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!

10 LEARNING RESOURCES

FAMILY MUSICHilltown 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 ADVENTURESTrails at Mass Audubon 

FAMILIES. Family Center of Northern Berkshire County 

NATURE-BASED LEARNINGMass Audubon December Outdoor Almanac 

MUSIC STUDIESJazz Library at the Jones Library 

STORYTELLINGNational Storytelling Network 

Graphic image for Greenfield Community College for Virtual Enrollment & Registration on Saturday, January 9, from 10am-3pm.
Greenfield Community College Virtual Enrollment & Registration: Sat., Jan. 9 from 10am-3pm.

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.

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

Stay in the Hilltowns!

FEATURED LODGING

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.

Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley

FEATURED CLASSES

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.

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

Self-Directed Learning:
ASTRONOMY

METEORS
The Quadrantids Meteor Show
Peaks Tonight

Self-Directed Learning:
ART STUDIES

FRENCH IMPRESSIONISM
Sat., Jan. 2 @ 5-7pm
Art Tour 

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2021

Self-Directed Learning:
ORNITHOLOGY

CROWS
Sun., Jan. 3 @ 4pm
Winter Roosting

Self-Directed Learning:
LITERACY

LITERARY GUIDE
Ezra Jack Keats’
Whistle for Willie”

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 JUSTICEUrban Sustainability for Social Justice

Self-Directed Learning:
HABITAT

ISLAND ECOLOGY
Tues., Jan 5 @ 6:30pm
Bahamas

Self-Directed Learning:
SOIL SCIENCE

SOIL SCIENCE
Tues., Jan 5 @ 7pm
Soils of Massachusetts

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 

Self-Directed Learning:
U.S. HISTORY

WESTWARD
EXPANSION
Thurs., Jan. 7 @ 7:30pm
Santa Fe Trail

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

Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD HISTORY

SOUP RECIPE
Historic German, Root Vegetable Soup

Self-Directed Learning:
CULINARY ARTS

OMELETS
Omelets: Amateur to Food Scientist

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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