Curriculum & Academic Programs

Students at PS 139 are immersed in common-core aligned math experiences that are designed to develop a love of mathematics and the belief that math is an authentic experience. Math classrooms are full of discussions, questions and a lot of excitement! Our primary curriculum is Illustrative Mathematics, a program that emphasizes the way the students construct meaning in mathematics. In addition to Illustrative Mathematics, we do open ended problem solving, where students are pushed to collaborate with classmates in order to make sense of complex problems and persevere through solving them. We are seeking to develop flexible thinkers through daily mental math problems using Number Talks by Sherry Parrish. Our classroom teachers are supported by a full time math coach and a math leadership team who work closely with a math consultant from ReimaginED.

• More info about New York State’s Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards (PDF document)

Amplify Science is a comprehensive science program that was developed specifically to support the Next Generation Science Standards. Students investigate phenomena through a three-dimensional approach to the teaching and learning of science, in which they are engaging with scientific and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas simultaneously. The program also emphasizes the integration of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills as an important component of doing science, and builds on  previous learning and addresses appropriate learning progressions for Grades K-2 and Grades 3-5.

PS 139 follows the Into Reading Literacy Curriculum. The HMH Into Reading Curriculum is based on research in the essential elements of literacy with scaffolds for multilingual learners. 

• More info about New York State’s Next Generation ELA Learning Standards (PDF document)

Passport to Social Studies is a comprehensive instructional resource for teachers in grades Kindergarten through 8, organized around units of study that are guided by essential questions. The Passport helps students think like historians by raising questions, thinking critically, considering many perspectives, and gathering evidence; it also supports students making connections between history and their own lives, and seeing themselves as active members of a global community.

The Spanish-English dual language program began at PS 139 in the 2014-2015 school year with one Kindergarten class. We currently have 1 dual language classroom per grade, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5. We believe that our dual language program is one way to help our students become biliterate, bilingual and bicultural. Children who know more than one language have intellectual, educational, personal, social, and economic advantages that will continue throughout their lives.

Our dual language program is designed as a stand alone model in which one teacher teaches both languages (50/50) each day of the week. Each classroom enrolls 50% native English speakers and 50% native Spanish speakers to balance language content instruction and for each language group to serve as models for each other.

Behavior leadership is a priority at PS 139. Our goal is to ensure that all students are being respectful, responsible, and safe. Expectations are clearly defined and a common language is used throughout the school environment in order to support positive behavior. Each month our school focuses on a different behavioral skill that is explicitly taught in the classroom. Being an active listener, sharing and taking turns, and understanding another’s point of view, are examples of social skills that are explored.

Youth Development coordinates student government and service projects which provide opportunities for students to exercise leadership and support student social emotional growth. Examples include: students raising money for Muscular Dystrophy by participating in a Pajama Hop, The Penny Harvest, and creating Valentine’s cards for people at community senior centers.

Our goal is to have an environment where courtesy and kindness prevail and where there is a genuine respect for all. When problems arise, we work positively to find solutions. We believe each student has the final responsibility for the consequences of his/her own behavior.