All K-5 students at PS68 have weekly instruction in Physical Education, Computer Science, Technology, Science, and Art, as well as classroom instruction in Reading, Writing, Math and Social Studies. We employ the Workshop model, a method of instruction where lessons are divided into a connection, “mini-lesson,” practice, and share. The mini-lesson is where direct instruction for the whole class takes place, and then student-directed learning happens during the practice phase. Students work independently as well as with partners and in small groups focusing on the skills that they need to succeed independently. Our Teachers weave the Workshop model into a range of innovative academic programs to ensure that PS68’s students are set up to succeed as lifelong learners.
STEM
Science and Math are a core component of our curriculum for all grades at PS68, and all of our students spend time engaging in hands-on learning in our school garden. Upper grades also study in our hydroponics lab, and are invited to participate in our sustainability club. Our primary STEM programs include:
Literacy
Reading and writing is a fundamental part of our children’s day-to-day experience at PS68, and we work with every student to meet them where they are – whether they have been reading in English from a young age, or they have just arrived in the United States – and encourage them to grow into lifelong readers and writers. Some of the programs that we employ in school include:
- Columbia University Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Workshop
- Wilson Language Training Fundations (K-2)
- Ready New York CCLS ELA Instruction
- Heggerty Phonics
- Collaborative Shared Reading (CSR)
Arts
Our school leadership acknowledges that visual art, music, and dance are an important part of every child’s education. We support creative expression and diverse learning styles through the integration of visual arts in the classroom, in the art room with our art teacher, and through special music, dance and movement programs that we bring in every year for all of our students.
PBIS
Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) is a process for creating school environments that are more predictable and effective for achieving academic and social goals. At P.S. 68 we expect our students to display Respect, Achievement, and Pride. The PBIS system includes rewards for students. Students receive RAP Bucks for displaying behaviors from our PBIS Matrix. Students count their Rap Bucks and receive various rewards on a weekly basis.
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) has always been a priority at PS68, but since the COVID 19 Pandemic, our school has placed particular priority on this aspect of our students’ education. We utilize two programs to train our teachers and to weave SEL practices into our daily routines: Harmony and Brain Power Wellness.
Social Studies
Our Social Studies curriculum is centered around the New York City DOE Passport program, which is designed to empower students to make sense of their world and their communities, connecting abstract concepts and their own lives, so that they can participate as active members of a global community. The program challenges students to think like historians, and encourages them to raise questions, think critically, consider multiple perspectives, and gather evidence in support of their interpretations.
English as a New Language
English as a New Language (ENL) is the program that is taught at PS 68 to support students whose home language is not English and needs support learning English. We have classes on each grade that are taught by classroom teachers with TOESL licenses or offered push-in services by a licensed TOESL teacher.
ENL classes provide instruction in English with support in the students’ home language so that they can learn to read, write, and speak English. All students from different language backgrounds are taught together with a goal to provide instruction in English with supports such as visuals, role playing, using home language, among others, until they become English proficient.
