Hilltown Families 
Weekly Suggested Events for March 6-12, 2021
Home < Weekly Suggested Events < March 6-12, 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 LEARNING RESOURCES
BOTANY. Flower Shows Offer Lessons in Botany & Habitat
MUSEUM ADVENTURES: “How People Make Things” at the Springfield Science Museum
PLACE-BASED LEARNING. Learning Ahead: Cultural Itinerary for Western Massachusetts
CLASSES. Western MA Class Directory
NATURE-BASED LEARNING. Nature Tables
INTERGENERATIONAL. Board Games
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 3D Tours: Virtual Village from Old Sturbridge Village
AMERICAN HISTORY. National Museum of American History for Families
ART STUDIES. Norman Rockwell Museum Curriculum Lab
FAMILIES. Family Center of Northern Berkshire County
FAMILY MUSIC. Children’s Music Network Livestream Calendar
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities
NERD (New England Regional Developers) Summit is an inclusive, community-building annual tech event held in New England. Each year, local professionals present sessions on various topics, with audiences ranging from beginners to individuals with years of experience. NERD’s mission is to collaborate with the regional community to ensure that the annual Summit and events throughout the year offer everyone, regardless of background or finances, a diverse curriculum for relevant skill-building and valuable networking opportunities. NERD’s mission supports their vision of creating positive and supportive learning opportunities for people who work or want to work in web and related technology. For more info, visit nerdsummit.org.
Northampton, MA ♦ For over 40 years, MSN has offered exciting and engaging summer programs for children 18 months old up to 8th grade in the tradition of Italian educator Maria Montessori. Located near downtown Northampton, Route 9 and I-91, their Toddler and Children’s House (pre/K) programs have half and full-day options available with a strong teacher/student ratio and theme-based programming. For elementary and middle school students, they offer classes like Film & Videography, Pokémon engineering & STEM LEGO programs with Play-Well TEKnologies, Visual Arts, Graphic Novel/Comic Book Art, Outdoor Wilderness Adventures, and Digital Animation/Coding workshops presented by Holyoke Codes.
Dates: June 28-August 20, 2021; Age Range of Participants: 18mo-14yo
Contact: 413-563-4645 ♦ summer@northamptonmontessori.org ♦ msn.coursestorm.com
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
Programming on Demand at the Springfield Museums is a new way to experience the Springfield Museums. Programming on Demand, or PODs, are field trips for families, friends, and small groups. Customize a field trip to the Museums for your group of five to 30 people (divided into smaller groups of 10). Children & adults will participate in up to three hour-long curriculum-based school programs. Mix and match science, art, history, and Seuss! Summer camp classes at the Museums will include art, nature, and space explorations for children 5 -12yo. Teens will enjoy drawing, painting, and printmaking. July 12-16; July 19-23; July 26-30. All experiences require a mask & social distancing. Classes will be kept small. For more info, call 413-314-6477.
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 SUMMER PROGRAM
Summer at The Academy at Charlemont
Charlemont, MA
Academy Summer Programs tap into The Academy’s artistic, outdoor, and academic communities by enabling students to explore areas of interest in a safe, in-person, outdoor environment. Offerings are week-long, half or full days for rising 4th – 10th graders.
Dates: July 12-August 6, 2021; Age Range of Participants: 9-16y
Contact: 413-339-4912
♦ summer@charlemont.org
♦ www.charlemont.org
FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Kids, Art & Nature
Amherst, MA
Dates: July 5-August 27, 2021; Age Range of Participants: 5-14yo
Contact: 413-367-0186 ♦ kidsartandnature@hotmail.com ♦ www.kidsartandnature.com
Children in Deborah Bazer & Lahri Bond’s week-long, themed Summer Art classes explore the natural world through the visual arts. Drawing from many traditions, they nurture the children’s creative, intellectual, and emotional growth in their care. Visual arts, storytelling, and environmental education are all integral parts of their summer classes. Summer 2021 session is from 8:30am-3:30pm, Mon-Fri at the Arts Barn on the beautiful Hampshire College campus and woods, and includes classes on making art with nature, faeries & myths, puppets, superheroes & dinosaurs, dragons, ceramics, and creating tabletop fantasy game. The days are spent mainly outside, artmaking, exploring, and playing non-competitive games.
FEATURED SCHOOL
Amherst Montessori
Amherst, MA
Families are invited to discover the warm, welcoming community of Amherst Montessori School, with dedicated teachers, administrators, and fellow parents who strive to create a sense of belonging for each child and family. Prospective families are encouraged to set-up a virtual or socially-distanced outside tour with the Director of Admissions & Learning Support, Julie Tanguay. Explore the hands-on, child-centered Montessori curriculum, and learn about the engaging community of Amherst Montessori School. Apply now for the 2021-22 school year. Schedule options from a partial day to a full day with extended hours. More information at amherstmontessori.org.
FEATURED EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM
Playful Minds Learning Center
South Hadley, MA.
Playful Minds Learning Center’s philosophy is to gently foster and guide children’s love of learning while supporting them developmentally in all areas. Through a nurturing, structured, and creative environment, Playful Minds Learning Center provides an early foundation for developing the positive skills and confidence children will need for life. Daycare. Preschool. Early Childhood Education Program. Ages 4weeks-14yrs. For more information: Delmari@playfulmindslc.com; 413-534-5674; www.playfulmindslc.com.
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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.
Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
List of Weekly Suggested Events
SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2021
NORDIC SKIING. Daylight. Notchview in Windsor, MA (In-Person)
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. 7am. Ski and Snowboard Races at Berkshire East Ski Area in Charlemont, MA (In-Person)
BOTANY. Botanic Garden of Smith College Bulb Show (Virtual)
FILM STUDIES. Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival (Virtual)
BASKETBALL. Youth Hoop Skills & Drills Program in Northampton, MA (In-Person)
BOTANY. 9am-4pm. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Bulb Show
RADIO SHOW. 9am. Farmer Dave Guest DJs the Hilltown Family Variety Show (Streaming)
MEDITATION. 10am. Introduction to Zen: Meditation Workshop with Rochester Zen Center (Virtual)
GARDENING. 10am. Planning and Designing a Kitchen Garden (Virtual)
PALEONTOLOGY. 10am. Dinosaurs Around the World Opening Day at the Connecticut Science Center (In-Person)
SING-ALONG. 10am. Jones Library Kids Room Presents: Stuffed Animal Sing-Along with Julie Stepanek (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 10am-1:15pm. China’s and Japan’s Approaches and Responses to Imperialism and Modernization (Virtual)
DANCE STUDIES. 10:30am. Teen/Adult Contemporary Ballet Barre with SCDT in Northampton, MA (Virtual)
PUPPETRY. 10:30am .CactusHead Puppets Presents: Magnificent Monster Circus (Virtual)
RURAL HERITAGE. 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm. Horse Logging Demonstration with the Hilltown Land Trust (In-Person)
ENTOMOLOGY. 10:30am. Insects: Pests and Pollinators (Virtual)
AEROSPACE. 10:30am-2:30pm. Women Take Flight at the New England Air Museum. (Hybrid)
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10:30am. Scavenger Hunt of the Smithsonians (Virtual)
MAP SKILLS. 11am Seek and See: Letterboxing with Blandford Porter Memorial Library (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 12pm. Guided Tour of Northern Ireland (Virtual)
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 1pm. Springfield Museums’ hosts a Beep and Greet with The Cat in the Hat and Friends (In-Person)
EDUCATION. 1pm. Positive Social Change Through Education: Views From Inside an Elementary School (Virtual)
BOTANY. 1pm. Natural History & Care of Popular Houseplants (Virtual)
BROADCAST HISTORY. 2pm & 7:30pm. The Jazz Ensembles of Mount Holyoke College present The Big Broadcast, a tribute to the 1940’s radio show (Virtual)
MAGIC. 6pm. Magic Workshop (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 6pm. Northern Africa: Kingdom of Morocco (Virtual)
PERFORMANCE ART. 7pm. Fools in Love with the Pioneer Valley Symphony (Virtual)
MUSIC STUDIES. 7pm. Song & Story Swap with musical storyteller, Charlie King (Virtual)
WORLD CULTURE. 8:30pm. The Spirit of Africa (Virtual)
SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2021
NORDIC SKIING. Daylight. Notchview in Windsor, MA (In-Person)
FILM STUDIES. Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival (Virtual)
BOTANY. Botanic Garden of Smith College Bulb Show (Virtual)
BOTANY. 9am-4pm. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Bulb Show (Virtual)
CITIZEN SCIENCE. 10am. Frog Watch USA (Virtual)
LOCAL FOOD. 10am-2pm. Winter Farmers’ Market in Easthampton, MA (In-Person)
ECOLOGY. 12pm. Tour of the Galapagos Islands (Virtual)
LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION. Harry Potter Fans (Virtual)
ANTI-BIAS. 3pm. Raising Anti-Bias Children (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 6pm. Guided Tour of Stonehenge and Canterbury England (Virtual)
APICULTURE. 7-9pm. Beekeeping for Beginners Series (Virtual)
MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021
FILM STUDIES. Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival (Virtual)
BOTANY. Botanic Garden of Smith College Bulb Show (Virtual)
BOTANY. 9am-4pm. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Bulb Show (Virtual)
PLAYGROUP. 9:30-11:30am. Preschool Play Program in Great Barrington
LITERACY. 11am. Kindergarten Write and Read in Great Barrington
PreK LITERACY. 11am. Storytime with Hubbard Memorial Library (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 11am & 2pm. Storytime at the Amelia Park Children’s Museum
SOCIAL JUSTICE. 1-3pm. How to be an Antiracist Program at the Springfield JCC (In-Person)
DANCE PARTY. Dance Discover for Teens & Adults (Virtual)
PARENTING. 6:30pm. Parent Cafe with Agawam Family and Community Program (Virtual)
WORLD GEOGRAPHY. 7pm. Guided Tour of Ukraine (Virtual)
TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021
BOTANY. Botanic Garden of Smith College Bulb Show (Virtual)
BOTANY. 9am-4pm. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Bulb Show
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)
AVIATION HISTORY. 12:30pm. Living History: Sheryl Faye as Amelia Earhart (Virtual)
ART STUDIES. 3pm. Landscape Painting with Lenox Library (Virtual)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
ECOLOGY. 5:30pm. Native Plants as Insect Habitat (Virtual) dmemlib@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHY. 6pm. Introduction to Digital Photography with IS183 Art School of the Berkshires (Virtual)
INTERGENERATIONAL. 6:30pm. Family Fun Hour with the Hubbard Memorial Library: Charades (Virtual)
WORLD CULTURE. 7pm. China: Guided Tour of Hong Kong and Macao (Virtual)
SOIL SCIENCE. 7pm. Understanding Living Soil (Virtual)
WOMEN’S HISTORY. 7-8:30pm. Living History Program with Jones Library (Virtual)
RACIAL EQUITY. 8:30pm. Does a New Administration Mean Better Policies for Kids? (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE
WOMEN’S HISTORY
The historic women’s
suffrage march on Washington
Self-Directed Learning:
WOMEN’S HISTORY
WOMEN’S HISTORY
Resources at the National Museum
of American History
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021
BOTANY. Botanic Garden of Smith College Bulb Show (Virtual)
BOTANY. 9am-4pm. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Bulb Show (Virtual)
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)
LAW. 1-3pm. How the Supreme Court Decides Cases at the Springfield JCC (In-Person)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA (In-Person)
PreK LITERACY. 4pm. Cushman Library Story Hour with the Cushman Library
TRANSPORTATION HISTORY. 6:30pm. Paddy on the Railway: Irish and the Building of the Great Western [Massachusetts] Railroad (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 7pm. Italy: Guided Tour of Ancient to Modern Rome (Virtual)
SOCIAL STUDIES. 7pm. Boston Museum of Science hosts, The Millennials Are(n’t) Alright: Gen Y and Covid-19 (Virtual)
THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021
BOTANY. Botanic Garden of Smith College Bulb Show (Virtual)
BOTANY. 9am-4pm. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Bulb Show (Virtual)
PreK DEVELOPMENT. 9:30am. Virtual Grow Play & Learn Weekly Group with Hubbard Memorial Library
PreK PLAYGROUP. 10am Music & Movement with the Montague Libraries (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Lenox Library Outside Story Time
PASTRY ARTS. 10:30am. Springfield Jewish Community Center hosts Make Mine Maple with King Arthur Baking School (Virtual)
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)
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)
LANGUAGE ARTS. 4:15pm. The Faraway Brought Close: Poetry and the Work of Feeling (Virtual)
GARDENING. 4:30-6:30pm. Designing with Native Plants (Virtual)
ART STUDIES. 5:30pm. Practice & Process in Indian Drawing with Williams Collge Museum of Art (Virtual)
SCIENCE. 6pm. Life Science Cafe (Virtual)
ORNITHOLOGY. 7pm. The American Woodcock
GARDENING. 7pm. Native Plants for New England Gardens (Virtual)
GARDENING. 7pm. Gardens of the Scottish Highlands (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 7pm. South America: Guided Tour of Cartagena Colombia (Virtual)
THEATER STUDIES. 7:30-9:30pm. The Smith Department of Theatre’s New Play Reading Series presents Acting School by Kathleen Tolan (Virtual)
GEOMETRY. 10pm. Fractals
FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2021
BOTANY. Botanic Garden of Smith College Bulb Show (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Storytime with the Lenox Library (Virtual)
BOTANY. 9am-4pm. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s annual Bulb Show (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 10am. Story Hour with Greenfield Public Library (Email for Zoom link) librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org
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)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, MA
PASTRY ARTS. 4pm. Holyoke Community College hosts, Bake With Me! Caramel Cheesecake (Virtual)
GARDENING. 6pm. Extending the Harvest: Growing Early Spring Vegetables (Hybrid)
WORLD CULTURE. 7pm. Portugal: Guided Tour of Lisbon (Virtual)
ANIMAL STUDIES. 7-8:30pm. Starlight Owl and Wildlife Prowl
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, Chicopee, Colrain, Deerfield, Easthampton, Gill, Goshen, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Heath, Huntington, Leyden, New Salem, Northern Berkshire, Northfield, Palmer, Pelham, Plainfield, Shelburne, South Hadley, Tyringham, Windsor, and Worthington. Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
