Curriculum

Kehila Heschel’s Integrated Curriculum

Kehila Heschel’s integrated curriculum seamlessly blends the rich teachings of Jewish tradition with the expectations of the Ontario Curriculum. The school’s innovative programming promotes academic excellence through integrating experiential learning, technology, artistic expression, environmental stewardship and global responsibility in a trilingual learning environment.

Teachers deliver curriculum through an integrated approach while preserving the integrity of each particular subject. Integration involves:

  • General and Judaic Studies

  • Interdisciplinary programming

  • The Arts

  • Values/Ethics

Kindergarten

Kindergarten students are encouraged to create, explore, and imagine in a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment. The focus is on the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development of the whole child. The program follows the 4 frames of learning of the Ontario Ministry of Education:

  • Belonging and contributing

  • Self regulation and well-being

  • Literacy and mathematical behaviours

  • Problem solving and innovating

Students receive an enriched, integrated learning experience through art, drama, music, Judaic studies, immersive Hebrew, and French language programming.

Hebrew and Judaic Studies

Kehila Heschel follows the TalAm program which has a strong digital, interactive component. The Ivrit B’Ivrit Hebrew immersive curriculum is structured and cumulative. Students develop conversational skills as well as academic language abilities. Drama and music are an integral part of the program.

Through the Heritage component of the comprehensive TalAm program, students learn about:

  • the Jewish holidays and festivals

  • Shabbat and weekly Parshat

  • Torah and Tefilah by participate in daily prayer services

Middot and Derek Eretz programs lead the themes of Kehila Heschel’s curriculum and are integrated into all subjects in English, Hebrew and French

Language Arts

Extended French Program

The extended French program is cumulative and develops student’s vocabulary, conversational skills, grammar, and written expression. Students have the opportunity to apply their French language skills in authentic situations such as monthly cafes, ordering food, shopping, interviews and daily conversation.

Outdoor Education and Environmental Learning

As a member of Eco Schools Canada, Kehila Heschel has developed a curriculum with a robust environmental focus. Through this program, students develop ecological literacy, become environmentally responsible and reduce their environmental footprint. Students learn the Judaic principles regarding caring for the earth.

In their role as environmental ambassadors, Kehila Heschel students grow vegetables year-round. The gardens provide real-life application of the curriculum in the areas of math, science, art and language in English, Hebrew and French. Produce from the gardens are donated to the Kosher food bank.

As a component of the Outdoor Education program, students have the opportunity, in all-weather, for purposeful physical activity such as hiking the RBG trails, winter outdoor activities, collaborative games, and gardening.

STEM program

Technology in the Classroom

At Kehila Heschel, technology is used to enhance learning; it is not used to replace direct instruction.

Access to technology as a classroom learning tool increases as students mature. Students begin to acquire computer knowledge and progress to developing a variety of 21st century skills relevant to curriculum expectations.

Students learn how to behave appropriately online, how to find reputable websites and how to recognize cyberbullying.

Arts Program

The arts- visual arts, music, drama and movement – are an integral part of the Kehila Heschel program