Hilltown Families 
Weekly Suggested Events for February 27 – March 5, 2021
Home < Weekly Suggested Events < February 27 – March 5, 2021
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!
15 SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING IDEAS
10 FEATURED LEARNING RESOURCES
BOTANY. Flower Shows Offer Lessons in Botany & Habitat
MUSEUM ADVENTURES: “How People Make Things” at the Springfield Science Museum
ART STUDIES. Google Cultural Institute: A Portal to the Cultural Treasures of the World
FAMILY MUSIC. Hilltown Family Variety Show
STEM. Chemistry through Fermentation
ORNITHOLOGY. Citizen Science: Project FeederWatch
SOCIAL JUSTICE. Enchanted Circle’s Social Justice Digital Classroom
STE(A)M. Smithsonian STEM Learning Guide
AMERICAN HISTORY. 10 Black History Resources for Educators
ART STUDIES. National Museum of African Art
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities
The Children’s Ballet & Movement Co. in Hadley, MA.
The Children’s Ballet & Movement Co. in Hadley, MA. Join CBM this summer! Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm. Their programs are held both outdoors and indoors. Yoga, dancing, nature walks, arts and crafts, and so much more! Also, a free show at the end of each week! Space is limited and follows all safety precautions and protocols. Dates: July 5-August 27, 2021; Age Range of Participants: 4-13yo. Contact: 413-478-1944; cassieferr@gmail.com; www.childrensballetmovement.com
Adventure East is a new outdoor adventure company in Western Mass and is developing hiking, biking, paddling experiences for all ages and experience levels. They would love to have your input as they prepare to launch in June. They need 10 minutes of your time to complete their online survey. The information you share will only be used for their product development and will not be shared. To show their appreciation, if you provide them with your email, you will be eligible to win one of five Northampton Gift Cards worth $50 each. The deadline for replying is March 31, 2021. To complete the survey, click here. More info: info@adventureeast.com.
FEATURED VIRTUAL CLASS
PuppetSpeak Virtual Language Courses
PuppetSpeak is a video-based program that teaches languages through puppetry. Choose from Spanish, French, Hebrew, Hindi, or English. Enjoy learning with silly puppet skits designed based on the latest science about optimal memory function. The program is fun and manageable for ages 3 +, even to adulthood, since you can learn at your own pace. Based out of Shutesbury, MA.
For more information: anna@talkinghandstheatre.com; 413-367-9134; puppetspeak.com.
FEATURED CLASSES
The Wild Arts Cafe in Northampton, MA
The Wild Arts Cafe offers 4th-8th graders multi-modal arts classes in six-week sessions, with an emphasis on open-ended creativity. Modalities include visual arts, creative writing, movement, music, photography, and more. On one day, the younger kids might create a spontaneous collage on cereal a box and fill it with story scraps. Or they might paint a life-sized body map and paste personified poetry on top. 7th and 8th graders work with clay while blindfolded–– then use the experience as a prompt to write a story. They also learn Soul Collage™ and Zentangle™ along with the Wild Arts Cafe’s online students at Hogar Irekani Orphanage in Mexico. As one student recently said, “In the Wild Arts classes, my ideas feel free!” For more information: alisa@thewildartscafe.com; 413-588-6898; thewildartscafe.com
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Common School in Amherst, MA
Preschool ♦ Ages 3-12yrs
For more information: 413-256-8989; www.commonschool.org.
Children only get one preschool experience. Experience The Common School. The Common School, serving children ages 3-12 years, has two preschool classrooms for children ages 3-5 years. These classrooms provide strong student/teacher ratios, a diverse and inclusive community, opportunities for experiential learning, a stellar social and emotional curriculum, environmental awareness, play based learning, significant time spent outdoors and many resources, such as an extensive library, music and movement class. Prospective families are invited to meet their teachers and tour their newly renovated facilities, including outdoor learning spaces for extended time outside.
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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.
Featured Titles
Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
List of Weekly Suggested Events
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021
FILM STUDIES. Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival (Virtual)
NATURE STUDIES. Authors and Artists Online Festival: Honoring Nature (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. StoryWalk on the Trail at the Leverett Library (In-Person in Leverett, MA)
NORDIC SKIING. Daylight. Notchview in Windsor, MA (In-Person)
ORNITHOLOGY. 8am. Birding for Everyone (In-Person in Turners Falls, MA)
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. 10am. Winter Walk at Laughing Brook (In-Person in Hampden, MA)
INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING. 10am. Boardgames with the Meekins Library (Virtual)
ECOLOGY. 10am. Winter Ecology: Beavers and other Mammals (In-Person in Lenox, MA)
NATURE JOURNALING. 10:30am-12:30pm. Exploring Nature In Watercolor (Virtual)
ART STUDIES. 12pm. Painting with Scissors (Virtual)
ART STUDIES. 2pm. Vincent van Gogh Art Tour (Virtual)
PERFORMANCE ART. 2-5pm. Introduction to Voiceover with the Berkshire Music School (Virtual)
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES. 3pm. National Museum of African American History & Culture (Virtual)
U.S. GOVERNMENT. 3-5pm. Kamala Harris: The New Narrative of Women’s Leadership (Virtual)
ARCHITECTURE. 3:30pm. Ashintully Remembered: Postwar Living in a Gilded Age House (Virtual)
MAGIC. 6pm. Magic Workshop (Virtual)
PERFORMANCE ART. 7pm. Stagehand, An Immersive Livestream Adventure (Virtual)
FILM STUDIES. 7-10pm. Five College Student Film Festival (Virtual)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021
FILM STUDIES. Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival (Virtual)
NATURE STUDIES. Authors and Artists Online Festival: Honoring Nature (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. StoryWalk on the Trail at the Leverett Library (In-Person in Leverett, MA)
NORDIC SKIING. Daylight. Notchview in Windsor, MA (In-Person)
LOCAL FOOD. 10am-2pm. Winter Farmers’ Market in Easthampton, MA (In-Person)
NUTRITION. 11am-2pm. Postpartum Cooking: Plant-Based Foods for Supporting New Families (In-Person in Stockbridge, MA)
SOCIAL JUSTICE. 2pm. Histories of American Protest and Activism (Virtual)
MUSIC STUDIES. 4pm. Piano & Computer Multi-Media Performance: Natural Machines (Virtual)
PERFORMANCE ART. 5pm. Open Mic with the Becket Arts Center (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
JAPANESE MYTHOLOGY
Iseult Gillespie details the Japanese myth of the shape-shifting creature.
Self-Directed Learning:
IRISH MYTHOLOGY
Iseult Gillespie recounts the Irish my of the Giant’s Causeway.
The Children’s Ballet & Movement Co. in Hadley, MA.
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021
FILM STUDIES. Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival (Virtual)
ART STUDIES. Find Your Happy Place: A virtual platform self-paced workshop which combines simple neurobiology & art (Virtual)
BOTANY. 9am-4pm. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Bulb Show (In-Person in Stockbridge, MA)
PreK MUSIC. 10:30am. Sing With Your Little Ones with the Pelham Library (Virtual)
LITERACY. 11am. Kindergarten Write and Read in Great Barrington
PLAYGROUP. 9:30-11:30am. Preschool Play Program in Great Barrington
PreK LITERACY. 11am. Storytime with Hubbard Memorial Library (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 11am & 2pm. Storytime at the Amelia Park Children’s Museum
STEM. 5pm. Engineering Workshop: 3D Wooden Puzzles (5-8yo) (In-Person in West Springfield, MA)
STEM. 6:30pm. Engineering Workshop: 3D Wooden Puzzles (9-13yo) (In-Person in West Springfield, MA)
PARENT WORKSHOP. 6:30pm. ADHD Parent/Caregiver Support Group (Virtual)
MUSIC STUDIES. 7pm. Ukulele Strum-Along with the Springfield City Library (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
TRANSPORTATION HISTORY
Self-Directed Learning:
CHEESE HISTORY
Paul Kindstedt shares the history of one of our oldest and most beloved foods, cheese!
TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021
BOTANY. 9am-4pm. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Bulb Show (In-Person in Stockbridge, MA)
PLAYGROUP. 10am. Make & Take and Playgroup at the Granby Library (Virtual)
PLAYGROUP. 10am. Playgroup with Hatfield Library. (Email for Zoom link) kids.hatfieldlibrary@gmail.com (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY 10am. Story Hour with Greenfield Public Library (Email for Zoom link) librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org (Virtual)
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
PARENTING WORKSHOP. 4-6pm. Active Parenting of Teens Workshop. Call to register: 413-663-7588 (In-Person in North Adams, MA)
GARDENING. 6pm. The No-Till Garden with Berkshire Botanical Garden (Virtual)
GEOGRAPHY. 6:30pm. Around the World Nature Series Wales: Castles, Butterflies, and More (Virtual)
GARDENING. 7pm. Attracting Birds, Butterflies, Bees and Other Beneficials (Virtual)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021
NATURALIST SKILLS. Wildlife Tracking. RSVP: noah@thebeatnews.org (In-Person in Lenox, MA)
BOTANY. 9am-4pm. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Bulb Show (In-Person)
PREK MUSIC & MOVEMENT. 9:30am. Interactive Music & Movement Workshop for Caregivers + Kids 1-5yrs (Virtual)
PLAYGROUP. 9:30-11:30am. Preschool Play Program in Great Barrington
PreK MUSIC. 10:30am. Family Jam (Virtual)
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
FIBER ARTS. 12pm. Knot Just Knitters with the Springfield City Library (Virtual)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
ZOOLOGY. 3pm. After-School Animal Encounters–Weird Eaters with Harvard Museum of Natural History (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 4pm. Story Hour with the Cushman Library (Virtual)
NATURALIST SKILLS. 5:30pm. Drawing Into Watercolor in Nature with the Northampton Center for the Arts (Virtual)
ART STUDIES. 5:30-7:30pm. Drawing into Watercolor in Nature with Northampton Center for the Arts (5 classes)
ARCHITECTURE. 6pm. The Vernacular Architecture of Early New England with Historic Deerfield (Virtual)
ECOLOGY. 6:30-8pm. Vernal Pools: A presentation hosted by the Hilltown Land Trust. Sign up: audrey@hilltownlandtrust.org (Virtual)
EDUCATION. 6:30pm. Tips and Tricks for Remote Learners (Virtual)
ORNITHOLOGY. 7-8:30pm Beginner Birdwatching Series
Self-Directed Learning:
NATURALIST SKILLS
“John Body from Nature Nerds Rule teaches the basics of animal tracking as part of Kestrel Land Trust’s Learning With the Land Series. … [looking] at the four basics of tracking: context, patterns, stride and straddle, and the tracks themselves.”
Self-Directed Learning:
ORGANIC FARMING
Did you know that one cup of cauliflower has the same about of vitamin C as an orange? Did you know that cauliflower is naturally yellow, not white? Learn more about how cauliflower is grown: Cauliflower: How Does it Grow?
THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021
BOTANY. 9am-4pm. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Bulb Show (In-Person)
PreK DEVELOPMENT. 9:30am. Grow Play & Learn Weekly Group with Hubbard Memorial Library (Virtual)
PreK PLAYGROUP. 10am Music & Movement with the Montague Libraries (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Lenox Library Outside Story Time (In-Person)
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
ARTS & CRAFTS. 11am & 2pm. Crafts at Amelia Park Children’s Museum (In-Person)
PHYSICS. 12pm. Classroom Science at Home: Exploring Pendulums (Virtual)
MINDFULNESS. 2:45pm. Teen Mindfulness Course with the Tilton Library (Virtual)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
ART STUDIES: 4:15pm. Observation and Abstraction of the Living World (Virtual)
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION. 7pm. Eastern Spadefoot Toad (Virtual)
GARDENING. 7pm. Attracting Birds, Butterflies, Bees, and Other Beneficials (Virtual)
SING-ALONG. 7pm. Singing Ourselves Home (Virtual)
GARDENING. 7pm. Better Backyard Tomatoes (Virtual)
MUSIC STUDIES. 7:30pm. The Art of the Audition: From Conservatory to Career (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 7:30-9pm. Irish History Course with The Irish Cultural Center, Inc. of Western New England (Virtual)
MUSIC STUDIES. 8pm. The Timeless Genius of Chopin II with Smith College (Virtual)
FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021
FILM STUDIES. Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival (Virtual)
BOTANY. 9am-4pm. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Bulb Show (In-Person)
PUPPETRY. 10am. Shadow Puppet Design (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 10am. Story Hour with Greenfield Public Library (Email for Zoom link) librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org
PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Storytime with the Lenox Library (Virtual)
PLAYGROUP. 10:30am. Art Museum Playdate with the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Virtual)
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
GOVERNMENT. 11am. Civics 101: The Constitution Part 1 (Virtual)
ECOLOGY. 12-1:30pm. Temperate Rainforest (Virtual)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
STORYTIME. 3pm. Nature Story Time with Boston Nature Center (Virtual)
PASTRY ARTS. 4pm. Bake With Me! Key Lime Pie (Virtual)
ORNITHOLOGY. 7-8:30pm. Ducks & Waterbirds (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
BUTTER
Learn about the science & history of butter by making your own at home!
Weekly eNewsletter
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 Agawam, Amherst, Charlemont/Hawley, Colrain, Deerfield, Gill, Goshen, Greenfield, Hadley, Heath, Huntington, New Salem, Northfield, Palmer, Plainfield, South Hadley, Tyringham, Windsor, and Worthington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
