Lower School students (grades 1 - 5) are exposed to a diverse curriculum of language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, art, and Judaic studies.

Students are taught in a child-centered, hands-on environment in which students learn by doing and discovering, working both independently and in cooperative partnerships and groups.

Teachers challenge students through developmentally appropriate activities that take them from concrete experiences to diverse thinking. Our spiraled approach to learning, builds upon what a student already knows, and promotes depth as well as breadth in the curriculum.

General Studies Curriculum

Our General Studies Curriculum incorporates language arts, social studies, math and science.

Through their lower school years, students are immersed in quality literature and taught to analyze, interpret, and actively engage text.

Our social studies curriculum emphasizes historical perspective, geography and its influences on culture, and is often integrated with other curricular disciplines.

In mathematics, students are taught conceptual problem solving, computation, and estimation, as well as mastering number facts and algorithms, measurement, geometry, statistics, and patterns.

Our science program is hands-on and inquiry based. Students, observe, investigate and discover as they learn methods of scientific thinking.

Jewish Studies Curriculum

Graduates of GBDS have strong Jewish identities, and a solid understanding of Jewish values, history, and traditions.

Our Judaic Studies Curriculum instructs children in both modern day Hebrew language and Israeli history and culture, as well as Jewish history, Humash (Bible), Jewish customs.

Our Hebrew language program exposes students to the spoken language from the beginning of their Jewish education, so that they learn not only to read and write Hebrew, but to converse easily in the language.

Teachers present material in interactive and dynamic ways to illustrate both their applicability and their historical relevance.

The Arts

Students receive art and music instruction weekly.

Our Fine Arts program exposes children to various mediums and techniques, while giving them an opportunity to explore and create their own art.

Music teaches children both the appreciation of various musical genres, and the rich collection of Jewish and Israeli music.

Physical Education

Given twice a week, physical education promotes leadership, teamwork, and cooperation, as well as fitness.
Students improve their gross motor development with games and exposure to various sports.

Science

Lower grades (1 - 3) have science instruction in the classroom. Teachers often incorporate science units into their language arts and/or social studies units, giving a topic an interdisciplinary approach. For example, a class may be learning about endangered species.

In science, they learn about the biological and environmental issues related to the animals.

In social studies, they learn about the cultural and societal practices that have created endangered species, and in language arts they craft letters to their representatives in Congress advocating for the preservation of these animals.

In 4th and 5th grades, science instruction is given in the science lab by the science teacher. This class gives students the ability to perform more elaborate hands-on experiments, while learning scientific thinking, methods, and process.

Library, Technology, and Media Resources

Our library and media center are fully integrated into all subjects. Students are taught to use traditional research material, as well as the internet and technology for various projects in language arts, science, social studies, math, and Judaic studies.


Teachers regularly use the SMART Board for their lessons, and introduce children to various software programs in graphic design, multimedia projects, which includes manipulating digital pictues, and typing skills.

Student Support Services

GBDS recognizes that all students learn differently and have developed our program so that each students can progress at their own pace. We offer small, individualized classes for students that need assistance, or who would benefit from enrichment. Using technology, on-line support, and instructors, students are offered enrichment in all subjects.

Our SET (Student Education Team) and Mechina (Judaic Studies Remedial program) instruct students individually and in small groups in subjects where they need assistance. Teachers regularly work with Bergen County Special Services and follow students' IEPs to ensure that they are receiving the most appropriate instruction for them.

Special Events and Activities

Special Events and Activities Whether it is Election Day when students hold a mock election, or Israeli Independence Day when our entire school celebrates our Jewish homeland, students at GBDS participate in special activities throughout the school year that provide meaningful, experiential learning.


As a school, we celebrate Shabbat each Friday with a Kabbalat Shabbat program in the morning. We mark important events in our American and Jewish calendars with assemblies and celebrations. Purim, Hanukkah, and Lag B'Omer are fun-filled school-wide celebrations. More somber days, such as Holocaust Memorial Day and Memorial Days for both American and Israeli soldiers are presented to elementary students with age-appropriate activities.


Field trips, special speakers, and grade-wide milestone events bring meaning and significance to curriculum study. After school children have an opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities including:

• Chess Club
• Sports
• Mathematics Enrichment
• Cooking Club
• Sewing Club
• School Play production
• School Play production
• Instrumental music lessons
• Brownies
• Aviation Club
• Choir