Judaic Studies and Lashon

What an exciting beginning of the year it has been in Kita Heh (5th grade)! Our 5th graders have already learned so much in Judaic Studies and in Lashon.
In JS, the 5th graders have started learning about our year-long project, the Torah Project. They have designed templates that they will use every week, have learned how to navigate through an all Hebrew Tanakh and even had a quiz on which they all demonstrated how well they have learned to find the perek (chapter) and pasuk (verse) for the beginning of each parashah (portion). We have learned our first 2 parshiyot together: VeZot HaBeracha, the last parashah in the Torah, and Bereshit, the first parashah. What a fitting way to learn the central message of Simchat Torah- that we never stop learning Torah, and that as soon as we finish reading it through, we begin all over again. I look forward to hearing how the 5th graders will make the parshiyot their own, and I encourage you to ask them about the commentaries they are writing- it is a weekly assignment, and each one different!
In Lashon, we have spent the first month feeling comfortable speaking Hebrew, learning about the holidays that come in the month of Tishrei, and learning a few songs in Hebrew. 5th graders are encouraged to speak Hebrew every day, and we are adding new words to their vocabulary lists every week. Please ask your child about the songs we have been learning- they are really catchy- I wouldn't be surprised to hear that they come home singing those songs!
It has been such a positive beginning to the year with such a special group of students- I can't wait to see what next month brings!
B'Shalom, Eliana