Lower School
Welcome to Mazel Day School’s Lower School Division - where young minds expand, critical skills take root, and students grow into confident, independent thinkers.
Our Lower School Division spans kindergarten through fourth grade, providing a dynamic, well-rounded education that ignites curiosity, sharpens critical thinking, and nurtures personal growth. Through a rich dual curriculum of general and Judaic studies, students master essential skills in literacy, math, science, and social studies while immersing themselves in Hebrew and Russian languages.
With inquiry, creativity, and meaningful discussions at the heart of our approach, students develop the confidence and passion for learning that will carry them forward – ready to tackle new challenges with confidence and curiosity.
Our faculty
Our teachers are hired through a rigorous screening process to ensure that they are not only highly professional and skilled, but also have the warmth and insight necessary to truly bring out each child’s soul and spirit.
Our facilities
Our Lower School offers bright, inviting classrooms designed to inspire learning and exploration. Equipped with high-quality educational materials, smart technology, and engaging hands-on resources, each space fosters discovery and growth. Students also enjoy a spacious play yard and a full-size gym, creating a well-rounded learning environment.
At Mazel Day School, we employ curricula that is well-researched and at the cutting edge of the education field. MDS Lower School, which comprises Kindergarten through Grade 4, offers a rich and engaging curriculum of excellence in both general and Judaic studies.
MATHEMATICS at MDS Lower School is taught using the Singapore Math approach as implemented in the “Math in Focus” curriculum. Math classes today look different from the way they did when we were children. The emphasis is on conceptual understanding and not just procedures and practice of them. We use the workshop model to engage learners in inquiry and worthwhile mathematical tasks, proving their thinking and communicating it to their peers. Implicit in our work is the belief that real context, representation, and discourse are critical to learning.
Why Singapore Math? In an independent study by The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), Singapore scored at or near the top in mathematics for 4 studies in a row. United States academics who noticed this trend began marketing the Singapore Math curriculum in the United States, in an effort to bring up the mathematics level of our country. Students who use this curriculum are better equipped to handle higher-level math and thinking skills, especially as they approach middle school.
Singapore’s approach is to teach basic concepts very thoroughly as they will lay a very strong foundation for higher thinking and processing skills required later on. In general, Singapore is designed on the premise that it is vital to establish a strong foundation for numeracy, critical thinking, and problem solving early on, and teach skills and concepts very thoroughly, prior to moving on to the next topic. This is one of the “secrets of success” that makes Singapore produce such high results in the long run. Thus, compared to other math programs, Singapore Math will teach fewer concepts at a time more thoroughly instead of touching upon many topics, and not mastering any (“mile-wide-but-an-inch-deep”).
Another aspect of Singapore Math is developing critical thinking. Unit topics in Singapore Math are taught and discussed in a variety of ways to enable students to look at problems from different angles and creatively figure out a solution. Much of the curriculum is done through discussion, interactive experiences, and creative problem-solving in the classroom.
ENGLISH LITERACY instruction presents reading and writing in its natural form so that students develop a view of literacy as part of life. Children come to view Words as a welcome “haven”. Whether written or spoken, words become the doorway through which they can discover new worlds of ideas and information, as well as express their own inner world to share with others. Using the workshop model, teachers give short, targeted mini-lessons in reading and writing and then children work independently or in groups on the skill or concept that was taught. Teachers regularly confer and work with students, both individually and in small groups, to differentiate instruction and ensure that each student reaches their maximum potential. Throughout the literacy block, teachers assess students in many areas to ensure that instruction is provided at each student’s level.
The Fundations Curriculum, which is aligned with the Science of Reading, is used in Grades K-3, to teach foundational reading skills including phonemic and phonological awareness, letter-sound associations, letter formation, phonics, vocabulary/word study, spelling skills, and reading accuracy and fluency.
Our SCIENCE Program exposes children to a broad range of scientific experiences and knowledge, including Life Sciences, Earth Sciences and Physical Sciences. At Mazel’s Lower School, we use the FOSS curriculum for science instruction. FOSS (Full Option Science System) is a research-based science curriculum for grades K-8 developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley. FOSS has evolved from a philosophy of teaching and learning that has guided the development of successful active-learning science curricula for more than 40 years. The FOSS Program bridges research and practice by providing tools and strategies to engage students and teachers in enduring experiences that lead to a deeper understanding of the natural and designed worlds.
FOSS engages students in scientific and engineering practices. Students construct an understanding of science concepts through their own investigations and analyses, using laboratory equipment, student readings, and interactive technology. Students exercise logical thinking and decision-making skills appropriate to their age levels.
FOSS throws open the classroom door and proclaims the entire school campus to be the science classroom. The true value of science knowledge is its usefulness in the real world and not just in the classroom. Taking regular excursions into the immediate outdoor environment has many benefits. It provides opportunities for students to apply things they learned in the classroom to novel situations. When students are able to transfer knowledge of scientific principles to natural systems, they experience a sense of accomplishment. With repeated visits to familiar outdoor learning environments, students may first develop comfort in the outdoors, followed by a desire to embrace and understand natural systems.
Our SOCIAL STUDIES curriculum is developed around explorations that seek to help students answer key essential questions for the way in which societies develop, as well as how they relate to the American society in which they live. Each grade focuses on a different Big Idea, using discussion, research, and hands-on projects to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of social studies concepts.
Geography, map, and globe skills are interspersed throughout the lessons, helping children develop an understanding of the world we live in.
At Mazel, we use the TaL AM program to help children develop their Hebrew language skills in an authentic context. Based on years of research on the principles of language development and learning patterns, this program is nurturing a generation of Jewish children around the world who are literate in the Hebrew language and equipped with the knowledge, skills and commitment they need to live vibrant Jewish lives.
The entire structure of the TaL AM program is based on the notion that the best learning environment for children is one in which knowledge is acquired through a variety of activities, using each of the five senses. In addition to studying from textbooks, students use music, games and visual aids to learn the Hebrew language and to develop a keen understanding of Jewish concepts and values.
Students develop their Hebrew and heritage literacy in a gradual and spiraled process, building new ideas and concepts a top an expanding foundation of knowledge. By making the study of Hebrew and Judaism relevant to the children’s everyday lives, the program enables them to develop a true appreciation of their heritage.
More than a set of “rules and rituals”, Judaism gives our students’ the grounding and perspective to deal with any and every situation that life will present. It brings them joy, wonder, and mindfulness. It gives them the sense that they have a purpose in life, one that only they can achieve. It cultivates self-assurance in Jewish identity that will later become the stalwart of their adult lives. This is the greatest gift we can provide our children. The goal of our Judaic Studies curriculum is to transmit a comprehensive knowledge of Judaism, along with a profound commitment to Israel and the Jewish people. Children experience Jewish traditions as cherished and beloved by celebrating the joy of Jewish living, Shabbat and holidays. At the same time, teachers cultivate an understanding that “different families observe Judaism differently”, and create opportunities for each child to share how he or she celebrates Jewish identity in their home.
Traditional Torah texts and the history of the Jewish people are studied as living, fundamental resources for developing ideas, beliefs, behaviors, and values to shape and inspire the lives of children growing up in modern times. Children acquire the skills to independently understand the meaning of Torah texts in their original language.
Our school is dedicated to engaging our students in a relationship with the language, land, and people of Israel. As an integral part of Jewish identity and peoplehood, we bring a far-away land to the hearts and minds of young children by focusing on connections in their personal families, the holidays, and Jewish history. Through learning Hebrew songs, tasting the foods of Israel, and taking exploratory “trips” to Israel, we bring vibrant aspects of Israeli life into our classrooms.
Our VALUES-based curriculum focuses on character development and self-discipline, as well as life skills (including independence, problem-solving, and social negotiation).
At Mazel, we believe that good ‘Midot’ (character traits) are the foundation of an upright and moral person. Good ‘Midot’ focus on positive social interactions as well as self-control and self-regulation. Developing good ‘Midot’ supersedes any academic learning that a person might achieve because if a person lacks these interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, how far can his/her academics alone take them? As such, this curriculum is the focus of our year. We continuously reinforce it throughout the day at various times – during learning, mealtimes, and recess. Every 3-6 weeks we focus on a specific positive character trait, which is further broken down to weekly points. These include, among others: Kibud Av V’Eim (honoring parents and grandparents), Hakorat Hatov (being thankful), Derech Eretz (being respectful), Chesed (kindness), Emet (honesty), Lashon Tov (fine/positive speech), Shalom (being peaceful), Baal Tashchit (not wasting) and so on. Using books, songs stories, role-playing, and many more activities we strive to introduce and reinforce these positive traits in our students.
While children are young and their hearts are open, we introduce the fundamental Jewish value of performing mitzvot (kind deeds) by integrating a variety of Chesed (kindness) projects into every aspect of the curriculum. Students are encouraged to give tzedakah (charity) daily and play an active role in deciding how to distribute the funds. Over the year, students will visit senior centers, collect food and clothing for poor families, and participate in toy drives for sick children. At Mazel Day School, our children begin a lifelong commitment to caring for others.
Co-curricular specials, offered once or twice a week, include:
In addition, students frequently enjoy Field Trips to museums and educational institutions to enhance the learning experience.
Throughout our school year, we are alive with activities and programs that stimulate our children intellectually and creatively and foster a deeper sense of community among children, teachers and families. Each Friday’s schedule includes special activities celebrating the coming Shabbat, from braiding Challah to Shabbat party. The new Hebrew months are marked with a school assembly for all grades. The Jewish holidays are a focal point of our school life, with unique celebrations for each. Literacy Month is a highlight that brings our annual book fair, “Meet-the-Author” Day and parent visits for book read-alouds to each class. Our annual recitals at Chanukah time and at Graduation gives children the opportunity to share their joy and learning with family and friends.
Walk our sunlit hallways, meet our passionate teachers, and see the joy of learning in action. Schedule a tour to discover how your child can flourish at Mazel Day School.