http://www.McDowellLearners.com/

McDowell Learners, Marion, NC (2026)

01/25/2022

Ah, snow! Perfect for sledding, not so much for driving. But how is snow formed? We'll delve into the world of flurries 10 a.m. this Wednesday at the McDowell Public Library mezzanine, 90 W. Court St., Marion.

Plus, we'll learn how to make a snowstorm in a jar together so you can re-create the project in the comfort of your home -- no mittens required! Although this lesson is geared to elementary-aged students, everyone is welcome.

This event is brought to you at no cost by McDowell Learners, a free home school cooperative open to all students in the surrounding areas. Learn more on Facebook or by visiting www.McDowellLearners.com.

01/24/2022

I know you're all wondering, "What's going on with the group?" So, here's a peek behind the curtain.

I've had to temporarily step away from the daily responsibilities for a while, but we have a great group of moms working behind the scenes to keep the momentum going (assuming the weather will cooperate! Darn it for the fire station tour!).

This mom pack, led by Becky Burgess, will be scheduling activities and meet-ups so that the friendships that have formed over the last four months continue to blossom.

We're also listening to all of the feedback you've been giving us and using this momentary hiccup to refine the future direction of the group. There are lots of late-night messages going back and forth as we shape the group to better reflect the needs and interests of our participants.

So, this is where you get to weigh in with your thoughts. What have you liked about the group? What would you like to see more of? Drop your comments below!

Stay in touch and keep spreading the word!

Thanks,
Michelle

01/11/2022

I'm going to be out of commission for a bit, so Becky Burgess is keeping things rolling in my absence. She's organized this field trip to the Marion Fire Department, 60 W. Court St. (across from the library), 10 a.m. next Wednesday, Jan. 19. The event is open to all. Just meet the group there!

McDowell Learners is a volunteer-run home school cooperative open to all students in the surrounding area. Our goal is to provide free and low-cost learning and social activities. No membership is required; simply come to the events that interest you!

01/07/2022

Many of you have reached out to me with offers to help with McDowell Learners, a free homeschooling group open to all students in the surrounding area. I am ready to take you up on that!

The first line of business is to find a couple of you who would be willing to plan the field trips and social outings. Ideally, we’ll have several volunteers so that the work doesn’t fall on one person.

Here’s what would need to be done:

– Plan weekly outings. These should be a mix of play and learning; i.e. educational field trips half the time, and social meetings the other half.

– The outings should appeal to a wide range of age groups. Most of our participants fall in the kindergarten through 6th grade age range.

– The events should be free or low cost. To keep the outings accessible to as many people as possible, preference should be given to activities with minimal costs involved. This may include coordinating with businesses to negotiate a discounted group rate. Check out our previous events on Facebook for an idea of what we’ve done.

– Verify the requirements for entrance. This means checking hours of operation, cost, mask/vaccine requirements. Our guiding principle has been to choose activities where masks are optional.

– Act as the point of contact for the planned activities and promptly respond to requests for information. You are running the show, so you’ll need to make sure you are at the scheduled event!

– Plan a month’s worth of activities two weeks in advance and communicate all details with me. For example, the list of March activities would be due by Feb. 15 so that I can promote the events.

Wow, that sounds like a job description!

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, please let me know. I’ll follow up with you – hopefully tag-teaming you with other parents – so that we can get the ball rolling on this.

Thanks in advance!

Michelle

12/18/2021

Today was our last event of 2021, and I just have to say it: The grown-ups rock!

Fourteen to six, and we still beat the kids in laser tag! Word of advice, young ones: Next time, don't all come down the ramp at the same time!

Don't worry if you couldn't make it today. We'll be back in January with more learning and social events.

The group is open to all students in the surrounding area, so feel free to join us when you can!

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

-- Michelle

12/16/2021

Please read this if you are planning to join us at Bo's Bodacious Family Fun Center tomorrow, Dec. 17!

Because we are attending as a group, we get a special discounted rate. We have enough pre-paid admissions to confirm the reservation, so if you didn't pay in advance but still want to attend, here's how to make sure you benefit from the special group rate:

-- Meet at check-in at 12:30 p.m. Do not pay the cashier! See Michelle.

-- Cost is $12 per person. Please provide your payment IN CASH to Michelle. You will get a receipt.

-- Wrist bands will be handed out at 12:40 p.m. We will have 3.5 hours of all-you-can-play bowling, mini golf, laser tag and arcade.

-- If you are late and wrist bands have already been distributed, please find Michelle so that you can still get the discounted rate.

The address is 1115 Blowing Rock Blvd, Lenoir.

If you have any questions, message me. See you tomorrow!

12/12/2021

It's time for some fun! We're heading back to Defy Indoor Trampoline Park on Wednesday, Dec. 15, and then bouncing over to Bo's Bodacious Family Entertainment Center on Friday, Dec. 17, for all-you-can-play laser tag, bowling, mini golf and arcade games!

We're getting a little later start so those of you who can't make our early-morning jaunts will hopefully be able to meet us this time!

Here are the details:

DEC. 15, 12:30 P.M., DEFY INDOOR TRAMPOLINE PARK, 1843 Catawba Valley Blvd. SE, Hickory: We had so much fun last month that we’re doing it again! Order your tickets in advance on Groupon for special $13 pricing for a 90-minute jump session. You can also pay upon arrival, but you’ll have to fork over full price. Bring your trampoline grip socks or buy a pair for $3. There’s no cost for parents who are just observing. Face masks optional, liability waiver required. (All ages)

DEC. 17, 12:30 P.M., BO’S BODACIOUS FAMILY FUN CENTER, 1115 Blowing Rock Boulevard, Lenoir. Join us for 3.5 hours of all-you-can-play laser tag, bowling, mini golf and arcade games. Special group pricing is $12 per person. Please wait at check-in until all the group arrives; the clock starts ticking when bracelets are handed out! (All ages)

What is McDowell Learners? It’s my solution to the lack of available home school co-ops in the area. I wanted an academic and social group for our children, who I’ve been homeschooling for 10+ years, so I decided to create my own.

The group is open to all area students -- homeschool, public and private -- so feel free to attend any of our events.

If you’d like to help shape the direction of the group, plan lessons or even teach, please let me know!

Follow to keep up with events and news!

12/11/2021

Who thought a pinata could be so resilient? More than 100 whacks from more than a dozen kids, and Olaf was still taunting them with his belly full of candy!

Here are a few scenes from our virtual field trip to Europe's Christmas markets followed by our food-filled holiday party. A big thank you to McDowell County Public Library for use of the children's area for our "field trip" and ornament making and to Pastor Ethan at Pleasant Gardens Baptist Church for allowing us the use of the fellowship hall and playground for our party! And a big hug to moms Maria Rodriguez Cozart and Crystal Queen for organizing the party!

Missed these events? Check out our December schedule at McDowell Learners and mark your calendar. Events are open to all area students, homeschool and public!

12/06/2021

Get your students in the holiday spirit with Destination: Europe's Christmas Markets!

We'll meet at the downtown Marion Public Library mezzanine 10:30 a.m. this Wednesday, Dec. 8, for a virtual field trip to Europe’s famous Christmas markets while learning a bit of geography at the same time.

We’ll read The Night Before Christmas and make our own adorable winter hat Christmas ornaments. (Recommended age: Elementary/Middle School)

What is McDowell Learners? It’s my solution to the lack of available home school co-ops in the area. I wanted an academic and social group for our children, who I’ve been homeschooling for 10+ years, so I decided to create my own.

The group is free and open to all students. Come to one event, or come to them all!

Follow to keep up with the schedule!

12/01/2021

Onomatopoeia – not only is it a fun word to say, it’s fun to use in writing! And what better place to learn about these words that imitate sound than in comic books?!

Join us 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, at the McDowell Public Library in downtown Marion. We’ll play word games and even write our own comic strip! (Recommended age: Upper Elementary/Middle School)

Also, don't forget to register for our group outing to Bo's Bodacious Family Fun Center in Lenoir on Dec. 17. Cost is $12 per person for 3.5 hours of all-you-can-play laser tag, bowling, mini golf and arcade games.

In order to secure this special pricing, we need to collect the admission in advance. There is a minimum group requirement to qualify for this price, and if we do not have enough people pre-paid by Dec. 15, we will need to cancel our reservation, in which case all money will be refunded.

Events are organized by McDowell Learners, my solution to the lack of available home school co-ops in the area. I wanted an academic and social group for our children, who I’ve been homeschooling for 10+ years, so I decided to create my own.

Prior to homeschooling, I was a public school teacher and, before that, a professional writer and editor (thus the focus on writer’s workshops!).

If you’d like to help shape the direction of the group, plan lessons or even teach, please let me know!

Follow to keep up with events and news!

-- Michelle

11/27/2021

Don’t miss these events brought to you by McDowell Learners, a new learning & social co-op that is free and open to ALL students – home school AND public school! Come to one event, or come to all; it’s up to you!

DEC. 1, 10:30 A.M., WRITER’S WORKSHOP: CRASH! BANG! BOOM! ALL ABOUT ONOMATOPOEIA!, McDowell Public Library mezzanine, 90 W. Court St., Marion. Onomatopoeia – not only is it a fun word to say, it’s fun to use in writing! And what better place to learn about these words that imitate sound than in comic books?! We’ll play word games and even write our own comic strip! (Recommended age: Upper Elementary/Middle School)

DEC. 8, 10:30 A.M., DESTINATION: EUROPE’S CHRISTMAS MARKETS, McDowell Public Library mezzanine, 90 W. Court St., Marion. Take a virtual trip to Europe’s famous Christmas markets while learning a bit of geography at the same time. We’ll also read The Night Before Christmas and make our own Christmas ornaments. (Recommended age: Elementary/Middle School)

DEC. 15, 12:30 P.M., DEFY INDOOR TRAMPOLINE PARK, 1843 Catawba Valley Blvd. SE, Hickory: We had so much fun last month that we’re doing it again! Order your tickets in advance on Groupon for special $13 pricing for a 90-minute jump session. You can also pay upon arrival, but you’ll have to fork over full price. Bring your trampoline grip socks or buy a pair for $3. There’s no cost for parents who are just observing. Face masks optional, liability waiver required. (All ages)

DEC. 17, 12:30 P.M., BO’S BODACIOUS FAMILY FUN CENTER, 1115 Blowing Rock Boulevard, Lenoir. Join us for 3.5 hours of all-you-can-play laser tag, bowling, mini golf and arcade games. Special group pricing is $12 per person. Please pay in advance at any of this month’s scheduled activities. There is a minimum group requirement to qualify for this price, and if we do not have enough people pre-paid by Dec. 15, we will need to cancel our reservation. In case of cancellation, all payments will be refunded. Please plan accordingly; if we meet the minimum pre-paid requirement and confirm the reservation, no-shows will not be refunded but instead will be donated to the group’s craft supply fund. (All ages)

What is McDowell Learners? It’s my solution to the lack of available home school co-ops in the area. I wanted an academic and social group for our children, who I’ve been homeschooling for 10+ years, so I decided to create my own.

Prior to homeschooling, I was a public school teacher and, before that, a professional writer and editor (thus the focus on writer’s workshops!).

If you’d like to help shape the direction of the group, plan lessons or even teach, please let me know!

Follow to keep up with events and news!

11/15/2021

Get your kids' pent-up energy out this Wednesday, Nov. 17, at Defy Indoor Trampoline Park, 1843 Catawba Valley Blvd. SE, Hickory!

We'll meet at check-in at 10:30 a.m.

Order your tickets in advance on Groupon for special $13 pricing for a 90-minute jump session. You can also pay upon arrival, but you’ll have to fork over full price. Everyone will also need to buy the trampoline grip socks for $3.

There’s no cost for parents who are just observing. Face masks optional, liability waiver required.

What is McDowell Learners? It’s my solution to the lack of available home school co-ops in the area. I wanted an academic and social group for our children, who I’ve been homeschooling for 10+ years, so I decided to create my own. It's free and open to everyone. Learn more on Facebook.

See you there!

Michelle

McDowell Learners

01/25/2022

01/24/2022

01/11/2022

01/07/2022

12/18/2021

12/16/2021

12/12/2021

12/11/2021

12/06/2021

12/01/2021

11/27/2021

11/15/2021

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