Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities

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List of Weekly Suggested Events

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Self-Directed Learning: Animal Studies/Coyotes

The soundscape in the winter is much quieter than in the summer. With a snow-covered landscape, you might hear chickadees, woodpeckers, and owls, but never will you hear katydids or grey frogs. What other animals might you hear in our winter soundscape this time of year? Coyotes! As a prelude to their mating season, the howls of coyote pairs can sometimes be heard on a cold night in late winter. Getting curious about this addition to our soundscape, asking questions, and seeking answers, is the perfect opportunity for place-based learning. Here are a few questions about coyotes to get you started: Why do coyotes howl? Are they adaptable? What do their different vocalizations mean? Do they cooperate when they hunt? Are they dangerous? Are they beneficial? Finding answers and following your interests through native species and animal behavior supports learning in ecology, biology, conservation, animal welfare, and even folklore and mythology!

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Self-Directed Learning: World Languages

International Mother Language Day, a global observation day held every year on Feb 21 by UNESCO, inspires us to learn about languages from around the world! Can you guess how many languages are spoken across the globe? Did you know that a world language disappears once every two weeks?! How did we end up with so many languages? What is the importance of preserving world languages and the study of linguistics? Observation days are an excellent opportunity to support interests via self-directed learning!

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Self-Directed Learning: Presidents’ Day

Presidents’ Day celebrates the life and work of George Washington. It comes every year on the third Monday of February. Presidents’ Day allows us to explore the tenets of democracy and civil freedoms. Download our Jan/Feb edition of Learning Ahead: Cultural Itinerary for Western Massachusetts for embedded learning opportunities found in cultural resources within the geography, history, and cultural traditions of Western Massachusetts that support learning through the lens of Presidents’ Day.

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Self-Directed Learning: Ornithology/Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers! In the winter, you can spot several species, including the Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, and the Red-bellied Woodpecker. And it’s easy to tell a woodpecker from other birds by their feeding behavior. Learning how to tell the difference between these species is perfect for beginning birders. From there, get curious about why they eat suet, how they find their food, adaptations, and different calls. But woodpeckers aren’t only catalysts for learning about ornithology, ecology, and zoology; they can also spark an interest in physics, math, and neurology. 

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Self-Directed Learning: Animal Studies/Bobcats

Bobcats, a North American wildcat, have been on the rebound in recent decades due mainly to efforts to protect them that began in the 1970s. Despite their increasing numbers, it is still relatively uncommon to encounter one. Bobcat breeding takes place mid-late winter, adding another dimension to our winter soundscape. While listening for their mating calls, get curious about our feline neighbors, ask questions, and find answers. Here are a few questions to get you started: What are the differences between a bobcat and a house cat? How and when do they eat, sleep, and travel from place to place? In addition to Massachusetts, where else do bobcats live? What type of habitat do they prefer, and why? Do bobcats travel in packs, or are they solitary? What do they eat, and how do they hunt? How can bobcats and humans live together safely, and how can we protect them?

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Self-Directed Learning: STEM/Math Books

It seems that the connections between children’s literature and topics within many academic disciplines are endless. Captivating stories introduce fascinating historical eras, animal tales for young readers share basic biology concepts, and community stories teach children about interacting with new people and building relationships. However, somewhat elusive within children’s literature are math concepts. Perhaps the most challenging academic subject to integrate smoothly into your family’s everyday life, math has often been taught through memorization and drilling rather than curiosity-driven exploration. Despite its elusiveness, math is very much present within children’s literature, and there are numerous resources to support families in exploring math together… and making it fun! Discover more in our post, Children’s Literature & Resources that Support Math.

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Self-Directed Learning: Local History/Sojourner Truth

As an area rich in history, it is no surprise that the Pioneer Valley has deep connections to the movement that eventually led to the ending of slavery in the United States. Sojourner Truth, an African-American woman famous for her anti-slavery and women’s rights activism, lived in Florence for nearly fifteen years during the mid-19th century. Born into slavery and freed after more than 25 years of labor, Truth used her experiences as an enslaved woman to fuel her passion for speaking out for human rights. In addition to being Truth’s home for many years, Florence was also a stop on the Underground Railroad, and numerous African-Americans stopped in the town while escaping to freedom. Studying Sojourner Truth’s life in Florence can provide an entry point for studies of the Underground Railroad and the history of slavery in the United States. Learn more in our post, Sojourner Truth Memorial: American and Western MA History.

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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, Becket, Bernardston, Buckland, Chicopee, Colrain, Cummington, Easthampton, Goshen, Granby, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Heath, Huntington, Leyden, Montgomery, Northern Berkshire, Orange, Otis, Palmer, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Tolland, Tyringham, Windsor, and Worthington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.