SAR SAR Experience Principals' Message Our Mission High School Administration ELC-Academy Administration Early Learning Center Academy - Lower School Academy - Middle School High School Staff Directory Fast Facts Theme of the Year Appreciate Israel Technology Welcome Back Guides 2020-2021 Student Safety Manual SAR Academy Family Handbook Academy - Lower School Art & Music Special Programs After-School Program Athletics Program Academy - Lower School At the Lower School, grades 1-5, SAR’s open architecture promotes open thinking, boundless energy and a warm, inclusive atmosphere. We open our students’ minds to history, literature, math, science, tefillah, Gemara and Medinat Yisrael – all through the lens of Torah. In each grade, we follow a curriculum created by our own administrators and faculty, and accredited by the New York Association of Independent Schools. Our secular and Judaic curricula are both academically challenging and developmentally appropriate. We nurture in our children the understanding that Torah informs who we are in all of our interactions, and how we hold ourselves in the world. First Grade Second Grade Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade Student Learning Center (SLC) First Grade In first grade, students begin to build the skills necessary for lifelong learning. Since this is their first year in SAR’s “Big Building,” they become part of a collaborative classroom community and connect to the greater school’s kehilla. It is also their first opportunity to participate fully in community-wide events and cross-grade learning. Ivrit In first grade, students gain the skills necessary for language proficiency. We first focus on learning how to read and write the alphabet in print and in script. Students also build their Hebrew vocabulary with words relating to the times of the year, school, and home life. Through games and activities, we begin to speak in Hebrew using short sentences and basic verb conjugations. We also meet in reading groups four times each week to strengthen comprehension, reading, and conversational skills. The Ivrit curriculum is based on the “Tal Am” program. In order to foster natural acquisitions of Hebrew language patterns, each Tal Am unit focuses on specific language patterns that are introduced through a variety of modalities. Recognition and use of language patterns build in complexity in a spiral fashion through the introduction of vocabulary and language rules and are not learned or drilled out of context. The varied activities incorporated in Tal Am are geared to target the multiple intelligences so that all students experience success. In addition, emotional intelligence is fostered in the curriculum by having students focus on the feelings of characters that appear in the stories. Skills: Decoding Hebrew alphabet in print and in script Reading and comprehending short stories in Hebrew Conversing in Hebrew using short sentences Transferring print letters to script letters Writing with accuracy Expanding Hebrew vocabulary Parsha In our Parshat haShavua studies, our goal is for students to go home each erev Shabbat prepared to discuss the content and values expressed in the parsha. Each week, students learn the basic story of each parsha with related vocabulary. Students also discuss the values to be gained and consider how they may demonstrate those values in their own lives. Students take home “Conversation Starters/Discussion Questions” to share with their families at the Shabbat table. Students also have the opportunity to hear a d'var Torah from Morah Sarah that brings to life the values imparted in that week’s portion with modern day stories and applications. Skills: Retelling the basic story of the parsha Connecting the story to Torah values Chagim and Shabbat Students learn about each holiday’s practices, symbols, and related brachot and vocabulary. In order to build positive and meaningful connections to the rituals, we actively engage in each holiday’s practices. Some examples include: shaking the lulav and etrog on Chol HaMoed Sukkot, anticipating Shabbat’s arrival with songs and zemirot, and celebrating the miracle of Medinat Yisrael by joining the entire school in the singing of Hallel on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. Skills: Recognizing the symbols and mitzvot of each holiday Developing and utilizing vocabulary related to each holiday Practicing the rituals associated with each holiday Singing the songs/tefillot that relate to the holidays Reading and Literacy Students develop their independent reading skills through daily, small-group instruction. Groups are designed to be flexible in order to meet the learning needs and styles of individual students. We read a variety of texts drawing from fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. To measure each student’s progress and guide our instruction, we administer the DIBELS (Diagnostic Inventory of Basic Literary Skills) assessment twice each year. Laying a strong foundation for literacy is a critical cornerstone of our first grade curriculum. To this end, we provide extensive opportunities for advancing literacy throughout the day. Through read-alouds and author studies we teach comprehension and analytical skills and the students glean lifelong lessons of value. During our science and social studies units, students gain exposure to varied nonfiction texts. Our extensive classroom library provides a warm and comfortable environment where students have opportunities for partner reading, independent exploration of books, and for selecting appropriate books to take home. Skills: Decoding vowel sounds, digraphs, blends, magic e, and vowel teams Expanding sight-word vocabulary Distinguishing between fiction and nonfiction Comprehending story and demonstrating understanding by making text-to-self connections, retelling the story, asking and answering questions, describing the characters and setting, and making predictions. Writing The goal of the first grade writing curriculum is to instill a strong foundation for the mechanics of writing while simultaneously encouraging writing as a creative outlet. Through the Judith Hochman’s Basic Writing Skills program, students learn to create complex sentences using conjunctions and question words for both expository and personal narrative assignments. Students apply these skills through all content areas, particularly in social studies. Beyond just learning how to write, students also learn how to use writing as a tool for personal expression. Students engage in open-ended journaling and compose poetry both to demonstrate understanding of content and to find their unique, creative voices. Skills: Printing both upper- and lowercase letters Using conventional spelling for words with common spelling patterns, spelling untaught words phonetically, and incorporating sight-word vocabulary Identifying fragments and sentences and correcting fragments to make sure they include a subject and an action Composing sentences and expanding them using the conjunctions “and,” “ but,” “because” Integrated Social Studies & Science Through an author study of Kevin Henkes, students begin the year by exploring such concepts as friendship, cooperation, and what it means to be part of classroom community of learners. We then segue into a unit on our school community: SAR Faces and Places, where we introduce the students to key figures and areas of the school through scavenger hunts, interviews and creativity. Through our Thanksgiving study, students learn about the historical narrative and compare and contrast their lives with those of the Pilgrims. In January, we launch our Ezra Jack Keats author study with the award-winning The Snowy Day. This study provides exposure to a variety of literary themes and styles of illustration. We also introduce students to the world of nonfiction literature and scientific experimentation through three units of study: a Chanukah Potato Unit, a Tooth Study and an Exploration of Ocean Life. Skills: Using fiction and nonfiction texts to learn new information Learning features of nonfiction books Hypothesizing Interpreting graphs and charts Organizing facts and details from texts Participating in collaborative conversations Math Through the “Math in Focus” curriculum, we emphasize conceptual understanding, skill development, problem-solving strategies, and meta-cognition. Each lesson and chapter follows the concrete to pictorial to abstract sequence of learning. We focus on conceptualizing numbers and their part/whole relationship through number bonds and a place value study for numbers 1 - 120. Skills: Comparing and ordering numbers 1 - 100 Selecting best strategies for adding and subtracting one and two-digit numbers Solving word problems by choosing appropriate operation and strategy Problem-solving using mental math strategies Israel Curriculum Beginning in first grade, students study the history and landscape of Israel through a new and innovative curriculum, Eretz Yisrael Throughout the Year, developed by the Lookstein Center. Structured around the themes of Asara B'Tevet, Tu BiShvat, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, and Yom Yerushalayim, the curriculum provides four comprehensive lessons to be taught on or around each of these dates. The lessons bring the miracle of Israel to life and feature diaries, simulations, time-machines, moral dilemmas and debates. The specifics of each grade’s units of study can be found in the Judaic Studies section. First Grade Israel Curriculum Book #1: The Kotel Listening to a story and participating in activities connected to the ancient temple, its celebrations, its loss and the modern return to the Kotel Book #2: Stamps Teach us Israel Learning about people, places and life in Israel through pictures of some of the most beautiful stamps in the world Book #3: The Symbols of Israel Learning how an oleh chadash adjusts to life in Israel and learns about the meaning behind the Hatikva, Israel’s flag and emblem Book #4: The Gates of Jerusalem Reading a story about how the gates of Jerusalem’s Old City all sought to help the Israeli soldiers in the Six-Day War First Grade Highlights Siddur Play Students develop a close relationship with Hashem and the meaning of and how to recite tefillot. Studentscreate their own siddur covers and learn meaningful and joyous songs in preparation for this family celebration. Math Fair A celebration with students’ families of the math knowledge gained throughout the year. Students have the opportunity to teach games, share new skills, and create math experiences and “interactive” decorations that reflect their math learning. top Make this your year to build your future. Come to SAR. SAR ACADEMY Jesselson Campus 655 West 254th Street Riverdale, NY 10471 718.548.1717 SAR HIGH SCHOOL Dedicated to the Memory of JJ Greenberg z”l 503 West 259th Street Riverdale, NY 10471 718.548.2727 Facebook Twitter Youtube SCHOOL STORE ACADEMY LUNCH CONTACT US PRIVACY POLICY Powered by Finalsite