Specialists

List of 5 items.

• Art

  Art and creativity are timeless! Students learn about art history, traditional techniques, as well as innovative design methods in the art studio. Our projects are inspired by artist(s) and art movements, and our discussions center around materials, technique, style, use of color and lasting impact.

   

  Past projects have included:

  • analyzing the imagery in Marc Chagall’s I and the Village to discover memories of his childhood village;
  • debating “what is art?” by comparing sculptures by Marcel Duchamp and Meret Oppenheim;
  • discussing how student art can inform their community through posters.

  Throughout the year your child will have the opportunity to develop skills using paint, color pastels, gel crayons, clay, wood, wire, and 3D printing to create spectacular results. Students are guided in new techniques and encouraged to trust their instincts.

  Our families love following their artists through the online portfolio site “Artsonia.” The link can be shared with other “fans” of their work  as well.

• Music

  Our music program appreciates that students follow the beat of their own drum….and that everyone wants to be the conductor! We channel that enthusiasm into the wide world of music appreciation and explore styles, sounds, methods, and musicians through traditional lessons, such as hands-on band practice and sheet music instruction, and modern methods including gentle rhythm-based video games. We explore how music creates community, as with drum circles and group support of individual performances, and how our world informs and is informed by music. This includes the use of music and movement during tefillah (prayer) and ruach (spirit) that are expressions of our Jewish Identity. When it comes to music, there is a lot to love. Some favorites include:
  
  

  Foley Artist Project - Students identify and record everyday sounds. They apply their unique sounds to scenes from favorite age-appropriate movies and television programs.
  
  

  Band Practice - Students choose an instrument to practice. As they gain proficiency, the class votes on a pop song and individual parts are distributed. As each student learns their section and the class practices together, they gain confidence and collaborative skills.
  
  

  Rhythm Video Games - Our music space is equipped with rhythm-based video games using virtual reality (VR) technology. These are not traditional video games. They are an educational method for introducing, recognizing, and counting rhythm. The VR technology allows students to play virtual drums, guitars, pianos, and other instruments.
  
  

  Instrument Exposure - Every few weeks, a brand new instrument is introduced to the class. This broadens our students' knowledge of musical tools and allows them to potentially find their spark in music. 
  
  

  Song Sharing - Students are introduced to a variety of songs throughout the year. Song sharing gives them the opportunity to share their favorites and leads to  discussions aboutmusical preference - different styles and sounds, why we do or do not like these examples, and how music can inspire feelings. Your child will learn to think analytically about music and develop skills for productive conversation despite opposing views. Students take pride in using these songs to create their unique class playlist, as well.

• Library

  Our media specialist supports students in their first book reports, research projects and presentations, and teaches them to navigate a variety of information formats. Through thoughtful class discussions and exercises, students learn the ethical use of copyrighted materials, healthy device/screen time use, safe internet practices including protective measures against cyberbullying, and awareness of false information across all platforms in publishing.

   

  Above all, we want our students to identify with Elie Wiesel’s observation--I do not recall a Jewish home without a book on the table--and our collective value of knowledge. By introducing the thrill of independent learning and the quiet comfort found within a good book (and nook), we create the foundation for their Jewish home and its book(s) on the table.

• PE

  Our physical education program benefits from the unique resources of our campus. At over 34 acres, we have large fields for baseball and flag football, an indoor and outdoor basketball court, tennis courts, and a 25-meter pool. The focus is on the individual improvement of skills, while and learningwhat “teamwork” means, and then improving those skills as a leader, player and good sport.

   

  Students play soccer, exciting tag games, and flag football on our large field, use the diamond area for wiffle ball and kickball, practice shooting, dribbling and passing (teamwork) skills, and four square on our basketball courts. Additionally, students improve endurance running the trail and playing volleyball on the outdoor net. On warm days, kids excitedly bring swimsuits to work on strokes and play Marco Polo (and splash each other) in our beautiful pool. On cold or rainy days, students enjoy music and games in our indoor gym where Menorah Tag is in a league of its own!

• Learning Lab

  Incorporating traditional STEAM classes, our Learning Lab emphasizes creativity as a necessary component to traditional science, technology, engineering, art and math curricula. While these areas provide the tools, we teach that our big ideas, discoveries and solutions begin with a spark… and some heart. The Learning Lab is where students are excited to solve problems. Using the Engineering Design Process—ask, imagine, plan, create, test and improve—your child will sharpen their critical thinking skills and learn how to approach challenges from various perspectives. Whether it is modeling, robotics, coding, 3D printing, software design and production, or using laser cutting tools, students become invested in their work while problem solving challenges as opposed to simply completing the assignment. A lesson all its own.