The study of Hebrew at Solomon Schechter Day School builds students’ Jewish identity through learning the common language of our world-wide Jewish community. It also builds their thinking skills through the valuable practice of learning the patterns of a second language.

First and Second Grade

Solomon Schechter uses the TalAm Hebrew and Jewish studies program fully in these grades. Tal Am is a whole-language (a method of teaching reading and writing that emphasizes learning whole words and phrases by encountering them in meaningful contexts rather than by phonics exercises), immersion approach, based on years of educational and scientific research on principles of language development and learning patterns.

In addition to studying from textbooks, students use a variety of activities – including music, games and systematic visual aids – to learn the Hebrew language and to develop a keen understanding of Jewish concepts and values. The program gradually helps foster Jewish identity by allowing children to explore their Jewish roots and traditions in a fun and exciting manner. 

Learners will:

• Develop basic literacy
• Begin to acquire speaking and listening skills
• Acquire a basic daily vocabulary including weather, classroom, home
• Acquire a basic Jewish values vocabulary including Shabbat, tefillah and holidays

Third through Fifth Grades

Schechter students in these grades enhance their knowledge, understanding and use of the Hebrew language through the Chaverim B'Ivrit Program. This program focuses on skills needed to transfer and apply learning in new contexts and situations. The program is child-centered with special attention to the beyond-the-classroom interests and needs of students, and develops active language production in children. Multiple genres are used, including stories, conversations, telephone conversations, poems, songs, albums, and journals. Age appropriate stories take into account Jewish identity development and Diaspora Judaism, and the program as a whole treats Hebrew as a living language.

Learners will:

• Deepen literacy skills
• Sharpen speaking and listening skills
• Focus on Hebrew as a modern language

Sixth through Eighth Grades

Our middle school students continue to master their Hebrew literacy skills through using the NETA curriculum . Lessons are centered on themes of interest to teenagers, 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. The curriculum specifies clear goals and measures of achievement, and is accompanied by standardized tests written by the curriculum development team and educational evaluation experts. Prior to entering the program, each student’s level is determined by a multiple-choice placement test.

Learners will:

• Increase depth of knowledge about Hebrew
• Increase skills in spoken and literary Hebrew
• Focus on Hebrew as a living, modern language