I've been invited to join a 2 day a week co-op, where Jeannie would be taught history, geography, Bible, art, science, and I forget what else. She'd be in a class full of girls. This is not just moms pooling skills, this is a full blown school type setting. I'd be required to either work in the nursery( yuck) or teach kindergarteners. I definitely want no part of the nursery. I don't feel qualified enough to teach someone else's kid, either. Parents shelling out the 500.00 tuition per kid will be expecting a real education for their child, not some flunky trying to do her best. I was told I'd be given curriculum to follow, and my load at home would be lighter, as well. I don't see how, though. To me, I'd be trading one work for another. Instead of preparing Jeannie's lessons, I'd be preparing kindergarten ones! Any thoughts? I don't see myself partaking of this.
it's not for me. if I'm gonna shell out $500 then I want a drop them off and go spend some time to myself kinda thing. wait a minute, that's what I am doing. I'll be paying $60 a month for classes once a week. but they are mostly classes I can't teach myself...music, drama, and art. personally I'd rather teach things like history, science, geography and Bible myself, so a co-op like that wouldn't lighten my load at all.
Yikes. No suggestions. Our church has a small co-op and all the mom's pitch in but the fees are CHEAP ($15 per family per year....just enough to cover copies and the church donates the facilities). There are other several other larger, more expensive co-op in the area (with paid teachers, drop-off privileges, etc). So far, we don't need more than our small one. We still do everything we normally would at home and I sort of consider it "extra" except for the PE class they do. The largest one close to us would be more expensive similar to the one you describe. It has a $150 family registration fee and then up to $60 per month per kid (meets all day once per week). You can choose one class, all AM, or all day....the $60 per child per month is for all day. It would be $180 per month for my 3.....doesn't seem worth it at this point. I actually volunteered for nursery duty at our co-op though. My baby is almost 6 so I figured I'd give the mom's with little ones a break AND I don't have to prepare weekly lessons :lol: I just rock and feed babies or play with the 2 years olds.......that's so much easier. I did teach K and Pre-K PE one session........and then went to the babies......I'll take the babies! Good luck making your decision.
Now, that tuition was for all year and included all fees. Nope, I can't be just a helper. The longer I take to decide, the nursery will be the only thing left. I just don't see where it will make my life easier.
$500 is way out of line for a co-op. The ones around here pretty much have a flat fee (probably about $75-$100 average) and then might add a materials cost to that, based on the class. Art would have a higher fee because of all the supplies involved. There are some that actually hire teachers, in which case the class might cost about $100 to pay for the teacher. But for $500, I sure wouldn't be wanting to "volunteer" on top of that!!! I thought you were putting Jeannie back in school....?
I think that's a lot of money for a co-op where you are required to teach. I've only participated in a free co-op (except for supplies). I was introduced to a co-op here few days ago. I was really interested until I found out it would be about $65/month, and I would have to paprticipate in some way. Personally, if you really want Jeannie in the co-op, and you really don't want to be responsible for teaching, I'd go for the nursery.
I have to say, I'm a bit jealous of having the option of co-oping. I live in a rural Nebraska area and as far as I know the only co-ops here are so far away, it isn't possible to participate. However, $500 would be too expensive for our family. What are your reasons for wanting to co-op? Is it to have your child interact with other children? Or is it so you can have more of a break once in a while? I guess, knowing "why" you want to do something would be helpful to me in making the right choice. Not sure this was helpful in anyway but I will be praying that you make the right decision for your family.
SOUnds like some other homeschool groups I have heard that have sort of a school , it does not sound like home schooling to me, but co-op school. with out the co? The idea of CO _OP is working together for the kids , if you are paying 500 as tuition its a private school! I d stay clear of it.. unless I could just have my dd do one class or two Id skip it.
Becky, all I can say is that if you have a gut feeling that it won't work, it probably won't, especially if you feel it won't lighten your work at home. You'll just run yourself ragged and be miserable. Carol
I'm not at all freaked at the 500.00, because it covers all fees, supplies, and whatever else for all year. I don't find that so bad at all. Course, I'm used to putting out for a jillion classes. Jackie- yeah, school was my plan, but the tuition fell through.
OH< thats right! Well then this should be great for you Becky! I forgot you were goign to do the school thing! I just would grin and bear it, at least with K garden you can set up stations in a room have one for working with letters, one for coloring themed pictures you can get from one of the many links that surround us, atz, ed whatever it was, and all those, and then bring along something playdough or something ? You can sing songs can't you? I love kindergarden Becky that was what I wanted to teach back when I wasnt yet grown and didnt have a kid and even after my first child was here! hehe We can give you lots of good ideas here at the SPot!
