Essential Questions

Every grade at CJDS explores an Essential Question that guides learning throughout the year.

We teach our students to work on, think about, and explore these complex questions in all of their academic and non-academic subjects of study in school and at home.

What does this look like?

The fifth grade, for example, explores “How can I become an effective leader by my choice of response to forces outside of me?” Over the course of the year, they take on leadership roles in the school and explore how their leadership affects the school culture. They learn about ancient civilizations and the leaders that built those cultures. They talk about Jewish leaders and how they have affected Jewish history over time.

 Kindergarten

What does it mean to be part of God’s creation?

אֵיךְ חַיִים בָּעוֹלָם שֶבָּרָא אֱלֹקִים?

First Grade  

How do we build a community?

אֵיךְ בּוֹנִים קְהִילָה?

Second Grade  

How can I awaken a sense of wonder?

אֵיךְ אֲנִי חָש מָה נִפְלָא בָּעוֹלָם?

Third Grade

What do we pack for life’s journey?

מָה לַקַחַת אִתִי לְמַסָע חַיַי?

Fourth Grade

How do we as individuals find our place in community?

אֵיךְ אֲנַחְנוּ כִּיחִידִים מוֹצְאִים אֶת הַמָקוֹם שֶלָנוּ בּקְהִילָה?

Fifth Grade  

How can I become an effective leader by my choice of response to forces outside of me?

אֵיךְ אֲנִי הוֹפֵך לְמַנְהִיג אֶפֶקְטִיבִי בַּדֶרֶךְ בָּה אֲנִי בּוֹחֵר לְהַגִיב לַכּוֹחוֹת מִסָבִיב?