Weekly Suggested Events for December 26, 2020 – January 1, 2021

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Photography of a circle of sleigh-bells on a fence post. Text overly invites homeschoolers to discover suggested learning ideas, resources, and events.

Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts?
Seeking curriculum ideas for remote learning or homeschooling? Are you a self-directed or life-long learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family. Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and events for all ages, each week!

LEARNING RESOURCES

LANGUAGE ARTS. Literary Guides 

NATURE-BASED LEARNING. Nature Tables 

INTERGENERATIONAL. Board Games 

MINDFULNESS. Mindfulness Through the Seasons 

CREATIVE-FREE PLAY.  Play Ideas for Family & Community 

OUTDOOR ADVENTURESSledding Hills in Western MA 

STEMThe Science of Snow and Frost 

ART STUDIESSmith College Museum of Art from Home 

ART STUDIESHirshhorn Kids at Home 

ART STUDIESNational Museum of African Art

Virtual Open House: Jan 16 @ 10am

Featured Montessori School

Families are invited to discover the warm, welcoming community at Amherst Montessori School, with dedicated teachers, administrators, and fellow parents who strive to create a sense of belonging for each child and family. Attend their virtual Open House on January 16 at 10am, or set-up a virtual tour to explore the hands-on, child-centered Montessori curriculum and learn about the engaging community of Amherst Montessori School. Applications for the 2021-22 school year are now being accepted. Schedule options from a partial day to a full day with extended hours. More information at amherstmontessori.org

Featured local lodging.

STAY IN THE HILLTOWNS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Built in 1832 as a hotel, Deer Hill House is the perfect place to stay overnight while visiting family and friends in western Massachusetts! Deer Hill House is now four separate apartments under one roof, located on a quiet country road along the Westfield River, with Deer Hill behind the house, and a large open yard. Private, sunlit, one-bedroom apartments on the first and second floor, complete with full kitchens, and baths, are ideal for a writing retreat or a comfortable home base for your adventures. Located in Cummington, MA, Deer Hill House is less than 10 minutes from Notchview, and 30 minutes from Northampton, Pittsfield, and MassMoCa. Check out the first-floor apartment or search Deer Hill House on Airbnb.

Partner with HIlltown Families!

SEE YOUR AD 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 bring 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.

Class Directory

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

Preschool Directory

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

List of Weekly Suggested Events

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2021

KWANZAA. Celebrate Kwanzaa with the National Museum of African American History.

ART STUDIES. 10am-5pm. The Clark Art Institute 

MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 11am. 12:30pm. 2pm. Self-guided tour of the Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. 

ART STUDIES. 12pm. Art Tour: Van Gogh Museum 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Park (Northampton, MA) 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA) 

PLACEMAKING/HOLIDAYS. 5pm. NightWood, A Sound & Light Experience at The Mount 

TRANSPORTATION HISTORY. 5-9pm. Winterfest & the Tunnel of Lights 

LIVING HISTORY. 7pm. Emma, A Virtual Costumed Reading 

LITERATURE IN TRANSLATIONA Christmas Carol

Self-Directed Learning:
PHYSICS OF SLEDDING

Recommendations for
sledding hills
across the region from our readers

Self-Directed Learning:
STE(A)M

ART STUDIES
Sat., Dec. 26 @ 12pm
Art Tour: Van Gogh Museum

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020

ART STUDIES. 10am-5pm. The Clark Art Institute 

MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 11am. 12:30pm. 2pm. Self-guided tour of the Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. 

LIVING HISTORY. 3-8pm. Christmas by Candlelight 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Park (Northampton, MA)

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA) 

PLACEMAKING/HOLIDAYS. 5pm. NightWood, A Sound & Light Experience at The Mount 

TRANSPORTATION HISTORY. 5-9pm. Winterfest & the Tunnel of Lights 

LIVING HISTORY. 7pm. Emma, A Virtual Costumed Reading 

LITERATURE IN TRANSLATIONA Christmas Carol

Self-Directed Learning:
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

This is an irruptive year for northern seed-eating songbirds. Be on the lookout for flocks of Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine and Evening Grosbeak, White-winged and Red Crossbill, and Common Redpoll.

Self-Directed Learning:
MUSEUM ADVENTURES

Night at the Museum? How about Day at the Historical Society? What do the peg dolls do when there are no visitors in the museum for them to play with? Explore the Historic Northampton collections in this animated video.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2020

ART STUDIES. 10am-5pm. The Clark Art Institute 

MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 11am. 12:30pm. 2pm. Self-guided tour of the Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. 

FIBER ART/KNITTING. 12:30pm. Knitting with Northampton Wools (Facebook Live) 

PreK/ART. 1pm. Art Museum Playdate 

LIVING HISTORY. 3-8pm. Christmas by Candlelight 

STEM. 3:30-5pm. 3D Printing & 3D Modeling Workshop 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Park (Northampton, MA) 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA) 

TRANSPORTATION HISTORY. 5-9pm. Winterfest & the Tunnel of Lights 

SIGN LANGUAGE. 6:30pm. Virtual ASL Basics Course 

LITERATURE IN TRANSLATIONA Christmas Carol

Self-Directed Learning:
MINDFULNESS

“Awareness of impermanence and appreciation of our human potential will give us a sense of urgency that we must use every precious moment.” – Dalai Lama

Self-Directed Learning:
LITERATURE

LITERATURE
IN
TRANSLATION
A Christmas Carol

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020

PUPPETS. 8am. Pumpernickel Puppets Virtual Show: Sir George and the Dragon 

ART STUDIES. 10am-5pm. The Clark Art Institute 

MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 11am. 12:30pm. 2pm. Self-guided tour of the Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. 

PreK/ART. 1pm. Art Museum Playdate 

LIVING HISTORY. 3-8pm. Christmas by Candlelight 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Park (Northampton, MA) 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA) 

TRANSPORTATION HISTORY. 5-9pm. Winterfest & the Tunnel of Lights 

GEOGRAPHY. 7pm. Virtual Tour of the Canadian Rockies 

LITERATURE IN TRANSLATIONA Christmas Carol

Self-Directed Learning:
ZOOLOGY

Learn more about animal behavior with Montessori from the Heart’s printout,
Animals in Winter (pdf).

Self-Directed Learning:
GEOLOGY

GEOGRAPHY
Tues., Dec. 29 @ 7pm
Virtual Tour of the Canadian Rockies

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

ART STUDIES. 10am-5pm. The Clark Art Institute 

YOGA. 10:30am. Family Yoga 

PreK/ART. 1pm. Art Museum Playdate 

LIVING HISTORY. 3-8pm. Christmas by Candlelight 

LITERACY. 4pm. Cushman Library Story Hour 

LITERACY. 4pm. N is for Night Story Hour 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Park (Northampton, MA) 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA) 

MUSIC STUDIES. 6-7:30pm. Songwriting Workshop

GEOGRAPHY. 7pm. A Virtual Tour of Paris, France Live 

LITERATURE IN TRANSLATIONA Christmas Carol

Self-Directed Learning:
PHYSICS

Time and space are modes by which we think and not conditions in which we live.
– Albert Einstein

Self-Directed Learning:
GEOGRAPHY

EUROPE
Wed., Dec. 30, 7pm
A Virtual Tour of Paris, France Live

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

ART STUDIES. 10am-5pm. The Clark Art Institute 

PERFORMANCE. 9:30am. Music with Mr. Liam 

NEW YEAR’S EVE. 12noon-12midnight. First Night Northampton 2021 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4-9pm. Holiday Lights Display at Look Park (Northampton, MA) 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA) 

PLACEMAKING/HOLIDAYS. 5pm. NightWood, A Sound & Light Experience at The Mount 

LITERATURE IN TRANSLATIONA Christmas Carol

Self-Directed Learning:
NUTRITIONAL ANTHROPOLOGY

International Foods with Guest, DJ, Ann Torralba. Join Little Miss Ann as she explores all things International Foods, or in other words, foods from around the world.

Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD SCIENCE

Planning and preparing meals with your family can support an interest in culinary and pastry arts while exposing kids to a wide variety of embedded learning opportunities. Read more.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 20221

Self-Directed Learning:
SNOW SCIENCE

With a layer of snow, we have the perfect opportunity for science studies. Read more in our post, The Science of Snow and Frost.

Self-Directed Learning:
CITIZEN SCIENCE

Snowtweets is a citizen science project that offers experiential learning opportunities for all ages to gather climate change data.

Online and in-person events and resources shared above 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.

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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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