The curriculum uses color-coded levels like Purple Level, Red Level, and Orange Level instead of traditional grade labels such as Kindergarten, 1st Grade, or 2nd Grade. This decision stems from the variability in the introduction of Kriah across schools, ranging from Pre-K to First Grade.
While a specific level might be typically recommended for a certain age group, individual needs and school schedules can vary. So, a Red Level student, for example, has achieved a certain level of understanding, regardless of whether they are in Kindergarten, first grade, or another year. This flexible system ensures that all students are challenged appropriately and feel proud of their accomplishments.
Here’s an overview of the skills covered in each level:
- Purple – Letters
- Pink – Remedial (Nekudos at a slower pace)
- Red Level – Nekudos, Basic Words, and Blending
- Orange Level – Skills (Sheva, Skilled Endings)
- Yellow Level – Skill Fluency and Textual Fluency
- Lime Level – Rashi, Skill Fluency, and Textual Fluency
It’s important to mention that the curriculum materials currently available are only up to the Yellow Level. The Lime, Green, and Teal Levels are solely pertinent for assessment benchmarks.
The benchmark grade levels are as follows:
- Purple Level – Pre-K (Benchmarks coming soon)
- Red Level – Kindergarten
- Orange Level -1st Grade
- Yellow Level – 2nd Grade
- Lime Level – 3rd Grade
- Green Level – 4th Grade
- Teal Level – 5th Grade
However, if your school only starts teaching letters in 1st grade, then you’ll be selecting the following levels for your grades:
- Red Level – 1st Grade
- Orange Level -2nd Grade
- Yellow Level – 3rd Grade
- Lime Level – 4th Grade
- Green Level – 5th Grade
Please note that the curriculum level selected when setting up your classroom may not necessarily match the color of the materials used. For instance, if your 3rd-grade students are still mastering Kriah skills and utilizing Orange Level materials, you should still select the Yellow or Lime Level for benchmarking against national norms and benchmarks.