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Lower School

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy is Kansas City’s only Accredited Independent Jewish Day School for children Kindergarten through Twelfth grade. Students come from all walks of life and religious backgrounds. Our job is to provide a unifying tent for a love of Judaism, play, academic learning, friendships, and memories. Our teachers work to stimulate young minds to be independent thinkers, creative learners, and develop into proud, knowledgeable Jewish leaders. 
 

Teachers across Jewish and General Studies work to:

  • Provide meaningful and engaging lessons that apply to the real world
  • Celebrate each student’s individual successes, uniqueness, and challenge them to reach their fullest potential
  • Foster a community of compassion, honesty, and kindness
  • Expose students to meaningful learning outside the classroom walls through field trips, mitzvah trips, and other excursions and adventures

Each class in the Lower School is guided by a General Studies teacher, a Jewish Studies teacher, a Hebrew teacher, supported by a Learning Specialist, School Psychologist, and supplemented by specialists to enrich the academic lives of the students. With this collaborative approach we are able to support the various needs of student development and learning styles. We focus on the development of the whole child. 

Project Based Learning (PBL) enriches the classroom experience of all students. Led by a guiding question, students explore multiple approaches to learning, engaging with the material, and taking the lead in their education. With teachers guiding their learning, students explore concepts and ideas at an age appropriate level to develop a final answer to the guiding question of the unit.
 

Language Arts/Social Studies

Students learn to articulate their thoughts and opinions through a variety of mediums such as drawing, writing, and speaking. HBHA students are exposed to a variety of texts and literature while engaging in small group discussions, comprehension and application activities, and spelling, grammar, and vocabulary development. Social Studies topics and concepts are integrated into the Language Arts class to apply and further develop real world concepts and connections. Students examine the actions of others through history to reflect and learn about societies and behaviors today.

Mathematics

The spiral approach to teaching math from grades K-6 is guided by the Everyday Math Program. This spiraling of material taught leads to the development of math skills and then mastery of concepts. This program and dynamic teaching focuses on real-world application of mathematical concepts. Students are pushed to articulate reasoning for their answers in writing and speaking. Through critical thinking and analysis, students tackle real-world challenges.

Science

Our science curriculum [Next Generation of Science Standards], guided by the Science Department Chair, is taught through engaging, hands-on and interactive activities in the classrooms of K-2. Science in grades 3-5 is taught as an individual, pull-out special. The students engage in many activities that promote asking questions and scientific discovery using the scientific method. 

Specials

HBHA students' lives are enriched through technology, library, PE, music, and art. Students benefit from the availability of a computer lab and mobile Chromebook carts. They learn how to be digital citizens in an ever changing technological world. Art, PE, and Music enhance fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills, lateral thinking, complex analysis and critical thinking skills. This enriched education increases creativity and open-mindedness.