Community of Learning
Connect live with field specialists from renowned museums, zoos, science centers, historic sites, aquariums, and more to chat about topics in art, literacy, STEM, and history.
FREE SERIES. Register for an easy one-click connection link.
This live educational series airs at 1:00 PM ET. Can’t make it? Catch up on CILC’s YouTube channel and access free activities here!
Thank you to the American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC), who has been supporting families with children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing since 1967, for their partnership in providing American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation for select livestreams. If you need ASL interpretation for a program, please contact us at info@cilc.org.
Upcoming Community of Learning Programs
Illustrating Poe
Students will listen to and read a selection of Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry
including "Alone," "Annabel Lee," and "Eldorado.” Throughout the
reading, students will pay attention to the imagery in the poems. Then, students will create their own artwork inspired by the poems and
showcase their creations to their fellow classmates.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Adaptations
Explore the diversity of adaptations with live animal guests! Your students will meet Ambassador Animals as they discover the importance of adaptations for survival.
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Jamestown - Cultures in Contact, Early America 1600-1620
Students are carried on a dynamic, inquiry-based exploration of the three cultures that converged at Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America. Using reproduction artifacts and primary sources, students compare and contrast the cultures of the Powhatan (an Eastern Woodlands people), West Central Africans and English who lived in early America during the beginning of the 17th century. Using this knowledge, students can answer why the English traveled across the Atlantic to an unfamiliar land and discover how the convergence of
three distinct cultures at Jamestown influenced the start of America.
Thursday, April 10, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Habitats
All animals play an important role in their habitat and these habitats are all connected. Join us as we dive into some amazing ocean habitats and explore how the health of each habitat and their inhabitants has an impact on the health of the whole ocean. Make sure to bring your drawing tools along for the ride as we draw along as we explore.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Anishinaabe: Past and Present
The story of the Sleeping Bear comes from the Anishinaabe people. Learn more about who the Anishinaabe are, as well as some of their traditional lifeways through the various seasons.
Thursday, April 17, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Sustainable Sounds - Building Instruments from Trash
Sustainable Sounds is far and away our most popular virtual program. Rooted in the live version running for 30+ years, we’ve upped the engagement level by adding a baked-in in-school instrument-building component that’s fun for students… and easy on teachers! Our live performer will show students how to build their own instruments while using all their senses to discover the science behind them. Throughout the show we incorporate timely and important information about the fight against Plastic Pollution and Climate Change, and how students can get involved; finally culminating in the fun and noisy Thing Jam!
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Earth Day Estuary Exploration
Go on a seashore safari without getting wet during our Earth Day excursion into Sarasota Bay. Embark on a sightseeing adventure over mudflats, seagrass meadows, and mangrove trees. Uncover the challenges sea creatures face between the tides and maybe wave to a scientist working with us on the docks. You never know what we will find when we explore the estuary together. A Suncoast Remake Learning Days event made possible by the generous support of the Patterson Foundation. #SuncoastRemakeDays
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Civics and Democracy in the Early United States: A Monticello Digital Learning Experience
Students will explore Monticello, the plantation home of Thomas Jefferson, with a Monticello guide to uncover the ideas of self-government, citizenship, and liberty in the early United States. Students interact with the Guide and use primary sources including objects and letters, as well as experience a 360-degree virtual tour of Monticello.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Storytelling and Writing
Two fun and easy ways to write using art! If your students are 'reluctant writers,' create excitement by using the unique writing methods of paper-cutting and drawing. Your students enjoy a paper-cutting story and a draw and tell story. Then they can create their own fiction, nonfiction or personal narratives using these hands-on techniques!
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Snakes and the Scientific Method
After practicing observational skills of reptiles such as snakes, students will use the scientific method as they attempt to discover one of the snake's natural habitats. We'll perform an experiment, learn how to use evidence to solve problems and answer questions, and even test our new knowledge with a snake in a mystery habitat!
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
George Washington Carver - The Scientist (lab)
This lesson focuses on the scientific and
humanitarian work of George Washington Carver during his years at Tuskegee
Institute in Alabama. After a review of his work promoting soil conservation,
the park ranger will demonstrate how to make peanut milk, incorporating the
scientific method.
Thursday, May 1, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Animal Adventure Poses
Develop strength and flexibility while tapping into imagination. Mimicking animal poses
Friday, May 2, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Asian American Artists
Asian American artists are integral to the multifaceted story of
American art. Explore their artwork and discuss the
life experiences, historic events, and cultural connections that
inspire their artistic practice.
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Swimming With Sharks, the Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark
We will read the story "Swimming With Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark," in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Dr. Eugenie Clark, a Japanese-American scientist, broke barriers in marine biology at a time when few women ventured into the depths of the ocean. Known as 'the Shark Lady,' Genie wasn’t afraid to explore the unknown and uncover the secrets of the sea. Join us as we read this inspiring story aloud, then dive into activities that promote critical thinking, oral language skills, fluency, pronunciation, STEM engagement, and reading comprehension.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Cultural Diversity: Diversity in the Dugout
The program provides an overview on racial and ethnic communities and the ways that they have changed the landscape of baseball since the late 1800s.
Thursday, May 8, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Stories in Art Across Asia
Explore a work of art and an Asian folktale in this interactive virtual program!
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
BONE-voyage! A Fossil's Journey from the Field to the Lab
From discovery to seeing enormous dinosaurs in the museum, a fossil’s journey is fascinating. MOR Paleontology Lab and Field Manager, Lee Hall, will tell the story of the process of paleontology - from first discovering a fossil in the field to exhibiting entire dinosaurs in a museum in a fun and engaging way. From very young students to high school, this program will help illustrate the importance of paleontology and its role within the sciences, and as an exciting career for students interested in studying the history of life on Earth.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Art of Ancient Greece and Rome: Gods and Goddesses
Visit the MFA’s Gods and Goddesses gallery to explore the heroes and deities depicted in ancient Greek and Roman artworks. By looking at large-scale sculptures and small intimate objects, students see how ancient artworks convey the personalities and stories of these celebrated mythical figures. Program Duration: 30-40 minutes. Recommended for Grades 3-6.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
National Paper Airplane Day with the US Air Force
It's National Paper Airplane Day! Celebrate by learning the basics of flight from the US Air Force. Learn about the forces that allow your airplane to fly with maximum performance. Whose airplane can fly fastest and furthest?
Each student should have a sheet (or two!) of paper as we will be folding paper airplanes during the session.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Chinese Folktales
Marty brings Chinese folktales to life using tech tricks, improv and audience participation.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Mountain - Swamp Trek: a Habitat Adventure!
Start at the top of the mountains, meet our resident river otters and
learn all about their special adaptations. Then travel to the swamp and
discover the differences and similarities between these two amazing habitats! Meet many different animals along the way
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Great Ocean Voyage: Shark Adaptations
Walk through the Aquarium and learn about stingray adaptations in The Shallows. Then “dive into” the deepest tank in North America: our Great Ocean Tank! The Great Ocean Tank holds four different shark species and over 550 individual animals. Learn all about the adaptations that help sharks to survive, and how they should be protected -- not feared!
Thursday, May 29, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
The colors of Yoga: Chakras
Discover the chakra system- the energy centers within the body. Learn about the colors and symbolism of each one.
Friday, June 6, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Alex Says - Yoga Game
Incorporating music with a freeze dance, students will freeze in a yoga pose testing their pose memory!
Friday, July 11, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Mindful Movement and Breathing
Introducing simple breathing exercises paired with gentle movements.
Friday, August 1, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Standing and Balancing
Alone or with an option partner, students will practice a variety of standing and balancing poses! Helps to build trust and patience.
Friday, September 5, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Arm strength challenge
From plank to downward facing dog to dolphin and a few poses in between, shoulders and arms will be strengthened. We will focus an form and perseverance!
Friday, October 3, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Leg strength quest
Using our imagination, accompanied by an inspirational playlist, together we will build leg strength pretending to climb or explore rugged terrain.
Friday, November 7, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
Gratitude and Relaxation Yoga Circle
In a circle, we practice gratitude-themed and relaxation poses. Cultivating a sense of gratitude and belonging, students can share one thing they are thankful for as we conclude in child's pose.
Friday, December 5, 2025
1:00 pm ET
45 minutes
I am an elementary teacher from Brazil. I signed up today to see how this would work and see if I could use this in my classes. This is great! The instructor is great, the cameras (with different angles) are helpful. Just wanted to say I love it!
Teacher
In Spring 2020, CILC launched the Community of Learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as an interactive virtual learning resource for learners of all ages. The videos below capture testimonials from learners who continue to enjoy the Community of Learning educational livestream series. The videos below capture testimonials, reactions from some who have enjoyed the programming so far.
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