Mega List of Homeschool Co-op Class Ideas

Field trip groups, nature troops, enrichment co-ops, STEM leagues, book clubs, university model classes, PE & Park meetups--after fourteen years of homeschooling, I've participated and/or led every type of homeschool co-op imaginable. 

The problem with homeschool co-ops

Some of these groups became like the bread and butter of our homeschool. These co-ops were indispensable to us. They offered engaging classes that filled in the holes of our homeschool. They were packed with friendly and generous people--families willing to invest in each other. And they gave us all an opportunity to learn subjects and skills that we'd otherwise never be drawn toward.

Presidential Election Resources with FREE Printable Ballot

I have voted in every single election...whether big or small...for the past 19 years. I've served in various capacities for the party that I most identify with. I've written letters to the editor and letters to my local and state officials regarding my stance on impending legislation. I've done all the duties afforded to me in a democracy. But, I'm not a political zealot. I actually think that the political system, however conservative or not, can never really change a nation. It is GOD who moves change. Period. Because here's the thing about politics, folks, Scripture reminds us in Daniel 2:21 that it is GOD who sets up or tears down kings. Not us.

The Year of Hygge for Homeschooling

It had been eight years...eight filled years of homeschool co-op. 

They were wonderful years. 

Enriching years.

But they were filled years. 

And by the spring of the eighth year, my shoulders slumped. They were no longer wide enough to carry the load of co-operative learning.

I had fizzled out and needed some rest...some Sabbath-type rest that would nourish my soul. I had been so busy doing. planning. scheming. filling. for all of my children that I had somehow forgotten about what I needed for homeschool.

The Glorious Flight: A Unit Study

A morning of paper airplanes plus a small herd of eager LITTLES equals a few hours of fantastical adventure...and maybe an accidental poke in the eye or two with the aforementioned airplanes, but we won't get into that!

 
For our final homeschool co-op book club meeting of the year, the kids and I flew all the way to France and back, through the pages of Alice Provensen's award-winning classic, The Glorious Flight.

This simple tale recounts the historic achievements of Frenchman and aviator Louis Bleriot who made the first-ever flight across the English Channel in 1909.

10 Christmas Party Games for Kids

Gather all the kiddos, warm up a pot of snowman soup (That's what we call hot chocolate 'round here.), and get ready for a night of family fun with a Christmas twist. I've gathered together ten of my favorite kid-friendly Christmas party games in hopes to add some Merry to your Christmas celebrating this year.

(If no instructions are included with a particular game, click on the title of the game to be redirected to the instructions.)

Homeschool Co-op Public Speaking Class {Lesson Plans}

I am teaching an Introduction to Public Speaking class at our bi-weekly homeschool co-op this semester. Although the practical goal for this class is to provide opportunity and practice for the children to be able to speak in a large group setting, the spiritual implications can be found in the class verse, 

"But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15

As Christ-followers, we ought always to be ready to give an answer to the hope that we have. That "readiness" requires a MESSAGE and the ABILITY to proclaim it. While I believe that God can and does use even the most timidly-delivered testimonies for His glory, I also think this verse implies a boldness. Often boldness only comes with practice and a little bit of know-how. This class offers both.

Homeschool Co-op Class Plans 2014-2015

Lots of changes happenin' in our co-op this year.  

Lots of changes.

But, as with all changes, these alterations bring an element of excitement and anticipation.

Changes 

Changes in membership

Due to some scheduling conflicts, the Architect's family has opted to step out of co-op...at least for the year.  It was with much sadness that we said goodbye but with hope that we'd still have opportunities to play and learn with them in church and on special field trips.

End-of-the-Year Program for Homeschool 2014

After nine months of watching our children blossom through diligence and hard work, we, co-op moms, always enjoy celebrating their successes by hosting an end-of-the-year spring program for family and friends.  For the past six years, it has been a fantastic way to share what they have learned and to put an official "the end" on a wonderful year of co-operative learning.  (This post contains affiliate links.)

While the basic format for our program has remained the same over the years, each one has been slightly different.  This year, the mothers decided not to have an overall theme to each presentation. Each family could decide WHAT and HOW they wanted to share.

Book Club Unit: The Duchess Bakes a Cake

What do you get when you combine a delightful children's classic about a baking project gone awry, a marshmallow catapult, and four adorable little boys?

(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.)

My favorite book club meeting of the entire year!

This past month, it was my turn to lead the Littles in their bi-weekly book club.

 
I was given the task of designing a unit around the Virginia Kahl classic, The Duchess Bakes a Cake, and to be honest, I wasn't all that thrilled to be assigned to a book about baking...knowing that I'd be teaching a pack of boys.

BUT...

Geography Club: Italy Unit

Ciao!  

We recently took a "trip" to Italy in our Co-operative Geography Club. With its rich, historic culture, Italy captivated us.

Here's a look at our travel log...

Geography Club: Japan Unit

Last month, I had the privilege of taking our Co-operative Geography Club on a "trip" to Japan.  We had a wonderful trip and even "brought back" a few crafty souvenirs.  Here's our travel log...

(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.)

As a brief living-literature introduction to Japan, we read Grandfather's Journey together.  Then, the Littles (babies-5 year-olds) were dismissed to explore the book further in their book club as the geography club "unpacked our bags" to tour Japan.  

Co-op Plans for 2013-2014

Every July, all four of us co-op mommas get together for coffee to discuss the upcoming school year and our hopes and dreams for our co-operative learning.  (OK, so if truth be told, we spend 95% of the evening just chattin' about nothing/everything and only 5% of the evening ACTUALLY planning co-op...but, fellowship is important too...right?!) 

(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.)

We meet once more in August to solidify our plans and tie up any loose ends before the BIG DAY...our first co-op meeting, which usually happens the first or second week in September.  

You may well remember that last year, we created a Geography Club, of sorts.  We chose to use Galloping the Globe as our main curriculum and supplemented with Eat Your Way Around the World and other homespun activities.  Every other week found us learning about one country of the world, its culture, religion, and people.  At the end of the year, we had a wonderful spring program at which each co-op family highlighted their favorite country from our "travels."

Color-Coded Supply Bag for Co-op Mornings

A typical co-op morning for us is a frantic rush to find shoes, clean up from breakfast, find shoes, make sure everyone is wearing clean clothes, find shoes, and gather the needed supplies for that particular co-op morning...oh, and FIND SHOES!

Tips to Starting a Preschool Homeschool Co-op: Creating a Schedule and Assigning Jobs

Pheewww! We've come to our final day in a five-day-long series about Starting a Preschool Homeschool Co-op. If you've been keeping up with me, you have partnered with a few other families, secured a place and time for your group, and have begun planning some fascinating and age-appropriate classes.

You are just about ready to welcome eager little preschoolers to their very first day of co-operative learning. But first, you have to determine a workable order of events (schedule) for your co-op meeting and assign responsibilities to each of the participating mothers.

Tips to Starting a Preschool Homeschool Co-op: Planning Age Appropriate Class Topics

We've come to Day 4 in a five-day-long series about Starting a Preschool Homeschool Co-op. I trust that you have prayerfully considered inviting other eager homeschool mommas to join your group and that you have secured the perfect location for your co-op meetings. (This post contains affiliate links.)

Next on your TO DO list is to tuck the kids into bed, give the Hubs a big goodbye smooch, and head to the local coffee house to meet with the other co-op hopefuls in order to brainstorm co-operative class topics.

First on the agenda is to decide if you will be a non-formal or a formal group.

Tips to Starting a Preschool Homeschool Co-op: Choosing a Time and Place to Meet

You've taken the leap and are on your way to launching a homeschool co-op! If you are joining me for Day 3 in my five-day-long series on Starting a Preschool Homeschool Co-op, I will assume you've wangled up a group of like-minded mothers with preschoolers all anxious for occasional co-operative learning. Now what?! Well, unless you intend to Skype your way through the preschool year, you will obviously need to determine a PLACE...and eventually a TIME to meet.

Today I'd like to share a few thoughts that will hopefully help you select just the right venue and timetable for your group.

Tips to Starting a Preschool Homeschool Co-op: Partnering With Other Families

I'm assuming that if you've joined me for Part 2 in my five-day long series on Starting a Preschool Co-op, that you are seriously considering launching a group. Not to state the obvious, but a co-op is not a co-op if you and your children are the only participants. In order to co-operate with other families, you have to FIND other families to join you. And although the number of families who choose the unconventional route of homeschooling continues to climb throughout the US and abroad, finding co-operative participants is perhaps the biggest hurdle to establishing a new preschool group.

Tips to Starting a Preschool Homeschool Co-op: Intro

One of the best decisions I ever made when first starting out as a Newbie Homeschooler was to join together with a handful of other newbies every other week for a homespun preschool co-op. Our little bi-weekly get-together provided my children with a chance to interact with other kids, glean the wisdom of other mommas and their areas of expertise, and participate in large-group activities that would have otherwise been difficult to create with just one or two kids at home...like short theatrical plays and team games.

Co-op Spring Program 2013

This past Saturday marked the culmination of a wonderful year of cooperative learning.  Our Geography Club hosted a 5th Annual End-of-the-Year Spring Program.  The 2012 program theme was such a hit, we decided to repeat it again this year.  Each family chose one country that we had studied collectively this past year and presented our experiences to our extended family and friends in the form of an informative booth.

Geography Club: Peru

A few weeks ago, our Geography club gathered for a morning in Peru.  Out time together began by coloring a Peruvian map and flag for our Geography notebooks.  Next came a game of Four Ecosystems, a geography version of the classic game Four Corners.

(This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy for full details.)