Inskip Elementary
There are three key goals for every lesson taught during the art program at Inskip’s community school. These goals are: building self-esteem, inclusion, and the implementation of cross-curriculum. It is important our students are not only able to create art that reflects their individual abilities, but that they gain a feeling of self-worth and pride through their art. Because we have a very diverse group of students, inclusion is always considered. This is done by planning lessons relatable to students with different backgrounds. When students are engaged in a lesson that reflects their culture, they are very excited and proud of who they are. No student should be ashamed of being different. By implementing math and reading into many of the art lessons, cross-curriculum goals are met. Through art, many students have sharpened their addition and multiplication skills, public speaking skills, and writing skills without realizing it. Overall, the art program at Inskip’s community school provides an outlet for students to be themselves while they learn and grow into even more successful students.
Circus arts offers students a chance to explore physical education through a unique lens. In circus class, we learn specific skills such as stilt walking, juggling, tightrope walking, and unicycle riding. We also practice schoolwide values like teamwork, communication, and compassion. Circus class gives students an opportunity to practice building new skill sets in a safe and supportive environment. Children are taught that circus stands for Cooperation, Inspiration, Confidence, Uniqueness, and Socialization. Circus instruction will not only provide children with a fun set of circus skills, but will also provide them with important life skills, such as patience with themselves and others, strength of character, kindness, and emotional intelligence.
UT’s Haslam Scholars host a monthly Cultural Saturday event. During this event, students explore the world by learning about different languages, fun games, and the traditions of several nations. Any student and family in the school who is interested is welcome to attend.
Discovering dance helps children find the freedom to move to the rhythm of the music through self expression. Students will learn different styles and elements of dance to reach the goal of showcasing what they’ve learned through the performing arts. Students will learn West African dance, hip hop, jazz, ballet, techniques, songs, and culture while developing social skills as well as confidence in themselves. Dance keeps both the body and the brain active, which is vital for people at every age.
Through guided hands-on experiences in the Inskip community garden, students are able to make real-life connections to their math, science, English, and health lessons. Garden education allows students to observe cause and effect relationships, how our food is grown, and the importance of environmental health. The Inskip community garden also provides free organic produce and urban agriculture education to student families.
Girls Inc inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold by providing them with life-changing experiences and solutions to the unique challenges girls face. These research-based informal education programs encourage girls to take risks and master physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges.
As a result of a partnership with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Inskip University-Assisted Community School is able to be a part of the Knox Rocks Soccer League, which consists of teams from four different community schools in Knox County. The teams are comprised of 15 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students. With our funds, we are able to pay two coaches to have weekly practices and travel to games with the students.
The purpose of this club is to provide a space where Spanish speaking students can maintain and develop their Spanish language abilities. In addition to promoting communication through conversation, this club will encourage the practice of written communication skills, creativity, and presentation. By providing a place for Spanish speaking students to utilize their language abilities, our club aims to celebrate the culture and community of Hispanic students at Inskip Elementary School. You can contact Kimberly Bress, kbress@vols.utk.edu with any questions.
UT’s Haslam Scholars host a bimonthly Lego League team on Saturdays. Interested fourth- and fifth-grade students spend the year immersed in all things robotics. The Haslam Scholars students lead in robotic exploration, mastering presentation skills, researching creative solutions to challenging issues, and programming robots. They will finish the year with students presenting their research and robot programs in a robotics extravaganza.
N.E.A.T. (Nutrition Education Activity Training) is a program that teaches and promotes healthy behaviors among youth in grades K–5 in Knox County. During the school year, trained educators lead interactive discussions and play games centered on healthy eating and physical activity. Children will also taste test healthy foods as part of weekly lessons. This program is offered through a partnership with the Knox County Health Department.
Students from UT’s Spanish program offer classes to our students. The students participate in lessons and activities which teach them basic Spanish language and vocabulary skills.
Second- through fifth-grade boys are offered a physical education opportunity through a weekly tennis club. Students work on basic tennis skills as well as other important skills such as good sportsmanship and teamwork.
The theatre and music programs at Inskip provide students an outlet for emotional and creative expression in a challenging, collaborative, and supportive environment through music and drama. In theatre, the students will learn the basics of acting and scriptwriting while reinforcing and growing reading and comprehension skills. Another goal is to expand emotional vocabularies while also developing valuable and practical life and social skills. During the music portion, students learn to sing with good tone and correct pitch. We hope that during this time they will develop the confidence to perform for their peers. Doing this will expand their music-reading skills and help them learn to work together through positive cooperation.
Daily tutoring services are offered to targeted second- through fifth-grade students. Inskip Elementary staff, administration, and families recommend students based upon their academic needs. These students are offered tutoring services each afternoon in reading and math. After-school teachers plan lessons that correlate with the skills students are working on during the regular school day. As a result of direct communication with the students’ regular school-day teachers, we are able to plan activities that meet individual needs and learning goals.
Pond Gap Elementary
Enrichment classes designed to correlate with grade-level schoolwide goals and objectives are offered to approximately 100 K–5 students four days a week. UACS staff plans lessons and co-teach with Pond Gap teachers. Lessons are designed to meet the individual learning needs and interests of students and are hands on, inviting investigation and discovery through engagement.
Through the guidance of skilled art teachers and in association with the Knoxville Museum of Art, students are provided a fun learning atmosphere to better understand the world of art. Students find their individual creativity as young artists as they explore, imagine, and create using a variety of medium in the visual arts.
Cooperation InspiRation Confidence Uniqueness Socialization arts offers students a chance to explore physical education through a unique lens. We learn specific skills, such as stilt walking, juggling, and unicycling, and also practice implementing schoolwide values, like teamwork, communication, and compassion in a safe and secure environment.
University of Tennessee School Psychology PhD candidates work daily with Pond Gap students to provide social, emotional, behavioral, and personal support. University students receive practical experience, while Pond Gap students benefit from this added support system. Attention to the whole child, including social and emotional support, results in improved learning environments for all children.
UT’s Halsam Scholars offer French Club for students at Pond Gap. Learning basic French vocabulary coupled with skits, games, and French food widen student’s view of the world through the study of language and culture.
Through guided hands-on experiences in the Pond Gap community garden, our students are able to make real-life connections to their math, science, English, and health lessons. Garden education allows students to observe cause and effect relationships, how our food is grown, and the importance of environmental health. The Pond Gap community garden also provides free organic produce and urban agriculture education to student families.
Girls Inc inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold by providing them with life-changing experiences and solutions to the unique challenges girls face. These research-based informal education programs encourages girls to take risks and master physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges.
UT’s Thornton Athletic Center partners with Pond Gap to provide mentoring for third- through fifth-grade girls. Twice weekly, female athletes bring special programming aimed to educate, guide, and empower girls.
Human Animal Bond in Tennessee (HABIT) is an animal-assisted therapy program sponsored by the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. At Pond Gap, HABIT helps to excite children to read in a risk-free environment. A dog’s unconditional love and acceptance enhances the learning process for children and boosts their reading confidence.
Renegade Yoga Center is thrilled to be working with the students at Pond Gap Elementary to teach them about love, balance, concentration, and awareness. The center’s mission is to create a place for individuals of all ages to better know themselves.
KMA’s Community School After-School partnership provides young artists with the tools, knowledge, and opportunity to explore art using ART2GO Travel cases. Each program is adapted to meet the needs and interests of your students and empowers them to invest in their learning by making connections between art history and their lives through studio art.
UT’s Haslam Scholars offer weekly Lego Robotics Clubs for fourth- and fifth-grade students. The scholars lead students in robotic exploration, mastering presentation skills, researching creative solutions to challenging issues, and programming robots.
Sponsored by the Confucius Institute, Mandarin Club exposes students to basic Mandarin and opens a window of learning to Chinese culture. The cultural focus of Mandarin Club this school year will include traditional dance
Teaches basic music theory and song structure, along with music production and engineering. Students learn to write and record a song as a class.
N.E.A.T. (Nutrition Education Activity Training) is a program that teaches and promotes healthy behaviors among youth in grades K–5 in Knox County. During the school year, trained educators lead interactive discussions and play games centered on healthy eating and physical activity. Children will also taste test healthy foods as part of weekly lessons. This program is offered through a partnership with the Knox County Health Department.
Pellissippi State Community College nursing faculty organizes and oversees nursing students as they engage in clinical rotations at Pond Gap Elementary. Twice weekly, nursing students provide nutrition and fitness education for K–5 students designed to complement existing health and wellness initiatives.
UT’s Haslam Scholars generate interest in science by offering hands-on and engaging science experiments for students. Students get excited about science though discovery with fun lessons including learning what salt can do to ice my making ice cream. With the Haslam Scholars by their side, students learn that science is fun!
The Haslam Scholars bring four hours of engaging science experiments to students across the city by hosting Science Saturday monthly at Pond Gap Elementary. Students engage in the scientific method, explore chemical reactions, and always leave with a smile and great projects they’ve created using science.