We are wrapping up the past two school years having spent most of our time in Nashville, TN. Ivan, (our dog) Hattie and I have met so many new wonderful forever friends and found some real gems we wanted to share with you.
Sad to say, but I have found facebook to be the best place for me to start my searches when learning about all the things in a new location/market. Here’s a list of the groups I’ve found lots of great ideas, locations, and resources
BEST website to find GREAT fieldtrips in the Nashville area is the homeschool calendar. Ivan’s favorite fieldtrip by a mile would be a day at Soundwaves, Opreyland Hotels indoor waterpark. They all seem to fall on Mondays 10am—2pm, enter for only $35/pp!
Southeast Nashville Homeschooler Enrichment – offers in person classes Monday & Wednesday’s during the school year. They also arrange a lot of GREAT field trips you can join too!
Ivan’s favorite class with this group with Biztown. Kids got to learn real world skills such as how to write a check, balance a check book, apply & interview for a job, among many other entrepreneurial lessons through Junior Achievements programming. Classes were followed by a fun filled day at Biztown applying all these new life skills in action.
Ivan’s second favorite class was Robotics! We met some special friends through this group and attended some wonderful field trips as well. Highly recommend checking it out!!
Meraki Learning Center – the GREATEST place in all the world!! We are so very sad to be leaving Nashville … this is the spot we will both miss the most. If you are looking for a very special people in a very special place to support your child’s learning look no further.
@merakibna
Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary, a 300-acre nature sanctuary is in Brentwood, TN is located near Hillsboro Pike & Sneed Rd W. – They have lots of great hikes and other events for the all ages during the weekdays, evenings and weekends. They also offer homeschool days … can’t make one of the scheduled events? Fear not, you can also visit with a day pass … sorry, Hattie, no pups allowed. Check out the calendar HERE.
Adventure Science Center homeschool classes – Mr. Jason runs a SUPURB program for homeschoolers that’s hosted once per month. Choose from age grouping of 3-5th graders; 6-8th or a mixed ages class. Current topics include Electrolysis Lab; Squid dissection Lab; Amusement Park Physics; Dinosaur Lab and more.
Nashville Zoo Homeschool days – we’ve never made it one of these as the dates never seem to work out, but they look fun! Classes are broken down into age ranges of K-1, 2-4 & 5-8. Listed at $18-25/class.
Belle Meade Plantation homeschool history club – Ivan has attended the history club which occurs once per month and we both have enjoyed visiting the property. Each year the theme changes… ‘22-23 school year it was “The Mystery of (various continent)” and this school season, ‘23-24 has been “Celebrate the Date”. I love pulling in to drop him off and pick him up each month. Often Hattie and I take a stroll around the grounds after we drop him to the group. It’s a drop off situation from 10am-1pm, pack your lunch!
Nashville Chess Club - Ivan attends a weekly chess class/club and for independent time ChessKid.com
These last few are not area specific, but mandatory to make our world go round:
Bridge Academy – umbrella school that encourages unschooling. Enroll your child in this private school that offers you a community & learning resources all while meeting your states requirements. Use their suggested materials, or not. Simply report back what your child is working on and they provide transcripts for a few hundred dollars a school year. 2024-25 enrollment is open!
@bridgeacademy.us
@yournaturallearner
Classical Learner – homeschool curriculum and even live and recorded classes! Amazing place to learn American History and all about our freedoms.
@Classicallearner
Lesson Planet – website with a TON of resources when you are looking to ideas, or extra materials to supplement a lesson or whatever you are working on!
……OK! now what did I forget?! 😆