Horizons expands summer learning
by Kim Avington, fourth grade teacher & Horizons program director
The free academic enrichment camp continues to grow its program offerings with each summer.
The free academic enrichment camp continues to grow its program offerings with each summer.
Horizons at USN has completed its fourth summer as a free academic enrichment program for young Nashvillians. In addition to weekly enrichments, math, literacy, and swimming, each grade level did something exciting and unique. We were fortunate enough to work with Metro Nashville Public Schools to bring a Reading Clinic to the program, and we had graduate students from Vanderbilt working with our students each afternoon.
Horizons students took art classes from our Lower School Art Teacher Stephen Douglas and technology classes from former Middle School Technology Teacher Lakisha Brinson. They were able to work with LEGO bricks with Jenny Thayer from Camp Bricks. Leah Hicks '17 taught them a few dance moves so they could perform for their families. Middle School Theater Teacher Bakari King led them through a reader’s theater performance of the “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Silly Tales.”
The rising first graders opted to focus on the engineering process and “The Three Little Pigs.” Kindergarten Teacher Jan Honsberger, MNPS teacher Tempest Covington, Lucy Kloeppel ’17, and Jade Williams ’17 helped campers don engineering hats. Campers had to figure out a way to keep The Big Bad Blow Dryer Wolf from blowing down their structures. They had to question, imagine, plan, create, and improve their designs. Brian Tibbs, a USN parent and architect with Moody Nolan, came to visit and inspire our young problem solvers. They also visited the Parthenon and a construction site on Vanderbilt University's campus to gather ideas for building strong structures. Most campers were successful in building something from straws, paper, clay or playing cards to protect the Three Little Pigs from the Big Bad Blow Dryer Wolf.
Second Grade Teacher Victoria Roca, Jamie Gallagos, Sam Strang ’18 and Samantha Olivares-Mejia ’18 guided the rising second graders as they learned about landmarks in Nashville and the human body. They visited so many places that we needed a dance card to keep up with them. Campers toured Vanderbilt with Horizons board member Frank Dobson. They toured Fisk University and Jubilee Hall with Horizons Board Chair Eddie Hamilton, and orange Horizons T-shirts were spotted touring landmarks in downtown Nashville. As a culminating activity, each camper created a mini version of their favorite Nashville spot. Our second graders also learned about the human body and visited the Adventure Science Center for a hands-on visit to learn more about the human body.
Rising third graders were also busy. Third Grade Teacher Barbara Voehler, Lilly Carver, Ben Maloy ’18 and Joi Holmes ’17 led them through an activity-filled summer. Campers became solar system experts and visited the Space Center in Huntsville, Ala. They used iPads and Quick Response codes to share their space expertise with others on Publishing Day. Third graders also used the design process as they worked in teams to create a rocket that would soar using vinegar and baking soda as fuel. Campers also made fluffy goo, quesadillas, and yummy strawberry ice cream using liquid nitrogen. Markus Voehler, an associate professor at Vanderbilt and husband of Mrs. Voehler, helped with the ice cream. Our rising third-grade campers also visited Urban Cookhouse and learned about cooking and starting a business.
Rising fourth graders spent their summer with Sixth Grade Math Teacher Ida Fields, Sydney Robbins ’16, and Kellon Patey ’15. The early part of their summer was spent exploring animal habitats. Their study of animal habitats led them to explore area and perimeter in math. There were 14 miniature habitats to explore at the end of the summer. Many chose to learn about animals living in the ocean. As a result of their curiosity, students were able to visit the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. Rising fourth graders also learned about the three branches of government. They focused on our local government; thus, they were able to visit the office of Mayor Megan Barry.
Horizons at USN was fortunate enough to have the first-ever partnership between a private school and the Reading Clinic model used in Metro Nashville Public Schools. Many of our students worked to improve their reading and comprehension skills with volunteers from our USN community and with those who work with the students during the school year from various schools around Nashville.
Vanderbilt University piloted a summer graduate program for teachers, and we were able to have seven of their students work with our Horizons students each afternoon. In addition to leading lessons they designed, they helped out with whatever was happening in the classroom when they arrived -- even if that meant getting into the pool to help with swimming lessons.
We had an amazing summer. We could not have done it without the support of our donors, our fabulous teachers, volunteers, and the USN faculty and staff who always said “yes” when we asked for something. We feel very fortunate to be part of such an amazing community.
More USN News
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C-SPAN honors Eva '26
For the third time, the junior has earned recognition for her C-SPAN StudentCam documentary. Elected officials and a representative from the network honored her during High School Assembly on Friday, May 2.Read More -
USN hosts 5th annual Quiz Bowl Championship
Congratulations to Max Parker ’29, Anisha Nachnani ’32, Indy O’Hare ’32, and Lucas Lupu ’31, who took home the top prize at the USN Quiz Bowl Championship.Read More
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Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.