more independence in learning the texts. Additionally, in their 3rd trimester, they have a course called Zionism where they learn about Theodor Herzl, the "War of Independence”, the “Six-Day War”, and the “Yom Kippur War”.
MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES 5 - 8 | CURRICULUM GUIDE
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