Homeschool Takes Flight at the Allens Pond Stone Barn
March 04, 2024
“Hey eagle, how many of these mice do you want to eat today?”
"All of them!" A chorus of objections erupts, and the Predator/Prey game begins. It’s homeschool day at the Stone Barn at Allens Pond.
What Makes Homeschool at Allens Pond Special
Allens Pond’s Homeschool Series provides a great balance of nature play and nature exploration as children learn about the natural world through in their local community. Nature play is a holistic approach that nurtures not only physical health but also enriches mental, social, and cognitive aspects at homeschool. We ask, “Can you find animal signs and tracks of the wildlife living at Allens Pond? How do we “tag” a monarch butterfly to see if it ends up in Central Mexico for overwintering? How do students prefer to record observations in a journal book?” Each class students learn about different topics through hikes, activities in nature, and reflection time in the barn.
“I loved watching my daughter share her deep knowledge of monarch butterflies with the class. She had fun and learned a lot from other kids too,” -Allens Pond Homeschool mom Erin Walsh.
The Stone Barn provides the perfect setting for programs that incorporate indoor and outdoor activities as part of the learning process. Having the space to get hands-on makes learning fun, and effective. They practice science skills by using nature journals to record observations and questions throughout the course. Raucous games in and out of the barn keep it fun as we learn and play together.
Allens Pond’s Homeschool is offered in a unique format. Each lesson includes:
- An engaging, short video that introduces the lesson topic and can be viewed at home as homework before each sanctuary visit.
- An outdoor field journaling assignment led by the Mass Audubon teacher, inviting students to connect with nature through place-based, hands-on science learning,
- A Mass Audubon-led sensemaking session, which allows time for students to deepen their understanding of science concepts and engage in science practices together.
Looking Forward to Fall 2024
Homeschool families are welcome to join us every Wednesday of October for a different themed class, taught by an experienced Mass Audubon Teacher Naturalist, and meets at one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in the Southeast region.
Please note this is not a “drop-off” program. Children must always be accompanied by an adult. This program is designed for all homeschool students ages 5-16 years. It is not designed for younger siblings to attend. If circumstances necessitate it, younger siblings may attend and observe for free but cannot participate in program activities due to safety concerns.
Session Dates: Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30
Time: 10:00-11:30 am
Themes:
- October 2 - Butterfly Kit/Nets/Tagging
- October 9 - Trees & Fall Foliage
- October 16 - Backyard Birds & Birding
- October 23 - Mammals & Tracks
- October 30 - Spiders & Bats
Join Allens Pond Homeschool at the Stone Barn This Fall
If your child loves to play, learn, and explore outside, Homeschool at Allens Pond may be the perfect opportunity to make 2024 the best fall ever!