In a society of ever-changing technology, a school’s approach to teaching science is constantly evolving. At Oakland Hebrew Day School, we begin with the rigorous method of old-fashioned text study, vocabulary mastery and strong writing instruction. Text study comes to life through meaningful hands-on exploration and inquiry-based discussions in which students learn how to look at a scientific question from many angles and perspectives. When all of this is combined with the exciting relevance of up-to-the-minute SMART Board lessons and online research, our students are equipped to engage 21st century scientific information with both intelligence and creativity.
Science at OHDS is an inquiry-based program that encourages students in grade K-8 to do their own investigations, ask ever-deeper questions and discover the wonder that exists all around them. At each grade level our students delve into a focused study of a specific scientific endeavor. Our kindergarten “Naturalists” discover the wonders of decomposition as they study rotting vegetables and become experts in the stages of a butterfly’s life as they observe the metamorphosis of their caterpillars. Our fourth-grade “Inventors” learn in depth about light, sound and energy and bring this knowledge to life by creating their own musical instruments and solar-powered machines. The sixth-grade “Green Team” monitors the school’s waste and educates the lower grades on ways to become more environmentally aware.
OHDS is in an ideal location for studying science. Chabot Space and Science Center is up the hill, the Oakland Zoo is down the hill and the Lawrence Hall of Science is a 15-minute drive from campus. Middle school students will visit the Tech Museum and enjoy a marine biology adventure on the Bay, while kindergarteners visit Ardenwood Farms and the Lindsay Wildlife Museum.
To top it all off, OHDS has launched its first ever partnership with JEWSE, the U.C. Berkeley Jewish student engineering association, whose leaders meet monthly with our first- and fourth-grade teachers to plan curriculum as well as visit regularly to be part of our Science Friday program. We warmly invite you come see us, too!
Oakland Hebrew Day School, 5500 Redwood Road, Oakland, CA 94619, www.ohds.org.