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Weekly Suggested Events for April 3-9, 2021
Home < Weekly Suggested Events < April 3-9, 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 inteshrests 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
PreK EVENTS. Hampshire Regional District Coordinated Family Community Engagement Activities (Chesterfield, Goshen, Southampton, Westhampton & Williamsburg)
CREATIVE-FREE PLAY. Fresh Ways to Engage Toddlers in Creative Free-Play
INDIGENOUS AMERICAN. National Museum of the American Indian Virtual Field Trips
PHENOLOGY. April Calendar.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES: Greenberg Family Conservation Area (Westhampton)
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN. Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
WORLD STUDIES. Lesson Plans on East Asia
GARDEN-BASED LEARNING: Smithsonian Gardens Green Ambassador
AMERICAN HISTORY. 10 Black History Resources for Educators
LANGUAGE ARTS. Literary Guides
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities
Leonardo is a terrible monster. He tries so hard to be scary, but he just… isn’t. Then Leonardo finds Sam, the most scaredy-cat kid in the world. Inspired by the children’s books of Mo Willems, multimedia artists Manual Cinema use mind-bending projection, DIY cinema, and immersive sound to tell the story of a monster who longs to be scary and the big decisions about identity and empathy that we all must make. Join the UMass Fine Arts Center on Sunday, April 11 at 3pm (ET) for a virtual performance of Leonardo & Sam: the Terrible Monster and the Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World, Respectively. Tickets are $12 per household or device, and on demand access is available for 72 hours. Visit: fineartscenter.com. or call: 800-999-8627.
Autism Connections, the western Massachusetts Autism Center serving families and individuals in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties, hosts its 30th Annual Autism Conference on April 29, 2021. The day-long VIRTUAL educational conference brings together more than 400 parents, caregivers, educators, people with autism, self-advocates, professionals, organizations, and service providers to build awareness and knowledge, be inspired, and make meaningful connections. For more information about Autism Connections or the 30th Annual Autism Conference, visit AutismConnectionsMa.org or email autismconnections@pathlightgroup.org.
FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
The Institute for the Musical Arts (IMA)
Goshen, MA.
Dates: July 10-August 15, 2021; Age Range of Participants: Girls/Young Women 9-24yo
Contact: 413-268-3074 ♦ info@ima.org ♦ www.ima.org
IMA’s Rock the Summer (Virtually) 2021 are programs for girls and young women focusing on ensemble playing, songwriting, and recording in a deeply creative environment. Explore Rock (July 10-18) and the Performance Program (July 21-August 1) will use the Acapella app as the vehicle for collaboration and performances, students in the Home Studio Recording Program (August 5-15) will learn to use Pro Tools and an interface to raise the bar on home recording projects. Sessions end with a virtual presentation for friends and family. Faculty members are veteran musicians, engineers, and producers.
FEATURED SUMMER PROGRAM
Camp Common Ground Family Camp Starksboro, VT
Dates: July 24- August 13, 2021
Age Range of Participants: 0-99yo
Contact: 802-453-2592 ♦ info@cgcvt.org ♦ www.cgcvt.org
Starksboro, VT ♦ Camp Common Ground (CCG) is an intergenerational family camp designed to provide families with a healthy and happy bonding experience while weaving in elements of nature education, arts, wellness, sports, and fun! CCG is dedicated to celebrating all families and cultivating a sense of community among campers. CCG’s 700-acre site in Starksboro, Vermont, provides campers with hiking trails, streams, ponds, and a low carbon footprint main campus to explore. Sliding scale fees include lodging in a tent, cabin, or lodge; all meals (local, organic, and vegetarian) and all activities. There is something for everyone’s taste – whether you want to ‘rough it’ or are more into ‘glamping’ – CCG has you covered!
FEATURED SCHOOL
Learn at Morse Hill
Outdoor Education Center
Shutesbury, MA
Learn at Morse Hill Outdoor Education Center is now enrolling for Fall 2021! This fully outdoor elementary program serves students in grades K-6. Experienced and caring educators offer hands-on, experiential learning with a project-based focus within a small school community. Students follow the rhythms of the land and seasons and learn within a framework that emphasizes social-emotional growth, stewardship, and collaboration. More information about programs, curriculum, and staff can be found at www.schoolatmorsehill.org. Prospective families are invited to attend a Zoom Information Session or schedule a tour of the school’s 85-acre campus. For more information, reach out to the leadership team at admin@schoolatmorsehill.org.
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
Cloverdale Preschool
Florence, MA
Preschool ♦ Ages 2.9-5yrs
For more information: cloverdale2@verizon.net; 413-586-1106; www.cloverdalepreschool.com.
Cloverdale Preschool is a parent cooperative program focusing on social-emotional development and problem-solving skills. Teachers are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment with sensory-based experiences that promote confidence through exploration. Cloverdale is a small, close-knit community with a low teacher-child ratio, offering high-quality early education to children ages 2.9-5. Half/full day schedules available for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days during the academic year. Extended day hours offer unique STEAM activities. A large playground has a variety of gross motor equipment and plenty of space to run. DEEC licensed.
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Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
List of Weekly Suggested Events
SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2021
VOLUNTEER SERVICE. 8am-5pm. Dakin Humane Society Pet Food Drive (Springfield & Leverett, MA)
EASTER. 10am. Easter Egg Hunt at Heritage Woods Senior Living (Agawam, MA)
STORYWALK. 10am, 11am & 1pm. StoryWalk at Noble View Outdoor Center (Russell, MA)
ORNITHOLOGY. 10am-12pm. Eagles by the Nest at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Lifelong learners and self-directed teens can learn all about this magnificent bird and how you can help them. (Easthampton, MA)
AVIATION. 10:30am-2:30pm. Flights of Fun Family Programs at New England Air Museum (Windsor Locks, CT)
EASTER. 10am-4pm. Eggstravaganza at ZOO in Forest Park and Education Center (Springfield, MA)
EASTER. 11am-3pm. Easter Eggspress at the Connecticut Trolley Museum (Windsor Locks, CT)
EASTER. 11am-4pm. Easter Egg Hunt at Westview Farms Creamery (Monson, MA)
NATURAL HISTORY. 12pm. Tour of the Galapagos Islands (Virtual)
MUSIC HISTORY. 3-6pm. Life and Legacy of Anne Feeney, a legendary musician and labor activist. (Virtual)
MAGIC. 6pm. Magic Workshop (Virtual)
WORLD CULTURE. 6pm. Tour of Tibet and Mt. Everest Climb (Virtual)
STORYTELLING. 7-9pm. Pioneer Valley Folklore Society Song & Story Swap (Virtual)
THEATER STUDIES. 7:30pm. Interactive Online Play in Two Worlds with Silverthorne Theater Co. (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
ORNITHOLOGY
Sat., Apr. 3 @ 10am-12pm
Eagles by the Nest at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary (Easthampton, MA)
Featured Title:
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021
EASTER. 10am-4pm. Eggstravaganza at ZOO in Forest Park and Education Center (Springfield, MA)
AVIATION. 10:30am-2:30pm. Flights of Fun Family Programs at New England Air Museum (Windsor Locks, CT)
EASTER. 11am-4pm. Easter Egg Hunt at Westview Farms Creamery (Monson, MA)
MUSIC STUDIES. 1pm. Tour of Vienna Austria with Live Classical Music Concert (Virtual)
THEATER STUDIES. 3pm. Interactive Online Play in Two Worlds with Silverthorne Theater Co. (Virtual)
EASTER. 5pm. Easter Guided Tour of the Vatican (Virtual)
Featured Title:
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021
VOLUNTEER SERVICE. 8am-5pm. Dakin Humane Society Pet Food Drive (Springfield & Leverett, MA)
PLAYGROUP. 9:30-11:30am. Preschool Play Program (Great Barrington, MA)
PreK MUSIC. 10:30am. Sing With Your Little Ones with Pelham Library (Virtual)
LITERACY. 11am. Kindergarten Write and Read (Great Barrington, MA)
PreK LITERACY. 11am & 2pm. Storytime at the Amelia Park Children’s Museum (Westfield, MA)
PreK LITERACY. 11am. Spring Story Time on the lawn at the Hubbard Library (Ludlow, MA/Hybrid)
ADHD. 6:30-8pm. Valley ADHD Parent/Caregiver Support Group with Northampton Area Pediatrics (Virtual)
WORLD CULTURE. 7pm. South East Asia: Tour of Vientiane Laos and Bagan Myanmar (Virtual)
GARDENING. 7pm. Growing Squash, Cucumbers, and Melons (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
ECOSYSTEMS
Featured Title:
TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2021
VOLUNTEER SERVICE. 8am-5pm. Dakin Humane Society Pet Food Drive (Springfield & Leverett, MA)
EDUCATION. 8:30am. Live tour of The Bement School (Virtual)
NATURE-BASED PreK. 9am. Nature Sprouts at Bement. Connecting with nature through stories & hands-on activities (Deerfield, MA)
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 (West Springfield, MA)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
WORLD GEOGRAPHY. 6:30pm. South America: Discover Suriname and Guyana with the Storrs Library. Ages 11+ (Virtual)
PSYCHOLOGY. 6:30pm. Resilience Roadshow-Building, a Trauma-informed Community with the Westhampton Public Library (Virtual)
WORLD CULTURE. 7pm. Germany: Rhine River Guided Tour (Virtual)
BIOLOGY. 7pm. Composting with the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. (Virtual)
CHESS. 7pm. Chess with the Chicopee Public Library. Ages 8+ (Virtual)
FORAGING. 7-8:30pm. Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants with NOFA (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
CHESS
Tues., Apr. 6 @ 7pm
Chess with the Chicopee Public Library.
Ages 8+ (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
FORAGING
Tues., Apr. 6 @ 7-8:30pm
Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants with NOFA
(Virtual)
Featured Title:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2021
VOLUNTEER SERVICE. 8am-5pm. Dakin Humane Society Pet Food Drive (Springfield & Leverett, MA)
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
ART STUDIES. 2-4pm. Pastel Painting Workshop with West Springfield Public Library. Ages 18+ (Virtual)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
PreK LITERACY. 4pm. Cushman Library Story Hour with the Cushman Library (Virtual)
WORLD HISTORY. 7pm. Tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum (Virtual)
ORNITHOLOGY. 7-8:30pm. Beginner Birdwatching
Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD SCIENCE
Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD SCIENCE
Featured Title:
THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021
VOLUNTEER SERVICE. 8am-5pm. Dakin Humane Society Pet Food Drive (Springfield & Leverett, MA)
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. Outside Story Time at the Lenox Library (Lenox, MA)
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
ARTS & CRAFTS. 11am & 2pm. Crafts at Amelia Park Children’s Museum (Westfield, MA)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
GARDENING. 6:30pm. Gardening Ideas to Nourish Soul, Land, and Community (Virtual)
FUNDRAISER. 7pm. Family Trivia Night in support of Square One’s Campaign for Healthy Kids (Virtual)
MUSIC STUDIES. 8pm. The Sage Chamber Music Society presents The Timeless Genius of Chopin, a series of four live-streamed recitals of piano works by Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849), performed at Smith College. (Virtual)
Featured Title:
FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021
VOLUNTEER SERVICE. 8am-5pm. Dakin Humane Society Pet Food Drive (Springfield & Leverett, MA)
PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Storytime with the Lenox Library (Virtual)
PreK LITERACY. 10am. Virtual Story Hour with Greenfield Public Library (Email for Zoom link) librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 11am Tours of Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
STEAM. 3pm. STEAM Tours at Storrowton Village Museum (West Springfield, MA)
HERPETOLOGY. 6:30-8pm. Spring Frog and Salamander Search for Families at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (Lenox, MA)
WORLD HISTORY. 7pm. Germany: Tour of Berlin (Virtual)
Featured Title:
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, Buckland, Charlemont/Hawley, Chester, Chesterfield, Chicopee, Colrain, Deerfield, Easthampton, Gill, Goshen, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Heath, Holyoke, Huntington, Leyden, New Salem, Northern Berkshire, Northfield, Palmer, Pelham, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Tolland, Tyringham, Windsor, and Worthington. Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
