Our aim, at Beit Shvidler is to create independent, thoughtful Chumash learners who display a love and enthusiasm for learning. We endeavour to provide the students with the required tools, skills and thinking mind-set. Skills are taught in a methodical manner, that require constant revision and opportunities to apply and consolidate previously learnt skills, whilst slowly introducing new skills that build on their knowledge. Accurate reading remains an important and integral focus, as good reading and translation are strongly correlated.
Accurate reading and translation skills are crucial but these are just the keys to open the wealth of understanding, Limmudim (lessons) and key messages that the Torah gives over to us. As Torah is a living lesson, we expect the children to come away with a clear understanding of chronology, the story line, main characters of the Torah and the valuable lesson they impart to us as well, as an understanding of the Halochos (Jewish Law) learnt from Torah. These lessons will be taught with the help of Meforshim (Rabbinical explanatory sources) primarily, but not exclusively, Rashi. It is imperative that the children have a clear understanding of Torah Sh’Bichsav (written Torah) and Sh’Baal Peh (orally transmitted Torah) and that the two are learnt in tandem to gain a clear understanding of the Torah’s message.
Chumash is to be taught from Year 2. Each year group has its allocated Parshios, key words and Chumash translation skills to be taught to that year. Revision is the key to ensuring that the children have a good working knowledge of the required grammar skills with practice becoming firmly embedded in the children’s minds.
Chumash is generally taught from a Chumash, although the teacher should employ a variety of teaching aids to engage and further enhance the children’s understanding of the text. Flashcards, power points and interactive technology such as SMART, sheets and colour coding all add to deepening the children’s understanding.
KS2 classes are split to help give all the children the best possible educational outcomes. The way the class is split will be decided on a class-by-class basis, dependant on the class’s needs. This may it be due to the academic or behavioural needs of the class. The teachers constantly communicate to ensure the best outcomes for the children with the main class teacher keeping up to date as to where the small group is up to, as well as what the needs of the individual children are, in tandem with regular Chumash assessments, making changes to the groups to ensure that on child’s learning is left behind.
Weekly Chumash tests for KS2 are given on a Monday morning. All marks of pupils from Years 3 - 6 are then recorded on an Excel database, which is used for tracking and assessing pupil progress.