Chaverim B’Ivrit is a curriculum for teaching modern Hebrew as a second language to elementary students (grades 2 and above). It is linguistically sequential both in texts and tasks. The Hebrew language is learned in contexts relevant to the children’s lives and cultural backgrounds. It is both authentic and functional.
The lessons revolve around themes of interest to children including: family, friendship, traveling, food, and music. Each theme is presented from three perspectives: Jewish, modern Israeli culture, and general world knowledge.
The curriculum was written by experts in the fields of teaching Hebrew as a second language and was piloted in several schools around the United States.
Recommended: Three to four hours a week of Hebrew language class.
If units are introduced out of order (for example, unit two is introduced first), make sure to teach and review with students the basic content from unit one. This is important because each unit builds on the previous one.
Complete between one and two unit per year in the first year of introducing the curriculum. Once a teacher feels comfortable and experienced with the curriculum between two and three units per year should be completed.
