Early Childhood
At Barkai Yeshivah, we believe that educators, partnered with parents, are responsible for the development of the whole child, including his or her academic, social, emotional, spiritual and creative development.
Our teachers treat each student with love and respect and we are consistently aware of our responsibility as role models for the students. They challenge children and develop every aspect of their being. Life skills are an integral part of a Barkai education and are integrated each day through conversations, modeling, stories and conflict resolution.
Teachers present a new skill to the class and model it with them. Students then work in groups or independently to apply the new skill. The teacher customizes each small group’s practice and focuses on the specific skills they need to improve upon. The class, as a whole, then shares what they have learned.
Through hands-on exploration and experimentation, children acquire tools to develop and test meaningful theories, interpret their own experiences and achieve true knowledge, skills and understanding.
Students engage in a rigorous and challenging course of study to master essential skills and knowledge in each subject area. Each subject is aligned to follow the Common Core State Standards. Our students are expected to ask questions and delve deeper into the topic that is being studied. Subjects are interconnected wherever possible. Students are taught how to think, not what to think.
Curriculum
Orot (2's)
In the Orot, the focus is on social and emotional development including speech, language and social skills. The children are guided towards self-care and independence. Holidays and Shabbat are celebrated throughout the year and the children enjoy both Hebrew and English music and movement as well as yoga on a weekly basis.
Ganon (3's) - Mekhinah (5's)
At this age, each unit of study is grounded in exploring one's self, family, community and connection to the larger world. Academic skills are integrated into each unit of study. To develop and expand an understanding of these concepts, the children explore:
Farm to Table
Feelings
Natural Dyes
Wool to Yarn
Business Practices/Skills
Hebrew Immersion
Hebrew immersion starts in our 2s class with a Hebrew speaking teacher. Beginning in the Gan, the day is split in two - Hebrew and English. In Mekhinah, students learn to read Hebrew by working one-on-one with the Rav Mekhinah each day. By the end of the year, the children celebrate by receiving their first siddurim.
Language Literacy
We create a literate environment where we incorporate many of the concepts of the Balanced Literacy approach, in both Hebrew and English. We take advantage of every opportunity to integrate language, math, social studies, science and Judaic studies.
Partnership
Staff
Our teachers realize that they are ideally positioned to create change and that they hold our children and our future in their hands. Our school is unique because of the mutual trust that our teachers have for one another. The shared commitment and support resonates throughout the hallways and classrooms. Our teachers are extremely passionate about their roles and therefore keep the Barkai sense of purpose and mission alive.
Parents and Teachers as Partners
The atmosphere we create is one in which parents, teachers and administrators become partners in the educational process. Our children learn from teachers, peers and parents alike. Parents’ input and active participation is welcomed as they help to create a sense of belonging within the Barkai family. Together, our goal is to build confident, critical thinkers who are encouraged and empowered to make significant and positive contributions to our community and the world at large.