Literacy/English Language Arts at KHA focuses on providing high-quality instruction, identifying potential reading difficulties, and developing literacy skills so that students may become life-long readers. Descriptions of the programs we use are below.
Wonders: Wonders is an evidence-based K–5 ELA program that empowers students to take an active role in learning and exploration. Students will enjoy unparalleled opportunities to express and assess themselves through reading, writing, and speaking. Students encounter the right content at the right moment in their learning journey to promote strong educational outcomes for all.
UFLI: UFLI is an explicit and systematic program that teaches students the foundational skills necessary for proficient reading. It follows a carefully developed scope and sequence designed to ensure that students systematically acquire each skill needed and learn to apply each skill with automaticity and confidence. The program is designed to be used for core instruction in the primary grades or for intervention with struggling students in any grade.
Every student needs and deserves a rich and rigorous mathematics curriculum that is focused on the development of concepts, the acquisition of basic and advanced skills and the integration of problem-solving experiences. KHA encourages educators to provide challenging mathematics opportunities to foster the growth of intelligent, thoughtful, and mathematically literate members of society. At KHA we use an integrated approach to mathematics outlined in the program description below.
Eureka Math is a math curriculum for grades pre-K through 12 that aims to help students develop a solid understanding of math concepts, procedural skills, and fluency. The curriculum was written by teachers and math experts to align with college- and career-ready standards that emphasize critical thinking, conceptual understanding, and deeper learning. Eureka Math is designed to make math more enjoyable to learn and teach by connecting math to the real world
All classes are team-taught by teachers and assistants and feature multi-sensory learning techniques while utilizing the latest in educational technology.
A foundation in scientific literacy prepares students to be confident and capable lifelong learners who are equipped with the skills needed to access, understand, evaluate, and apply information in various contexts. The science curriculum aligns with the NGSS, Next Generation Science Standards, and provides students a foundation for life-long problem solving and fact-based decision-making skills. Regardless of their academic standing, all students should have access to a rich and challenging science curriculum that will promote scientific literacy, while inspiring and supporting advanced study and science-related careers. Descriptions of the programs we use are below.
FOSS Web Next Generation Edition: FOSS (Full Option Science System) is a research-based science curriculum for grades K-8 developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley. FOSS has evolved from a philosophy of teaching and learning that has guided the development of successful active-learning science curricula for more than 40 years. The FOSS Program bridges research and practice by providing tools and strategies to engage students and teachers in enduring experiences that lead to deeper understanding of the natural and designed worlds.
Smartboards and Chromebooks are used in our classrooms. The mission of the Technology program is to provide a modern learning environment and to boost students’ capabilities of learning anytime and anywhere. Online access in classrooms significantly broadens the scope of any learning exercise, triggering information pursuit, creative thinking, communication, and collaboration.
Social Studies at KHA helps students understand the world in which they live and prepares them with the knowledge and skills to become informed, thoughtful, and active citizens in a culturally diverse democratic society and complex world. KHA creates conditions for every student to think critically and collaboratively, and act as a creative, self-motivated, culturally, and globally competent learner. The Rhode Island Social Studies Standards guide the lessons.
Students at KHA are offered the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and deepen their understanding of the skills and content they learn in their core subjects through project-based learning opportunities in their weekly art classes. Students receive weekly art instruction focused on STEAM projects that enhance their educational experience and increase access to the curriculum through varied media. In addition, students are able to participate in activities that are of interest to them, create and express their perspectives, critically evaluate artistic pieces and develop an appreciation for various art forms while learning methods and techniques that artists use to create.
We use our bodies and voices, drums, ukuleles and recorder through-out our musical journey, as well as a variety of unique and cultural instruments from around the world. Our school celebrates music through our classes, our Arts Night, the March Madness event and our Patriotic Concert. Everyone can be musical at KHA!
Our Elementary Physical Education program here at KHA is designed to promote lifelong healthy habits while fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all students. Through engaging, developmentally appropriate activities, students build essential physical skills, confidence, and a love for movement.
Physical education classes focus on sportsmanship, exercise, fitness, and participation in a variety of team and individual sports. Students learn the importance of teamwork, cooperation, and respect for others, while practicing fair play and positive decision-making. Emphasis is placed on effort, personal growth, and encouraging peers, helping students develop strong social and emotional skills alongside physical abilities.
Our curriculum supports overall wellness by improving strength, endurance, coordination, and flexibility, while also teaching students how physical activity contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Above all, our goal is to create a safe, supportive, and enjoyable learning environment where every child feels successful, motivated, and excited to be active.
State Testing:
RICAS is administered to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students each spring. This test is an assessment of student aptitude in the areas of Language Arts (Reading and Writing) and Mathematics. The Next Generation Science Assessment is administered to 5th graders each spring. Students are expected to meet proficiency levels in all areas of the test. KHA’s overall approach to its curriculum is designed to help students achieve proficient levels on these assessments.
Students are not able to opt out of this testing but are exposed to these practice tests, so they are familiar with the different kinds of questions being asked and what the expectations are for answering them. Please know that KHA staff believe that the most valuable time we can spend with students is on actual instruction of the standards appropriate for them.
The KHA curriculum encourages use of a variety of pedagogical methods to meet the diverse needs of our students. Teachers regularly evaluate students and make appropriate modifications to their lessons based on individual needs. The wide range of student abilities makes this type of pedagogical responsiveness and differentiation necessary for student success. KHA seeks to motivate students by creating relevant and meaningful learning experiences in which all students can experience success.
KHA seeks to impart curriculum in a constructivist frame. That is, the students actively construct their understanding while interacting with the content, the teacher and each other. They are responsible for their learning. The staff is there to guide, to hold high expectations, to organize a series of relevant experiences and to present content and information. The staff models appropriately for students and provides multiple opportunities for students to practice new skills and demonstrate success.
The curriculum at KHA is a living framework, changing and adapting to student needs and national/state standards as required. KHA believes that a curriculum must address the very real demands of the world we live in, and we are systematically refining and improving the curriculum in purposeful and meaningful ways.
