Art Education At PS4

Art Educator with Brayan (Class 402).

In December, 4th grade students went on a field trip to the Museum of Modern Art.  Art educator Rebecca Goyette (pictured above) was their guide through the museum’s collection of art masterpieces.  The students studied character in art predominately through the work of Willem De Koning and Marc Chagall.  A week after the museum visit, Rebecca came to the school to work with the children on creating their own masterpieces.  The results are fantastic! Students created wonderfully, colorful and interesting works of art.   

Ms. Smith, 4th grade teacher who coordinated the event, knows the importance of art education and often makes it a part of her teaching.  When asked about art education, she said, “I believe that children actually learn a lot through exploring the arts and doing art activities!  Art goes beyond verbal language to communicate feelings that might not otherwise be expressed.  Instead of following specific rules or directions, children become engaged in the discovery of the  ‘how’ and ‘why’.  Through experimenting and learning how to handle art materials, children are solving challenges and coming up with new ways to handle unexpected outcomes.  Art also allows children to show individual uniqueness.  It is an experience that requires freethinking, experimentation, and analysis – all part of creativity!   Through creativity, they experience success and accomplishment, which are part of a positive self-image.”

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To see artwork done by Ms. Smith's students, visit class 420 or class 402!  To find out more information about the Museum of Modern Art, click here!

PS4 Kids Smile

Students from the 4th grade were once again asked to participate in the "Greater New York Smiles" program for the 2012 Greater New York Dental Meeting at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.  According to Jayme McNiff, Program Manager, over 1,400 students from all five NYC boroughs attended this educational fieldtrip!  "We learned how important it is to brush, floss, eat healthy and see the dentist on a regular basis", said Lamaya (pictured bottom-left).   Brayan (top-center) was very excited about seeing the Greater New York Dental's mascot, Dr. Rabbit.  "We got to see the big purple rabbit...he showed everybody how to take care of our teeth".

The program was an enormous success and plans are already well under way to repeat the program next year!  Each student received a bag filled with gifts from Colgate oral care products and each class received a photo from the event.  Special thanks to Jayme McNiff who makes sure PS4 kids attend each year.  Click here for more information about the event.





Fourth graders attended 

The Biobus Comes Back to PS4

Fourth graders, teachers and a few lucky parents were very excited to board the Biobus last Friday!  "We're happy to be back", said Dr. Ben, Founder of the Biobus.  "We couldn't wait to see PS4 again", he said via our Facebook page.  This is the second year that the 1974 San Francisco Transit Bus has parked outside PS4!  Thanks to Dr. Ben and his team of scientists, students got on board this high-tech laboratory on wheels!  Each student got a chance to use microscopes, learn about what scientists do and see Daphnia!  Click here for more information on this tiny, shrimp like animal!

"This was an excellent way for students to see the food chain at work and to understand how things in the environment can effect us in the long term", said Ms. Thomas who accompanied class 401.  "Most of the world eats fish and Daphnia is the feeder for fish!  Students really had to think about what would happen if there was a decrease of Daphnia", she said.  Dr. Latasha, Biobus scientist, was very proud of our students.  "They really understood the fact that what effects the bottom of the food chain will effect the top of the food chain", she said.  "They also asked a lot of good questions".

Dr. Latasha and class 420.

Biobus Scientist Matt, teaching class 401 about Daphnia.

Once again, special thanks to Dr. Ben and his team (Dr. Latasha and Matt) for bringing this great experience to our school.  We can't wait to see you again next year!  For more information about the Biobus, click here!  Click here, to see photos of last year's visit from the Biobus!

Bar Graphs and the Super Bowl

Ms. Torres, one of two teachers in class 420, is using the enthusiasm of the Super Bowl as a way to teach math skills .  "We are learning about bar graphs", she said, "and we are using the Super Bowl as a way to learn how to create bar graphs.  Students will be turning player statistics and the results of the school's blog poll question into bar graphs."  Jeremy R. can't wait to see all the bar graphs Ms. Torres plans to place on the hallway bulletin board.   "I think the Giants are going to win the Super Bowl", he says, "they're my idols".

For the NFL's website for kids, click here.  For more information on tally charts and bar graphs, click here to watch this FREE BrainPop Jr. video!  To make your own bar graphs, click here!

Ms. Torres with class 420