General Knowledge Curriculum

see also:  The Kerem School Jewish Literacy Programme
                  Yr. 6 Core General Knowledge Q&A Study & Review
              Yr. 6 Core General Knowledge Q&A - Tests
              Judaism in Focus: Questions for Yr. 6 Discussion and Creative Writing.

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The Torah School General Knowledge Curriculum
Key Stage 1 - Infants

General Knowledge Curriculum for Key Stage 1 (Infants) (pdf file)

This table outlines categories and topics for the study of General Jewish Knowledge in the Infant classes.

The units have been arranged for the different year groups in a pattern that begins with the simple and descriptive and moves towards the more sophisticated and conceptual.

This outline is designed to be a guide and support for the teaching of general knowledge to the infant classes in a way that is systematic, thorough, and interesting.

Teachers should use this scheme of work as the general basis for their planning, but they need not feel obligated to cover every category and every topic. They may wish to focus on certain units and leave others altogether, or supplement certain categories with additional topics of their own choosing.

It is recommended that the teaching and learning involves as much variety and creativity as possible. The children’s interest should be stimulated and sustained with regular reference to their own experiences and with activities that are challenging, engaging and enjoyable.

Many of these topics will make the greatest impact when taught with the support and reinforcement of practical demonstrations and the harnessing of multiple intelligences through, for example, arts and crafts, role play, music, games and group work.

General Knowledge Curriculum for Key Stage 1 (Infants) (pdf file)

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The Torah School General Knowledge Curriculum
Key Stage 2 - Juniors

General Knowledge Curriculum for Key Stage 2 (Juniors) (pdf file)

This table lists the topics to be covered in each of the Junior classes. 
Although there is plenty to be covered by each class, this table represents the minimum requirement and the teacher is free to teach additional units once the curriculum has been satisfactorily completed.

The source for the topics listed here was the "Jewish Child’s Memo Books"*. The "Memo Books" were chosen as a guide for constructing this curriculum following a review of several general Jewish knowledge texts.  The Memo Books were judged to have the most comprehensive and appropriate coverage for our purposes.

As the main source for topics to be covered, the Memo Books can now serve as a resource both for the teacher and the pupil.

However, as is clear in the table, the curriculum does not simply follow the order of topics as presented in the Memo Books.

Topics have been selected from throughout the books according to suitability for the four year groups.  Book and Page Number are provided in the table for easy reference.

The Memo Books do not have to be used in the delivery of the units.  Teachers are free to devise their own methods of delivering the curriculum.

It is recommended that ample opportunity is given to pupils for working independently or in pairs.

Teachers are also encouraged to facilitate coverage of this curriculum through pupils’ own creative efforts, rather than through "chalk and talk."

Nevertheless, certain units listed here are references to material in the Memo Books which has been presented in a particular format.  Examples are "The Fame is in the Name" (1/22), "Pairs" (3/16) and "Doubles" (2/19). It was considered that teachers may find these formats useful, but they may adapt them as they wish.

A topic may appear in more than one year group. This is in order to provide the opportunity to cover a large topic thoroughly, or to review and add detail and depth.

* By Rabbi I Greenbaum J.C.M.B. Publications
Printed by G. J. George & Co. Ltd.
London, England

General Knowledge Curriculum for Key Stage 2 (Juniors) (pdf file)

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