Arlington Community Education

Revision is an important and learnable skill for taking your work from promising first drafts to accomplished and moving poems. We’ll explore a variety of techniques at both the micro level of individual word choice and syntax and the macro level of “re-seeing” the poem as a whole. Whether you’ve been writing poetry for months or years, bring some poems you’re interested in taking to the next level and spend some time on them in a supportive group environment.

This walking tour traces a circle around the West End, exploring the people and places that shaped the neighborhood over the past 400 years. The West End’s history is one of continual change, from supporting immigrants on their journey to the American Dream to producing America’s first native-born architect and leading innovations in railroads and electric streetcars. The neighborhood also provided a home for free Black citizens after the Revolution. Following decades of Urban Renewal after 1950, the West End was dramatically reshaped into its modern form. Come see how this fascinating neighborhood has evolved over the centuries.

Join this spring nature walk at Arlington’s scenic Great Meadows, where we’ll focus on identifying the largest woody plants in the area. Discover tree identification techniques using branching patterns, bark, buds, galls, and leaves. We’ll explore 10–12 native trees, along with a few non-natives, while learning about the fascinating natural history and folklore surrounding these majestic trees.

Learn to paint freely and boldly using acrylic paint. While we will go over the basics like composition, value, and color, the focus will be to connect with your intuition, paint from your heart, and discover your artistic voice. Each week we will focus on a different subject: landscape, still life, human figure, portrait, animals, urban landscape, interior study, and abstraction. All levels are welcome. The class materials list can be found here.

So you’ve run a 5K—now what? You liked training for a three-mile race and are ready to take your running to the next level, but don’t know how? Whether you want to run a five-miler, a 10K, or a half-marathon and beyond, this course will teach you how to safely achieve your fitness goals by balancing strength, speed, hills, and endurance into your week. Coach Gaggi will give you a custom training program based on your running goals and check in with you weekly to keep you on track. Most classes meet at Spy Pond. Prerequisite: For the 3 months before the start of the class, you need to have consistently run 3 times a week with at least 2-3 non stop miles per run, totalling at least 6-9 weekly miles. If you don’t have a solid base for this course, you may get injured. Start logging your miles today!

Learn more about a highly tumultuous era in American history as we study culture, politics, society, and foreign policy from the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 to the declaration of war against Japan and Germany after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Focusing on the radical changes to American culture and society in the 1920s, we’ll closely examine the presidency of FDR, the New Deal, and the many contributions of African-Americans. We will also explore the American desire for peace as Nazi Germany began to aggrandize power in the 1930s, concluding with the strong political divide between intervention and isolationism that shaped the prelude to World War II.

Beginner: We will cover the fundamentals of the game, progressing through familiarity with the tiles, building the wall, understanding the Charleston series of tile exchanges, and learning the hands. Please note: Daytime class at St. Johns: The church has limited ADA accessibility. Please contact us for details. Advanced Beginner: For players who already know the basics of how to play and want to develop skills and confidence, or just need a refresher. We will focus on choosing a hand, keeping your options open, and refining knowledge of the rules. Gain speed and mastery as you improve your knowledge of the game. Students need a 2025 National Mah Jongg League official card, if you don’t have one, please select the $15 option online during registration.

Learn American Sign Language (ASL), a useful skill that can open up a new world of relationships and deeper understanding. Level 1 (Beginner): In this in-person class for absolute beginners only, learn the ASL manual “alphabet” and hand shapes, basic grammar structure, and fingerspelling techniques. Explore the history of ASL while we cover pronouns, articles, numbers, yes/no questions, farewell rituals, introductions, and more. Level 2 (High Beginner): Further increase your vocabulary and get introduced to verb tenses in this in-person class for students who have completed Level 1. Learn how to engage in conversation about personal life events, family dynamics, friendships, and pets, as well as how to describe appearances and name North American cities, states, and provinces. Level 3 (Intermediate): This class is for students who have completed Level 2. Refine your skills as we cover more complex topics, including numeral incorporation, telling time, expressing frequency, daily routines, holidays and cultural observances, vacations, hobbies, and more. Note: For Levels 1, 2 & 3 students will be required to purchase this text book.

This course is for those who have some familiarity with Levantine Arabic. Considered one of the major varieties of Arabic, “Levantine” refers to the variety of Arabic spoken along the eastern Mediterranean coast, which includes Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. More informal than Modern Standard Arabic, this dialect is used in the home, among friends, and has become the chosen language for many television series. We will discuss various everyday topics, with some focus on grammatical structures.

Originating in the 6th century, the Arabic language has become one of the most widely spoken and recognizable languages in the world today. This version of Arabic is the formal language of news, media, and books. This beginning-level class introduces the 28 Arabic letters and focuses on basic reading and writing skills through an interactive and practical instructional method. Some basic everyday vocabulary and conversations, such as greetings and courtesy expressions, are also part of the course.

Join us for this information-packed lecture and demonstration to build confidence in your ability to diagnose car problems and communicate with auto repair professionals. Get a general overview of the major systems of an automobile from an experienced mechanic and instructor who can make all things automotive both fun and clear. We will cover basic maintenance, discuss common problems, and troubleshoot ignition, charging, cooling, fluids, electrical, brakes, and exhaust systems.

Ready to hit the trail? Join two experienced thru-hikers for a hands-on introduction to backpacking and camping. Learn the basics, including how to choose the right gear, pack meals, filter water, and prioritize safety. This indoor preparation session is suited for beginners as well as seasoned hikers alike. We will also practice and share simple mindfulness concepts to deepen your outdoor experience. This session is inclusive of individuals identifying as transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming.

Have you ever wondered if that “tweet” is from a cardinal or a chickadee? Learn the language spoken by our feathered friends. Start with a few basic bird songs as a reference, then add to your repertoire with repetition and practice. You’ll learn the types of sounds birds make and why they make them, and explore common bird songs heard in Massachusetts. Each class will focus on approximately 10–15 different birds. Note: Have handy a notebook, pen, and a bird book if you have one.

Enjoy some of ballroom’s most popular social dances. Whether you want to float like Fred and Ginger or put a little sexy hip action into those Latin dances, come join in the dancing fun. Couples and singles are welcome. Beginning: We will break down the basics of footwork, musicality, and partnering in swing, salsa, rumba, and more. Two left feet? No rhythm? No problem! Once you learn the basic steps, you’ll be able to spice up any dance floor you step on. Travelling 2nd week of June, makeup June 5 if needed Continuing: Ready to move past the basics? We will cover a variety of moves, like crossovers, turns, and combinations, to up your dance game. We will also dive into more styling and technique to give you a more polished look.

Beginning: For beginners and those with a bit of experience. We’ll start with right-hand technique and chords. The goal will be to learn a handful of melodies. Learning by ear will be stressed, but handouts of banjo tab will also be available. Continuing: For clawhammer banjo players who can already play at least a handful of tunes and who are looking to learn more in G, G modal, and double C tuning. We will focus on the right hand technique as well so that you can get the best sound that you can. Note: Students must bring their own banjo.

Explore the captivating geological features of our planet. We will delve into different geological formations and processes, learning more about mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, glaciers, deserts, and more, and highlight stunning examples like the Himalayas, Iceland’s tectonic activity, and the Grand Canyon. Online interactive tools such as Google Earth, the USGS Earthquake Map, and EarthViewer will help us visualize geological concepts and track recent global earthquakes. No prior knowledge or materials are required—just bring your curiosity about the complexities of the natural world.

Please note the 4/12 field trip has been postponed to 4/26. Observe local birds on these birdwatching field trips. We will focus on different strategies for locating and identifying birds based on their appearance, songs and calls, behavior, and habitat. To get the most out of field trips, attendance at the Birdwatching 101 class is highly encouraged. Binoculars are highly recommended.

Maximize your enjoyment and appreciation of birds in their local environment. We’ll discuss necessary and recommended tools (binoculars, scopes, bird books, and phone applications); how to pick a place and a time for ideal birdwatching; and strategies for identifying birds using their appearance, flight patterns, songs and calls, and the habitats where they live and migrate through.

Bladder issues affect so many women, yet most of us have little knowledge of the subject. Women of all ages experience urinary leakage, bladder pain, urgency and frequency, and recurrent UTIs. It’s time to raise awareness and get the facts about bladder function and dysfunction. We will review pelvic floor and pelvic organ anatomy, bladder habits and norms, common bladder conditions, how our nervous system affects bladder function, and methods for supporting optimal bladder health. You might also gain new confidence in your ability to resume “triggering” activities like running, hiking, jumping, or even taking that long road trip. Whether you recently gave birth, are navigating perimenopause, or are well beyond your final menstrual period, you’ll leave with practical wisdom to support your bladder health.

Mumbai’s street food is an integral part of its identity, reflecting the city’s diversity and fast-paced lifestyle. We’ll make a vibrant tawa pulao platter—a savory and colorful rice dish with crunchy, chopped fresh vegetables—accompanied by cooling raita sauce and crispy papad flatbread. We’ll complement the meal with a refreshing mango lassi, blending the sweetness of ripe mangoes with tangy yogurt to make a delightful drink that’s both refreshing and indulgent. Please bring several containers to take home finished dishes, and if you like, an apron.

This class is the low-impact version—but still high-energy—of the Bollywood-inspired dance-fitness program. At the very core of a BollyX workout is the inspiration it draws from the infectious energy, expression, and movement of the music and dance of Bollywood, the film industry of India. Follow along and learn the dance moves as you go. This great cardio workout will get you moving, sweating, and smiling.

Be exposed to a new musical genre while you get an amazing cardio workout with this dynamic dance-fitness program that draws inspiration from the high-energy song and dance sequences of India’s Bollywood movies. Have lots of fun, unleash your inner swagger, and engage your entire body as you cycle between high and low levels of intensity choreographed to great tunes from around the world. Moves can be modified for any fitness level. No experience is necessary.

Make a beautiful, unique work of art for your home using upcycled fabric. Rag rugs have a long history in many cultures as a way to give new life to used textiles. Learn how to repurpose bedsheets to make a rag rug using the braid-in technique. Similar to a braided rug, this technique does not require any sewing, knitting, or crochet skills. Learn how to create the rags and weave the rug, plus how to use the braid-in technique to complete other projects. Most materials provided. New and returning students welcome. Note: Please bring scissors. All other materials are provided. However, if you want to use specific colors, please bring your own sheets (flat or fitted in any size) or fabric.