Buzzing Through the Curriculum
“Every child is capable of greatness and every classroom can be a hive of deep learning.”
At PS 224 we believe every student deserves access to rigorous, joyful learning that connects deeply to the world around them. That’s why our Hive uses Wit & Wisdom, a high-quality English Language Arts curriculum developed by Great Minds.
Wit & Wisdom empowers students to read rich, authentic texts, engage in thoughtful discussion, and build strong writing skills across genres. Each module is built around big, meaningful questions and integrates art, history, and culture allowing our students to explore powerful ideas while building their literacy and critical thinking skills.
Through this curriculum, our young scholars learn to read closely, write with purpose, and express themselves with confidence—all while buzzing with curiosity and creativity.
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“Every student is a mathematician in the making and we’re here to help them shine.”
At PS 224, we are proud to use Eureka Math² a powerful, research-based math curriculum created by Great Minds. This program is designed to help all students develop a deep understanding of mathematics, not just memorize steps.
Eureka Math² builds strong number sense, problem-solving skills, and math confidence by encouraging students to think critically, explain their reasoning, and make real-world connections. Lessons include visual models, discussion, and hands-on exploration that help every learner in the Hive thrive whether they’re working independently, in pairs, or in small groups.
Each grade builds on the one before, ensuring that our students are not only prepared for tests but also equipped for life-long math success. With Eureka Math², our students don’t just do math they understand it.
“In our Hive, we don’t just study science—we experience it.”
At PS 224, our Hive is filled with curiosity and our scientists are always buzzing with questions! That’s why we use Amplify Science, a dynamic, hands-on curriculum designed to spark wonder and build real-world scientific thinking.
Developed by experts at the University of California, Berkeley, Amplify Science blends interactive investigations, engaging readings, and meaningful discussions. Students don’t just learn about science they act as scientists and engineers, collecting evidence, solving problems, and building knowledge through inquiry and discovery.
From exploring ecosystems to designing solutions for natural disasters, our students take on real-life roles that help them connect science to the world around them and their place in it.
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“With each lesson, our Hive explores the past to better build the future.”
At PS 224, we want every student in our Hive to understand the world and their power to shape it. That’s why we use Passport to Social Studies, a rich, inquiry-based curriculum developed by the NYC Department of Education.
Passport to Social Studies helps students explore history, geography, economics, government, and culture through thought-provoking questions, primary sources, and engaging activities. Each unit is like a journeygiving students a “passport” to better understand their communities, their country, and the global world we share.
Through this curriculum, students learn to think critically, make connections across time and place, and develop the civic knowledge and empathy they need to become informed, active citizens.
“Fundations® gives our students the tools to read, write, and fly high.”
In our Hive, strong readers are built from the ground up—and that’s where Fundations® comes in! At [Your School Name], we use the Fundations® program in the early grades to provide a solid foundation in reading, spelling, and handwriting.
Fundations® is a structured literacy program that supports students in mastering essential phonics skills. Through daily, multisensory instruction, students learn how sounds and letters work together, how to decode words, and how to become confident, fluent readers.
With engaging routines, hands-on materials, and built-in support for all learners, Fundations® helps every young bee in our Hive buzz with literacy success.
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“In the Hive, we lift every reader—one sound, one word, one page at a time.”
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At PS 224 we believe every child in our Hive deserves the tools to become a strong, confident reader. For students who need extra support in building foundational skills, we use the S.P.I.R.E.® program—an intensive, research-based reading intervention.
S.P.I.R.E.® (Specialized Program Individualizing Reading Excellence) is a structured, multisensory approach that helps struggling readers build skills in phonics, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and spelling. Lessons are hands-on, highly interactive, and tailored to meet each student's needs in small group settings.
Through repetition, movement, and clear instruction, our readers gain the confidence and skills they need to grow. With S.P.I.R.E., we meet students where they are—and help them rise.​
“With Phonics for Reading, every student has a pathway to fluency—and a future full of books.”
At PS 224 we believe that every child in our Hive deserves the tools to read with confidence. That’s why we use Phonics for Reading, a structured intervention program that helps students strengthen their decoding and word recognition skills.
Designed for students who need extra support in foundational reading, Phonics for Reading provides systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and comprehension. Lessons are explicit, engaging, and easy to follow—giving students multiple opportunities to practice and succeed.
Through this program, we help our young readers build the skills they need to unlock texts, understand what they read, and grow into independent, joyful readers.
“Edmentum helps our Hive stay connected, supported, and always learning.”
At PS 224, we believe learning doesn’t stop when the bell rings. That’s why we use Edmentum, a trusted digital platform that provides students in our Hive with personalized, engaging, and standards-based instruction—anytime, anywhere.
Edmentum supports students in reading, math, science, and more with interactive lessons tailored to their skill level and learning pace. Whether used in the classroom or at home, it helps reinforce key concepts, track progress, and build confidence.
With fun, meaningful practice and real-time feedback, Edmentum empowers our bees to take ownership of their learning—and keep growing no matter where they are.
“Edmentum helps our Hive stay connected, supported, and always learning.”
At PS 224, we’re transforming math into a space where thinking shines. With Magma Math—a dynamic, student-centered math platform—we empower every bee in the Hive to show their work, not just the answer. This approach helps teachers identify misconceptions in real time and spark deeper discussions rooted in understanding and effective problem-solving.
Students write out their entire reasoning process using Magma’s intuitive canvas, giving teachers invaluable insights into how each learner approaches math. With features like auto-grading, heat maps, and access to over 15,000+ standard-aligned problems at varying levels, Magma supports targeted instruction, helps bridge gaps as they appear, and fosters confidence in every mathematician in our Hive.
