Weekly Suggested Events for January 2-8, 2021
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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!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: JANUARY 2-8, 2021
10 LEARNING RESOURCES
FAMILY MUSIC. Hilltown Family Variety Show
LANGUAGE ARTS. Literary Guides
PLACE-BASED LEARNING. Learning Ahead: Cultural Itinerary for Western Massachusetts
CLASSES. Western MA Class Directory
NATURE-BASED LEARNING. Nature Tables
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. Trails at Mass Audubon
FAMILIES. Family Center of Northern Berkshire County
NATURE-BASED LEARNING. Mass Audubon December Outdoor Almanac
MUSIC STUDIES. Jazz Library at the Jones Library
STORYTELLING. National Storytelling Network
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities

Join Greenfield Community College for Virtual Enrollment & Registration on Saturday, January 9, from 10am-3pm. Admissions, testing, advising, and financial aid will be available to help prospective students complete the steps they need to register for Spring classes. Visit their website for more information and to follow the Zoom link. For more information, email admission@gcc.mass.edu or call 413-775-1801.
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
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.
The Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley offers classes for all ages in art, dance, music, theatre, writing, and more! Classes are being offered virtually, in-person, and via a hybrid model, with health protocols in place. New classes are added throughout the year, so visit their website regularly! The Center also offers affordable rental space for individuals and small groups of artists, educators, and local organizations, while developing programming dedicated to arts education, multidisciplinary collaborations, and community connections. ArtPlay, the Center’s unique interdisciplinary vacation arts program, returns in February, April, and summer of 2021. They also have daytime availability for remote learning pods to rent their beautiful space. For more information: programs@nohoarts.org; 413-584-7327; www.nohoarts.org.

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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, JANUARY 2, 2021
HOLIDAYS. 8am-5pm. Festival of Trees: Legends of the Berkshires
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)
HOLIDAYS. 5pm. NightWood, A Sound & Light Experience at The Mount
ART STUDIES. 5-7pm. French Impressionism Art Tour
ASTRONOMY. The Quadrantids Meteor Show Peaks
SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2021
HOLIDAYS. 8am-5pm. Festival of Trees: Legends of the Berkshires
NATURAL HISTORY. 10am. Signs of the Season
ORNITHOLOGY. 4pm. Crows: Winter Roost
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)
HOLIDAYS. 5pm. NightWood, A Sound & Light Experience at The Mount
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2021
HOLIDAYS. 8am-5pm. Festival of Trees: Legends of the Berkshires
PreK. 11am. Mindful Movement
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA)
Self-Directed Learning:
NATURALIST SKILLS
TRACKING
At one time, being able to read tracks was vital for survival. The forest is full of signs that tell us about the wildlife within. Learn to read the tracks and signs left by animals that live in our area.
Self-Directed Learning:
LANGUAGE ARTS
POETRY
For recommended titles, check out our posts, Six Novels Written in Verse and Books for Young Bards, and our archived column, One Clover & A Bee: Poems for Families to Learn & Love.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021
HOLIDAYS. 8am-5pm. Festival of Trees: Legends of the Berkshires
PreK. 10am. Fun with Letters
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA)
HABITAT. 6:30pm. Island Ecology: Bahamas
SOIL SCIENCE. 7pm. Soils of Massachusetts
HEALTH/WELLNESS. 7:30pm. Zoom Care: Strategies and practices
SOCIAL JUSTICE. Urban Sustainability for Social Justice
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021
HOLIDAYS. 8am-5pm. Festival of Trees: Legends of the Berkshires
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. 9am. Winter Hiking 101 Workshop
LITERACY. 10am. Story Time Online with Meghan
FIBER ARTS. 12pm. Knitting
LITERACY. 4pm. Cushman Library Story Hour
HOLIDAY LIGHTS. 4:45-8:45pm. Bright Nights at Forest Park (Springfield, MA)
ART & ARCHITECTURE. 5pm. Virtual Tour of Gaudi’s Barcelona
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE. 6:30pm. American Sign Language Basics Virtual Classes
NUTRITIONAL ANTHROPOLOGY. 6:30pm. History of Chocolate in Early New England
MUSIC STUDIES. 6:30-8pm. Indigenous Music in the 21st Century
SIGN LANGUAGE. 6:30pm. American Sign Language Basics Course
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT. 7pm. Focus Locus Presents: The Lovelights
ETHNOBOTANY. 8:30pm. Traditional Ecological Knowledge with Rose Bear Don’t Walk
Self-Directed Learning:
CULTURE STUDIES
THREE KINGS DAY
Read about this Jan holiday in our post, Three King’s Day Offers Multi-Cultural Learning.
Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD HISTORY
NUTRITIONAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Wed., Jan. @ 6:30pm
History of Chocolate in Early New England
THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS. Submit to: Dreaming the Future (a zine about climate justice by and for young people)
HOLIDAYS. 8am-5pm. Festival of Trees: Legends of the Berkshires
PreK. 9:30am. Let’s Make Music
FASHION/WOMEN’S HISTORY. 12:15pm. Suffragettes in Corselettes: The Evolution of Underwear and the 19th Amendment
AVIATION. 4:30pm. Flight Lesson
TECHNOLOGY. 7pm. ‘Nikola Tesla: The Man Who Sparked the Electrical Revolution’
Self-Directed Learning:
INVENTIONS
TECHNOLOGY
Thurs., Jan. 7pm
‘Nikola Tesla: The Man Who Sparked the Electrical Revolution’
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021
HOLIDAYS. 8am-5pm. Festival of Trees: Legends of the Berkshires
PreK PLAY. 1pm. Art Museum Playdate
U.S. HISTORY 7:30pm. Santa Fe Trail
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.