It seems that so many people go to public schools each year, we had half our church school go to public highschool this year only to find many are turning to Home School now. As my family gers up for my next high schooler home school I have been going through the what ifs, they are gone! I know the best thing is home schooling but once in a while I wonder should I let my teen go out to school then I hear of what terrible thing happened at this private school or that public school etc, its crazy out there! Now I have to think on what I can do to help the co op classes next year.. maybe I could do a Bible study class, teaching kids to study the Word of God at high school level? Or maybe a co op drama ? my drama college student could help in that! What would you take your teen to for a co op? I want high school level things here thanks! Tmom
My dd has several friends heading for school next year. It does make you question, but not for long! LOL A Toastmaster's class got a good teen turnout here. It was 8 weeks long, for ages 12+. I would travel for a good science lab (but I can do that so I'd invite people instead) or a good literature discussion or writer's group. Social activities are worrying me more as well. I would suggest anything you offer has some hang out time before or after so that the kids can get to know each other.
Our co-op is offering chemistry with labs next year. In recent semesters we have had Literature, Writing, Speech, Shakespeare/Drama, Financial Peace with Dave Ramsey, American History, and an Algebra class. We have discussed a semester of home ec-type things, but no one has put together a curriculum we all agreed on yet. But along the lines of household management, simple home repairs/upkeep, grocery budgets and menu planning, basic banking, laundry and mending (kids know how to run the washing machine, but do they know how to treat an oil stain, or tack a hem?)- those sort of things. MT3
Maybe creative writing course? I love writing, and could put together the plan ....i have a program for the proper grammar side of things, so we can work on that as well but I love the really creative things... or an Art class would be good too! I can't teach that but I want one hahah
My dd would love an 'adult' art class. She's dying to learn to work with acrylics and/or oils. She's tired of the kiddy classes and doing basic color wheels of primary and secondary colors. LOL
The things that my 11th grader will be taking in co-op next year Essay Writing (ACT and Sat prompts) American Literature (TOG) Algebra II Spanish (A spanish tutor comes to co-op) Things he isn't taking, but is offered Chemistry European history Algebra I Geometry Drama HTH
I was thinking I have a lot of art training but am not in anyway an artist... I could teach things like sketching, how to make your own stamps, t-shirt design and silk screening, as well as the computer type of print it out iron on,,, batique (batik?) which involves dying and melting wax so would have to be strictly for the older ones... jewelery making, metal cutting to create your own jewelery design, pottery.. but some would not be able to come to this class in our group because they are allergic to something or other... These would be fun to teach, if we had a place to get dirty in, lol, cuase you do get dirty in some of these. could even do a bit of wood burning artsy style.
I do not know if you have a local museum; if you do, check and see if they offer painting classes. Ours does. Ems took the class for a bit. For a few reasons we had to remove her but in general, it was a good experience.
Sd took art, Bible Study, gym, advertising/marketing and a cpr/first aid course. Our co-op also offers the high school sciences, lit classes, drama classes, art, sometimes gym, cake decorating, Bible studies and I am sure a few more elective type course. next year actually I think someone is offering a government and an economics class. Oh yeah this year we had a computer programing class too. Our co-op also has a study hall room so the teens can work on their regular school work during free periods if they need it.
