1. How to homeschool legally in Massachusetts
This video features Michael Donnelly, HSLDA’s designated counsel for Massachusetts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmELLON4OFI&list=PLe7Gz-9V5xsWzxwNhyZUNrdz0K-tbkz9a&index=21. The link referenced for further Massachusetts-specific articles is https://hslda.org/legal/massachusetts.
2. Getting started? NEW videos and webinars
1. Three-part video series on getting started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVOzkYx2vcA&list=PLe7Gz-9V5xsWAtvLTz1gA1CYyPLBBe-Ke.
2. Helpful overview of how to start homeschooling: https://hslda.org/post/ready-set-go-choosing-homeschool-curriculum-and-more.3. You Can Homeschool Through High School: https://hslda.org/post/you-can-homeschool-through-high-school.
4. How to Start Homeschooling with Special Needs: https://hslda.org/post/how-to-start-homeschooling-midyear-with-special-needs-q-and-a.
3. Out of the Park in Boston, Saturday, August 28
In partnership with the Boston Red Sox and Boston’s Parks and Recreation Department, The Highland Street Foundation has created the annual Out of the Park event, “a free, family-friendly program that transforms a busy corner of the Boston Common into Fenway Park. While a Red Sox game is presented live on a big screen, we recreate the excitement of Yawkey Way and Fenway Park with free food and fun activities.” For more details, click HERE.
4. TeenPact Massachusetts 2022
TeenPact is an awesome Christian ministry where your kids can learn about government from a Biblical perspective. They will learn how a bill becomes a law and how elections are run, and hear from elected leaders on site at the State House.
TeenPact Massachusetts will be April 25-29, 2022!
Join Ken Tangel for an information session over Zoom to learn more!
August 19, 2021, from 6-7 p.m.August 31, 2021, from 6-7 p.m.Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5854021094?pwd=S0p1Y2FVUGN6MytnQkd0WTVLR21rdz09Email Ken to at ken.tangel@teenpact.com to RSVP or for further information. Please share with your friends!
5. 30th anniversary fundraising banquet in October for MFI
After having to host a much smaller event last fall, Massachusetts Family Institute will be back at the Marriott in Newton this year, and we anticipate another sellout crowd. They are delighted to say that, on October 15, they will host Dr. Larry Arnn as the guest speaker. Dr Arnn is Chair of the 1776 Commission, created to counter a trendy distortion of our country’s history and to “enable a rising generation to understand the history and principles of the founding of the United States in 1776 and to strive to form a more perfect Union.” He serves as the president of Hillsdale College. You can read Dr. Arnn’s bio here.
There are fewer than 100 tickets left. This event will be sold out soon. Mark your calendars and buy your tickets today.
6. Zoo Academy
At Animal Adventures in Bolton, our mission is to educate about the animal world through hands-on interactive programs. Zoo Academy will follow the same mission, as your child learns the skills to help them along their path toward independence or a potential career, in a fun, safe, engaging environment. Led by our trained staff and the zoo’s founder, Dr. Edward Laquidara, your child can get a unique education unlike any in New England. The Zoo Academy will run three mornings a week with an all-day option available if your child needs to stay and do some schoolwork. Go to https://www.animaladventures.net/zoo-academy for more info and to enroll today!
7. Fun in the summertime
With summer passing quickly, here are a few suggestions for summer fun and perhaps educational places for a day or a few hours depending on your interest, chosen simply by the interests of this writer.
USS Nautilus and museum, Groton, Connecticut: Submarine and museum have free admission and parking. First nuclear powered submarine and first to navigate under the North Pole. https://ussnautilus.org/
Berkshire Botanical Garden, Stockbridge: Tuesdays free. Small, but peaceful and beautiful botanical garden. A great place for Mom and Dad to have some quiet time. Pick a place along Main Street Stockbridge for lunch. If you go on Tuesday August 31, that happens to also be the free day for the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge (see the calendar link in item 1 above). www.berkshirebotanical.org
Keystone Arches Trail: Chester, Mass. Easy hike five miles round trip along the Westfield River. You don’t have to do the whole distance. Highest railroad in the world when built – built by the father of the artist James Whistler – series of keystone arch bridges using method same as the Romans – built in the 1830s and never had to be repaired – still in use carrying engines ten times the weight of those it carried when built. Bring your camera and you may get a shot of a train over the bridge. There is also a small railroad museum in the town (check for hours).http://www.keystonearches.com/http://chesterrailwaystation.net/
Bennington Battle Monument: Bennington, Vermont. Tallest manmade structure in Vermont – taller than Bunker Hill Monument – commemorates the role of action around Bennington in an important turning point in the American Revolution. Small fee, limited hours, check before going (currently only Friday through Monday). https://www.benningtonbattlemonument.com/
Turners Falls, Mass: (For young kids) – Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the view from the park overlooking the Connecticut River. At the right time of year you may see a bald eagle or two. Near the bridge over the dam is the Great Falls Discovery Center (free). Young children will love the displays of wildlife found in the Connecticut River Valley. Walk the bike trail to see the flow from the bottom of the dam. If you are a fisherman, bring your pole. Check the Discovery Center hours. https://greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/
For our Connecticut readers only: From now through September 6, Connecticut children ages 18 and younger, plus one accompanying adult, can visit Mystic Seaport Museum for free as part of the Connecticut Summer at the Museum program. Participants must be Connecticut residents and order free admission tickets online in advance of their visit. There is no limit to the number of free visits families may enjoy during the program. https://www.mysticseaport.org/visit/ct-kids-free-admission/
8. Two more weeks of August Adventures
Remember Free Fun Fridays, the summer program that used to give you free admission to events, programs, museums, and special sites all over Massachusetts? This August, the group behind that program – the Highland Street Foundation – is instead bringing you 31 days of no-cost admission to zoos, museums and carousels: one free activity for each of the month’s 31 days. Click HERE to learn more. [PLEASE NOTE: Some locations require advance reservations.]
9. MassHOPE Facebook groups
Did you know that MassHOPE has two private Facebook groups in addition to its main Facebook page? If you would like to join the MassHOPE Massachusetts Homeschool Discussion and Support Group (described in Item #7, below) or the MassHOPE Massachusetts Homeschool Marketplace and UCS group, or if you invite anyone to join these groups, please note that there are questions you will need to answer in order to be approved. If you don’t get approved soon after your request to join, perhaps you didn’t answer the required questions.
10. MassHOPE advertising opportunities
MassHOPE has a variety of advertising options available at reasonable rates in several media paths – MassHOPE website, dedicated email, Facebook, MassHOPE Messenger. If interested, please send an email to advertising@masshope.org. All ads are subject to availability and space. MassHOPE reserves the right to accept or reject ads as we must apportion limited space and evaluate relevance to our audience.
11. MassHOPE Facebook discussion group
Connect with us on Facebook at MassHOPE’s Massachusetts Homeschool Discussion and Support Group. This group provides support and encouragement for homeschoolers pursuing privately-funded, parent-led home education. Its purpose is to encourage and equip homeschool parents to disciple and educate their children for the Lord, and to connect families within our state to give them opportunities to gather together for educational and recreational experiences.https://www.facebook.com/groups/MassHOPEDiscussion/
12. The MassHOPE Educator ID Card
Educator IDs are available for benefits such as potential discounts at retailers. Order them from our website HERE.
13. Are you on our mailing lists?
To those who have been recently added to our email list through our website: if youwould also like to be added to our “snail mail” list to receive information (such as our print newsletter) via the U.S. Postal Service, please send your full name and complete mailing address to newsletter@masshope.org.
14. Your news items wanted
Do you know of an event or activity in or near Massachusetts that would edify or interest the homeschool community? Email Anne Smith at volunteer@masshope.org and we will review it for possible inclusion in the MassHOPE Messenger.
15. Remember to “Like” MassHOPE on Facebook”Like” MassHOPE’s Facebook page:
You’ll be encouraged in your homeschooling journey and will receive all updates for upcoming events.
16. Do you receive The Voice of HOPE?
MassHOPE publishes a quarterly print newsletter, The Voice of HOPE. In addition to announcements you might also find in the Messenger, we provide three or four full-length articles on a variety of homeschooling topics. If you would like to add your name, please send your name and “snail mail” address to newsletter@masshope.org.
17. Support MassHOPE through AmazonSmile
Do you shop at Amazon? If you shop through AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to MassHOPE! If you’re not already signed up, you can do so more easily than ever. To start supporting our organization, simply click this link, which is unique to MassHOPE: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/04-HYPERLINK “http://smile.amazon.com/ch/04-3220412″3220412. That’s all! From then on, when – and only when – you enter the Amazon website through amazonsmile.com,Amazon will automatically donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to MassHOPE. Thank you for supporting the work of your Christian state homeschool organization!
18. Homeschooling in MassachusettsCheck out this MassHOPE site for getting started.
19. A bevy of materials, offers, and helps
https://www.mfwbooks.com/My Father’s World materials. Includes offer of two free activity packs.https://homeschoolhistory.com/Notgrass History web-based curriculum. Free trial.https://www.iew.com/three-weeks-of-language-arts-instruction-from-iewFree language arts lessons from IEW.https://coronavirushomeschooling.com/The importance of Christian homeschool organizations for homeschool freedom.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRgV-1tfKz8&feature=youtu.beYouTube with Dr. Kathy Koch: Having Conversations about Today’s Tough Stuffhttps://www.oaclub.org/Remember Adventures in Odyssey? Free 28-day trial.https://billygrahamlibrary.org/continue-the-journey-from-home/Family activities from the Billy Graham Library.
20. Variety of interesting sites suggested by the Heritage Foundation
Science, engineering, and building projects and lessons from The League of Young Inventors.
Exciting free courses from Hillsdale College in literature, politics, history, and economics.
From Joy Hakim: DIY lessons on topics such as the human body, Magellan’s travels, the story of Elizabeth Jennings Graham, and plagues from previous eras.
Students can explore the remains of Athens’ ancient Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Zeus, and more in these virtual tours.
Free online language learning materials in English, Spanish, French and German, from Lingoda.More free language learning from Duolingo, with 23 languages.Core Knowledge offers a vast array of resources. Their Language Arts, History and Geography, and Science curricula are available for free.
TouchMath offers free downloads of TouchMath Workbooks.
21. Browsing corner for vets and newbies
How To (and How Not To) Homeschool During COVID-19 by John Stonestreet by John Stonestreet‘Most Rewarding Thing You Can Do’: Homeschool Experts Offer Hope to Parents in COVID-19 School Shutdowns by Kayla RootHome-school family feels the impact of social distancing, offers advice to other families by Tiffany Kafer5 Tips From Homeschool Veterans For Parents New To Learning At Home by Laura Isensee
