Weekly Suggested Events for January 9-15, 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, life-long, and/or experiential 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!
Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: JANUARY 9-15, 2021
LEARNING RESOURCES
INTERGENERATIONAL. Board Games
MINDFULNESS. Mindfulness Through the Seasons
PEDAGOGY. Integrating Permaculture with Community-Based Education
CREATIVE-FREE PLAY. Fresh Ways to Engage Toddlers in Creative Free-Play
STEM. The Science of Snow and Frost
TRACKING. Winter Wildlife Tracking
PLAYGROUPS. . In-person/Outdoors
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES: Hiking Trails in Massachusetts
FAMILY MUSIC. Children’s Music Network Livestream Calendar
INDIGENOUS COSMOLOGIES. National Museum of the American Indian Star Stories
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.

Springfield Museums: Field Trips and Museum School. Springfield, MA. For homeschoolers and schoolers with five museums to mine for information and activities, the Springfield Museums does what few others can—combine art, history, science, and Dr. Seuss into fun-filled, engaging experiences that reinforce critical thinking and observation skills through inquiry-based learning. The Springfield Museums offer a broad range of educational programs for all ages and interest levels, and they are happy to custom-build an experience for your small group. For more information: fieldtrips@springfieldmuseums.org; 413-263-6800 x322; springfieldmuseums.org/groups/school.
Four Rivers Charter Public School in Greenfield, MA, is accepting applications for Fall 2021. Prospective families can attend a Virtual Open House on Sat., January 9 at 10am, Wed., January 20 at 7pm, or Sat., February 6 at 10am. Four Rivers is a small Expeditionary Learning school for grades 7-12, dedicated to educating young people for lives of learning and service. Four Rivers offers a rigorous college preparatory program aligned with the MA curriculum frameworks and emphasizes character development for moral and social responsibility. Students connect learning to the real world, work hard, and develop the independence and thinking skills needed in college and beyond. For more info & Zoom link, visit FourRiversCharter.org.
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
The Maple Hill Play Garden in Amherst, MA, offers an inclusive early childhood program – with abundant time outdoors – that nurtures the joy and wonder of a simple childhood. Amanda Lugo, M.A.Ed., provides a warm, nourishing environment in which play is the heart of the child’s morning. Backing the Larch Hill Conservation lands, The Maple Hill Play Garden’s outdoor space provides children with ample opportunities to explore the magical nooks and crannies of the natural world as they play. The program cultivates a gentle and consistent daily rhythm that helps ground children in a sense of place. Hot, nourishing, organic meals and snacks are provided. Ages 15mo-3.5+yrs. For more information: NourishingChildhood@gmail.com; 978-500-3070; www.maplehillplaygarden.com.

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

Preschool Directory
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Find what you’re looking for in our 2020/2021 Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
List of Weekly Suggested Events
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2021
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. 9am-5pm. Winter Survival 101
ART STUDIES. 9am-5pm. Henri Matisse Inspired Art Class
ORNITHOLOGY. 10am. Birds in Winter
NATURALIST SKILLS. 10am. Winter Tracking at Lime Kiln Farm
SCIENCE. 3pm. Snowflake Science
ZOOLOGY. 6pm. Bobcats
MUSIC STUDIES. Get Down with your Hometown Music Festival
SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021
NUTRITION. 4-5:30pm. Picky Eating from Toddlers to Teens contactus@napeds.com
WILD EDIBLES. 4pm. Acorns
ORNITHOLOGY. 4-6pm. Visit a Winter Crow Roost
MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021
PLAYGROUP. 10-11am. In-person/Outdoors
PreK MINDFULNESS. 11am. Mindful Movement
CULINARY ARTS. 12pm. Cookbook Club
ZOOLOGY. 3pm. Rocky Mountain Goats
SIGN LANGUAGE. 6:30pm. Virtual ASL Basics Course
ZOOLOGY. 8:30pm. Animal Defenses
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021
PreK LITERACY. 10am. Fun with Letters
HERPETOLOGY. 2pm. Turtles
ORNITHOLOGY. 5:30pm. Birds at Your Feeder
WORLD CULTURE. 7pm. Virtual Tours of Amsterdam
ORNITHOLOGY. 7:30pm. World Birding
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2020
PLAYGROUP. 10-11am. In-person/Outdoors
PreK LITERACY. 10am. Virtual Story Time with the Montague Library
FIBER ARTS. 12pm. Virtual Knitting Group
PreK LITERACY. 10am. Virtual Story Hour with the Cushman Library
ENERGY. 12pm. Hydropower
NATURALIST SKILLS. 7pm. Winter Ecology
MINDFULNESS 7pm. Museum Mindfulness
SOCIAL JUSTICE. 7pm. Difference Between Being Not Racist and Anti-racist
TEACHING WORKSHOP. 7pm. Learning Science Outdoors
Self-Directed Learning:
PreK LITERACY
STORY TIME
Wed., Jan. 10am
Virtual Story Time with the Montague Library
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021
PreK MUSIC STUDIES. 9:30am. Let’s Make Music
CONSERVATION 1:30pm. Wetland Preservation and Stewardship
CULINARY ARTS. 3:30pm. Pairing Soups & Sandwiches
MUSEUMS. 6pm. Future of the Museum
FIBER ARTS. 6-8pm. Virtual Quilting Circle
CULINARY ARTS. 6:30pm. Sheet Pan Meals
PERFORMANCE ART. 6:30pm. Staged reading of Failure is Impossible
ORNITHOLOGY. 7pm. Owls
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. 4pm. Winter Outings in the Berkshires
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. How to Layer Winter Clothes W.I.S.E.(ly)
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE. 7-8:30pm. Gardens of Devon and Cornwall
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021
PLAYGROUP. 10-11am. In-person/Outdoors
PreK PLAY. 10:30am. Art Museum Playdate
ARTISAN SKILLS. 12:30pm. Glassblowing
ANIMAL STUDIES. 6:30-8:30pm. Starlight Owl and Wildlife Prowl at Lime Kiln Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD HISTORY
BEVERAGES
The history of tea the second most consumed beverage in the world after water.
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.