In sixth grade Chumash, we are focusing intensely on skills, particularly reading and translating. We are moving slowly through parshat Shelach, but we have made incredible progress in ability to translate. The class has become much more comfortable with the grammar used in Chumash, and they are needing to ask questions from me much less.
One question I frequently get is why I don’t give vocabulary lists to memorize. Basically, what I have found is that when students memorize words they become able to translate words but not sentences. When students know how to see the whole sentence, they also are able to translate more efficiently using context clues. I do emphasize the need to practice heavily. I encourage the class to go home and go over the pesukim we learn in class on a daily basis, if possible. Students who review even once a week are at a great advantage.
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