Academics

During the lower school years, students continue to strengthen their reading and writing skills in every grade level. Older students partner with younger students as reading buddies to share their love of reading and instill leadership and camaraderie between the different age groups. Fourth and fifth grade students participate in the KHS Student Council with our middle school students which allows them to work together and set goals for the school year. End of the year field trips begin in fourth grade when our fourth and fifth grade students go to Mo Ranch for three nights where they are engaged in the outdoors and team-building activities. Our goal is to nurture these strengths, encourage their curiosities, and let them know that with hard work and dedication to their studies they can achieve anything later in middle school and well beyond in life.

 

Curriculum Highlights:

• Enhancing reading and writing skills through the Teachers’ College Reading & Writing Workshop
  • First through second grades also continue working with From Phonics to Reading 
• Math in Focus: Singapore Math
• Science, combination of Core Knowledge and Studies Weekly curriculum, and
  • Families in Nature is used as a supplemental for Life Sciences and to encourage using the outdoors as a classroom
• Social Studies and History
  • First through third grades, combination of Core Knowledge and Studies Weekly curriculum
  • Fourth grade, Texas History, combination of Core Knowledge and Studies Weekly curriculum
  • Fifth grade, U.S. History, a customized curriculum
• Spanish, Total Physical Response (TPR) method teaching and/or Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) with an emphasis on proficiency and immersion style instruction
  • Third through fourth grades utilize the text Listos 
  • Fifth grade utilizes Descubre 1, a middle-high school level text
• Regular MakerSpace time to explore creating, building, and STEM activities 
• Weekly art, drama/music, and P.E. classes
• SEL, continued use of the Second Step Program for Social Emotional Learning