CURRICULUM GUIDE
JUDAIC STUDIES
GENERAL STUDIES
At Yeshivah of Flatbush we create an environment encouraging a love of Torah and Mitzvot, a love for fellow Jews and all of Hashem’ creations, a love for learning Hebrew, and a love for Israel.
Our guiding philosophy is Ivrit B’Ivrit. The goal of learning Hebrew is to integrate it throughout the Judaic Studies curriculum. Our curriculum includes Tefilah in both Sephardic and Ashkenazi Nusach, Lashon- Hebrew language skills, Chumash and Rashi, Dinim and various Minhagim, Navi, Mishnah and Parashat Hashavuah.
We teach our students according to their own learning capabilities. We offer enrichment groups and Honors classes for students that excel in Hebrew as well as resource room and remedial lessons for those students who need extra help.
Our guiding philosophy is Ivrit B’Ivrit. The goal of learning Hebrew is to integrate it throughout the Judaic Studies curriculum. Our curriculum includes Tefilah in both Sephardic and Ashkenazi Nusach, Lashon- Hebrew language skills, Chumash and Rashi, Dinim and various Minhagim, Navi, Mishnah and Parashat Hashavuah.
We teach our students according to their own learning capabilities. We offer enrichment groups and Honors classes for students that excel in Hebrew as well as resource room and remedial lessons for those students who need extra help.
TEFILLAH
Our students regularly conduct the Shacharit service. We offer our students to join either the Sephardic or Ashkenazi minyan according to their tradition. From the moment they receive their very first siddur in a special first grade chagiga, they develop fluency in learning siddur, get introduced to the parts of the Tefilot according to their level, and learn special Tefilot for Rosh Chodesh and chagim so they can feel more confident in synagogue.
LASHON-IVRIT B'IVRIT
The language of instruction in all Judaic studies classes is Hebrew, and our workbooks and booklets are specially designed by our staff.
Students from first through fifth grade are building their Hebrew language skills following a spiral curriculum: Reading and writing- the students learn to read print and script letters and practice writing in script. We emphasize both accuracy and fluency in all elements of Hebrew-- reading comprehension, grammar, spelling, written expression and oral expression. We enhance our Hebrew programs with technology programs created by our staff and iTalAm.
Students from first through fifth grade are building their Hebrew language skills following a spiral curriculum: Reading and writing- the students learn to read print and script letters and practice writing in script. We emphasize both accuracy and fluency in all elements of Hebrew-- reading comprehension, grammar, spelling, written expression and oral expression. We enhance our Hebrew programs with technology programs created by our staff and iTalAm.
CHUMASH AND RASHI
From the moment our students receive their first book of Chumash Bereshit in a special celebration-- ‘Chagigat Ha’Chumash’--in second grade, they develop a love for the study of Torah. We follow the journey of our fathers Avraham, Itzhak and Yaakov in Chumash Bereshit during second, third and fourth grade, and continue with Moshe Rabenu and Am Israel in Sefer Shemot in fifth grade. Fourth and fifth graders also study Navi Yehoshuah and Shoftim.
Students learn a set of skills to help them become more comfortable reading and understanding the Chumash and with reading biblical language in general. In third grade, students are introduced to Rashi and his explanation of the Torah.
Students learn a set of skills to help them become more comfortable reading and understanding the Chumash and with reading biblical language in general. In third grade, students are introduced to Rashi and his explanation of the Torah.
DINIM - LAWS AND CUSTOMS
Our students study both Sephardic and Ashkenazi laws and customs for everyday mitzvot, Shabbat, berachot, Jewish holidays, and more.
The Dinim spiral curriculum conducts an in-depth study of the laws and customs.
We enrich our Dinim learning with activities such as a visit from the Shofar factory, a trip to say Tashlich, visiting neighborhood Sukkot, a Brachot bee, Chanukah activity room, Purim Carnival and Model Seder. The children also take part in celebrations and dramatic plays focusing on Yom Haatzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim.
The Dinim spiral curriculum conducts an in-depth study of the laws and customs.
We enrich our Dinim learning with activities such as a visit from the Shofar factory, a trip to say Tashlich, visiting neighborhood Sukkot, a Brachot bee, Chanukah activity room, Purim Carnival and Model Seder. The children also take part in celebrations and dramatic plays focusing on Yom Haatzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim.
ISRAEL
One of the most important components of our Judaic Studies curriculum is to bolster the connection of the students to Eretz Israel and Medinat Israel. We incorporate various activities in which students are encouraged to explore, extend and enhance their connection and knowledge about Israel. Every year, we host Sherut Leumi girls from Israel who work in our school for the entirety of the school year, preparing special activities that foster a relationship with Israel. We participate in myriad Israel Chesed projects and send packages and letters to Israeli soldiers.
HEBREW WEEK
Every year we dedicate a week to concentrate on a special Hebrew theme. Our students write and illustrate their own Hebrew books, visit an interactive room with Hebrew games, and design their own Hebrew t-shirts. Parents are invited to their child’s class to read Hebrew books.
MISHNAH
Our students in fifth grade are introduced to Mishna and the Torah Sh’baal Peh. Advanced students participate in small group Mishnah learning.
PARASHAT HASHAVUAH
Students discuss Parashat Hashavuah and learn the stories and mitzvot of the parasha with a focus on Midot and Mitzvot. They bring home a Dvar Torah to share with their family on Shabbat.
Flatbush Five דרך ארץ
דרך ארץ קדמה לתורה
Derech Eretz is the motto and the basic for all our education.
We follow the five pillars of Flatbush Five which are: Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Responsibility and Humility. We devote a lot of time teaching these values and implementing them into our student’s everyday life.Various Chesed projects are conducted throughout the year.
Students who attend Yeshivah of Flatbush Lower Division Torah Studies receive a strong foundation in Torah, Mitzvot, and Hebrew Language through experiences that will impact their lives forever.
Derech Eretz is the motto and the basic for all our education.
We follow the five pillars of Flatbush Five which are: Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Responsibility and Humility. We devote a lot of time teaching these values and implementing them into our student’s everyday life.Various Chesed projects are conducted throughout the year.
Students who attend Yeshivah of Flatbush Lower Division Torah Studies receive a strong foundation in Torah, Mitzvot, and Hebrew Language through experiences that will impact their lives forever.
The Yeshivah of Flatbush General Studies curriculum aims to provide a rigorous, student-centered, and developmentally appropriate learning experience for all students.
MATH
Our elementary school math curriculum, supported by the Math in Focus program, is designed to build a strong conceptual foundation while meeting individual student needs. We aim for all students to achieve 100% fluency in their grade-level operations. This is grounded in our belief that strong computational skills develop from a robust conceptual framework. Students establish key concepts through the use of manipulatives and puzzles, fostering deep conceptual understanding before moving on to skill practice. Supplemental programs such as ST Math, which enhances conceptual learning, Reflex Math, which builds fact fluency, and IXL, which provides skill practice and adaptive gap-filling, further enrich the learning process. Using a small-group instruction model, we address diverse learning needs effectively. Core topics include place value, operations, fractions, decimals, word problem-solving, and grade-specific content in measurement and geometry. This comprehensive approach allows students to develop their skills and build confidence.
SCIENCE
S.T.E.M. – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math is at the center of our science programs. Teachers integrate these disciplines through project/problem based learning and use coding to program and solve problems.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In the lower grades, social studies instruction helps students understand their community, country, and the wider world. In first and second grade, students learn about national holidays and traditions, explore different types of communities, and develop global awareness through a study of the continents. Second graders also examine different types of cities—rural, suburban, and urban—and explore the essential needs that define each one. In third grade, students deepen their knowledge of geography by studying maps, globes, and world regions, and gain an introduction to U.S. government, including the three branches and checks and balances. Throughout the year, they celebrate diverse perspectives through projects on Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and a world culture fair. In fourth grade, the focus shifts to New York State, where students study its geography, natural resources, and early history—from the Native American nations of the Eastern Woodlands to European exploration and the development of the New York colony. The year culminates in an in-depth study of the American Revolution and its lasting impact. Fifth graders expand their understanding of American history and civic life by studying the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and key amendments, as well as the branches of government and regions of the United States. They also engage deeply with current events, analyzing local, national, and global news to understand the issues shaping communities and society today.
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) PROGRAM
At Yeshivah of Flatbush, social-emotional learning is just as important as our academic curriculum. Our SEL program supports students’ growth in self-awareness, social skills, and responsible decision-making. All teachers are trained in Responsive Classroom, which emphasizes positive community building and proactive behavior management. We also use Open Circle and Studies Weekly, both aligned with the CASEL framework, to give students a shared language around social-emotional understanding and to help them develop empathy, self-management, and interpersonal relationship skills. Together, these programs create a consistent, schoolwide approach to nurturing students’ social and emotional development alongside their academic success.
READING AND WRITING
Grades 1 and 2:
Reading Groups
Reading groups allow students to read at their unique reading levels, guiding them towards greater fluency and comprehension. In small, targeted groups, students engage with texts that challenge them just enough to grow while still feeling supported.
Fundations
Based on the Wilson Reading System principles, Wilson Fundations provides research-based materials and strategies essential to a comprehensive reading, spelling, and handwriting program.
Writing Fundamentals
Precise and well-organized writing is imperative for success in school, the community, and the workplace. Schoolwide’s Writing Fundamentals units of study’s central mission is to improve students’ writing by providing explicit instruction that focuses on demonstrating why writers write and how writers communicate their ideas effectively. In order for students to write with power and purpose, the Writing Fundamentals units use quality literary and informational texts to provide authentic examples of various genres and text types.
Reading Fundamentals
In the lower grades our students engage in Reading Fundamentals, a program designed to strengthen comprehension and critical thinking through the study of literary genres and mentor texts. Students learn to identify story elements, analyze characters and ideas, and apply comprehension strategies to deepen understanding. Together with the Writing Fundamentals program, students connect key literacy skills while fostering a love of high-quality literature from an early age.
Grades 3, 4 and 5:
Novel Studies
Through the study of carefully chosen novels, students dive into the richness of literature, cultivate a passion for reading, and develop critical reading skills. Our program combines the joy of reading with intentional strategies that help students analyze, question, and connect more deeply with texts.
Writing Revolution
In grades 3 through 5, our students engage in The Writing Revolution, an evidence-informed program that develops clear, organized, and effective writing. Through explicit instruction in sentence and paragraph construction, students learn to articulate their ideas precisely and support them with evidence. This structured method strengthens both writing and critical thinking skills, enhancing students’ ability to communicate thoughtfully across all subject areas.
John Collins Writing Program
The John Collins method provides teachers with a framework for using writing to engage, teach and assess student learning while building essential writing skills and habits across all content areas.
Reading Groups
Reading groups allow students to read at their unique reading levels, guiding them towards greater fluency and comprehension. In small, targeted groups, students engage with texts that challenge them just enough to grow while still feeling supported.
Fundations
Based on the Wilson Reading System principles, Wilson Fundations provides research-based materials and strategies essential to a comprehensive reading, spelling, and handwriting program.
Writing Fundamentals
Precise and well-organized writing is imperative for success in school, the community, and the workplace. Schoolwide’s Writing Fundamentals units of study’s central mission is to improve students’ writing by providing explicit instruction that focuses on demonstrating why writers write and how writers communicate their ideas effectively. In order for students to write with power and purpose, the Writing Fundamentals units use quality literary and informational texts to provide authentic examples of various genres and text types.
Reading Fundamentals
In the lower grades our students engage in Reading Fundamentals, a program designed to strengthen comprehension and critical thinking through the study of literary genres and mentor texts. Students learn to identify story elements, analyze characters and ideas, and apply comprehension strategies to deepen understanding. Together with the Writing Fundamentals program, students connect key literacy skills while fostering a love of high-quality literature from an early age.
Grades 3, 4 and 5:
Novel Studies
Through the study of carefully chosen novels, students dive into the richness of literature, cultivate a passion for reading, and develop critical reading skills. Our program combines the joy of reading with intentional strategies that help students analyze, question, and connect more deeply with texts.
Writing Revolution
In grades 3 through 5, our students engage in The Writing Revolution, an evidence-informed program that develops clear, organized, and effective writing. Through explicit instruction in sentence and paragraph construction, students learn to articulate their ideas precisely and support them with evidence. This structured method strengthens both writing and critical thinking skills, enhancing students’ ability to communicate thoughtfully across all subject areas.
John Collins Writing Program
The John Collins method provides teachers with a framework for using writing to engage, teach and assess student learning while building essential writing skills and habits across all content areas.