Academic Program
Students at Sunset Park Avenues Elementary will experience a curriculum rich in literacy and language that develops their ability to problem solve, reason, communicate, and attend to precision. Students spend much of their time engaged in independent or small-group practice and exploration. During this time, teachers work one-on-one with students to model and further develop their skills, providing highly-individualized learning in a cooperative classroom environment.
Literacy: Teacher's College Reading and Writing Project
Students in all grades experience a balanced literacy program each day. This includes: - Read Aloud - Shared Reading - Guided Reading - Independent Reading - Phonics / Word Study - Interactive Writing - Independent Writing The curriculum allows teachers to meet students specifically at their instructional level. Students learn the work of what it means to be a reader, writer, listener, and speaker. |
Mathematics: EngageNY (Eureka Math)
Students also participate in a balanced mathematics program that includes daily work in fluency practice, conceptual development through shared activities, problem-solving and application through rich, open-ended math problems. Students participate in conversations during which they share their thinking, justify strategies, and learn from the work of others. |
Social Studies and Science: Thematic Studies
Students develop emergent research skills through long-term thematic studies in Social Studies and Science. Our teachers backwards plan unit of study based on the grade-level standards that are of high-interest topics (pumpkins, bridges, construction, and water) and build skills of inquiry, critical thinking, research, and presentation. Students participate in hands-on project learning and take many field trips to deepen their understanding of content and build knowledge of the world around them.
Students develop emergent research skills through long-term thematic studies in Social Studies and Science. Our teachers backwards plan unit of study based on the grade-level standards that are of high-interest topics (pumpkins, bridges, construction, and water) and build skills of inquiry, critical thinking, research, and presentation. Students participate in hands-on project learning and take many field trips to deepen their understanding of content and build knowledge of the world around them.
Specialty Clusters
Visual Arts
All students participate in a visual arts program where they explore art-making through a multitude of materials and methods. Students learn to express thinking and ideas through art and develop language skills through critique and study of other artists.
Physical Education
Physical Education helps tap into the intrinsic energy and need for movement that all young children possess. In addition to developing gross motor skills and encouraging and active, healthy lifestyle, students learn sportsmanship, fair play, and how to work as a team towards a common goal
STEAM
Our young students experience an intensive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) program. Students become chemists, physicists, and programmers as they learn about 21st century skills in a hands-on way.
Dance
The elementary dance program provides standards-based instruction in dance. Students are given the opportunity to experience dance as art in an educational setting, performing, creating, responding and connecting their dance learning to their own experiences.
Visual Arts
All students participate in a visual arts program where they explore art-making through a multitude of materials and methods. Students learn to express thinking and ideas through art and develop language skills through critique and study of other artists.
Physical Education
Physical Education helps tap into the intrinsic energy and need for movement that all young children possess. In addition to developing gross motor skills and encouraging and active, healthy lifestyle, students learn sportsmanship, fair play, and how to work as a team towards a common goal
STEAM
Our young students experience an intensive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) program. Students become chemists, physicists, and programmers as they learn about 21st century skills in a hands-on way.
Dance
The elementary dance program provides standards-based instruction in dance. Students are given the opportunity to experience dance as art in an educational setting, performing, creating, responding and connecting their dance learning to their own experiences.
Partnerships & Enrichment Programs
Sunset Spark
Students in 1st - 3rd grades participate in a LEGO robotics program for 10-week cycles throughout the year. A robotics lunch club that meets each Tuesday during lunch/recess.
Creative Music Programs
All students participate in a variety of music classes through our residencies with Creative Music Programs. Students learn to appreciate and create music across several genres and formats. Most programs end in a culminating performance.
Prospect Park YMCA
Our 2nd grade students participate in weekly swim class at the YMCA every Tuesday. What an exciting part of the 2nd grade experience!
Kids Orbit
Kids Orbit is an organization that facilitates our recess program. Trained staff members organize games, play, and movement activities for our students in the multi-purpose room or in the yard.
City Growers
Students in Pre-K though 3rd grade experience urban farming first hand with in-school workshops and visits to the City Growers rooftop farm at the Brooklyn Navy Yards. City Growers has been integral in helping to establish our very own school garden, located in our school yard. We currently have five sub-irrigated garden beds supporting a variety of vegetables and local plants.
After School Programs
Wingspan Arts
In the 2016-2017 school year, P.S. 516 is excited to continue our partnership with Wingspan Arts, an organization that will be providing an arts-based enrichment program each day after school. The program will be available Monday - Friday, from dismissal time until 6:00 PM. This is a paid program. Reduced prices and discounts are available for qualifying families. For more information, visit www.wingspanarts.org
Title III Program
English Language Learners (ELLs) are entitled to participate in our Title III after school program, which operates once per week for a portion of the school year. Students in the Title III program participate in activities that help to support language development and acquisition. During the 2016-2017 school year, our Title III students worked to create our school blog and podcast: "The SPA Station"
Sunset Spark
Students in 1st - 3rd grades participate in a LEGO robotics program for 10-week cycles throughout the year. A robotics lunch club that meets each Tuesday during lunch/recess.
Creative Music Programs
All students participate in a variety of music classes through our residencies with Creative Music Programs. Students learn to appreciate and create music across several genres and formats. Most programs end in a culminating performance.
Prospect Park YMCA
Our 2nd grade students participate in weekly swim class at the YMCA every Tuesday. What an exciting part of the 2nd grade experience!
Kids Orbit
Kids Orbit is an organization that facilitates our recess program. Trained staff members organize games, play, and movement activities for our students in the multi-purpose room or in the yard.
City Growers
Students in Pre-K though 3rd grade experience urban farming first hand with in-school workshops and visits to the City Growers rooftop farm at the Brooklyn Navy Yards. City Growers has been integral in helping to establish our very own school garden, located in our school yard. We currently have five sub-irrigated garden beds supporting a variety of vegetables and local plants.
After School Programs
Wingspan Arts
In the 2016-2017 school year, P.S. 516 is excited to continue our partnership with Wingspan Arts, an organization that will be providing an arts-based enrichment program each day after school. The program will be available Monday - Friday, from dismissal time until 6:00 PM. This is a paid program. Reduced prices and discounts are available for qualifying families. For more information, visit www.wingspanarts.org
Title III Program
English Language Learners (ELLs) are entitled to participate in our Title III after school program, which operates once per week for a portion of the school year. Students in the Title III program participate in activities that help to support language development and acquisition. During the 2016-2017 school year, our Title III students worked to create our school blog and podcast: "The SPA Station"