Campus Life

• 21st Century Learning
• Students as inventors
• The Arts
• Choir
• Character Development
• Student Council

21st Century Learning

Students as Inventors

At Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy, technology is integrated into the fabric of student learning and experiences. Technology is not a class, a time, or a place; rather, it is a tool to solve a problem or challenge, a path towards innovation. Technology use at Hillel is intentional, purposeful, and geared towards making learning engaging and meaningful.

At Hillel, students experience a highly personalized dual curriculum that equips them with vital tools and skills, regardless of varying academic levels, to reach their highest potential. This student-centered educational model allows students of all ages to use technology thoughtfully in order to express their unique understanding of the material. Because students have the freedom to make meaningful decisions about how they adapt and use technology, they feel empowered to take ownership of their learning. In this regard, Hillel fosters the belief that technology transforms both teaching and learning so that learning transcends classroom walls. The iPad is a powerful device that allows teachers and students to act as producers who reinvent and experience the learned material, rather than consumers who regurgitate information without developing a lasting connection to their education.

Revolutionizing Learning

By thoughtfully implementing technology in the curriculum, Hillel is redefining and reshaping the way students learn by creating personalized avenues that increase student engagement. This individualized instruction allows students to apply their own frames of reference, making material immediately relevant. Learning is transformed into a fun, interactive, and adventurous activity that connects students to the content, as well as to each other. Students can reflect upon usable products of learning to further their education.

In both elementary and middle school, students use their creativity to show their comprehension through student-created and directed film. Technology at Hillel is a vehicle that allows students to add their own voices while also assessing their comprehension. The power of technology allows students' imaginations to literally come to life.

The Arts

A strong arts program nourishes both the mind and soul, and builds strong character. Hillel provides many opportunities, both during the school day and as part of an engaging, rewarding enrichment program after school, for students to shine in the arts.

Music

Hillel's music program is designed to build musical skills and an appreciation for various musical styles and artists in a child-friendly, age-appropriate manner. Beginning with our toddlers, the program focuses on multicultural and traditional songs, chants, rhythm, movement, tone color, beat competency, harmony, form and various musical styles and positive values. Various instruments are used. In grades 2-8, Hillel offers an Orff Schulwerk general music program using developmentally appropriate materials and resources. Students sing and play rhythm games, use percussion and Orff instruments, integrate dance and drama and collaborate with our Judaic and General studies teachers to facilitate in-depth studies across the curriculum. Every student is versed using the recorder, and continue to have opportunities with different instruments, including wind, string and percussion instruments. A choir and instrument classes are available to students as part of an enrichment program.

Visual Arts

Art is a simple, 3-letter word for a big vision. The visual arts center is well equipped and prepared to encourage our students to discover the artist within themselves by finding their own artistic voice and gaining confidence in visual expression. At every level, students are encouraged to integrate their classroom experiences and learning into their artwork. Students use a variety of medium to explore and stimulate expression such as drawing, painting, sculpting, collage, ceramics and printmaking. Student artwork is on display throughout campus either as permanent fixture on a wall or as a rotating exhibit.

Dramatic Arts

Curriculum comes alive when a child performs a character from history or literature or a play. Students gain a deeper understanding by living and experiencing what s/he reads and learns. Whether students act out a scene from Shakespeare in a Language Arts or English class, dramatically act out one of Hillel's Points of Pride at an all-school assembly, or learn valuable theatre skills and perform a play as part of the after school STAR program, children get an opportunity to shine individually or as part of an ensemble.