Southeastern Connecticut
My name is Julia Stover. I grew up in a Christian homeschool family in rural Southeastern Connecticut. When I’m not glued to my computer screen doing data analysis, I enjoy being outside doing things in the “real” world. I started teaching at a local homeschool coop in 2023.
Classes are held at my home in Norwich CT on Wednesday afternoons. A parent is required to stay for the duration of class or leave their child with another parent. Please plan on arriving early for the first day of class. A minimum of 4 students must sign up for a class to take place.
Every class is centered around tactile projects to keep curious minds engaged and fidgety hands busy.
The Goal: Use hands-on learning, Christ-centered community, and practical projects to bring the sciences, crafts, and history to life for homeschool families.
Since 2023
Homeschool coop instructor
"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter."
Prov 25:2
Teaching Philosophy
If God wants children to sit still and listen to instructors, He would give them less energy. So I seak to make every class revolve around the children doing it themselves.
"My three girls (aged 13, 14, and 15) participated in the Outdoors Adventure Course with Julia. We all learned very helpful skills such as purifying water and making rope and had a great time while doing it."
Dorothy R.
Payment Plans
If you are signing up more than 1 child you can pay for the first child at the first class, the second child at the third class, the third child at the fifth class etc…
If you need a different payment plan, contact me.
Available Now
Jeremiah rebuilds used laptops with software and parental controls. Cost: $100–250 depending on requirements. (Sometimes donated laptops make them even cheaper).
January 7, 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18, and 25
Hands-on STEM
Come learn to build and use mechanical structures, levers, and pulleys. Start by building a specific project that teaches a concept then use that concept to solve a real-world problem.
Lab Time
Take the kit home with you and build projects every day for 30-60 minutes. Come to class every week to learn more about the electronic components you are using, ask questions, and get help with any projects you got stuck on.
Crafts
Come learn to sew or improve your skills on real projects from bags to pillows to blankets. Each student can move at their own pace and choose to keep things simple or move on to intermediate level projects. They can even move to machine sewing as long as you bring the sewing machine.
Have a question about winter classes or science kits? Ready to sign up?
March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, and 22
Into the Wild
Come explore God’s beautiful creation through outdoor projects designed to teach useful skills. Gather your own materials make cordage. Learn the 2 most useful knots for everyday life and emergency situations alike. Play a game that introduces you to some of the most common wild herbs and learn what to use them for.
Learn about naturally available tinder and some tricks to improve your odds of quickly starting a fire. Learn about the 2 main things that make water unsafe to drink then turn pond water into safe drinking water. Learn how to use a compass to both reach your destination and to find yourself after you've gotten lost in the woods.
Level Up
Take the kit home with you and build projects every day for 30-60 minutes. Come to class every week to learn more about the electronic components you are using, ask questions, and get help with any projects you got stuck on.
Engineering
Take your machine building to the next level with gears, wheels and axles. Build a specific project that teaches a concept then use that concept to create a machine that meets a need. It is better to have taken Simple Machines I before taking this class but it is not required.
Have a question about spring classes or science kits? Ready to sign up?
TBD
Dreaming about sunshine-friendly projects, science experiments too messy for the kitchen, and other outdoor class opportunities? Summer class details are in the works—leave room on your calendar!
Fall plans are filled with action-based classes, science labs, and creative problem solving.
Tech Services
Available Now
Jeremiah rebuilds used laptops with software and parental controls. Cost: $100–250 depending on requirements. (Sometimes donated laptops make them even cheaper).
Jeremiah is exploring the possibility of offering computer classes for homeschoolers. Let us know if you'd be interested in topics like:
A couple times each year, my siblings and I visit homeschool coops to share a variety of historical activities with homeschool families. In the past we have had children grinding cornmeal, making corncakes, dipping candles, weaving, making Christmas decorations, starting fires, making toys, making pickles, freezing ice cream, shooting slingshots, embossing metal, learning to use hand tools etc...
Usually held on a Friday and Saturday back-to-back for 2 different groups. Event runs from 9am – 2pm. It is free to attend. However, it does cost me between $5-8/child to hold. Donations received determine if there will be any events the following year.
We can handle a group of 50 kids in approximately 5 hours depending on age and interest. 3-12 year olds enjoy our activities the most.
Tentative plan for this year: May 1-2
Sometimes we dress up in Colonial Era costumes...but not always...
My girls have participated in two of the history days which was really fun and insightful. They made homemade ice cream and candles and walked away having experienced a little bit of history. I highly recommend any of these courses! Dorothy R.
Every year our my family and our co-op look forward to History Day With The Stovers! The Stover siblings provide a unique experience for our families to engage hands on with traditional and basic life skills that can easily become lost in this new high tech culture. Their sentimental efforts from being in colonial costume, their organization and detailed projects and games provided, to their friendly engagement with the children, have proven to be a wonderful family day experience of how life used to be. Sarah R.
