What is a Homeschool Co-op?:
A homeschool co-op is a group of homeschool families that join together to share in the education of their children. Back in the day, we called our homeschool co-op "Friday School" because the classes were held on Fridays. Homeschool co-ops involves parent participation by nature. Don't expect to drop your children off at classes or activities. Parents teach classes, care for younger children, help with clean up or other tasks. Sometimes outside teachers are hired, which usually means a more costly program.
Homeschool Co-op benefits include:
Homeschool Co-op benefits include:
Group Learning:
The homeschool co-op provides an opportunity for homeschool children to experience learning in a group atmosphere. Young students learn skills such as raising your hand to speak, taking turns, waiting in lines, etc. Older students learn more advanced group skills such as working together on projects, class participation, respect for teachers and fellow students.
Homeschool Co-op Socialization:
Homeschool co-ops provide socialization opportunities for both the parent and the student. Students have the opportunity to socialize and make friends. They also learn to deal with peer pressure and problem students. Parents meet other parents, encourage each other, ask questions and bounce ideas off each other.
Shared Expense and Equipment:
Some subjects require equipment or supplies that can be expensive for each family to buy. In a group setting, supplies can be pooled and expenses can be shared through homeschool co-op classes. If an outside teacher is hired, the expense is then shared between participating families making it possible to provide top quality classes for our homeschooled students.
Classes Difficult to Teach at Home:
For the younger student, homeschool co-ops usually offer classes that require more preparation and clean up than your everyday studies. Homeschool co-op classes for the younger student often includes, science class, cooking classes, art classes and unit studies. Homeschool co-op classes for the older student often include biology, chemistry, advanced math, writing, etc.
Homeschool co-op classes provide an opportunity for homeschool children to experience learning in a group atmosphere. Young students learn skills such as raising your hand to speak, taking turns, waiting in lines, etc. Older students learn more advanced group skills such as working together on projects, class participation, respect for teachers and fellow students. What is your favorite homeschool class your children have participated in? What materials were used? What projects did they do? Were there any field trips involved? Do you have any pointers for others who wish to teach the same class/topic?
Preparing something awesome!
- The co-op class I've taught and enjoyed teaching for several years now is a Science class. Science is really fascinating to me and the great thing about a co-op class is that it forces me to prepare something really awesome that my kids will then benefit from. If it's just my kid learning Science, I might be lazier and just read a book about it and not feel like doing all the experiments and cleaning up the mess or possibly playing a fun review game. Plus the kids have so much more fun doing it all with friends and I have so much more time preparing for the Science if someone else is taking care of e.g. History and Math games for me, instead of me doing all the work and preparation for all the subjects. I found this especially true as my kids got older. I think co-ops are such a lifesaver. I love helping those who are new to co-ops to navigate around the possible landmines to maximize their co-op experience. I love co-ops!
- —elmariehyman
Games and Other Fun Co-op Classes
- Last year, I taught a 'games' class where we worked on math and language arts skills through games like blackjack, Yahtzee, and other great games, while working on sportsmanship as well. The kids LOVED this class, and I saw real growth in all of them in various areas. Other moms taught science (using videos, projects and some reading), writing (with Mad Libs, writing projects, and group games) and even sign language (through full immersion for half an hour). We all shared what skills were covered each week through a Yahoo group, so we all had the info for our records if we wanted it. This year, I'm going to cover writing as well as games, and am planning on having the kids create short stories and even comic books, as well as play games and do some worksheets. We'll also be studying history, the states and capitals, and cooking. My friend, Elmarie Hyman (a veteran co-op mom), and I are even doing workshops to help other homeschoolers get started now. It's been wonderful!
- —Guest Elizabeth Scott
Favorite class that I have taught
- I recently taught a cooking with literature classes for K-1. We would read a story, do activities in one period then cook something from the story the next period- ex Stone Soup, made mosaics of the veggie each kid brought in, made stone soup.
- —Guest Missysue
