Shouting and gyrating is par for the course during a chant-off, and such was the case last week at KIPP DIAMOND Academy.

Three-hundred-plus students in grades 5-8 turned up the decibels – all under the supervision of a cadre of teachers – during KIPP’s 2008-09 Chant-Off Rubric.

The chant-off was the culminating activity for “KIPPnotizing,” a mandated three-week summer program for KIPP students, said Stephanie Williams, program coordinator.

The 5th-grade class of 2016 dueled with the 6th, 7th and 8th-graders to win the chant-off Thursday morning at KIPP: DIAMOND Academy.

8th-graders Cameron Aldridge (holding a KIPP flag), 12, and Jacob Blevins, 13, prepared to steal the show.

Each grade level performed a three-to five-minute chant in the school auditorium. With choreographed moves, they pumped up the volume to impress a panel of judges that sat in the back of the auditorium.

“Here’s a little rap that I wrote for you,
It’s gonna make algebra a little easier to do,
First, there are some terms that you need to know,
Once you comprehend them you will be good to go”

Jacob Blevins, 13, said it took him 30 minutes to learn the words to the “Algebra Rap” written by KIPP’s instructional coach, Michelle Lyons, for his 8th-grade class.  During the three-week program, the tie between chanting and Africa was one of the lessons that broadened his understanding of Africa, Blevins said.

“First I’m gon learn at school…
Then I’m gon use my homework tools
Close the door, stay in the house…
Until my math problems are all worked out…”

William Hodges, 11, said took him about three days to learn the chant called “DIAMOND Boom,” also written by Lyons. It was a process that including learning how to study, the sixth-grader said.

The chanting classes were judged on the uniformity of their attire, content, creativity, originality and, of course, volume. The 5th-graders were chosen best of all and awarded a 4-foot trophy.

“I was absolutely amazed at the energy of the kids,” said Williams, KIPP’s performing arts teacher. “It was evident that they wanted to get up and show what they’ve learned, and the content of what they’ve learned, during the three-week period.”

The chant-off also ushered in the era of KIPP’s new principal, Sylvia Mitchell. Mitchell had been the assistant principal and, prior to that, a fifth-grade reading teacher. “We used the time to indoctrinate students into the school culture as we identify baseline data so the teachers can develop lesson plans for students from an academic standpoint,” Mitchell said.

The summer program began July 7. Each day, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., students were “KIPPnotized,” Williams said, to show what they’ve learned for the 2008-09 school year that begins Aug. 11.

During the first week, students focused on the rules, routine and meeting expectations. This prevents wasted time and effort during the regular school year, Williams said.

During week two, teachers assigned work to students and an assessment test called Stanford 10. All students, including those incoming, were tested. A diagnostic test was given as well, Williams said, “to see where students academic levels are....”

Mitchell said it was an opportunity for the students to show how fun it is to learn “mnemonics, devices and chants.”

KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) is a free public charter school, with an academically rigorous college preparatory program designed to promote high academic achievement and positive student leadership.
Applications for enrollment are now being accepted for incoming 5th-graders. One hundred spaces are available. The middle school is located at 2110 Howell Ave.