Nature Studies & Homeschool Enrichment Programs
Ages 9-13 years old
First class free for new participants!!
To try a first class for free, please Register AND email ElementsLearning@gmail.com to let us know.
About Elements Nature-based Homeschool Enrichment
Elements Nature Studies and Homeschool Enrichment Programs are drop-off courses designed for children age 9-13 years. During Homeschool Enrichment Programs, children and an Elements educator will engage in open ended and guided exploration of the topic at hand. Learners will also engage in community building activities that promote social and interpersonal awareness. Drop in for one class or spend the day immersed in science, creativity, and the natural world at Elements Learning Collaborative!
Elements courses at RTB, are held outdoors as often as the weather will allow. When needed, we will take cover in the Yurt and will only cancel in the event of extreme weather. We encourage waterproof shoes/boots and appropriate outerwear. We meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Learners who enroll in a morning and afternoon course on the same day are welcome to bring a lunch and eat with peers and the Elements educator.
STEM in the Garden, TUESDAY, 10AM - 12PM
Spring: March 25 – June 3 (No class on April 16)|
Get your hands in the soil and explore the science, technology, engineering, and math behind gardening! Kids will dive into soil health, plant life cycles, pollination, and eco-friendly engineering while helping maintain the seven Elements raised beds at RTB Farm. Each week brings a new theme connected to the elements, with hands-on experiments and interactive lessons that make STEM come alive in the garden. 12 PM – 1 PM | Lunch & Outdoor Exploration 1 PM – 3 PM | Elements:
Nature Art & Earth Creations, TUESDAY, 1 PM - 3 PM
Spring: March 25 – June 3 (No class on April 16)|
Using the natural world as inspiration, kids will create with mud, leaves, clay, sun prints, and earth-based pigments while exploring new nature-inspired art themes each week. Through hands-on projects, they’ll learn sustainable art techniques and deepen their connection to the environment while fostering creativity and mindfulness. Spots are limited—register now and let’s grow, create, and explore together!
Creative Writing, WEDNESDAY, 10AM - 12PM
SPRING: March 26 - 6/4 (No class on April 16)
In this class learners will explore sensory imagery within poetry. When a writer uses their 5 senses to write they provide information for the readers mind to “see.” In this class we will literally go “outside” the norms of technical writing to gather inspiration from nature to create imagery within our narrative craft, character development, and the use of linguistic devices and literary tropes.
Elements Math, WEDNESDAY, 1PM - 3PM,
SPRING: March 26 - June 4 (No class on April 16)
In relation to the local ecosystem and agriculture, children will use math concepts and operations to observe and understand patterns in nature, collect & report data, and solve problems through project based learning. Winter Session will focus on financial literacy. Learners will explore fundamental concepts of negative and positive integers, spending and investing, and sustainable financial decision making. Spring Session details coming soon!
Nature Study, THURSDAY, 10AM - 12PM
SPRING: March 27 - June 5 (No class on April 17)
Explore the farm through contextual learning! Guided by inquiry based questions and our beautiful sense of wonder, we will observe, study, build, test, and calculate in nature. Our SPRING Session will focus on All Things Spring- Flora & Fauna! We will engage in hands-on studies of wild ecosystems such as vernal pools, woodland areas, marshlands & estuaries, as well as the cultivated ecosystems on the farm. We will study plant life-cycles, forage, and process edible plants. Our Animalia study will include a (tentative) chick hatching project, tadpole project, baby goat care, herring run visit, and more!
Book Club, THURSDAY, 1 PM - 3PM
SPRING: March 27 - June 5 (No class on April 17)
This course will further develop a love of reading, strengthen critical engagement with literature, practice speaking and writing analytically about literature with their peers. Learners will choose their own books (and their own pace) to dive deeper into literary analysis and have more in-depth discussions. Learners will come together to talk about themes, symbols, motifs, character development, conflict, literary devices, cultural relevance, and other elements at work in each book. Students will also practice analytic writing and receive feedback from others.
Elements at The Heron Studio, Fall River
Elements Playmaking takes place at the Heron Studio, in Fall River, MA. The studio is located on the first floor at 187 Plymouth Avenue. All classes will take place indoors.
After School Playmaking, TUESDAY, 4PM - 6PM
9/17 - 5/6,
Performance on 5/8
Write, produce & perform an original play! Playmaking builds on social emotional skills, confidence, artistry, writing and performance skills. This class will excite and challenge young learners! We encourage participation in the full year.
SESSION ONE: 9/17 - 12/10 Completed
Develop and write a storyline & script. Completed
SESSION TWO: 1/14-5/6 Open Enrollment!!!
We are looking for actors, set builders, costume makers, and stage crew!!!
It’s that time of year! Join peers to learn the art of set design and building, puppet making, and costume making! Choose to also be an actor in the play. Practice acting exercises and theatrical performance. And put it all together for the big performance on THURS, May 8, 2025.
Elements Sliding Scale Tuition
Tier 1 - Pay it forward! Covers the full cost of your program and a portion to a family in need. Thank you for helping keep our program equitable!!
Tier 2 - Covers the full cost of your program.
Tier 3 - A subsidized option. Covers a partial cost of your program to meet the needs of families with fewer resources.
Drop Off Program Cost (per child)
Tier 1 - $30 per class ($15/hr)
Tier 2 - $25 per class ($12.5/hr)
Tier 3 - $20 per class ($10/hr)
*Try a first class for free! Fill out registration AND email us to confirm interest in a trial class. If you choose to enroll, you will be provided a discount code that will prorate your cost so you pay only for the remaining weeks. A trial class is available for learners who have not taken that particular Elements course before, even if you are not new to Elements.
*All Elements in-person programs for children are licensed by the Dartmouth Board of Health. Parents can view our Family Handbook with all of our policies including health and safety procedures. Elements is a 501(c)(3) non profit and welcomes all participants without discrimination.