Reading Recovery - An early intervention program for grade one students that offers a second chance at learning reading and writing. Students are selected for one-to-one instruction with a trained reading recovery teacher five days a week for thirty minute sessions. This is a research-based international program with a high rate of success.
Balanced Literacy - We use a balanced literacy model for instruction. The components are daily read alouds, guided, shared, partner and independent reading and writing. We balance our time in each activity which involve various strategies introduced in mini-lessons.
Library Power - Our library program is flexibly scheduled. All staff and students utilize the library in many collaborative ways, resulting in an enhanced literacy program. In addition to read alouds, author and genre studies, we have had the pleasure of several author/poet visits. Our special guests have included authors Vera B. Williams, Christina Kessler, and Margaret and Charles Wetterer. Our staff and students also had the wonderful experience of working with poet Lindamichellebaron. In addition, author Mary Stanton will lead student and staff study groups based on her book, From Selma To Sorrow, which is about the Civil Rights movement.
Read Across New York took place in April. Students in all grades participated in this event. Many of our parents and staff participated by reading their favorite books to classes and small groups of children. This was followed by a variety of activities. In addition, celebrity readers (members of the NYC Fire Department) were our surprise guests.
Project ARTS - Project ARTS stands for Arts Restoration throughout Schools. Project ARTS is a co-teacher model, where the Project ARTS teacher works collaboratively with the classroom teacher and students. It is a hands-on approach to learning.
Project arts came roaring into P.S. 97 this year, under the direction of Ms. Jackie Roohan. P.S. 97 has an exciting program that explores literacy and the arts through music.
In Ancient Egypt, symbols were used to represent many different things.
I chose the first symbol because it represents life, and I wish a long life for my family.
I chose the next symbol because it represents a perfect god. My mom is perfect because she takes such good care of me.
Chris, sixth grade
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a school program. Facilitators from the museum come to the P.S. 97 and present slides about Egyptian, African and Medieval Art as well as its significance. After the presentations, children have the opportunity to create their own art. They have made a sarcophagus, African clay tribal masks and will create medieval armor. The culminating activity was a trip to the museum with our parents to see actual artifacts of what we studied.
Photography and Oral Histories from our Local Seniors
Under the direction of our resident art teacher Cynthia Buynak, Anne Fuccillo our librarian, and Jackie Roohan our Project Arts specialist, our sixth grade students will produce a photo essay along with musical pieces and a personal narrative of the community of Woodhaven, as told by the seniors in our community and written and photographed by our students.
The Arts are alive at P.S. 97 with Ms. Roohan!
Columbia Teachers College - Writing Process
Staff and students from grades one through six will be working closely with Columbia University on the Reading and Writing process. Students will be leading the "writerly life" and periodically publishing pieces nurtured in their writers notebook.
Thinking Maps and Music in Project Arts
Thinking Maps
Thinking Maps is a common visual language for transferring thinking processes and integrating learning. Thinking Maps are eight visual learning tools, each based on fundamental thinking process and used together as a set of tools for showing relationships.
Thematic Instruction at P.S. 97
Each spring we celebrate a theme at P.S. 97. This year our theme is celebrating New York through Broadway. Our whole school including all classes and staff members participated in cross curricular instruction around Broadway. Projects, bulletin boards and Broadway Theme classroom doors adorn our school. Enjoy the following sample of our hard work.
42nd STREET
42ND STREET
at the LIBRARY.
GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY
ESL - BROADWAY SHOW WORDS
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
WE PRESENT THE MUSIC MAN
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
ANNIE
PETER PAN
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER