Curriculum Overview
"WITH AN EDUCATION, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO
RISE ABOVE ALL THE NOISE AND FULFILL EVERY LAST ONE OF YOUR DREAMS."
- MICHELLE OBAMA
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Reading and writing are fundamental to a student’s education. Therefore, at P.S.128M, we approach reading and writing with a structured literacy approach. Structured Literacy is an approach that focuses on teaching the foundational skills, systematic and explicit instruction, uses a multi-sensory approach, and is beneficial for all learners. Structured Literacy instruction is highly structured and repetitive, providing ample practice and reinforcement of literacy skills. It includes explicit instruction by the classroom teacher, guided practice, and independent practice for students. The goal is to build a strong foundation in reading and writing skills, enabling students to become proficient readers and writers.
MATHEMATICS
A well-developed mathematical program allows students to understand mathematics in multiple facets. This year, PS128 will be implementing a new problem based mathematics curriculum, Illustrative Mathematics. This new comprehensive curriculum is designed to help students develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and skills. Through rigorous problem solving tasks, high-level questioning, guided math groups, and opportunities to engage in student-lead discussions, students will be able to strengthen their understanding of mathematical concepts and begin to make connections to the real world.
SCIENCE
Science is experienced at P.S.128M through investigations around phenomenas through a three-dimensional approach to the teaching and learning of science, in which they are engaging with scientific and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas simultaneously. The program also emphasizes the integration of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills as an important component of doing science, and the units build on previous learning and address appropriate learning progressions for Grades K–2 and Grades 3–5.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Social Studies is a vital component to any child’s education. Students first begin to explore Social Studies by learning about the school, their community, themselves and others, and families. Soon, the concepts begin to build and develop into the history of New York City, various countries around the world, and the rich history of New York State. It is crucial for students to gain a perspective on the global community, and understand how people and countries interact with each other.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
"Physical education (PE) is an important academic subject that teaches students to be physically active, work as a team, and set fitness goals that can last a lifetime. The fitness-based skills that students learn in PE is what emerging research shows is essential to learning.
In New York State, all students must receive PE as a part of their education, including students with disabilities who may be recommended for modified, developmentally appropriate physical education, called adapted PE.
NYC PE teachers receive professional development on using the Physical Best: Physical Education for Lifelong Fitness curriculum, which emphasizes participation in a variety of physical activities (traditional sports, non-traditional sports, and fitness activities). Physical Best helps students find activities and behaviors that contribute to lifelong health and wellness."
-NYC Department of Education
THE ARTS
The arts are a vital component to a child’s education. Here are P.S.128M, we strongly believe in the positive influence the arts can have on a child’s academic success, thus we offer students the opportunity to think creatively through visual arts, dance, and music. P.S.128M also partners with Dancing Classrooms, and DEA Dance to provide even more opportunities for our students to experience the arts.
TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA
Being technologically literate is a vital skill for all students to have in the 21st Century. The development and growing need for technology has greatly increased over the past decade. As a result, many students need to learn these skills in order to become college and career ready. At P.S. 128M:The Audubon School, we recognize that need and have the appropriate equipment and programs to educate each child in technology.
The Audubon School has a fully equipped multimedia lab center. In addition to the labs, every classroom is equipped with a computer center. Furthermore, transportable laptop carts are available in every third, fourth, and fifth grade classroom. Additionally all classrooms have fully functioning interactive whiteboards and document readers.
