In The Levine Loop

In this week’s portion Parshat Toldot, we learn an important lesson in parenting from our Avot and Imahot (Foremothers and Forefathers). The Passuk says in (Genesis 25:28), "Yitzchak loved Esav because he was an accomplished hunter, and Rivkah loved Yaakov".

In this week’s Parshat Chayei Sara, Avraham commands his servant Eliezer to go and find a wife for his son Yitzchak. When Hashem ultimately leads Eliezer to find Rivkah by the well, he notices the acts of kindness that she performs and gives her jewelry. When Rivkah runs home to tell her family about Eliezer, her brother Lavan invites Eliezer in only after noticing the beautiful jewelry that Eliezer had given her.

Wednesday, October 17th
Last night we went our separate ways joining family for dinner, exploring the food options in Tel Aviv with new friends from the Schultz Fellows group and attending a Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball game (I will leave it to you to guess who did which activity).  This morning we reunited and drove to Ariel Sharon Park, which prior to 1998 was where 24 municipalities dumped their trash. The park is just outside of Tel Aviv and was supported by Sharon when he was Prime Minister of Israel. The park is elevated with breath taking views, and has plans to extend.

Friday, October 12, 2018
What an eye opening day we had in preparation for Shabbat. This morning's focus was diverse narratives and we heard a few different stories as we continue to sort through the journey of our Israel Experience. We spent some time hearing about diverse personal narratives. At our first stop we spent time with some members of a program called ‘Shorashim’ (Roots) (https://www.friendsofroots.net/) next to the Gush Etzion Junction.

We are so grateful to be part of the Schultz Family Israel Educational Leadership Fellowship made possible by the Schultz Family Foundation and the Center for Jewish Education of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas we traveled to Israel Monday afternoon for a 10 day trip and are thrilled to share some of our adventures with you.

Interestingly the day we refer to as Rosh Hashanah, is never called as such in the Torah.   We are only instructed to blast the Shofar on this day. The laws of this day are discussed twice in the Torah:

In this week's Torah portion Parshat Ki Teitzei Hashem gives us the Commandment that; "If you see your fellow’s ox or sheep gone astray, do not ignore it; you must take it back to your fellow.

This week's Torah portion Parshat Re'eh starts with Hashem speaking and saying.

Every year, Levine Middle School students take experiential trips starting with Greene Family Camp in Fifth Grade to The Tour of Texas in Sixth to DC/NYC in Seventh and finally, Israel in Eighth.  

Students in Mr. Itskovich's (Mr. I's) math class have been experiencing a transformation. In fact, we could call it a new theorem: planes and geometric figures of bright colorful objects allow for greater focus and energy.

On Wednesday morning this week, Levine Academy students were able to witness and participate in Anshai Torah's Project 613, the writing of a Torah Scroll in honor of Wende Weinberg of blessed memory. Rabbi Zerach Greenfield, the Sofer (Scribe) who arrived from Israel just the day before, spoke to the K8 student body in Beit Aryeh and conducted a question and answer session with the students on the many fascinating laws surrounding the correct way to write the Torah.

Class of 2018: Third and Final Week in Israel

Class of 2018: Week Two in Israel

Class of 2018: Week One in Israel

Progressing Toward: The Brain-Compatible Classroom

Going Deeper with Reading and Writing-the New Normal at Levine

Levine's Math Program: Challenge for All: On-Level, Above Average, Advanced

Early literacy studies have undergone a profound transformation in recent years. Not long ago, early literacy was largely neglected. The assumption was that literacy learning begins around first grade, not before. Reading instruction was ignored during early childhood years. Academic skills used to be postponed until a child's natural maturation unfolds.

From the Tree of our Dreams to a spectacular Fifth Grade Tu B'Shvat Celebration at last Friday's Kehilla Kedosha Service, Levine was aflutter this past week with all things related to trees: tree sculptures, mosaics, mixed media, discovery stations, poetry, journaling, and much more.

Curricular Foundation in our PreK Program

Last Wednesday, our Eighth Graders joined Akiba Academy for a joint presentation from Sharsheret, a national non-profit organization that supports young Jewish women and their families in the face of breast cancer. 

Last week, the Fifth Grade embarked on a two-day experience to Greene Family Camp to participate in confidence building and group challenges that helped create a close and cooperative learning community between students.

Last night we held our first Curriculum Night for this school year. The focus of this curriculum night was data and how we at Levine Academy are using data to drive instruction in our classrooms on a daily basis. Data Driven Instruction is a methodical approach to improving student learning throughout the year. The sequence of data-driven instruction includes data collection, data analysis, and action and is a key framework for school-wide support of all student success. Data analysis provides a snapshot of what students know, what they should know, and what can be done to meet their academic needs. With appropriate collection, analysis and interpretation of data, educators can make well informed decisions that positively affect student achievement.

At Levine, raising the level of student success is always uppermost on our minds.

How does Levine challenge its students in mathematics and prepare them for high school? This week we sat down with our Seventh and Eighth Grade Math teacher, Ms. Regie Neff, to discuss how she tries to encourage all her students to excel in the math arena. She strives to instill success wherever students are in their learning process.