Come Learn With Us

Every day OMO offers sessions from 8am - 5pm.
Visit the daily schedule below or click on these icons to visit some of the most popular topics.

Math/Science

Super Moons, Census Statistics, Parabolas, and more

Books

Book Groups, Book Talks, and Book Studies

Creative Arts

Knitting, Origami, Mandalas, Painting, and more
OMO is a community organization founded to serve people connected to Howard County by providing a multi-generational social learning environment with workshops led by volunteers. Our goal is to support the mental and emotional health of our neighbors, near and far, during this challenging time by giving them a virtual place to meet and learn together.
New! We are now using Eventbrite to set reminders for our most popular sessions and Book Groups. Visit our OMO Eventbrite page to view all upcoming sessions: www.eventbrite.com/o/omo-30646165938
Schedule for Week of August 10-14

Monday, August 10
8am: Early Morning Journaling  
Developing Creativity with Amy Brooks, Author and Book Coach
https://zoom.us/j/824123764
 
11am: English/Social Studies     
English/Social Studies Book Study with Amy Brooks, Secondary English Teacher
Details for Aug 10:
  • Eloquent Rage: Read ch. 5, 6, 7 (to pg. 170)
  • Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria: Read Part IV
  • Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Read ch. 7-9 (finish book)
https://zoom.us/j/260129828
 
5pm: Book Club    
King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner, with Hannah Vogel, HUGE Thief fan!!!
Details: chapters 11-14 (finish book)
https://zoom.us/j/457210006
 
7pm: Podcast Discussion
Nice White Parents with Dawn Popp, Local Parent and Activist
Details: Episodes 1, 2, and 3 of the Podcast
“Nice White Parents” is a new podcast from Serial Productions, brought to you by The New York Times, about the 60-year relationship between white parents and the public school down the block.
We know that American public schools do not guarantee each child an equal education — two decades of school reform initiatives have not changed that. But when we look at how our schools are failing, we usually focus on who they’re failing: Black and brown kids. We ask: Why aren’t they performing better? Why aren’t they achieving more?
Those are not the right questions.
If you want to understand what’s wrong with our public education system, you have to look at what is arguably the most powerful force in our schools: White parents.
Listen and subscribe to “Nice White Parents” from your mobile device: Via Apple Podcasts | Via Spotify | Via Google
https://zoom.us/j/81949307541



Tuesday, August 11
8am: Early Morning Journaling  
Aligning with Music with Ian Kennedy, Music Lover and OM Dad
https://zoom.us/j/824123764

9am: Meditation/Yoga/Workout     
Yoga and Meditation with Rebecca Beall
https://zoom.us/j/486516393

2pm: Languages/Cultures  
Learn Some Spanish with Adriana Sass, HCLS Librarian
Details: Join Adriana for some basic Spanish vocabulary and short stories. Appropriate for ages 4-12.                               
https://zoom.us/j/517581959
 
3pm: Creative Arts    
Retired Teacher Roundtable- Part 3
Details: Retired teachers, and other community members who are interested in supporting students during the school year, will discuss ways we can all contribute. This roundtable is open to all who want to help develop a student tutoring program.
https://zoom.us/j/250207972

5pm: Book Club    
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling with Alanna Kiewe, Potterhead and Theatre Lover
Details: chapters 17-24
https://zoom.us/j/457210006



Wednesday, August 12
8am: Early Morning Journaling   
Focus on Love with Charmaine Flanagan, Love Advocate
https://zoom.us/j/824123764
 
9am: Meditation/Yoga/Workout     
Low Impact Workout with Stephanie Wall, Fun Expert and Workout Fan!
Details: optional 1-3 pound weights for beginners
https://zoom.us/j/486516393
 
11am: English/Social Studies     
How to Effectively Discuss Matters of Race with Napoleon Wells, Clinical Psychologist/Professor/Theorist
Details: Our discussion will focus on means for effectively and impactfully creating a brave space for discussing Race within diverse spaces, across generations, and empowering the vulnerable.
https://zoom.us/j/260129828

2pm: Languages/Cultures  
Top Ideas for Backyard Fun by the Howard County Dads with Josh Benson, Local expert in the coolest Dad & Me activities
Details: We'll be sharing ideas for having fun right in your own backyard while social distancing. Parents and kids of all ages will leave this session with cool activity ideas. We will spotlight what my family has done throughout the summer, then spotlight the top ten ideas shared by our local dads. From building a fun obstacle course to backyard camping tips - we'll be sure to get you inspired to make memories around the yard.                                
https://zoom.us/j/517581959

3pm: Creative Arts    
Stories Galore with Christine Mancini, Children's Supervisor at HCLS
Details: Join Miss Chris for some of her very favorite fairytales, rhymes, songs and fingerplays.
https://zoom.us/j/250207972

5pm: Book Club    
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi with Amy Brooks and Afeefa Abdur-Rahman 
Details: Pages 221-305 (finish book)
https://zoom.us/j/457210006

7pm: Small Group Discussions for Current and Emerging Student Activists
with Sabina Taj, Member of HCPSS Board of Education 
Christiana Rigby, Howard County Council Member District 3
https://zoom.us/j/81949307541

7pm: Special Event Paint and Sip
Cute Chicken with Jenn Todd Lavanish, Artist and Instructor
Details: Follow along with Jenn and learn how to paint a cute chicken, folk art style! 
Materials:
-Square Canvas stretched- 4”x4” up to 16”x16”
-Acrylic paints- any brand: black, white, red, blue, yellow, green- and any other favorites
-Also handy-Pencil, medium point black sharpie pen
-Paint brushes of various sizes- tiny round for detail, flat brush for larger areas.
-If you want to protect painting some acrylic medium is handy for mixing and sealing painting- I like Liquitex gloss medium and varnish ( Modge Podge can work too) 
- A few big cups of water and a palette (paper plate works great)
- Hairdryer- some may want to dry paint between layers
https://zoom.us/j/83089356845
​


Thursday, August 13
8am: Early Morning Journaling   
Processing the World with Rashida George, Restorative Justice trainer/facilitator 
https://zoom.us/j/824123764
 
12pm: Math/Science
“A Terrible Thing to Waste: Environmental Racism and Its Assault on the American Mind” by Harriet A. Washington with Amy Connors, Part High School Science Teacher, part Biochemist, part Artist
Details: page 239-292 (Chapters 6 & 7)
Join us for our final discussion about Harriet A. Washington's “A Terrible Thing to Waste: Environmental Racism and Its Assault on the American Mind”. Suitable for advanced readers, this book will frame discussions between high school and college students, teachers, scientists, and allies of racial equity and social justice.
https://zoom.us/j/496469377

3pm: Creative Arts
How to Critically Evaluate Information Sources with Leilani Lucca, Educator for over 25 years
Details: How to know when a source may be reliable, how to judge websites, how to cite material in your own work, critical thinking skills, etc.
https://zoom.us/j/250207972

5pm: Book Club    
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor with Rachel Berman, Busy Reader and Active Learner
Details: chapters 11-22 (finish book)
https://zoom.us/j/457210006

7pm: Community Forum
Virtual Learning with Amy Brooks and Rashida George
Details: Join a community discussion about virtual learning and the challenges and benefits our students will encounter this fall.
https://zoom.us/j/81949307541


Friday, August 7
No workshops

New! We are now using Eventbrite to set reminders for our most popular sessions and Book Groups. Visit our OMO Eventbrite page to view all upcoming sessions: www.eventbrite.com/o/omo-30646165938


Popular Resources:
  • Social Activism  for sessions and resources related to Black Lives Matter, Social Activism and Justice, Civil Rights, and Equality.  
  • Schooling At Home and Homeschooling for tips and resources to help you school at home or transition to Homeschooling
Did you miss a session? Visit each Subject page from the main menu
or the Recordings page for links to our YouTube playlists.
FYI: the YouTube Channel is private so you can only find the recordings through our website.
Why do you like OMO?
Faye - "I appreciate OMO for providing a place to feel connected - not just for the kids but the whole family. The news has been like a broken record on this point but we are living in unprecedented times - we are all making it up as we go. I love that OMO provides a space to find some normalcy, connection or even some well-needed laughter in what is otherwise a pretty scary time."
Levi, age 7- "You can learn new things while not even trying to self distance!!!"
Amelia, age 9- "All of the instructors are very nice and kind. And all of the subjects are very interesting."
Katie - "My child interacts with her community and has other people to engage with - some are teachers. That’s crucial right now. She picks the sessions that interest her, and that helps give her independence with her schedule. Both parents are working from home. We rely on OMO for normalcy and community."

Let’s Learn Together

How To Use OMO
1. Visit this site to see what classes are available each day.
A list of sessions will be posted to the Home page each morning. Most classes are available to all ages, but some will be labeled Pre-K or Elementary (with Parents), Middle, High, or College/Adult depending on the topic.

Classes are offered Monday-Friday.

Visit the Sessions by Subject page to learn more about each topic and then visit each subject page to see Recordings of past sessions.

TIPS:
Many sessions will be recorded so that people can explore a variety of topics and watch sessions at their convenience. Recordings will be posted within 24 hours.

Sessions will be closed to new attendees 10 minutes after start time to reduce disruption.

Any materials needed for a class will be listed in the class description.
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Want to be a Presenter or Moderator? 

2. Click on the Zoom Link
At the time your chosen session begins, click on the blue Zoom link in the class description. Zoom will automatically load to your device or open a webpage to allow you access to the meeting. You can choose to start with video or no video.

Waiting Room: to keep our group secure, we have a Waiting Room. Please provide your actual name or family last name. Once the presenter or moderator starts the meeting, they will admit you to the group. To start, the moderator will have everyone muted. Chat is available directly to the host and moderator if you have any questions. If you do not wish to be on video, we hope you'll still join in by audio to talk with the group. Please at least talk to us by Chat, so we know who you are.

If you miss a class, watch the Recording! Recordings will be posted on the Recordings page or within the Sessions by Subject pages.
Note: OMO wants to make our videos accessible to everyone. We use Google's auto-captioning service to provide captions on our videos. If you experience problems with captions, please contact us with a description of the problem and the video affected. Please be as specific as possible so we can troubleshoot quickly.

3. Visit the Resource page for more ideas
The Resource page organizes links to materials and project ideas used in classes and links to free online resources we use with our own families.
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