27 Jan Popular homeschool series resumes

The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport has added a few more seats for each program in its popular homeschool series.

“This year we opened up a few more seats in hopes of reaching more children and because we were solidly booked for months last year,” Education Curator Katy Menne said.

Menne found out that was still not enough.

The homeschool series is offered from 2 to 3 p.m. on the last Friday of the month at the museum, located at 204 E. Moore St. near the Southport waterfront. The program is designed for ages 7 to 17 and, for the most part, coincides with the traditional school year calendar, which means taking a break over summer and the Christmas holiday. As with most of the programs at the museum, prior registration is required.

And with such a popular program, it’s key that registration is done sooner rather than later.

The first session in 2020, which will be held Jan. 31, is already filled. So is the February class. So now the museum is offering a second class from 11 a.m. to noon on the same day and will do the same for any future classes that exceed the original enrollment.

“It is growing like wildfire — it’s mildly daunting,” Menne said. “It’s a good problem to have.”

She said most of her students are returning ones. Most of them have already signed up for this year and are sharing the program with friends and family. Partially because of the number of returning students, Menne has incorporated a few changes to the year’s program.

“We have all new topics,” she said, explaining that she structures her topics to follow those being taught within the public-school system. “I try to follow along with general pacing guides.”

She has also switched up the tenor of the class.

In 2019, about half of the class time was spent in a traditional classroom setting and the other half on activities. For 2020, she’s trying to have more hands-on opportunities.

“I want to get them actively engaged in the history of our region,” she said. “The kids all seem to enjoy the classes, and the parents are appreciative.”

The homeschool program is held in the museum classroom. The fee is $7 per child (Friends members receive a 10-percent discount), and seating is limited. Registration closes either once the class fills or at 5 p.m. on the day prior to the program. For more information or to register, call 910-477-5151.

2020 Homeschool Program Schedule

Jan. 31: Southern Spies

The Union is counting on you to send troop movements; but if you get caught, you’re dead. The Confederates are cracking down on disloyalty lately. How can your information get into the right hands? Whom can you trust?

Feb. 28: Underwater Archaeology

Slip beneath the waves to learn what stories our local waterways hold. From discovery to display, what does it take to preserve and protect our ships and artifacts that have met a watery fate?

Mar. 27: Menhaden Fishermen

Heave to, fisherman! Hope you are all stretched out and ready to SING! Embark on a sightseeing and fishing mission to catch these slippery fish. Learn who made waves in the menhaden community and what your job would have been.

Apr. 24: Water Warriors

Who saves you if you are distressed out in the waters of Cape Fear? Learn about the modern U.S. Coast Guard and the preceding agencies who have kept North Carolinians safe since 1791.

May 29: Hurricane Havoc

Wind and rain crash against your house. What do you do? How do you get information and keep safe? Learn the ins and outs of how hurricanes form and affect our coastal communities.

Aug. 28: Dinos of the Deep

Dive into the world of ancient maritime creatures, complete with lessons on food webs, prey and predators. Finish the lesson with a dissection of a shark.

Sept.25: Pirates

Sail back to colonial pirate days and discuss our Gentleman Pirate Stede Bonnet and the Battle of the Sandbars. Learn propaganda and markings of pirate flags, then create your very own to fly proudly.

Oct. 30: Colonists vs. Native Americans

Those pesky European settlers have arrived in the Lower Cape Fear. Will they succeed or fail? Students will learn how children entertained themselves in their free time by playing colonial games.

Nov.20*: Mourning Mothers

From colonial times to the Civil War era, slaves were a key component in Brunswick County life. Travel back in time to view the technological changes in warfare, as well as life on the home front. *Note date change