September 19-25, 2020: Suggested Learning Ideas, Events & Resources for Western MA

  Posted on September 17, 2020 By

Awarded the “Essential Agent of Change Award” by the MDPH’s Massachusetts Essentials for Childhood, Hilltown Families is recognized as a leading family strengthening initiative in the region, promoting “positive parenting through the social norm of community social connectedness.” Serving Western Massachusetts since 2005, Hilltown Families continues to support the development and enhancement of our local economy and community. Local businesses, farms, individuals, schools, and non-profit organizations are invited to collaborate with Hilltown Families in their community outreach. With 10,000 opt-in subscribers and over 2.7 million visits to our web site alone, Hilltown Families can deliver your message to thousands of families living throughout the four counties of Western MA! Find out about our affordable advertising options and how you can partner with Hilltown Families in your online marketing by contacting us at info@hilltownfamilies.org… and scroll down to discover learning ideas and community-based educational opportunities to explore at home and outdoors this weekend and next week.

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Options: Adapted In-Person/Outdoors. Virtual. Hybrid.

Join Girls on the Run this fall! In today’s unpredictable world, the social-emotional skills and strategies learned at GOTR are more important than ever. At GOTR, youth build self-confidence, develop healthy relationships, and learn skills such as managing emotions, resolving conflict, and helping others. GOTR will be offering three options for this fall: In-person, hybrid, and all virtual. Their teams are smaller this season, and they have adapted all the lessons to ensure safety and social distancing. Fall season begins September 14 for eight weeks, ending with a site based 5K celebrations and/or their virtual GOTR 5K on November 14. Contact Alison.berman@girlsontherun.org for more information and see their website for team options: www.girlsontherunwesternma.org

Virtual. Adapted In-Person/Outdoors.

Hilltown Sleddogs. West Chesterfield, MA ♦ Meet Marla BB & the Hilltown Sleddogs, who mushed 750 miles across interior Alaska last winter on the Serum Run Trail. In 1925, mail carriers mushed antitoxin to dying children of Nome during a Diptheria Epidemic. On February 22, 2020, the Team mushed from Nenana (outside Fairbanks) past the Tolovana Roadhouse (where Wild Bill Shannon almost froze to death) onto the Yukon River for 7 days, through Native Athabaskan Villages crossing Norton Sound & the Bering Sea Coastal Yupik Villages. They camped in Arctic Oven Tents at -45 degrees, slept in tribal halls, community centers & schools where children ran out to greet the dogs. On March 13th, the Expedition arrived in Nome only to learn the rest of the country was in lock-down due to a Pandemic! For more information: hilltownsleddogs@gmail.com; 413-296-0187; www.hilltownsleddogs.com.

Adapted In-Person/Outdoors.

Need a break from homeschool? Jen Bixby is offering Outdoor Educational Camp in Pelham, MA, for ages 5-8. Space is limited, and the first 4-week session starts Sept 21. Jen Bixby’s learning camp takes a creative, process approach to learning – nurturing confidence and curiosity through nature walks, singing, stories, art, and gardening. Reading, writing, math, and science are integrated throughout the day. Jen is a reading, writing, and math tutor and an academic and executive functioning coach for students in elementary through college, primarily at the Hartsbrook School. She has taught graduate school courses and public Special Education with degrees in special and elementary education, psychology, and music. Jen is a singer/songwriter and currently performs with her band. She has raised four children in the Amherst area. For more information, contact Jen at jbixby@comcast.net or call 413-575-0214

Adapted In-Person Birthday Party Venue

Lights, Camera… Party! Always a hit, your child will be the star of the show when you take your cue and book a movie theater birthday party at South Hadley’s Tower Theaters. Special Effects include your own green room (private theater) with balloon props and optional concessions. Don’t settle for a B party, act now and book your child a blockbuster party the whole family and cast will remember. For more information, visit www.towertheaters.com or email info@towertheaters.com. Conveniently located in The Village Commons, 19 College St, South Hadley, MA.

The 10th Annual Will Bike 4 Food is taking place with a virtual twist! Join The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts for a month-long version of their WB4F cycling event to provide emergency meals to local families & individuals during Hunger Action Month in September. Riders of all ages & abilities are welcome to participate, cycling at any time, anyplace, and any distance to raise funds to support neighbors facing hunger. To encourage WB4F participants to stay active while safely engaging with fellow cyclists, The Food Bank is partnering with local fitness establishments, offering virtual fitness classes & online workshops. Individuals/teams register at WillBike4Food.org. Registration is $35 to benefit The Food Bank. Inquiries: jennifert@foodbankwma.org.

Discover virtual & adapted programming in our 2020/2021 Class Directory for Western MA!

Find what you’re looking for in our 2020/2021 Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA!

ADVERTISE HERE: Partner with Hilltown Families in your online advertising! Delivering your message each week to over 25,000 subscribers, web visitors, and social media followers, Hilltown Families can deliver your message to thousands of readers in Western MA who are committed to their community and willing to support one another in times of need. In-person and virtual event organizers, local and online businesses, virtual and local service providers, non-profit organizations, and individuals are encouraged to reach out to find out about our affordable advertising options and marketing packages. To find out how we can partner together in your online marketing and outreach, contact Sienna at swildfield@hilltownfamilies.org.

SUGGESTED LEARNING IDEAS,
RESOURCES, & EVENTS
September 19-25, 2020

Saturday, Sept 19 • Sunday, Sept 20
Monday, Sept 21 • Tuesday, Sept 22 • Wednesday, Sept 23
Thursday, Sept 24 • Friday, Sept 25

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Online and in-person events and resources shared below are done so as a courtesy and not as an endorsement. While we do our best to share accurate and up-to-date information, please take the time to confirm information, age appropriateness, registration requirements, safety protocols, and associated costs.

Discover virtual & adapted programming in our 2020/2021 Class Directory for Western MA!

Saturday, September 19, 2020

Suggested Events

Want to have your online or in person event, class, or workshop featured with Hilltown Families? Inquire at info@hilltownfamilies.org.

BLUEJAYS & THE AMERICAN CROW

Bluejays and American crows fill the late September soundscape with their jeers and caws, warning one another of migrating broad-winged hawks overheard. The grey squirrel’s kuks & quaas can be heard from the branch-highway of oak, aspen, and maple trees they scurry upon, as these deciduous trees slowly begin to drop their leaves. These are some of the sounds and movements of late summer and early autumn. Paying attention to our soundscape changes as we move through the seasons anchors us in the present moment and allows for investigation and appreciation. Take the time to stop and observe, seeing what thoughts and curiosities arise when you pay attention to your soundscape. Why are bluejays so quiet in the summer but not in the fall? How does the fall hawk migration influence their behavior? Can you tell the difference between a male and a female bluejay? How about crows? Do you know how long they live? Let these questions lead your learning this week, following your interests and connecting with the seasonal changes and behaviors of native species.

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Find what you’re looking for in our 2020/2021 Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA!

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Suggested Events

Want to have your online or in person event, class, or workshop featured with Hilltown Families? Inquire at info@hilltownfamilies.org.

HONEY HARVEST

Come mid-September, most local honey has been harvested. You can find sweet amber bottles (sometimes with a slice of honeycomb) at co-ops, farmers’ markets, and roadside farm stands. Let the end of the honey harvest lead your learning for this week. Follow interests in world culture, history, culinary arts, conservation, and entomology through the lens of honey!

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Discover virtual & adapted programming in our 2020/2021 Class Directory for Western MA!

Monday, September 21, 2020

Suggested Events:

Want to have your online or in person event, class, or workshop featured with Hilltown Families? Inquire at info@hilltownfamilies.org.

APPLE SEASON

Apples, one of the earliest (and most delicious) signs of fall, have been an essential part of New England agriculture for centuries. McIntosh apples are undeniably the most iconic of New England’s apples and makeup over two-thirds of the region’s apple crop! Macs and countless other delicious and fascinating varieties of apples are grown at orchards across western Massachusetts. Families can enjoy this year’s apple crop by visiting an orchard to pick or purchase a bushel. Participate in the tradition of apple-picking and support local agriculture! Check with these local apple orchards for picking conditions and opportunities this year: Park Hill Orchard (Easthampton), Outlook Farm (Westhampton), Bear Swamp Orchard & Cidery (Ashfield), Quonquont Farm (Whately), Clarkdale Fruit Farms (Deerfield), and Bashista Orchards (Southampton). Before heading out, learn about the history of the apple pie, and then while visiting these properties, take a picnic lunch and read Robert Frost’s “After Apple-Picking” and William Cullen Bryant’s “The Planting of an Apple-Tree.”

“Have you ever walked into a grocery store and wondered where all the varieties of apples came from? You might find SnapDragon, Pixie Crunch, Cosmic Crisp, Jazz, or Ambrosia next to the more familiar Red Delicious and Granny Smith. So why are there so many types? Theresa Doud describes the ins and outs of breeding apples.” – TED-Ed

Now that you’ve learned about the different types of apples in your grocery store check out these apple recipes from our contributing writers, integrating culinary arts and kitchen math into your apple lessons this month: Apple Chutney & Apple Cake.

Find what you’re looking for in our 2020/2021 Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA!

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Suggested Events:

Want to have your online or in person event, class, or workshop featured with Hilltown Families? Inquire at info@hilltownfamilies.org.

HAWK MIGRATION SEASON

September is the season of Hawk migration. But Hawks aren’t the only bird of prey you can spot migrating this month. According to Mass Audubon, “Most numerous is the broad-winged hawk, which at times can be seen in flocks, or kettles, of hundreds, occasionally thousands of birds, “boiling” high into the sky. The next most commonly seen September migrants are the feisty sharp-shinned hawk, American kestrel, osprey, northern harrier (marsh hawk), and turkey vulture.” This seasonal phenomenon can be a catalyst for learning about ornithology and meteorology. Knowing the differences between different raptors and how weather patterns impact migration conditions not only supports interests and education but can also help us connect to seasonal changes through native species and local habitat. Learn more about hawk migration, what to listen for, and other raptors of the world to compare and contrast with these videos.

LOCAL RESOURCES

Depending on where you live in Western MA, select a spot nearest your home for an outdoor morning adventure watching hawks:

  • Mt. Tom State Reservation (Easthampton, MA)
  • Fobes Hill (Windsor, MA)
  • Mt. Greylock State Reservation (Adams, MA)

SUPPORTING BOOK TITLES

Discover virtual & adapted programming in our 2020/2021 Class Directory for Western MA!

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Suggested Events:

Want to have your online or in person event, class, or workshop featured with Hilltown Families? Inquire at info@hilltownfamilies.org.

AUTUMN FOLIAGE

Fall in Western Mass is when nature literally takes center stage; a destination visitors outside the area flock to because of the gorgeous dynamism of the season. The trees and their changing foliage are great connectors for kids (in a sense they connect to themselves!) to the outdoors and their sense of place. In this change lies a wonderful community-based educational opportunities tied to art and science. Read our post, Autumn Leaf Collecting Supports Art & Science, to see how you can get your kid hooked on fall by collecting, creating and learning in their own backyards! Also check out these videos to support learning about botany, chemistry, and ecology through the lens of fall foliage!

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Find what you’re looking for in our 2020/2021 Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA!

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Suggested Events

Want to have your online or in person event, class, or workshop featured with Hilltown Families? Inquire at info@hilltownfamilies.org.

SEED SAVING

Once you’ve reaped the delicious benefits of a summer’s harvest, look to your dinner plate to find a purpose for what you’ve grown. Seed saving is a way to practice self-sufficiency and resilience, and also helps to preserve plant varieties for years to come. In addition to the cultural and agricultural value of holding onto these plants (and their seeds), practicing seed saving at home is a great way to engage in hands-on science learning, supporting interests in botany, gardening, and food security. Read more in our post, Seed Capital Provides Return for Nature-Based Education.

Check out our literary guide for “A Seed is Sleepy,” an incredibly rich textual exploration of the world of seeds. Using our guide, families can learn about the science of seeds by finding hands-on place-based ways to connect with the environment: Literary Guide for Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long’s “A Seed is Sleepy”.

For further seed-related learning, check out these titles:

Discover virtual & adapted programming in our 2020/2021 Class Directory for Western MA!

Friday, September 25, 2020

Suggested Events:

Want to have your online or in person event, class, or workshop featured with Hilltown Families? Inquire at info@hilltownfamilies.org.

CATERPILLARS

Tomato hornworm. Tent Caterpillar. Monarch Caterpillar. Yellow Woolly Bears. These are New England caterpillars’ names, many of us know, which is limiting when considering that there are 20,000 different species of known caterpillars around the world! In the late summer, searching for caterpillars in veggie gardens, meadows, and trees’ leaves before turning autumnal colors can be a catalyst for learning about botany, entomology, and ecology. Getting curious and asking “why-what-how-who” questions is an excellent place to start! Why is this caterpillar on this plant? How did it get there? What is it’s defense mechanism? Who is it protecting itself from? How does the caterpillar turn into a butterfly? Is it a butterfly, or is it a moth? When will it metamorphose? Sketch or photograph your discoveries. Search for answers online or ask a local naturalist. Understanding the nature and behavior of native species helps strengthen a sense of place by allowing us to read our landscape through flora and fauna surrounding us and how everything fits into seasonal patterns.

What’s going on inside a caterpillar cocoon/chrysalis:

Caterpillar cameos:

The birth of a caterpillar:

How to draw a caterpillar for kids:

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Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by grants from the Amherst, Bernardston, Buckland, Chester, Gill, Goshen, Hadley, Heath, Hinsdale-Peru, Holyoke, Montgomery, Mt. Washington, New Salem, Northern Berkshire, Pelham, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Springfield, Washington, Westhampton, and Windsor Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

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