The News-Courier in Athens, Alabama

Local News

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
June 29, 2009

Summer Enrichment Academy: Tanner and Athens State make summer learning fun

When Athens State Dean of Education Debra Baird envisioned a Summer Enrichment Academy for kids, she never realized the quick actions of her department would lead to such a successful program.

“I visited the Summer Enrichment Academy at Tanner Elementary School,” said Baird. “I was absolutely impressed with what those folks were doing. Bravo to all involved for such hard work and such great response from the children!”

Co-supervisors for the program and Athens State University faculty members, Lisa Hyde and Rosemary Hodges, worked with Tanner principal Billy Owens to organize the eight-half-day pilot program and created an experience that was fun and educational for the students participating. The Summer Enrichment Academy targeted elementary school students in grades 3, 4 and 5 with each grade working under a separate curriculum.

“The third grade had a thematic topic of ‘A Bug's Life’ in their lessons,” explains Hyde. “In fourth grade, the students did an author study of the children's writer Patricia Polacco, and the fifth-graders integrated a study of fossils and dinosaurs into their reading curriculum. The program was very hands-on, discovery/inquiry oriented.”

Other Athens State faculty members involved in the project were Pat Kuby, Amanda Branscombe, Mary Harris, Bonnie Heatherly, Cathy Woodruff, Tina Sloan, and Darlene Turner-White. Athens State education students assisting were Allison Linick, Jessica Wathan, Shaina Stoddard, Amy Rosenblum, Nancy Ruff, Kellianna Brazier, Leanne Reed, Deborah Craft, Hannah Britton, and Kri'Shon Long.

Athens State president Bob Glenn thanks those involved. “Athens State is a great university precisely because we have professionals like these who go the extra mile to do the best job possible,” says Glenn. “I am proud of each of them for what they did.”

Tanner assistant principal Vince Green was so impressed with the program that his own third and fourth-grade children participated. “The Summer Enrichment Academy was a great opportunity to enhance our students’ reading skills,” stated Green. “We are able to offer a quality educational opportunity along with free breakfast and lunch to youth in the Tanner community. It was a great experience for the kids.”

















Text Only
Local News
Poll

Will your family take a summer vacation this year?

Yes
No
     View Results
Echoes from the Titanic
AP Video
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Stocks
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Business Marquee
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com