Curriculum

Language Arts

In Cycle One, English Language Arts is taught for 3 hours and 25 minutes per week. Students in Grades 3-6 in the English section have English Language Arts for 5 hours per week. French section students will receive 3 hours 20 minutes of ELA weekly

Mathematics is taught for 5 hours per week for students in the English section in Grades 3-6. The Pearson Mathematics Program (Digit, Numbers & Decimal) provides the foundation of our mathematics curriculum and meets the requirements set by MEQ The children are introduced to a variety of application and situational problems.

Happenings

Each year the parents of two grade levels are invited to attend either a Language Arts, SMART Floor, or Math Happening. These “Happenings” provide parents with an opportunity to participate in a hands-on learning experience affording them insight into their child’s daily learning.

The language of instruction is in English & French

We use the project approach to teach French at Solomon Schechter Academy. In the first levels, the teaching is theme-based and integrates all subjects from the French program.

French is taught through research, projects, discoveries (2nd and 3rd grade), through theatrical performances, themed exhibitions, computer science, the physical education program, the science program and the social, ethical and religious cultural programs.

Unique to Solomon Schechter Academy, the students’ knowledge of French is used to read a variety of texts which is encouraged through our Livromagie program. The Livromagie program is strongly focused on inspiring students to read and to participate in French activities related to the program. Our written compositions are mainly related to the readings that they have completed. Written and oral projects are used to verify the students’ grammatical skills.

Reading, writing, communicating, and appreciating French literature are all aspects that help promote creative thinking, as well as the development of one’s critical mind.

The above-mentioned French skills are taught and used on a daily basis in the classroom through dialogues and discussions with and amongst the students. The teacher’s goal is to help them reflect on these skills and the relation between these various disciplines.

Arts

It is through art, observation, appreciation and the transformation of the arts that the students develop their own perception of society and their creativity.  Therefore, art has become a key teaching method and we do not isolate it. Art is incorporated within the other fields like science, humanities, ethics, religion, and math to help the students create connections, to open themselves to their culture, as well as that of others.

Theatre & Expositions

In accordance with the French curriculum, as defined by the Ministry of Education, our French theatre program is highly developed. The French plays are written by our own teachers and relate to the materials studied in class. Theatre is continually proven to reinforce learning in different ways. It is important to emphasize that the theatre and/or exhibition components are one of the school’s strengths since it directly requires the students to apply and integrate their own creativity. The production of such components become a way for the teachers and the students to evaluate their vocabulary, lingual expressions, and their knowledge of drama and arts all while continuously learning the strategies for reading and writing.

Physical Education

The school promotes health and wellness and aims to develop this aspect amongst the students by teaching them how to act, interact and adopt a healthy and active lifestyle. Participating in sports and physical activities on a daily basis encourages the students to develop these three important skills.

The ultimate goal of the physical education department is to develop students’ motor skills and practice a wide variety of sports. Children are presented different situations which will help them understand and determine what sport or activity best suits their interests.

Field Trips And Guest Speakers

Children participate in annual outings, outdoor activities, field trips and sports. In addition, authors and guest speakers are regularly invited to the school to offer our students additional learning experiences.
 

Our Judaic Studies curriculum is innovative and exciting – incorporating academic and intellectual rigor as well as a healthy dose of experiential education to make our “raison d’etre” fun.

We developed a unique customs and traditions program that engages students and their families in living Judaism and love of Israel.  Our entire Judaic Studies program is conducted in Hebrew (Ivrit b’Ivrrit) so that students learn the language of the Torah and the language of the State of Israel.  We use the Tal Am & iTAL AM Hebrew Language Curriculum.  However, the programs are based on our dynamic Judaic Studies teachers who impart the love of Judaism, the love of the Jewish People and the Love of Israel at all grades.  In addition to the curriculum, our students hold annual “Chagigot'' at each grade level.

As our students learn to read in Grade One, they are introduced to their first Hebrew text and the Siddur (prayer book) through which they learn the value of community.  Chagigat Hasiddur brings the joy of the prayer book to students and families alike.

Students continue with the new iTAL AM program in Grades Two & Three where they study Judaic Studies digitally. The highlight of the Grade Two program is the introduction of the Bible and the accompanying Torah consecration celebration.  The students of Grade Three present the “Hagigat Bereshit” acting out the scenes from the first chapters of the Torah.

Grades Four and Five introduce our students to the Bible from the original text, as well as enrich them with an ever-expanding Hebrew vocabulary.  The theme for the year is the formation of the people of Israel and possession of its national homeland. Grade four classes host Shabbat services while Grade Five students lead a Havdalah service.  The celebration of Shabbat in those Grades is a family affair as students conduct those services in the intimacy of their family.

The Grade Five and Six students learn about Jewish history making connections with what they have learned in previous years and making strong links with the State of Israel its people and its history.

An annual trip to Israel is organized for Grade Six students who wish to attend during mid-Winter break.  Space is limited and students are chosen on a first-come basis.

State of Israel

The love and support for the State of Israel are integral parts of our program and are reflected in every area of the curriculum. This is accompanied by a strong emphasis on Hebrew proficiency. Students participate in varied programs including art and dance that allow them to engage with and live the culture and music of the State of Israel.

Afik School, Be’er Sheva

We are particularly proud of our contact with the Afik School in Be’er Sheva, Israel and we encourage all students and their families to maintain and nurture this contact with regular mail and e-mail correspondence.  The program is conducted through Federation CJA.

Bnot Sherut

The Bnot Sherut program at SSA is made up of two young ladies who leave home to spend the year with our students bringing the spirit of Israel and Jewish Traditions into our school.  Our guests from Israel conduct weekly activities with our students and are responsible for experiential holiday programs that they plan with Chani Cohen, our Judaic Studies Director.

Tikun Olam and Federation CJA

Our school takes part in the larger community’s projects.  We make it a point to be part of Federation CJA’s activities through our annual visit to Federation and participation in community events.  We participate in community wide campaigns by raising funds and collecting food for Federation CJA, JNF, MADA and others.

Bar and Bat Mitzvahs

Grade 6 students attend pre Bar and Bat Mitzvah programs encompassing religious practices, community service and other complementary activities.

Our school’s Azrieli SMART Floor affords students the opportunity to study Science, Music, Computer Animation, Jewish Arts, Robotics, Theatre and Technology. The SMART Floor introduces students to a curriculum that enhances critical thinking.

Computer Animation

Creative computing prepares our young people for more than careers as computer scientists, or programmers. It supports and allows young people to learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.

In our Animation class we explore computing languages to program custom projects. We animate creative storyboards and observe the stages that Pixar's software animators use to create their state-of-the-art movies, and much more.

Robotics

Technology is one of the fastest growing industries, STEAM education is a way of giving your child the necessary building blocks for future success, and the field of robotics is booming!

In our Robotics class, students get acquainted with the fundamentals of 3D construction, programming concepts, electrical and mechanical engineering while making an intelligent robot that can perform complex linked tasks.

Art

The objectives of the art course include enthusiasm for original creations outside of the virtual world in which we all live today; and reinforcement of Jewish and Hebrew curriculum through art in order to strengthen the students’ Jewish identity.

Each child is an individual who is capable of individual creative expression. Art class will be a stimulating and fun time for each child to express themselves with professional artistic guidance.

Music

SSA students benefit from a wide variety of music instruction, including piano and recorder programs, as well as vocal instruction through our choir. Students learn to read sheet music and recognize various instruments and styles of music.

Theatre

The new theatre course will begin with a variety of games and exercises. The teacher would introduce a script that the kids would begin to work on and adapt it to fit the class. Students will have a chance to practice their acting skills in a fun and exciting program.

Makerspace

The Beverley and Harvey Greenberg Makerspace is where students come together to create, learn and explore new ideas. Our Makerspace has the materials for building circuits, robots, and multi-media products through video and using 3D printers and pens.