Lower School

The Lower School experience is rooted in high academic expectations, and is supported by teachers who provide gentle guidance within familiar boundaries.
Classroom space is safe for risk-taking, questioning, collaboration, and rich discussion.First-grade students are welcomed into warm, nurturing and inclusive classrooms as they begin their Lower School experience. This journey takes them on a path through exploration, creativity, technological experiences, intentional academics and important social and emotional achievement, and delivers them to Middle School as confident, motivated and growing learners.
Through the use of the Responsive Classroom approach, students take ownership of creating and molding the learning environment and community to best fit their needs. Students are encouraged to share their voices, explore their individual passions and contribute meaningfully to their classroom communities. Being part of Bernard Zell means being part of a vibrant Jewish community, where kindness and consideration of others are fundamental in our daily practices.  Learning Hebrew, participating in rich traditions like Friday Shabbat lunch and engaging in service learning help define our mission. As educators, we join together with parents and families to create a strong, guiding force in children’s lives, nurturing them through this special Bernard Zell journey.
Warmly,
Rachel Silverberg
Head of Lower School

Jewish Value Themes by Grade Level

  • 1st Grade: Simchah ืฉืžื—ื” - Creating a joyful learning community. Students learn through a lens simchah, or creating joy within the learning community. Notably, in the first few weeks of school, first graders can be found sharing their interests, hobbies, and conversations to foster joy in their learning community. As students embark on their Lower School journeys, they share and engage in a number of ways to spread simcha to, or bring joy, to others and celebrate family simchas, such as a wedding or welcoming a new baby.
  • 2nd Grade: Teshuvah ืชืฉื•ื‘ื” - We think about what we do, we know when to be sorry and we work to make things better. Second graders focus on taking responsibility and ownership for their learning, along with building their relationships. Teshuvah centers around reflection, making amends when necessary, and moving forward with optimism. This Jewish value aligns itself with our commitment to Responsive Classroom, as students become advocates for their needs and reflect upon them. As students study Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, they focus on growth and reflection for the year ahead and beyond.
  • 3rd Grade: V’ahavta L’rayecha Ka’mocha ื•ืื”ื‘ืช ืœืจืขืš ื›ืžื•ืš - Love Your Neighbor. As the new classroom communities begin to bond, students learn about each other and make connections to how each is unique, yet have many interests linking them to one another. As the year progresses, third graders expand their observations by studying and exploring the numerous neighborhoods of Chicago. Our city is full of many people, all Chicagoans, but each with a different story. Students learn that understanding and loving themselves allows them to learn about and respect others within their community and beyond.
  • 4th Grade: Hachnasat Orchim ื”ื›ื ืกืช ืื•ืจื—ื™ื  - We welcome guests and new friends. Fourth graders embrace the Jewish value of welcoming guests in a variety of meaningful ways, both in general and Jewish subject areas. On a daily basis, students welcome guest teachers and visitors around our school, bringing them into the warmth of our community. Fourth graders also practice Hachnasat Orchim by inviting others into the sukkah during Sukkot, welcoming younger students at Lower School gatherings, and inviting parents into the building to showcase their work.

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