Curriculum

At PS/MS 71 our teachers implement a structured literacy approach using a high -quality instructional program HMH Into Reading(K -5) and HMH Into Literature (6 -8).

Our instruction is aligned to the Science of Reading with a focus on explicit reading instruction in the areas of phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, comprehension, and writing. Our goal is to ensure that all students develop the essential skills and strategies required to become confident, independent, and life -long readers. Throughout our literacy block, students are engaged in rigorous lessons aligned to the Next Generation Learning Standards that encourage students to read grade level text daily, emphasize the use of rich academic vocabulary, participate in discussion protocols that promote thought provoking student -led discussions, and require our students to make their thinking and learning visible by responding to literature and citing text based evidence to support their understanding of the text through writing. K -2 teachers use Heggerty to gain mastery of Phonemic awareness and K -3 teachers use Wilson Fundations as their phonics curriculum.

All teachers implement the gradual release model, and believe that students learn best though modeling, explicit instruction, group work, effective questioning and discussion techniques, differentiation, accountable talk, and embedded assessment.

At PS/MS 71, we believe in providing an exceptional educational environment in which all learners receive high quality mathematics instruction.

Students experience opportunities to make sense of mathematics with the intention to develop conceptual understanding of mathematics with real -world application. We are developing the next generation of problem solvers. K -8 teachers use Amplify Desmos Math which is aligned to the Next Generation Learning Standards and Mathematical Shifts: Sensemaking, Sharing Low Floor, High-Ceiling Tasks, Discourse to develop conceptual understanding, and asset -based support. The Five Mathematical Practices framework is utilized to provide opportunities for students to engage in real world application problems, engage in productive struggle independently and in small groups, work collaboratively to explore, practice, and demonstrate understanding of different problem - solving strategies, and promote the use of mathematical vocabulary and discourse in an effort to make their thinking and learning visible.

Ongoing assessments are used to monitor student progress and understanding of the mathematical content as well as drive instruction to meet the needs of all learners.

Through the implementation of the Social Studies Passport Curriculum and Civics for All Partnership K -8 teachers are encouraging students to think like historians while understanding important issues in our communities and in the world around them. Students view maps and other images and interpret and synthesize historical information. Classes use primary and secondary sources to enhance understanding. The use of artifacts kits, trade books and differentiated artifacts helps to foster historical understanding. We host our annual SoapBox Competition/MIKVA Challenge for students to write speeches and have their voices heard.

K - 8 teachers are using Amplify Science. This program blends hands -on investigations, literacy -rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers. We have science labs for grades K - 8 where students bring solutions to everyday challenges through inquiry - based, hands -on explorations of real - world phenomena. We also have a partnership with Urban Advantage. Teachers promote scientific and intellectual theories through the use of technology and different applications of science. K - 8 students participate in our annual school -wide and D8 Science Expo.