Judaic Studies Preschool and Kindergarten Program

We are proud that the Manasseh Meyer School is unique in Singapore being the only Jewish School. The Jewish ethos of the school, makes itself felt throughout the school day and the children learn an appreciation of their heritage, history and religious beliefs by simply being in the school and participating in school activities such as making a blessing before eating snacks, having fun getting dressed up on Purim and eating matza and bitter herbs at our class Passover Seder. This is in addition to the regular lesson time.

The MMS Judaic Studies Curriculum is infused with spirituality and Jewish values. An important overall goal is to help students develop love and enthusiasm for their own Jewish identity, as well as beginning to acquire a strong knowledge base about their Jewish history. We will be concentrating on the following areas and we will be integrating with the General Studies program. The following are the areas on which we will focus:

• Festivals
• Bible Studies
• Hebrew Language

Jewish Holidays (Hagim) – The Holy days and Festivals of the Jewish calendar are taught at every level. In every grade level, various topics and concepts are stressed. An attempt is made to introduce only material which is meaningful to the student at this particular age. A spiral curriculum helps to avoid repetitions and gives a deeper understanding of our heritage with each passing year.

Judaic Studies Grade School Program

Tal Am programme for Grade 1 through Grade 3

“TAL AM′s mission is to create a Hebrew and Heritage curriculum in a unifying language and unique voices, to develop Jewish knowledge and identity in our learners, and to implement the curriculum through state-of-the-art professional development for their educators.”

Based on years of research on the principles of language development and learning patterns, the Tal Am program is nurturing a generation of Jewish children around the world who are literate in the Hebrew language and equipped with the knowledge, skills and commitment they need to live vibrant Jewish lives.

This curriculum was developed by a dynamic team of writers and teachers in Montreal and in Israel, led by Covenant Award recipient Tova Shimon.

The entire structure of the curriculum is based on the notion that the best learning environment for children is one in which knowledge is acquired through a variety of activities, using each of the five senses. In addition to studying from textbooks, students use music, games and visual aids to learn the Hebrew language and to develop a keen understanding of Jewish concepts and values.

Students develop their Hebrew and heritage literacy in a gradual and spiraled process, building new ideas and concepts a top an expanding foundation of knowledge. The program gradually helps foster Jewish identity by allowing children to explore their Jewish roots and traditions in a fun and exciting manner. By making the study of Hebrew and Judaism relevant to the children's everyday lives, the program enables them to develop a true appreciation of their heritage and understand the need for continued, lifelong Jewish study.

The program activates learning in all frames of mind by utilizing a wide range of activities for all modes of communication, integrating Hebrew Language acquisition, the development of Jewish concepts and values, and reading and writing skills.
In accordance with these principles, the programs create a visual and auditory Hebrew environment in the classroom which is mirrored in the students' materials, thus extending their use into the home, enhancing retention and reinforcing the learning process.

The curriculum offers a variety of stories, Jewish sources, prayers and blessings, as well as songs, recitations and plays which are age-appropriate and which aim to develop the child and his, or her, Jewish identity.

The Judaic Studies are also taught with:

Materials written by the Ministry of Education of Israel (Educational material for both Israeli students and Jewish students in the Diaspora) and textbooks produced by various publishers from the US, UK and Australia.

The Internet which offers a wide range of educational ideas and tools to be used in the classroom. Israeli textbooks are used for native Hebrew speakers while an alternative set of textbooks (published in the US, UK) is used for non-native speakers

Bible Studies/Jewish History- Students learn to appreciate the influence of Bible stories on their lives and community and on human history. For this purpose, geography, history and culture are also taught. During grade 1 and grade 2, the students explore Bible stories and relate them to cultural references in their environment.  Grade 3 and 4, they examine the role played by certain important Biblical figures in history and draw parallels between these figures with whom they are familiar. Grade 5 and 6 they will draw parallels between important Biblical events and cultural references. They illustrate the uniqueness of certain Biblical figures and of the important events connected to them. They express themselves using mime, drawing, writing and/or any other relevant means.

Tefilah- The students will expand their repertoire of prayer from the basic ones to the more specific.