Our Instructional Program
- All the components of the Balanced Literacy program will be implemented according to the standards. Teachers will use curriculum maps to drive instruction to ensure New York State standards are addressed. Teachers will develop and implement units of study in each of the required genres. A block of uninterrupted time (90-130 minutes per day) will be spent in literacy instruction. Readers and Writers Workshop are implemented daily. Teachers will model skills and strategies during mini-lessons. Reading and Writing will be done “to, with and by” the students daily. Teachers will differentiate instruction through small group instruction through small group instruction and individual conferences focused on one teaching point. Listening, speaking, reading and writing activities are incorporated into daily lesson plans. Teachers will work on developing vocabulary. Professional literature will be read and appropriate instructional plans will be developed. Classroom set-up is conducive to whole and small group instruction. Learning/Literacy centers are set up in the Early Childhood classrooms. Students are sent to these centers daily. Literacy is incorporated into all curriculum areas as well as all cluster programs:Art, Science and Technology.
- We Offer:
School Enrichment Model (SEM)
String Orchestra for Grades 1-4 ,
PS 35 Chorus,
PS 35 Band for Grades 4 and 5,
Mundo Fantastico Spanish Program
After School Test Sophistication Program
Colleges working with PS 35 Community:
College of Staten Island
Wagner College
St. Johns University
Participation in the Reading Is Fundamental program,
Guests from the Arts and the Community,
NYC Parks Program,
Saturday Sports/Recreation Programs,
Welcome Teas,
Parent and Peer Tutoring,
Field Trips,
Red Cross sponsored activities,
Community Readers and Speakers, and
Music played softly throughout the school daily
and more...
Professional Development
“How well the teachers are learning determines how well the students are learning.”
- The administration programs using a block schedule. By implementing this schedule, professional development is embedded into the instructional day. Teachers are afforded the opportunity for: intervisitations, planning with coaches, looking at student work, collaboration with colleagues across the grades and various instructional committees i.e. book of the month. In addition to the block period, professional development is embedded into the school day. Each teacher on grades K-2 has an administrative period where they meet with the principal, coach and literacy support staff developer to reflect on their teaching practices in an effort to make informed decisions regarding instruction. Common preps are intentionally programmed at least three times a week so teachers can collaboratively plan and discuss various issues.
- During the 2008/2009 school year a focus will be placed on developing the writing workshop. Teachers will strengthen their conferencing skills to learn their students’ strengths and weaknesses and accordingly plan their mini lessons, small group instruction and individual teaching points. We will look at student work as means to drive instruction.