I'm still trying to figure out what a co-op is. I had this idea yesterday for kindergarten. I am certified for language, and I have a friend who is a former art teacher. If we found someone who wanted to do math, we could each do one day per week with all of our kids. That would give each mom two days a week (for 2-3 hours, maybe) to run errands or just be quiet at home, and it would give the kids some group learning with other adults. I would continue to teach all subjects the rest of the week anyway, but I like the idea of my kids learning in different settings. Is this a co-op? Have any of you done something like this? Did it work for you? Thanks-- Christine
Yep, it's a co-op. Very limited within just a few families, but a co-op nonetheless. The closest thing we've done is that the dad in one local homeschooling family is a physical scientist - used to teach high school and now works for the city water department. (I think he's a chemist of some sort.) The first semester, there were no fees whatsoever; we just signed up to bring snacks and materials. That didn't work out so great, so now they charge $25 per family (per semester) and provide all the materials and snacks. BUT, there are like 10 families (and almost 30 kids) in this co-op, so a small fee like that is totally reasonable. Plus, the one dad does all of the teaching; the only "rule" is that it's not a drop-off kinda thing, parents are to stay on-site and kinda help their kids with the experiments and stuff. Anyway. Yep, it can work, especially with such a small group if everyone is wanting to do it. Sounds fun! Good luck!
Yes. I'd say that's a co-op! Sounds like fun! We're doing a much bigger one this year - but it's CHEAP and will cover Art, Music, Gym and Spanish. All the parents are the teachers. Hoping it's fun AND educational! But, I think if you've got the time/patience to do that with another few families, that's probably how all the best co-ops get started!
Yep, a more personal one but co-op just the same. I'd make sure you define each members duties and each others expectations so that you can all remain friends :lol:
Yes, I can imagine all kinds of bad scenarios, including "I realize I don't particularly like you very much, after all, and now I'm stuck with you for a year." I thought about structuring it quarterly so that if it's not working, everyone has a way out.
I would definitely do something along those lines. Our small co-op at church runs 3 sessions per school year. Fall, Winter and Spring. Each is about 8 weeks of classes and then we have some other weeks with service projects, project fair, field trip, a few party dates for Christmas and end of the year, etc. We run from mid-Sept to mid-May....in 3 sessions. That way families can chose to attend in fall and spring but not in winter if it won't work for their family, etc....or fall and winter, but not spring, etc.
If it works great, but that's a lot to do in one week. Our co-op meets for three hours every other week 8 weeks in the fall & 8 weeks in the spring. If you have littles, I guess it could work, but for us, we really need the time at home to focus, if we were always having to be somewhere, it wouldn't work. Good luck. Kristine
Yes this is a co op and it sounds like an awesome one! My neighbor used to do that wiht younger years and it was great! those of us who did not teach were helpers for crafts and such. This year we are doing a study on our state history, I am the project teacher, another one is the feild trip seter upper, and anothe rone is the leader of the "what did you learn this month" we are only meeting once a month because all of our families have full loads to start with.
