At Q300, 5th grade students have their reading levels assessed throughout the school year by their classroom teacher. Based on these differentiated levels, the students are placed in dynamic reading groups and are exposed to scaffolded instruction. Within these smaller groups, teachers work with students to improve accuracy, fluency, and comprehension skills. After each cycle, teachers re-assess students and form new groups based on their progress. The Teachers College Reading Program anchors the reading curriculum.
In Grade 5 at Q300, we teach the writing process by using Teachers College Writing curriculum. Students learn how to create narrative, opinion, and informational texts through the use of mentor texts. We encourage students to read their peers’ pieces and to provide constructive feedback, and often celebrate each other’s work at publishing parties.
Our ELA teachers explore and utilize resources provided by the Center for Gifted Education at William and Mary’s School of Education to build a robust ELA program. We develop students' skills in literary analysis and interpretation, persuasive writing, linguistic competency, and oral communication, as well as to strengthen students' reasoning skills and understanding of the concept of change. Teachers engage students in exploring carefully selected, challenging works of literature from various time periods, cultures, and genres; and they encourage students to reflect on their readings through writing and discussion.
In Grades 5-8, we base mathematics instruction on EngageNY, Project M^3, and Connected Mathematics, an inquiry-based curriculum from Michigan State University. Student teams conduct hands-on inquiry around a topic to formulate deep understandings of mathematics concepts. In grade 8, all students take the NYS Regents. Additionally, students have the opportunity to work with adaptive learning tools such as Khan Academy and the Art of Problem Solving Alcumus platform.
At Q300 we emphasize to the students that science is both a body of knowledge and a process used to acquire that knowledge. In 5th Grade, we take an inquiry approach to equip students with the tools and strategies to lead their own inquiries and explore their own curiosities. Using the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt curriculum and the Next Generation Science Standards as a guideline, students conduct independent research and carry out experiments to learn more about the world around them. Topics covered this year include engineering and technology, energy and matter, organisms and ecosystems, Earth's systems, systems in space, and the impact of human activities. In 6th grade, students learn a variety of topics from the NYS Science Learning Standards, such as force and motion, energy, chemistry, weather, cells, and populations and ecosystems, while 7th grade students study topics such as plate tectonics, rocks and minerals, the human body, and the plant and animal kingdoms. Through inquiry-based lessons the students gain a better understanding of the world and universe around them.
In 8th grade, students are expected to take the NYS Regents test at the end of the year and we align our curriculum to to NYS Living Environment Core Curriculum with an emphasis on looking for patterns, cause and effect, stability and change, systems, as well as structure and function. Students also pose questions that drive the units, develop and use models (any sort of explanation), analyze and interpret data, as well as obtain and evaluate information. Students do these things across units that encompass topics like photosynthesis, respiration, human body systems, molecular genetics, evolution, and ecology through lessons that emphasize authentic inquiry.
At Q300, grades 5-8 use the NYC Department of Education (DOE) Passport to Social Studies curriculum to ground their historical thinking. In grade 5, students engage in comparative case studies of civilizations in the western hemisphere, inquiring as to how culture, geography, government, and economics interplay to create and change a civilization. In grade 6, students engage in a similar exploration but for the eastern hemisphere, studying ancient civilizations spanning from the Indus River Valley Civilizations to Ancient Rome. In grade 7 and 8, students study U.S. history from the age of exploration up to the Civil Rights Movement, exploring the role that people and events have played in shaping our nation and the world. In all grades, students are guided to make better connections between major historical ideas and their own lives while seeing themselves as active members of the local and global community.
As a result of our teachers’ involvement with the Department of Education Computer Science for All effort, our teachers engage 5-8 students in foundational computer science concepts and the application of computer science. Students use open-ended creative computing platforms such as Python, Scratch, Lego robotics sets, and maker materials. Every year, students engage in a schoolwide Hack-a-Thon, and many go on to compete ant Borough and City levels.
At Q300, student in grades 5-8 receive Spanish instruction 2-3 times per week. Students are challenged to develop vocabulary, written and verbal communication, and cultural understandings of Spanish-speaking cultures. By the time our students graduate, we expect them to have developed overall fluency in Spanish and to take the Spanish Proficiency Examination (SPE).
Using the data obtained from our most recent PE Works assessment, we have designed a robust physical education plan so that all students in grades 5-8 benefit from physical education classes two to three times per week. We also use the Physical Best curriculum and cultivate collaborative practices among our students through exposure to cooperative games and activities. Additionally, 8th grade students will take a yearlong Health course.
Studio Art (Grades 6-8)
6th-8th grade students take art twice a week. In 6th grade, students discuss the role of art in history and culture, as well as make art with a variety of media (i.e. drawing, sculpture, printmaking, and painting) In 7th grade, students practice drawing, sculpting, printmaking, and painting. There is also an emphasis on observational drawing, further developing art skills, vocabulary, and creativity as well as applying the elements of art and principles of design to their artwork. In 8th grade, students develop an understanding of how generating ideas and planning can lead to expressive creations. Our approach to art emphasizes planning and the reflection, so that our students are more critical, self-aware thinkers.
5th Grade:Guitar (Art House Astoria)
Through playing the guitar, we foster holistic musical understanding and a true love for music. This course will teach young students how to create a good tone, establish a steady beat, play in rhythm, and internalize melody and song. Students will learn to play a wide variety of cool tunes from folk, rock, and pop. Each song purposefully stretches new muscles and teaches new skills in an authentic and memorable way.
Homework is intended to be a logical extension of the school day and serves to reinforce the skills, techniques, and information learned during school hours. More importantly it should represent an additional opportunity for students to think about things they are learning in school. Teachers work thoughtfully to assign useful homework assignments. Teachers collaborate to establish homework policies that ensure our students do not end up with too much homework during any one evening/weekend. Additionally, these policies require that homework be completed in a timely fashion as part of our work to emphasize the core value of responsibility.In addition to assignments, students should expect to read every evening.
Electives Each week, one period is dedicated to electives or clubs. Students have the opportunity to choose an elective based on their interest and share the opportunity with a group of students representing all grades. Our own teachers and outside organizations (Art House Astoria, Queens International Film Festival, NYC CHess Kids) lead these electives. The following is a sample of some opportunities (and a written in how they are presented to our students):
Based on The Moth, a storytelling organization based in New York City, this elective will allow you to use live storytelling to explore and better understand yourself and the experiences that have influenced you the most. In this course, we will learn about the craft of storytelling and storytelling techniques, and we will practice these skills as we share true stories about our own lives with each other. We will listen to podcasts from The Moth in order to get a sense of how to tell a story, and we will practice reciting our own stories in front of each other in a warm, supportive environment. In the Spring, we will put on a story slam, in which we all share our stories on stage in front of our peers and possibly our families. We will spend the last part of the year publishing a book of our stories. This elective is your chance to take a risk; it’s your chance to tell your own story to an audience that will listen. This elective is a year-long elective and is open to all students grades 5-8. If you join this elective, you are committed to the elective for the whole year, and you understand that you will participate in the story slam. Both newcomers and those who were in this elective last year are welcome.
This elective is inspired by Google which offered their employees the option to pursue personal projects for 20% of their work week. The idea being that when you can explore topics of interest, great things happen! From it, we now have things like Gmail and Google News.
We can transfer this idea to education by fostering your curiosity at school. You will have one period a week to explore a topic of your choosing, so long as you are learning something new, and able to share that knowledge with the school community. For example, maybe you see a problem around the community like homelessness. How can you help? Or perhaps, you want to learn a new skill like crocheting or drawing from life. Well, this is your opportunity to explore.
This project will be self-directed, but I’m here to help you develop a project proposal and implement your plan. I look forward to working with you! Open in Fall to 5th and 6th graders and in Spring 7th and 8th graders.
Do you like being creative? Do you like taking photos & scrapbooking memories? The Memory Makers Elective is open to any 7th and 8th grade Q300 student who would like to work on creating the 2018 - 2019 Q300 upper division yearbook. In addition to working on the yearbook using the online Tree Ring publishing resources, in this year-long elective, we will also explore our creative side by taking photos and making scrapbook pages, cards, and other artistic projects. No prior experience necessary! This elective is a great way to learn some new skills and make some new friends!
Please note that this elective is a year-long elective and is currently open to students in grades 7 & 8 only. If you join this elective, you are committed to the elective for the whole year, and you understand that you are responsible for working on the yearbook and keeping up with any deadlines. Both newcomers and those who were in this elective last year are welcome.
In the debate club, students will debate topics ranging from the food we eat, to social media, to matters of social justice. It will require time at home to perform outside research, an open mind to consider new possibilities, and the courage to overcome the difficulties we will encounter. Once a month, we will be competing against other schools at an Urban Debate League tournament. Our goal this year is to be in the top 3 schools in New York City. Anyone can join, but only the brave will be great. Open both smesters to grades 5-8.
We will be analyzing selected episodes and films in terms of cinematography (soundtrack, color, characterizations, camera angles, and symbolism) in order to gain a better appreciation for productions that students may already have seen. Each class will include discussion on how an element of cinematography enhances the episode/scene; this will NOT be something in which all we do is watch anime. Students may be expected to create posters/make a presentation for their favorite series/films, and write a comparative essay. Other concepts include how a hero/heroine is defined, and the role of symbolism in Studio Ghibli films. Think of this as an English class that uses anime instead of books. In the Fall semester, open to 7 & 8 Grades.
This elective will revolve around preparation for and competition in National Geographic Geography Bee, which is open to students from all fifty states. This bee’s format, which is similar to the qualification and round format of Scripps National Spelling Bee, allows students the opportunity to learn about geography, as well as compete with students at Q300 and students at other public schools and private schools, not only in New York State, but potentially from around the country. Students who join this elective will have the opportunity to learn a lot about our world’s political and physical geography, as well as the demographics of our world’s population. Bee material also focuses on non-human features of geography including the distribution of both animals and natural resources around our globe. All students are welcome to join! Open to 5-8 grades each semester.
For this half-year elective, we will be getting active every Wednesday afternoon in the gymnasium learning the basics of playing ultimate frisbee as a competitive team sport. No prior experience is necessary to join. As long as you have an open mind and you’re willing to try new things, this elective would be a great way to challenge yourself while also getting some added exercise. Over the course of the semester, we will be going over different techniques to throwing and catching a disc, as well as strategies to scoring in the endzone. Hope to see you there! In the Fall semester, open to 7 & 8 Grades and in Spring semester to 5 & 6 Grades.
Do you like board games? Do you like to actively engage in games that require some thought process and strategies to be victorious? Come join the Brain Games elective! Students that join this elective will be able to play some familiar board games like Connect 4, Clue, Battleship, card games like Monopoly Deal, Coup, new games that they might not be familiar with (Pandemic, Wits and Wagers, Ticket to Ride) and even fun math games that will stimulate the mind (Proof, 24, Prime Climb). This elective will be a great way to have fun, interact with other students that you may and may not know through the various games and build an inclusive community of board game enthusiasts. I look forward to seeing you during this elective! Thank you! Open to 5-8 grades each semester.
Do you like to sing or dance? Do you like to be on the stage and show your musical talent? If so, musical theater is the perfect elective for you! Over the course of the semester, we will learn from an expert from Art House Astoria. It’s okay if you have no experience on stage, we will learn together the basics of musical theater performance. From vocal training to stage directing, this elective will give you a chance to explore how to plan and perform a musical. I look forward to seeing you during this elective! In the Fall, open to grades 5-6, and in spring 7-8.
Do you ever wonder how you can capture and/or recreate a single moment in time? In Digital Photography and Photoshop we will learn how to make images using digital cameras by looking at the works of various contemporary photographers. Students will learn how to edit their images in Photoshop. Projects range from Photo Scavenger hunts to Pop Art portraits. In the Fall semester, open to 7 & 8 Grades and in Spring semester to 5 & 6 Grades.
Working in pairs students will be able to build a Lego robot that they will be able to program to do automated tasks and manual control using a remote control. Ideas like gearing up and gearing down will be explored as well as building and programming concepts as they relate to challenges and goals provided that week.
An outside provider, NYChessKids, will be facilitating the club. Semester long and open to all UD grades. Please see website for further details: https://nychesskids.com/about/q300-wednesday
Do you have an interest in singing? Do you work well in groups? If so, Chorus is the elective for you! We will be forming our very own Q300 chorus group, with the help of the outside organization Art House Astoria. Take a semester to discover the basics of a great choir. Use this opportunity to practice different techniques for improving upon your vocals. There is no prior experience or knowledge required to participate! So, come join me in learning a thing or two about harmonizing! If you are up for it, we can possibly host a Winter or Spring Concert! I look forward to working with you all! Offered to the 5th and 6th graders in the Fall semester, and to the 7th and 8th graders in the Spring semester.
We will be emphasizing the scientific method to solve problems in a variety of activities in this elective. This won’t be an official SciOly team, so we will not be competing, but should give students a little taste of what to expect for next year (or when the 8th graders go to a high school with a SciOly team). We will be designing an elastic glider to make it fly as far as possible, designing an insulating container to retain heat for as long as possible, designing a roller coaster that lasts a certain amount of time, practicing concepts of heredity, practicing our communication skills, and we might even solve some (fake) crimes. Spring semester: Grades 5-8 (with priority for 5 & 6 grades)
Come participate in this fast paced, hands-on Stop Motion Animation Club. You will learn multiple stop motion animation styles ranging from large scale projects in front of the green screen to individual projects on table top Animation Stations. We will animate household objects, hand drawn figures and maybe even you! Under the guidance of two Filmmaker Mentors you participants will produce short animated films and some lucky young filmmakers will screen their work at the upcoming 9th Annual Queens World Film Festival March 22 at the Museum of the Moving Image. Open to Grades 5-8 in Spring semester.
