Welcome to Rabbi Kuritsky’s and Ms. Belli’s Fourth Grade Class!
Weekly Newsletter for the week of 5/17/2023
Parasha
Parasha Emor
We learned that the tribe of Levi was chosen to work in the Mishkan/Beit Hamikdosh as they did NOT serve the golden calf or any other idols even when their brethren did. They also were not remiss in the Mitzvah of Brit Milah albeit their brethren were.
Kohanim[plural for Kohen] are the main people to serve in the Mishkan/Beit Hamikdosh ergo they are required to keep themselves from impurity i.e. dead bodies. Therefore they are not permitted to be under the same roof or within 4 cubits [approximately 7 feet] of a dead person., unless it is their next of kin. this is only applicable to their; father, mother, son, daughter,brother/unmarried sister.
A Kohen Gadol=the High Priest is never permitted to do so even to his next of kin. The only exception would be a Meis Mitzva=a jew who died and there is no one else available to take care of his burial. This would also apply to all the other Kohanim. There are many other laws that apply even today when there is no Beit Hamikdosh.
Halacha
We completed learning the laws of Sefirat Haomer and began the laws and customs of Shavuot. We also began reading the intriguing story of Rabbi Akiva who’s students we mourn during this period of time.
Mishna
We studied Pirkei Avot-Ethics of Fathers and will hopefully implement what we learned.
There is always more in store.
Rabbi Kuritsky
Greetings!
This week 4th graders continued reading “The City of Ember”; The young protagonists, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, follow clues left behind by the original builders of the City of Ember, to safety in the outside world. We analyzed the characters, wrote the summaries and found the figurative language used in the novel.
In mathematics, students learned how to add and subtract 1 and 2-place decimals; solve word problems involving the addition and subtraction of decimals; multiply tenths or hundredths by a 1-digit whole number.
In Grammar, students learned “Comparative and Superlative Adjectives” and how to use them in the sentences.
In science, Students learned and understood how mixtures and solutions can be made and separated. This week 4th graders performed a mini-lab.
Students investigate the pH level of different substances by testing a variety of common compounds. Substances are tested with pH strips and placed on the continuum of the pH scale range of 1 to 14. After testing a solution, the student compares the strip color to the scale provided on the container and gives the solution a rating from 1-14.
“Really cool colors we saw!!
Mrs. Belli