R Josh Grajower

Chumash 5774/2013-2014

Chumash Syllabus
Welcome to Chumash class! This year we will be studying . Our focus will be on the lives of the , which is basically until . We will try to develop an understanding of the lives of , and understand certain critical themes within as well. This Chumash class will be driven by your own work. You will work almost entirely independently and I believe you will grow a lot from the experience. My Contact Information: E-mail: RJG@wyhs.net Home Phone: (561) 576-7791 (IMPORTANT NOTE: Please feel free to e-mail me at any time. However, if you email me after 9pm do not expect a response before the morning.) Learning Goals and Expectations: 1. To continue to advance our reading and comprehension skills of Biblical texts and commentaries. 2. To continue to develop our critical thinking/reading skills. a. Asking the right questions on the . b. Analyzing different approaches to the text. 3. To build upon our Torah knowledge 4. To think about, understand and internalize the life lessons of these texts. Classroom Rules: 1. When one of us is talking everyone is listening a. Track me 2. Students may use the bathroom without asking for permission. Students may not be out for more than 5 minutes at a time. (If a student abuses this privilege they will be warned. If it happens again, the student will lose this privilege.) 3. No eating during class. Drinking is permissible. The official judgment on apple sauce is pending a Supreme Court ruling. 4. No cellphones during class unless explicit permission has been granted by the teacher for the lesson. a. For disciplinary actions please refer to the student handbook

R Josh Grajower

Chumash 5774/2013-2014

Assessments:

Formative Assessments

These are assessments done during the learning process. The goal of these assessments is to give feedback to both the student and the teacher in order to improve learning (e.g. an exit card). These are never graded.

Summative Assessments 1) A significant portion of your grade will be based on class participation.

2) We will have reading quizzes throughout the year. 3) The main form of assessment will be one ongoing project throughout the year. You, together with a partner, will be writing a book on focusing on the lives of the . Each part of the book will be graded independently throughout the year and your final product will be graded as well.

Class Core Values:

1. Humility and being open-minded 2. Learning for the sake of learning 3. Active engagement in the learning process 4. Respect for teacher, peers, subject and the
learning environment