Gemma and Wren take a closer look at leaf sizes, colors, and shapes. Rebecca Young collected many unique leaves from her home while preparing for the October Homeschool Explorers theme.
By Heather Skinner
MIDDLEBURGH — On October 2nd, families attended the return of Homeschool Explorers at Middleburgh Library. Patrons from previous years had been excitedly awaiting the program’s return with the school season, while others, like Isabella, James, and Skye, were there for the first time. Isabella said they decided to try it out because they are always interested in library events, new things, and meeting other homeschooling families.
Participants were greeted by Program Assistant, Rebecca Young, then invited to paint a Fall tree, delve into leaf-identifying prompts, and draw with 3D pens.
Each month, Homeschool Explorers discover new learning activities they can work on at their own pace. Young explained that the program’s themes are premised on kids’ interests, but the way homeschoolers spend that hour is left completely up to them.
“It’s really based on multi-age and multi-needs,” said Young. When creating the program, Young took many factors and experiences into account after realizing, “That there really was a need for it to be an open space for everyone.”
Young thoughtfully offers many options that cover several skills at each Homeschool Explorers meetup, noting that all attention spans are different. Young strives to provide activities and crafts that can be accomplished and enjoyed throughout various grade levels, and Young expressed knowing firsthand that more than one kid equals more than one need and more than one emotional requirement.
Kids can try all available activities each month or choose to spend the entirety of the event doing only one of the tasks. Kids are also able to choose not to do any of the projects to prioritize spending time with other kids in the library chatting, playing, and building Legos.
There’s always a new monthly scavenger hunt that kids can complete for a prize as a group activity or independently, and Young explained it is a great alternative for kids to maneuver in the quieter part of the Library if events ever feel too loud or overwhelming.
The Homeschool Explorers program has evolved over the years, starting when Young moved to Schoharie County and wanted to see more secular and public opportunities for homeschoolers and for her own kids. Next it became group meetings purely for socialization. Then during Covid, the Library handed out monthly homeschool mystery boxes that were similar to Kiwi Crate kits and participants were able to share their finished creations amongst each other on a designated Facebook page. Once the Covid lockdown ended, Young said the Homeschool Explorers program as it is today officially started.
Kate and Wren’s first time at Homeschool Explorers garnered an appreciation for access to resources, like 3D pens, that the program provides. Kate pointed out the creativity that went into planning the event’s activities and that made topics fresh and captivating for the kids to learn. Kate assisted Wren with measuring leaves using a ruler and used the opportunity to add in another math concept of estimation. Wren proudly shared a story she came up with about one of the leaves and Gemma, also at the leaf-identifying table, shared that she liked how much freedom there was for creativity within the instruction questions.
Returning Homeschool Explorers, Renée with Honor and Marissa with Xzavior, made Fall tree paintings. Even Young joined in to make a painting and Renée pointed out that adults still love fingerpainting and making art, too. Renée enjoys how homeschooling and attending programs like Homeschool Explorers allow parents to participate in fun learning projects with their kids.
Xzavior put a lot of thought into details of his painting to represent apples and tumbling leaves. Thanks to Xzavior and Marissa sharing their love of the program, it was Tiffani, Hunny, and Masan’s first time at Homeschool Explorers and they got to utilize the 3D pens.
After the Homeschool Explorers hour ends, friends can stay and play in the kids’ room, engage with coloring sheets on tables outside of the kids’ room, and select books to borrow.
When it was time to go, the kids didn’t want the fun to end, but their parents reminded them they will be back again soon for next month’s Homeschool Explorers!
The Schoharie Library also offers a monthly program for homeschoolers called Homeschool Hangout and access to learning resources like their coding robot. Cobleskill Community Library and Sharon Springs Free Library offer a variety of learning and art programs helpful for homeschoolers all year long; check out each library’s Facebook pages and website event calendars for more information.
In addition to Homeschool Explorers, Middleburgh Library’s annual Homeschool Science Fair is already open for registration and will take place on March 21st. Head to the Middleburgh Library website calendar to register your homeschoolers or add it to your schedule so you don’t miss the chance to check out students’ science fair presentations that day from 10AM-12PM.
Middleburgh Library is located at 323 Main Street and has many upcoming events listed on their website for kids, teens, adults, seniors, and all ages to celebrate holidays and participate in recurring programs like Drop-on Storytime, Chair Yoga, and Mahjong. Registration is full for their annual Hogwarts Halloween event, but volunteer opportunities are available.
Each monthly Homeschool Explorers meetup can be individually registered for and Young plans to borrow Mohawk Valley Library System kits to offer future Homeschool Explorers themes that include, “Magna tiles, coding for younger and older kids, Legos, and an art component.”
Young is also working on a Library scavenger hunt that corresponds with details from this year’s Middleburgh Scarecrows displays. A completed scavenger hunt paper will be able to be entered into a drawing where one lucky winner will get a pizza and private Library showing of a movie of your choice for up to 5 people.
And Middleburgh Library is collecting basket donations from businesses and those who want to help support the library in their biggest fundraiser of the year. You can drop off basket raffle donations during their open hours up until the end of October and raffle winners will be drawn on December 17th.
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