When you study Torah, you learn how to peel an onion. You learn to look at a situation a single word or phrase, and to appreciate that even one word can have multiple interpretations. The process of discovering each meaning is gratifying and it teaches you different styles of logic, which in turn deepen your understanding.
– Dan Bricklin, September, 2001. Copyright 2001 by Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation: all rights reserved.
At MWJDS, our students are busy “peeling onions” every day. As active participants in their learning, they are not only asked questions, but are encouraged to ask their own questions and find their own answers.
Integrated Dual Curriculum
Integrated curriculum is a way to make connections between subjects and make learning more meaningful to students. Our educational model integrates Judaic study and Hebrew immersion with a challenging general studies curriculum. Each student is engaged in project based learning, team work and critical thinking. During their journey of learning and discovery at MWJDS, all students will demonstrate their mastery of subjects as well as develop and apply important life skills including effective communication, respect for others and a strong sense of social responsibility.
In order to teach all of the important subjects in an effective and comprehensive manner, MWJDS has developed a curriculum that is grade level specific and utilizes integrated themes for science, social studies, and Jewish studies. Themes change year to year to reflect the growth and interests of our students and our ever-changing world.
Infusing traditional texts with modern life experiences, MWJDS students are exposed to the richness of our Jewish heritage and can apply the important lessons in meaningful ways. MWJDS students add their own voices to the Jewish conversation. Their skills in text analysis and critical thinking can be applied equally to Torah study or the challenges of Western civilization and literature. Our students are prepared for the world in which they will live and lead.
Massachusetts Frameworks as our Curriculum Foundation
MWJDS leverages and expands upon the Massachusetts Frameworks Curriculum as our foundation. We recognize that many of our students move on to public high schools in ninth grade. We also recognize that while not perfect, the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks provide a well rounded foundation for a secular curriculum. Because our students do not participate in Massachusetts state testing while they are students here, we are not tied to the state frameworks. However, it would be a disservice to our students to not use them as the inspiration for the secular portion of our curriculum.