3rd Grade Curriculum
Overview The third grade curriculum will build strong Hebrew reading skills and prayer vocabulary. Students will learn to read certain tefilot and will develop a deeper familiarity with the Jewish holidays. Students will also begin to explore the early books of the Bible.
Total number of sessions: 57
Texts * Denotes abbreviations used to refer to texts later in this curriculum
Derech Binah – *DB The Explorer’s Bible - *EB I Can Celebrate the Jewish Holidays - *CJH
Total Units: 19
1 Unit 1: 3 sessions, 1 hour each
Texts/Pages: DB 1-11; EB 8-15; CJH 4-6
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write the letters Bet Vet, Daled, & Resh Students will be able to read/write the vowels Kamatz, Patach & Tzere Students will become familiar with the biblical story of Creation Students will become familiar with the months of the Hebrew calendar Students will be given the opportunity to think about God
Key Words: Daber Rav Bar Shamayim Aretz Baruch Atah
Key Concepts: Human beings were created in the image of God Shabbat as a time of rest Human beings as God’s partners in the ongoing process of Creation The Jewish year is divided into twelve months with unique Hebrew names The Jewish year is different from the secular calendar year Prophet God’s footprints are all around us Not everything real can be seen
Key Terms: Breshit Tishre Heshvan Kislev Tevet Shevat Adar Nisan Iyar Sivan Tammuz Av Elul
2 Unit 2: 3 sessions, 1 hour each // (Estimated) Holiday: Rosh HaShanah
Texts/Pages: DB 12-23; CJH 7-14
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters from Unit 1 Students will be able to read/write the letters Shin, Sin and Tav Students will be able to explain the significance of Rosh HaShanah Students will be able to list four names for Rosh Hashanah Students will be asked to contemplate where we can find God
Key Words: Shabbat Basar Rosh HaShanah Yom HaZikaron Yom Hadin Yom Teruah Shanah Tovah Shofar Teki-ah Shevarim Teru’ah Mahzor
Key Concepts: Rosh HaShanah is the birthday of the world (the New Year) The Book of Life Teshuvah Noticing little miracles in our day to day lives can help us feel closer to God
Key Terms: Taschlich High Holy Days Jonah
Unit 3: 3 sessions, 1 hour each // (Estimated) Holiday: Yom Kippur
Texts/Pages: DB 24-31; CJH 15-20; EB 17-23
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-2 Students will be able to read/write the letters Lamed and Mem Students will be able to explain the significance of Yom Kippur Students will be asked to reflect upon one way they can be kinder next year and one way they can give tzedakah Students will be able to recount the story of Adam & Eve’s fall.
3 Key Words: Shamash, Tamar, Latet, Lave, Aron Hakodesh Midrash Adam Eve
Key Concepts: Teshuvah Ten Days of Repentance Fasting Tzedakah God created human beings to care for the world
Key Terms: High Holy Days Kol Nidre Al Khet Avinu Malkaynu
Unit 4: 3 sessions, 1 hour each // (Estimated) Holiday: Sukkot
Texts/Pages: DB 32-39; EB 25-29; CJH 21-25
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-3 Students will be able to read/write the letters Mem Sofit and Vowel Cholom , Shurek Students will be able to explain the significance of Sukkot Students will be able to list the three names of Sukkot Students will be able to recount the story of Cain and Abel Students will be asked to contemplate God’s role in Creation
Key Words: Shalom, Maror, Shalame Dode Sukkah Lulav Etrog Hag Sameach Cain Abel Torah
Key Concepts: Pilgrim / Pilgrimage Hallel / Blessings
4 Importance of caring for others Each of us is a partner with God in caring for the world Creation as an ongoing process
Key Terms: Sukkot Zeman Simhataynu Hag Ha’asif Shemini Atzeret
Hebrew Activities for Units 1, 2, 3 and 4: Hebrew Tic-Tac-Toe Hebrew Baseball Think Quick and general reading practice Use text kept at home for review
Bible Stories and Holiday Activities for Units 1, 2, 3 and 4: Reading aloud as a class Crossword puzzles Word searches Worksheets Word scrambles Coloring and drawing Making Sukkot decorations using small water bottles to look like terrarium Making a collage to illustrate the Garden of Eden story
Formal Assessments for Units 1, 2, 3 and 4: Individual oral readings in Hebrew to measure proficiency Student retells of stories Successful completion of worksheets Successful completion of homework assignments
Informal Assessments for Units 1, 2, 3 and 4: Ability and willingness to successfully participate in Hebrew games Ability to answer questions about biblical stories or general Judaic knowledge during games
Unit 5: 3 sessions, 1 hour each // (Estimated) Holiday: Simchat Torah
Texts/Pages: DB 40-48; EB 31-37; CJH 27-32
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-4 Students will be able to read/write the letters Yud, Vav and Nun Sofit Students will be able to explain the significance of Simchat Torah Students will be able to list the five books of the Torah Students will be able to recount the story of Noah and the Ark
5 Key Words: Ben, Matai Bait, Matan, Yoter Sofer Rimonim Hakafot Noah
Key Concepts: Mitzvot Walk with God Covenant Courage / Trusting in God
Key Terms: Torah Breshit Shemot Vayikra B’Midbar D’varim
Unit 6: 3 sessions, 1 hour each
Texts/Pages: DB 49-56; EB 39-43
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-5 Students will be able to read/write the vowel shiva (concept of silent vowel) Students will be able to read/write the letters Aleph and Ayin (silent letters) Students will be able to recount the story of the Tower of Babel Students will be asked to contemplate how we were all created b’tzelem Elohim
Key Words: Arba, Aba, Tasha, Shma Madooah Ladaat Shoel
Key Concepts: Making a name for ourselves through thoughtful actions The importance of community Connecting with God through other people Importance of following God’s ways
Key Terms: B’Tzelem Elohim
6 Hebrew Activities for Units 5 and 6: Hebrew Tic-Tac-Toe Hebrew Baseball Think Quick and general reading practice (whole class or in pairs) Take-home workbook activities
Biblical Stories and Holiday Activities for Units 5 and 6: Crossword puzzles Word searches Worksheets Word scrambles Coloring and drawing Constructing a giant collage of the Tower of Babel
Formal Assessments for Units 5 and 6: Individual retell of story details when called upon in class Successful completion of worksheets Successful completion of homework assignments
Informal Assessments for Units 5 and 6: Ability and willingness to successfully participate in Hebrew games Ability and willingness to answer questions about biblical stories or general Judaic knowledge during games
Unit 7: 3 sessions, 1 hour each
Texts/Pages: DB 57-64; EB 45-51; CJH 32-46
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-6 Students will be able to read/write the letter Nun, Gimel Students will be able to explain the significance of Shabbat Students will be able to describe the various parts of Shabbat Students will be able to recount the story of Abraham’s journey towards Judaism and the birth of Isaac
Key Words: Gomal Gadol Kiddush Motzi L’hadlik ner Shabbat Shalom Abraham Sarah Isaac
7 Key Concepts: Shabbat Lecha Dodi / Kabbalat Shabbat Hachnasat Orhim Doing what is right and listening to your moral compass
Key Terms: Birkat HaMazon L’hadlik Ner, Kiddush, HaMotzi & Havdalah
Unit 8: 3 sessions, 1 hour each
Texts/Pages: DB 65-72; EB 53-59
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-7 Students will be able to read/write the letters Hay, Chet Students will be able to read/write the vowel Segol Students will be able to recount the story of Sodom and Gomorrah
Key Words: Nodeh Modeh Lehem Achat Narot Yayin Challah B’samin Havdalah
Key Concepts: We should not listen to hearsay but find out the truth for ourselves Importance of standing up for what is right The Torah as a gift from God Shabbat is a day of rest Separation between sacred and weekday
Key Terms: Aron Ha Kodesh Sefer Torah Parashat HaShavuah Aliyah Mitzvah
Hebrew Activities for Units 7 and 8: Reading challenges between students
8 Hebrew Tic-Tac-Toe Hebrew Baseball Make additional flashcards Think Quick and general reading practice (as a class and in pairs)
Biblical Stories and Holiday Activities for Units 7 and 8: Reading aloud as a class Crossword puzzles Word searches Worksheets Word scrambles Coloring and drawing Making Havdalah candles after learning the Havdalah Blessings, Bake challah, and Make challah board and cover to prepare for mock Shabbat dinner. (This unit on Shabbat continues up to Chanukah)
Formal Assessments for Units 7 and 8: Successful individual student read aloud in Hebrew Successful completion of worksheets Successful completion of homework assignments Successful completion of all Shabbat meal b’rachot
Informal Assessments for Units 7 and 8 Ability and willingness to successfully participate in Hebrew games Ability and willingness to answer questions about biblical stories or general Judaic knowledge during games Ability and willingness to participate in Shabbat meal preparations
Unit 9: 3 sessions, 1 hour each
Texts/Pages: DB 73-79; EB 61-67
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-8 Students will be able to read/write the letters Kaf, Chaf, Chaf sofit Students will be able to recount the Akedah Students will be able to explain the evolution of monotheism
Key Words: Mitzvah Akedah Sacrifice
Key Concepts: Hineni Importance of trying to understand our relationship with God Importance of valuing people above things
9 Key Terms: Shema Ani Ma’amin
Unit 10: 3 sessions, 1 hour each // (Estimated) Holiday: Hanukkah
Texts/Pages: DB 80-88; EB 69-75 CJH 47-56
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-9 Students will be able to read/write the vowels chirik and chirik yud Students will begin to read first tefilot—Torah Blessings and Ayn Kelohenu Students will be able to explain the story of Hanukkah Students will be able to explain how (and why) we light the Hannukkiah Students will be able to recount the story of Rebecca meeting Isaac
Key Words: Ba’richu Baruch Latkes Nes Gadol Haya Sham/Po Ner Tamid Menorah Shamash Hannukiah Sufganiyot
Key Concepts: Jewish Freedom Miracle of the Hanukkah oil Candle light as a reminder of God’s presence
Key Terms: Syrians Hag Ha’urim Festival of Lights Maccabes
Unit 11: 3 sessions, 1 hour each
Texts/Pages: DB 88-97; EB 77-85
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-10 Students will be able to read/write the letters Pay, Fay Students will be able to read/write the vowels Kibutz and Shuruk Students will be able to recount the story of Jacob tricking his brother
10 Key Words: Purim Chanukah Shavuot Birthright
Key Concepts: Importance of settling disagreement peacefully and honestly
Key Terms: Shema B’rachot
Unit 12: 3 sessions, 1 hour each // (Estimated) Holiday: Tu B’Shevat
Texts/Pages: DB98-105; EB 87-93; CJH 57-60
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-11 Students will be able to read/write the letters Tet, Koof Students will be able to explain the significance of Tu B’Shevat Students will be able to recount the story of Jacob’s Ladder Students will be introduced to the concept of a neshama Students will be able to read blessings after Torah reading Students will be able to read and learn to sing 2 Hebrew songs
Key Words: Tu B’Shevat Halluyah Challah Bracha Melech HaMakom Bamakom HaZeh Bedeken
Key Concepts: Tu B’Shevat as the birthday for the trees Tu B’Shevat seder God is in every place Importance of being honest in our dealings with other people We are each unique beings created b’tzelem Elohim Just as we care for our bodies we must also care for our souls
Key Terms: Seder Seven Species
11 Neshamah
Hebrew Activities for Units 9, 10, 11 and 12: Hebrew Bingo Hebrew Tic-Tac-Toe Hebrew Baseball General reading practice (as a class or in pairs) Take-home workbook activities
Biblical Stories and Holiday Activities for Units 9, 10, 11 and 12: Reading aloud as a class Crossword puzzles Word searches Work sheets Word scrambles Coloring and drawing Art project relating to Jacob’s dream
Formal Assessments for Units 9, 10, 11 and 12: Student’s ability to individually read Hebrew or re-tell a story Successful completion of worksheets Successful completion of homework assignments
Informal Assessments for Units 9, 10, 11 and 12: Ability and willingness to successfully participate in Hebrew games Ability and willingness to answer questions about biblical stories or general Judaic knowledge during games
Unit 13: 3 sessions, 1 hour each
Texts/Pages: DB 106-111; EB 95-101
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-12 Students will continue to learn about the letters Zayin, Tsadee & Tsadee sofit Students will be able read all vowels in Units 1-12 Students will be able to recount the story of Jacob’s Struggle
Key Words: Challah Bracha Melech Narot Mishpacha Israel/Yisrael Mitzvah Shalom
12 Key Concepts: Wrestling with God Importance of family and setting aside differences
Key Terms: Shalom Bayit Kiddush Tzedakah Challah / Ha Motzi Havdalah
Unit 14: 3 sessions, 1 hour each
Texts/Pages: DB 112-115; EB 102-109
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-13 Students will be able to read Blessings before Haftarah, Shehecheyanu Students will be able to recount the story of Joseph the Dreamer Students will be asked to contemplate prayer as a way of speaking with God
Key Words: Siddur Kavannah Tefillah Tanach
Key Concepts: Humility Praying with others reminds us we are part of a community
Key Terms: Prayer Blessing Shehecheyanu
Unit 15: 3 sessions, 1 hour each // (Estimated) Holiday: Purim
Texts/Pages: DB 116-121; EB 110-119; CJH 61-70
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-14 Students will be able to read/write Samech and Fay sofit Students will be able to describe the story of Purim Students will be able to recount the story of Joseph in Egypt
13 Key Words: Hag Sameach Mitzvot Mishloach Manot Shalach Manot Hamentaschen Esther Hamen Mordechai King Ahasuerus Megillat Esther Graggers Pharaoh
Key Concepts: God was with Joseph / Can be with us Sharing our personal gifts with others
Key Terms: Communal responsibility
Unit 16: 3 sessions, 1 hour each
Texts/Pages: DB 122-123; EB 120-129
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-15 Students will be able to read and chant the 4 Questions Students will be able to recount the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers Students will be able to recount the story of baby Moses Students will be asked to contemplate the connection between responsibility/courage and seeking forgiveness
Key Words Matzah Maror Yirakot Misubin Midwife Tevah
Key Concepts: Forgiveness Relationship between forgiveness and courage We are each responsible for seeing that justice is done in the world It takes courage to admit a mistake but we must take responsibility for our actions God welcomes us when we ask for forgiveness
14 Thinking about a mitzvah is not the same as doing a mitzvah
Key Terms: Israelites/Hebrews 4 Questions
Unit 17: 3 sessions, 1 hour each // (Estimated) Holiday: Pesach
Texts/Pages: DB 122-123; EB 139-157; CJH 71-88
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-16 Students will be able to explain the significance of Passover Students will be able to name the Ten Plagues and the Four Questions Students will be able to recite the 4 Questions from memory Students will be able to recount the story of Moses from leaving Pharaoh’s court to the Exodus from Egypt
Key Words: Moshe Hametz Matzah Haggadah Afikomen Pharoah
Key Concepts: Hineni Slavery Freedom
Key Terms: Ten Plagues Four Questions Karpas Roasted Egg Maror Zeroa Haroset Passover seder Israelites Slavery Elijah’s Cup Miriam’s Cup
15 Unit 18: 3 sessions, 1 hour each // (Estimated) Holidays: Yom HaShoah & Yom Ha’atzmaut
Texts/Pages: DB 127-128; EB 158-159 CJH 83-88
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read/write letters & words from Units 1-17 Students will be able to explain the meaning of Yom HaShoah Students will be able to explain the meaning of Yom Ha’atzmaut Students will be able to read the words and sing the Hatikvah Students will be able to explain who each of the Jewish characters on EB 158-159 are
Key Words: Theodor Herzl Zionism Medinat Yisrael Ha Tikvah
Key Concepts: Eretz Yisrael How Eliezer Ben Yehuda created Modern Hebrew
Key Terms: Kaddish
Unit 19: 3 sessions, 1 hour each // (Estimated) Holiday: Shavuot
Texts/Pages: DB 126--127; CJH 89-96
Goals and Objectives: Students will be able to read V’zot Hatorah, Aitz Chayim, Aleinu Students will be able to explain the meaning of Shavuot Students will be asked to contemplate how faith can make us stronger
Key Words: Zeman Matan Torataynu Hag Hakatzir Hag Habikkurim
Key Concepts: Counting the Omer Land of Milk and Honey
Key Terms: 10 Commandments
16