Academics
Overview of Academic Program
Instructional Vision
At KIPP PEACE Elementary School we build a schedule, curriculum and school that respects the evolution of maturity every child will face on a physical, linguistic, social, emotional, and cognitive level, also keeping in mind the a child’s way of approaching the world. We believe in creating a program that respects the rate at which children develop. While assisting each student with attaining high academic and social achievement, we understand that the rate at which each child develops is impacted by their personality, culture and environment and we work to address each child’s specific needs. On a holistic scale, this looks like the following in regards to our school schedule:
- All students participate in recess before lunch every day.
- We believe students need to take a mental break during the day to process and focus their mind in another space. Therefore, all students receive a midday break (siesta) that includes a 60 minute nap for Kindergarten (no nap necessary for PK4 and PK3 due to half day programming), 45 minute creative expression time for 1st and 2nd grade, and a 30 minute creative expression time for 3rd and 4th grade. During this quiet time students have the ability to choose a quiet activity to assist in reducing their stress level and promoting a sense of calm before beginning the latter part of their school day.
- Every student participates in mixed-aged and mixed grade settings for the purpose of interacting with peers on various grade levels during enrichment time from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Grade pairings: PK3/PK4; Kinder/First Grade; Second/Third Grade; Fourth grade split into small group pairings).
- Students are given an opportunity to choose their enrichment classes.
- All educators provide a five minute reminder before transition time.
- All transitions are calm and unhurried with faculty members utilizing chimes or other peaceful reminders
- We structure our schedule, instruction and activities to create opportunities for students to develop meaningful relationships with their classroom teachers.
Academically, we believe in providing students with a deep understanding of knowledge over the course of several units of study. Our students need to attain a true understanding of what they are learning so that they can process and explore how newly acquired knowledge fits in with what they currently know. In regards to utilizing curricular programs, we believe in making the learning fit the student. We take the needs of our students into consideration when we are making programming decisions. Transitions in our instructional strategies and programs are based on student achievement data. KIPP PEACE also values connecting classroom instruction to learning that takes place in the homes and communities of our students. Four days a week, students receive Home Learning that is project based, encourages real-world connections and allows students to practice skills and enrich their retention of information. Our students also participate in Field Lessons which are off campus experiences that take place in our community. Each Field Lesson is tied to a thematic unit of study.
At KIPP PEACE Elementary School, we believe in building strong students through cultivating their innate intelligence. We create educational opportunities for students to showcase their intellectual strengths through academic as well as enrichment classes. Our school also promotes each child’s ability to grow into leaders and decision makers who will make a positive impact on the world through their words and actions.
Kindergarten: “We Are Peace Makers”
"When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us."
- Dalia Lama
Program Overview
In kindergarten students delve into self-exploration and the impact their words and actions have on others. Our program assists students in building a strong foundation for self expression through enhancing their oral language development, teaching self-regulation techniques, and encouraging students to have a positive self-image. Students in kindergarten are focused on becoming ‘Ready Readers’ and ‘Mathematicians’ and continue to explore global knowledge (science and social students) through interdisciplinary units of study. Once students create peace within their self and seek peace among their peers, they are ready to become leaders and set an example for others.
Core Instruction
Students will receive 165 minutes of literacy instruction every day, connected to a thematic unit of study. The literacy schedule will include morning meeting, guided reading, writing and shared reading. The time spent within each block will depend on the learning styles and needs of the students. Listed below is a suggested time allotment:
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Morning Meeting: 20 minutes
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Students will focus on building classroom community and cultivating their academic and social skills during Morning Meeting.
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Guided Reading Block: 50 minutes
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Students will focus on oral language development, foundational literacy skill development, comprehension and reading strategies through teacher guided instruction in small homogenous groups. Students will have opportunities to grow through whole, small and partner group instruction. During this time, students are also participating in small group centers. Centers learning time will give students an opportunity to focus on their literacy skills development in heterogeneous groups.
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Shared Reading: 20 minutes
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Students will participate in a 20 minute read aloud based on a thematic unit of study.
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Writing Block: 75 minutes
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Students will focus on conventions and concepts of writing through an interdisciplinary unit connected to science or social studies.
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Students will receive 75 minutes of math instruction three times a week and 90 minutes two times a week. The math schedule will include a focus on the calendar, problem of the day, the daily lesson and small group work stations. The time spent within each block will depend on the learning styles and needs of the students. Listed below is a suggested time allotment:
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Calendar Study: 15 minutes
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Students will focus on analyzing and leading calendar facts and routines daily.
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Problem of the Day: 15 minutes
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Students will enhance their problem-solving abilities by focusing on a real-world math problem and discussing the strategies and approaches they took to solve the problem.
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Daily Lesson: 20 minutes
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Students will focus on the math concept of the day through a mini-lesson focus that introduces the lesson and provides time for modeling and guided practice of the new math concept.
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Small Group Workstations: 25 minutes (3 days a week); 40 minutes (2 days a week)
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Students will focus on math skills, and support each other’s learning through small group work stations. During this time, students will also meet for small group instruction with their teacher.
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All science and social studies concepts are covered during the writing component of the literacy block.
Enrichment Opportunities
Students will participate in 40 minutes of physical education three times a week. In kindergarten students will build their knowledge of focused movement by exploring stretching techniques and calisthenics.
Students will continue to grow and develop their self-confidence, self-worth and self-awareness through our Healthy Me class. For 40 minutes three times a week, students will focus on developing self-confidence and also explore their ability to make good decisions for their own health and well-being.
During five 60 minute session a week, students will learn about Latin American culture. For 30 minutes a day, students will focus specifically on Spanish language, grammar and fluency. Students will learn about Latin American culture and customs during the second half of class.
Block Building is a class of choice for students. This class is designed for tactile learners and will enhance their spatial skills development.
Works in Progress is another class of choice for students. This class will appeal to students interested in art, design or ceramics.
Tools for Monitoring Student Progress
The academic and social development of kindergartener students will be monitored via the following:
Students will participate in the following subject leveled test given in the beginning, middle and end of year.
Literacy
Fountas & Pinnelll Benchmarks Assessments (reading level assessment)
Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS)
Math
Early Diagnostic Math Assessment (EDMA)
At the end of each thematic unit, students will complete a summative assessment in all subject areas. These assessments will take on a variety of forms.
During the course of every lesson, we will assess student mastery via teacher observations, strategic questioning, student self and peer assessment and student record keeping (journals, portfolios, etc.).
In kindergarten students will receive extra academic assistance during small group instruction.
Working at KIPP PEACE
“I’m doing what I think I was put on earth to do. And I’m really grateful to have something that I’m passionate about and that I think is profoundly important.” - Marian Wright Edelman
The most successful faculty members who join the KIPP PEACE Elementary School team and remain as staple members on our campus, are people who feel that they are living out their passion by working in an urban high need area and supporting students in making significant academic gains every year. Our faculty members work relentlessly inside the classroom, on their grade level teams, and in their relationships with each other, students and community stakeholders. The selection and hiring process for KIPP PEACE Elementary is rigorous, yet rewarding for every person we come in contact with. Our goal is to hire the best teachers for our school.
Foundational Team
The initial members of the KIPP PEACE Elementary School faculty (first three years) will be the people who play a pivotal role in bringing the mission, vision and instructional plan of the school to life. This team of people will have to possess a high level of commitment and have the tenacity to ‘build the plane as we fly it’, with a strong desire to work at our campus and cultivate our first class of students until they go on to middle school. Those who join our founding team will become our first campus leaders and master teachers who carry our history and tell our story to the future faculty members of our team.
Sustainers
After our third year, once the school has a more defined culture, consistent student achievement data, and samples of our ability to effectively create curriculum, KIPP PEACE Elementary school will need faculty members who can fulfill the identified needs of our school and people who are willing to remain as members of our team, long term. At KIPP PEACE, we believe our school will thrive in an environment where there is consistency in structures, systems and faculty. Our goal is to build an environment where 75% of the faculty becomes permanent members and role models at our school and in the Third Ward community.
Please view our job descriptions on our KIPP Houston website under the ‘Careers’ section for more information.
Culture
Our Values and Core Beliefs
PEACE stands for Protect your team, family, school and environment, Endure life challenges, Act like a leader, Commit and keep promises, and Explore new places, new people and new ideas. Our values ensure that students live out the core beliefs of our school and achieve the mission of KIPP PEACE Elementary.
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Value
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Living the Values
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Protect your team, family, school and environment
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Protect our learning time in the classroom.
Treat classmates and teachers with respect.
Love your community, city, state, country and earth.
Find ways to care for and defend animals and the environment.
Approach conflict and people with an element of respect: Fight the problem, not the person.
Celebrate and use kind words towards family, teammates and teachers.
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Endure life challenges
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Never give up when learning is difficult.
Make a choice to be successful.
Believe in your ability to win.
Approach learning and behaving with a good attitude.
Practice patience.
Never quit.
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Actlike a leader
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Help friends in need.
Make decisions that better the lives of others.
Encourage others.
Make decisions that save the earth.
Make sacrifices that benefit others.
Do the right thing, when no one is looking.
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Commitand keep promises
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Give, expecting nothing in return.
Understand the plight of others.
Do what you promised to do.
Care more than others think is wise.
Express passion towards something other than yourself.
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Explorenew places, new people and new ideas
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Take risks.
Try learning a new language.
Learn about a new culture.
Listen to different ideas and ideals.
Seek beauty in everything.
Be curious.
Respect the opinions of others.
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Peace from within.
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Accept who you are.
Learn from your mistakes.
Your attitude predicts your altitude in life.
Seek to be at peace with others.
Forgive yourself and other people.
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Values Immersion
Lower School (Kindergarten)
In the lower school, students will learn and understand the values of the school through value lessons that will take place through staple school books connected to thematic units and through the study of role models who live/d out this value through their career or community service. The role models will be American and world known heroes, as well as community members.
Service Learning Projects
At KIPP PEACE Elementary School, students will become leaders by serving their community. In each grade level will adopt an organization or cause for a grade level service learning project. Each class will provide donations and have a service day, encouraging parental involvement. We feel that students will become encouraged to support their community if their first leaders, educators and parents, lead by example and commit to supporting a cause. Students in kindergarten will participate in one service learning project a year, chosen by their class. The project has to take place in an area based on the eight zip codes our school services. This will ensure that students are always focused on making positive decisions and seeking positive outcomes for their community, therefore becoming positive pillars in the Third Ward community.
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KIPP 5 Pillars at KIPP PEACE Elementary School
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High Expectations
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KIPP PEACE Elementary School believes in every student’s ability to meet our academic and behavioral expectations and assists students by explicitly laying out our expectations to students and parents. We do not make excuses for students based on their backgrounds or current challenges, but instead provide support through values immersion which will teach students coping mechanisms and through counseling with our school social worker when necessary. Our school community is responsible for creating formal and informal reward and consequence systems for our students on a classroom and campus wide level.
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Choice and Commitment
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KIPP PEACE Elementary School is a school of choice, operating as a public charter school. We offer free enrollment for all parents to register their child for our program. All faculty members choose to work at KIPP PEACE. KIPP PEACE offers at will employment, giving faculty members an opportunity to remain a part of our community for as long as they please, or to leave our community at any time.
With choice, comes commitment. The families that attend KIPP PEACE sign the Commitment to Excellence and promise to play a pivotal role in the growth and development of their child, working as partners with our school in creating adequate time and placing effort into cultivating the academic and character development of each child. As faculty members, we commit to doing whatever it takes to provide each student with a quality education, every day. This leads to our participation in professional development offered school, district and nationwide; building effective relationships with parents through home visits, classroom and campus communication, as well as making as many personal touches as we can through phone calls and in person interactions (PEACE to College Program, Family Fellowship Nights, School Updates).
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More Time
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With the ten hours that students spend in school, we ensure that our children receive quality academic instruction. Students receive 90 minutes of Literacy instruction, 75 minutes of Math instruction (90 minutes twice a week), 60 minutes of Spanish instruction, 75 minutes of Writing instruction, 80 minutes of focus in enrichment classes (three times a week) every day. We also take time to honor our students’ development in other areas by providing 45 minutes of recess time and 60 minutes of rest time every day.
We also ensure that we are creating more time for our parents to be involved on campus. KIPP PEACE offers Family Literacy classes through our PEACE to College program (four times a year), Family Fellowship Nights (three times a year) and Team & Family Night once a month where parents can spend time talking with the school leader and school faculty.
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Power to Lead
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The school leader has the power to make faculty, budget and instructional decisions that will have a positive impact on our students and our campus. However, the power to lead our school successfully lies within all of us, not just in one person. At KIPP PEACE Elementary School, we believe in shared leadership and decision making and utilize models that support this belief. Our faculty members, leadership team and parents are active leaders in our school and believe in creating systems that will ensure that the school leader is always remaining accountable to the school community as decisions are made.
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Focus on Results
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At KIPP PEACE, we maintain a focus on results by setting goals for student academic and character development on standardized test, quarterly assessments, summative assessments given at the end of each thematic unit, and formative assessments given throughout the course of a lesson. We believe that when students, educators and parents maintain a pulse on individual student achievement, we can effectively hold ourselves accountable for ensuring that every child is successful in school every day and has an opportunity to display their success in multiple ways.
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