expressing and explaining how mathematical concepts work, how they are applied, and advance their organizational skill throughout the year. SCIENCE In the Sixth Grade, students are expected to demonstrate grade-appropriate proficiency in developing and using models, planning and conducting investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematical and computational thinking, and constructing explanations. Students are also expected to demonstrate understanding of several engineering practices including design and evaluation. The disciplinary core that is focused on in Sixth Grade is Physical science. 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 Foundations, focusing on the original Hebrew text as well as contextualizing the biblical definition of Holiness to inform our own. 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 God 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 God 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 delights. The students then become experts on each of the major and minor festivals in 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 onto 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 fromMassechet Bava Metziafromwhich they learn Jewish civil law and the ethics behind these laws. Throughout the year, students acquire more independence in learning the texts.
SEVENTH GRADE OVERVIEW LANGUAGE ARTS
Seventh Grade Language Arts represents a literature-based curriculum that emphasizes oral and written communication. Just as the students are experiencing the difficult transition from childhood into adolescence, so the theme for the year stresses the individual’s place in the universe. The approach to the readings (short story, drama, novel, and poetry) extends beyond comprehension and application to evaluation of concepts. Topics range from literary terms, figures of speech, and public speaking, to grammar, writing, and vocabulary. All material is related to the literature studied at the time and to the
7 MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES 5 - 8 | CURRICULUM GUIDE
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