Butterflies In 3K2!

 

Scholars in class 3K2, with Ms. Shlansky and Ms. Jimenez, have completed a science unit where they learned about the lifecycle of a butterfly!  They learned that a butterfly starts out as an egg and then hatches into a caterpillar. The caterpillar eats and eats and eats some more and then transforms into a chrysalis. While the caterpillar is inside the chrysalis it slowly changes into a butterfly. When the butterfly emerges, the young scientists learned that butterflies have to let its wings dry before it can fly and be free!

Students were able to watch the growth of butterflies with a Insect Lore Butterfly Garden Kit, gifted by Ms. Nuez (PS4's Librarian)! The kit is made from mesh and includes a feeding dropper! The kit allowed for Ms. Shlansky to receive five baby caterpillars and food! After three weeks, students in 3K2 watched caterpillars transform from chrysalises into beautiful Painted Lady butterflies!

Congratulations to 3K2 on their successful butterfly unit!

Our Third Annual Daffodil and Tulip Planting Event

Just before the first snowstorm of the year, PS4 scholars in 3K, 4K, Kindergarten and grade 2 spent an afternoon planting daffodil and tulip bulbs with Ms. Diane! For the past three years, Ms. Diane Pobuda, an active member of the PS4 school community, has donated hundreds of bulbs to beautify our school. Because of her efforts, the NYC Parks Department re-planted the trees in front of our school building when they were destroyed by scaffolding. With her vision of making 160th Street become a tree lined street, not only did she get more trees added, she also helped to put the railings around each one. 

During this year's annual daffodil and tulip bulb planting event, Ms. Diane spoke to each class about daffodils and tulips! She gave scholars specific instructions on how to plant each bulb. "Pointy side up and root side down", she reminded them. She also discussed the importance of roots and then told them that the tulips will be red when they bloom!  Ms. Diane brought shovels, rakes and soil for students to use. She instructed them on how to use the tools to dig the holes for the bulbs. "My students were so excited", said Kindergarten teacher Ms. Benenson. "The mere excitement of getting out of the classroom during these unprecedented times was priceless...it was a joy to see how engaged they were in examining our green community space and making connections to our science lessons about plants".

Ms. Estevez, Special Education Teacher, found that her students also used the information that they learned about other seeds (ex: raddish) to make comparisons to the size of the tulip and daffodil seeds! "It was amazing to see my scholars make connections about what they learned in school to real life experiences", she said. "These opportunities allow the students to not only make science connections, but also to understand the importance of community... planting seeds might look like something simple to adults, but to a child it can give them a sense of pride because they helped to make their community beautiful".

When asked what they most enjoyed about planting daffodil and tulip bulbs, most students said they loved dropping these large seeds into the ground. But, for members of the school community, the best part of this annual event is watching young scholars develop and strengthen their community roots by actively participating in the beautification of where they live. Mr. Cantu, Leadership Education Apprentice Graduate/PBIS Coach/SBL/SDL spoke about the true importance of the event. "In essence, it’s an honor to witness generations of our students engage in enriching projects that help them grow academically, socially and emotionally."

On behalf of Ms. Martin, Assistant Principal for early childhood grades, a big thank you goes to Mr. Cantu, Ms. Estevez, and Ms. Benenson who helped us dig! A very big thank you goes to Principal Stevens, our visionary and inspirational leader, for giving his permission and support. A very special thanks goes to Ms. Diane Pobuda for her unwavering dedication to making our school community beautiful and educating young scientists from PS4. To see what red tulips look like when they bloom, click here!

Kindergarten Students Celebrates Earth Day!

Ms. Baez's class (K02), along with Ms. Patricia, of the NYC Parks department and Ms. Diane, our Community senior volunteer, celebrated Earth Day by beautifying our kindergarten yard!  This project started back in September when students were studying, "Our Community".  They started planting flower bulbs all over the sidewalk beds from Broadway on 160th Street to Amsterdam Avenue and 159th Street. Our scholars learned to dig with shovels up to 4 inches!  They measured with rulers! They learned to face the roots down to help the bulbs grow correctly. It took many planting g sessions, working around the weather to complete this planting project. 

Our young environmentalists couldn't wait to see the school surrounded by beautiful flowers. Amelia D. told Ms. Baez, " It's going to be like walking through a garden every day, on our way to school!"

The Giving Tree, a book by Shel Silvertein helped students learn about the important relationship between people and plants, we depend on each other.  Now that Spring has come, our scholars are seeing their flowers bloom.  They are also reporting the damages of the garbage and animals that are destroying some of the plant beds. Mrs. Diane recently visited Ms. Baez's students to find out what could could be done to improve the growth of our plants. Students Adam B. and Eli S. shared that we could build a metal fence or a metal gate! Ms. Diane and The Parks Restoration agreed to use the idea. But would use recycled wood instead of metal!  to use recycled wood!

To celebrate Earth Day, class K02 painted an " Earth day" banner to let everyone know we care about our Earth and we would Celebrate with our plants and trees in our kindergarten backyard! The scholars enjoyed cleaning up the kindergarten yard together, so they could give the newly planted tree and our future plants a clean shelter. Students sang songs, blew bubbles, used wind pinwheels, and even explored worms and snails!  After some digging and cleaning, Liam said "I love playing with Earth balls!".  

When asked about this successful project, Ms. Baez said, "what my students got out of this planting project and Earth celebration is that we, the scholars of our community, can problem solve together and come up with good ideas. By communicating our ideas and working hard together, we can make the changes that we feel are most important. Our Earth is too important and we can all help make it better".  Congratulations to Ms. Baez and the girls and boys of class K02.

Cluster Teacher Awards Ceremony - 2015

Attendees at the Cluster Teacher Awards Ceremony on December 8, 2015.

Congratulations to all the award winners that received certificates at the Cluster Teacher Awards Ceremony! Nearly fifty parents and guests attended the ceremony to see their child receive an award from PS4's Cluster Teachers!  The Cluster teachers work with all PS4 students each week to teach Science, Technology, Social Studies, Physical Education, Reading, Music and Math.

Upon careful consideration of classwork, effort, character and citizenship, fifteen students were selected to receive an award in the auditorium.  On behalf of all Ms. McLeod (Reading), Mr. Means (Music),  Ms. McArdle (Physical Education), Ms. Baez (Science), Mr. Cesani (Technology) and Mr. Harris (Social Studies), congratulations to all the award winners!  Take a look at the slideshow below for more photos from the event.

Customize your own free picture collage

Science Fair - 2015

A third grade scientist gives a presentation to fellow students.

The annual PS4 Science Fair took place this week!  PS4 family members had an opportunity to see the more than fifteen science projects displayed in our gymnasium.  All students had an opportunity to view class experiments and heard from our young scientists as they took them through the scientific process.

Special thanks to our science teacher Ms. Baez and Assistant Principal Ms. Rivers for organizing a successful event!  Take a look at the slideshow below to see highlights from our science fair!

This free digital slideshow personalized with Smilebox

The Biobus Braves the Storm

Dr. Ben discusses how solar panels, located on top of the Biobus, give power to the microscopes on board.

The Biobus is serious about developing a love of science to students all over the country!  Recently, during a winter storm, Dr. Ben and Scientist Matt found a parking space for the Biobus and made sure 4th grade students were given a chance to learn about this microorganism that lives in freshwater environments all over the world.  Students, for the fourth year in a row, boarded the bus and used microscopes to see this tiny animal named "Daphnia".

"I had one student", says 4th grade bilingual teacher Ms. Cruz, "that said she hated science".  "But, now that she sees how fun science is, she now wants to become a scientist".  Statements like these are common for Dr. Ben and his staff who, because of donations from groups that support his goal, visited PS4 free of charge!

Thank you, Dr. Ben, for the work that you do.  For making science fun and for braving a winter storm to bring science to our school...thank you.  For more information about the Biobus, click here!

Science Fair - 2013

Students represent their class at the Science Fair!

Students at PS4 love science and every year they get a chance to show what they've learned by participating a Science Fair!  This year's fair took place over two days from 9:30am - 6pm.  Parents were invited to visit the fair and learn from class representatives as they presented their science projects.  Prior to the Science Fair, teachers spent time focusing on topics ranging from food to volcanoes.  "Preparing for the Science Fair gave the students time to explore tons of ideas", says 502 co-teacher Ms. Barnosky.  "We already have some great ideas for next year", adds her co-teacher Ms. McLeod.

Each class representative was given a medal and an individual certificate as well as a certificate for their classroom.  Special thanks to Ms. Baez (Science Teacher) and Ms. Martin (Assistant Principal) who coordinate this annual event.  Congratulations to the following classes who were given trophies:

1st Place - Class 302 - How Hot Water & Cold Water Affect Light Or "Glow" of a Glowstick
2nd Place - Class 502 - The Link Between Taste & Smell
3rd Place - Class 501 - Food & Nutrition: How Much Sugar Is In That Beverage?

Take a look at the slideshow below for some highlights from this year's Science Fair!

A free picture slideshow by Smilebox

Gardening Education At PS4

This fall we have an exciting collaboration between the Morris-Jumel Garden Education Program and the Morris-Jumel Mansion!  This year’s exciting program will allow PS4 students to have an 8-week engagement with the museum. The garden program introduces children to scientific based exploration outdoors along with historical connections within the Mansion.  Garden Educator Christina Ruiz, instructs the students each week.  "Students have been learning about plant uses and how they relate to the mansion and the people that lived in it", she says.  "PS4 students are definitely excited about visiting the garden and making observations using their senses".  Miss Christina, hopes to give students a better appreciation for green spaces that they may not have a lot of access to.  Students will participate in weekly activities handling plants and light gardening.   

Miss Christina with 4th grade students.

Students sorting seeds.

Sorting categories generated by students during a lesson.

Science teacher, Ms. Baez, will bring her 4th grade science classes to the gardens at the Morris-Jumel Mansion once each week until November 21st!  The program will enrich her science curriculum.  Special thanks to Garden Educator, Christina Ruiz and Education Coordinator, Carol Ward from the Morris-Jumel Mansion.  For more information about MJM, click here!  For more information about the gardening program, send an e-mail to cruiz@gs.bankstreet.edu.

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!