There are several types of co-ops and study groups, that you may find out there somewhere in the homeschooling realm. If you don’t find what you are looking for, why don’t you start one yourself? Here are a few different class/co-op ideas that I have been a part of during my homeschooling journey. Feel free to leave a comment with some more ideas.
- History co-op – We used SOTW (Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer), and we met once a week, doing activities together that went with the chapters that we read at home. We found that the reading and geography portion was best done at home and the art, crafts, special food from another country etc. were more fun together as a group. Each mom took a turn teaching. So, if we had 3 moms then one would teach and provide the materials every third week. We also rotated homes so it was never at the same person’s house.
- Science co-op – Several of us got together and decided on different topics for different ages. The youngest children did magnets and one mom taught that for 6 weeks, another mom taught flight for the next 6 weeks. The older children worked their way through a lego physics course that took 12 weeks with another mom. We met at a park or a library depending on the season.
- Writing class – I taught a writing class in my home for one semester using the IEW method. There were 6 children that showed up once a week, at my convenience, and I was able to charge for this class because it was not a co-op. The moms dropped the children off and returned after 1 1/2 hours.
- We have several local co-op that are run at churches. The one that I am partial to and teach at is very organized. There are 5 periods. Each time period offers about 3-4 classes for different ages. The grades are broken down as follows: K, 1st, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12. The classes vary but there is always art, science, history, pe, writing and other great electives to choose from. The classes are $25/ea with materials fees. The teacher/mom gets to keep the money from the classes she teaches. This allows for a lot of interaction with other homeschoolers weekly.
Well, there you go! A small sampling of how co-ops and study groups can work for you and your homeschool. There is a season for everything, from small groups to large groups to no groups at all.
Leave a comment and tell us if you belong to a co-op or small group and how that works for you!
Written by Brenda, classical eclectic mother of 5. You can find her writing at Tie That Binds Us about her homeschooling journey.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I will be having a small co-op in my house starting in September. I will be teaching an artist/composer class. I believe we will have 6-8 students. Looking forward to the venture.
Blessings
Diane
We participate in a co-op or group that organize elective classes every fall and spring for 7 weeks. The moms teach different subjects like french, backyard ballistics, sewing, arts, drama, cooking, vicals, guitars. It changes every time. The electives run for 3 hours, 1 hour/subject, 3 subjects offered concurrently. So, each parents gets to chose with their child which one that child is going to participate in. We even offer classes for the preschoolers and kindergarteners. It's been fun. This fall I will be doing science for Gr.1-3 with another mom for one period, and crafts for the kindergarteners for another period. I have one period free.
Our co-op has classes for children ages 3-18, mostly taught by moms in the group, though we do bring in a few outside teachers. Classes for this fall (12 weeks per session) include ballet, art, American history, Latin, chess, performance magic, drama, anatomy, music appreciation, beginning recorder, Treasure Island book club, American Girl book club, writing, Spanish, and more! This is our fourth year as part of the co-op, which has been going on for many years before us.
The classes are chosen based on what the moms want and are willing to teach.
We are in a co-op with around 15 other families. We meet for three hours twice a month. Each Mom either has to teach one class or assist with two classes.