Academic Program
English Language Arts
PS 154 teachers use a balanced literary approach to teach the English language arts. The components of this approach include reading aloud with accountable talk, shared reading, reading workshop (with independent/paired reading, book clubs, guided reading and reading strategy groups), and teacher/student writing conferences. The minilessons taught as part of the reading and writing workshops follow a sequence of monthly units of study developed by Teacher's College, Columbia University. The balanced literary approach supports the uniform citywide literacy program, and is being implemented during a daily 120 minute literacy block for grades K-5. Classroom libraries, small class sizes, academic support personnel (including paraprofessionals), and the assignment of a full-time literacy coach further support the instruction.
MathematicsGrades K-5 are using Everyday Mathematics program, which has been selected as the uniform citywide program for mathematics. This program is being implemented for 60 minutes a day for grades K-2 and 75 minutes a day for grades 3-5. Math Steps is being used as a supplement to Everyday Mathematics. As part of the citywide initiative, the school is assigned a part-time math coach two days a week.
ScienceThe purpose and focus of the PS 154 science program is to offer all students ways to understand, make predictions about, and adapt to an increasingly complex scientific and technological world. Students are given opportunities to model scientists' methods of investigation through a "hands-on" inquiry-based approach that incorporates scientific thinking processes. In order to improve students' knowledge of science concepts and instruction, we have aligned our program with state and city standards, and are using FOSS, GEMS, STC, and other National Science Foundation supported science kits for instruction in Grades K-5. The school has a full-time science cluster that serves grades K to 5.
Social StudiesElementary social studies is made up of inquiry-based, in-depth studies of history, geography, economics, government, and culture. Units of study are planned around essential questions of large, over arching concepts. Students are engaged in active learning through independent inquiry and cooperative group work in order to make the concepts of social studies meaningful. Students explore inquiries through authentic research and an integration of reading, writing, observation, discussion, and debate. They are guided through an examination of multiple perspectives using primary and secondary resources, interviews, and field trips.
TechnologyTechnology is infused into all curricular areas through the use of in-classroom computers, mobile laptop labs, and an upgraded computer lab. Students have multiple opportunities to use technology to demonstrate and support their learning.
Physical EducationThe physical education classes in grades Pre-K through 5th grade are using the SPARK (Sports, Play, & Active Recreation for Kids) curriculum, which focuses on collaborative group play.
The ArtsThe Brooklyn Conservatory of Music provides weekly hands-on musical classes to all children as well as a fee-based after-school band program sponsored by the PTA.Studio-in-a-School (SIAS), through our resident artist, provides our K-5 classes with an enriched art program in which our students explore painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, and sculpture.
Academic InterventionSpecial services are provided to students who need help meeting the State standards in English language arts, math, science, and social studies. All students in grades 3-5 who are performing at Levels 1 and 2, and all Early Childhood students deemed to be at risk, including those in special education and English language learners, receive appropriately targeted services, with the intensity of the services based on the needs of individual students. Specific programs include small group support in speech, an at-risk Resource Room during the day, the Great Leaps Reading Program (first grade), the Great Leaps Math Program (grades 3-5), and a five week math and literacy summer program.An after-school literacy program is offered to students from 3:00 to 4:30 two afternoons per week. Most participating students in grades 1-5, including English language learners and special education students, are taught by their homeroom teachers in small group settings.
Performance and AssessmentPS 154 takes a continuous improvement, data-driven approach to improving student performance, using item analysis, portfolio assessment, and other indicators to identify and address student weaknesses and target areas for growth on a continuous basis. Ongoing assessment is both formal and informal. To meet and exceed city and state performance standards, students in grades 3-5 are administered benchmark and interim assessments in reading and mathematics. Item skill analyses, i.e. the Growth Report, generated from these aassessments, help teachers focus on specific student areas in need of extra instructional support and inform instructional decisions. Other assessments include the Early Childhood Language Arts System (ECLAS-2) in the lower grades (K-3), DRA in the second and third grades, and WRAP in grades 3-5.
Professional DevelopmentProfessional development is coordinated by a Professional Development Team, which includes the principal, coaches, and teacher leaders, who work together to combine ideas on effective planning for teachers, on different ways to assess learning, on developing curricula and instructional materials, and assessing teachers' needs for professional development. The team provides a two-tier approach to staff development. On one level, they work with staff to strengthen their knowlege base in literacy, math and other areas. On the second level, they focus on effective teaching practices.
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