English Language Arts
P.S. 120 takes a transdisciplinary approach to English Language Arts by incorporating science, social studies, and math into reading and writing. This approach allows multiple opportunities for student scholars to enhance their content learning by applying knowledge in relevant and meaningful ways across various writing genres including narrative, expository, persuasive, and creative writing. Additionally, using the ReadyGen reading curriculum as a springboard, students are exposed to a multitude of reading genres, thus allowing them to explore a variety of interests, authors, and topics. This approach to learning allows students build reading stamina, apply critical thinking skills, and develop a lifelong love of reading and writing. In addition to this, P.S. 120 implements Reciprocal Teaching strategies as a means of deepening students’ understanding of complex texts. Through Reciprocal Teaching, students are afforded opportunities to engage in multiple activities whereby they acquire the reading, speaking, listening, and vocabulary skills that are necessary for future success. Comprehension and communication skills are enhanced through deep and meaningful conversations surrounding a wide variety of topics. The workshop model of reading and writing in conjunction with Reciprocal Teaching strategies allow students to discuss and grow ideas. Small group instruction and one-to-one conferring aid learners in deepening comprehension, self-assessing and setting goals that empower them to take ownership of their reading and writing lives. Students in the lower elementary grades build necessary foundational skills through the implementation of the Fundations component of the Wilson Language program. This program allows for a multi-sensory approach so students can engage in reading through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic means to teach them phonemic awareness, word study, reading fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, penmanship, and spelling.
Math
P.S. 120 utilizes the Envision Math curriculum and supplements with Exemplar Problem Solving, Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI Model), and Reciprocal Teaching. Exemplar problem solving provides students with regular, structured opportunities to investigate real world problems using mathematical models to communicate student thinking. Our philosophy is that mathematical problem solving not an isolated activity. Instead, problem solving is a skill that favors every mathematics lesson. With our partnership with Southern Cross Consultants enhances our curriculum problem solving to include risk tasking, authentic purposes, and multiple ways to solve problems. Students are encouraged to think beyond the boundaries set in traditional mathematics curricula by presenting word or story problems grounded in a real world context. Problem solving is the act of finding a solution when a method for solution is not obvious. We believe that our unique focus on problem solving encourages students to mathematize their world, deepen mathematical thinking, and prepare our students for the demands of the 21st century.
Science and Social Studies
At P.S. 120, we inspire students to explore the world around them. Utilizing the Next Generation Science Standards and the New York City Department of Education Social Studies Scope and Sequence, learning is brought to life in our one-of-a-kind, specially designed, state of the art science labs, technology labs, and engineering lab. With an emphasis on architecture, engineering, and design, the students take a hands-on approach to learning with multiple opportunities to conduct scientific observations, carry out experiments, and interact with state of the art technology such as a laser engraver, 3D printers, and smart tables. Additionally, students are taught about engineering safety so that they can interact with hand tools such as drills, screwdrivers, hand saws, pliers, clamps, rulers, and hammers to design, create, and build prototypes and projects that enhance what they are learning about in science and social studies. These amazing labs change the way students view and interact with the world around them, bringing learning to life in a way that prepares them for future success in a wide variety of fields. Our uniquely designed curriculum utilizes Passport to Social Studies, Inspire Science, and Engineering is Elementary to provide additional resources and to compliment our Magnet theme.
P.S. 120 takes a transdisciplinary approach to English Language Arts by incorporating science, social studies, and math into reading and writing. This approach allows multiple opportunities for student scholars to enhance their content learning by applying knowledge in relevant and meaningful ways across various writing genres including narrative, expository, persuasive, and creative writing. Additionally, using the ReadyGen reading curriculum as a springboard, students are exposed to a multitude of reading genres, thus allowing them to explore a variety of interests, authors, and topics. This approach to learning allows students build reading stamina, apply critical thinking skills, and develop a lifelong love of reading and writing. In addition to this, P.S. 120 implements Reciprocal Teaching strategies as a means of deepening students’ understanding of complex texts. Through Reciprocal Teaching, students are afforded opportunities to engage in multiple activities whereby they acquire the reading, speaking, listening, and vocabulary skills that are necessary for future success. Comprehension and communication skills are enhanced through deep and meaningful conversations surrounding a wide variety of topics. The workshop model of reading and writing in conjunction with Reciprocal Teaching strategies allow students to discuss and grow ideas. Small group instruction and one-to-one conferring aid learners in deepening comprehension, self-assessing and setting goals that empower them to take ownership of their reading and writing lives. Students in the lower elementary grades build necessary foundational skills through the implementation of the Fundations component of the Wilson Language program. This program allows for a multi-sensory approach so students can engage in reading through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic means to teach them phonemic awareness, word study, reading fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, penmanship, and spelling.
Math
P.S. 120 utilizes the Envision Math curriculum and supplements with Exemplar Problem Solving, Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI Model), and Reciprocal Teaching. Exemplar problem solving provides students with regular, structured opportunities to investigate real world problems using mathematical models to communicate student thinking. Our philosophy is that mathematical problem solving not an isolated activity. Instead, problem solving is a skill that favors every mathematics lesson. With our partnership with Southern Cross Consultants enhances our curriculum problem solving to include risk tasking, authentic purposes, and multiple ways to solve problems. Students are encouraged to think beyond the boundaries set in traditional mathematics curricula by presenting word or story problems grounded in a real world context. Problem solving is the act of finding a solution when a method for solution is not obvious. We believe that our unique focus on problem solving encourages students to mathematize their world, deepen mathematical thinking, and prepare our students for the demands of the 21st century.
Science and Social Studies
At P.S. 120, we inspire students to explore the world around them. Utilizing the Next Generation Science Standards and the New York City Department of Education Social Studies Scope and Sequence, learning is brought to life in our one-of-a-kind, specially designed, state of the art science labs, technology labs, and engineering lab. With an emphasis on architecture, engineering, and design, the students take a hands-on approach to learning with multiple opportunities to conduct scientific observations, carry out experiments, and interact with state of the art technology such as a laser engraver, 3D printers, and smart tables. Additionally, students are taught about engineering safety so that they can interact with hand tools such as drills, screwdrivers, hand saws, pliers, clamps, rulers, and hammers to design, create, and build prototypes and projects that enhance what they are learning about in science and social studies. These amazing labs change the way students view and interact with the world around them, bringing learning to life in a way that prepares them for future success in a wide variety of fields. Our uniquely designed curriculum utilizes Passport to Social Studies, Inspire Science, and Engineering is Elementary to provide additional resources and to compliment our Magnet theme.