Would you ever consider paying another homeschooling mom that offered a class 2 days a week for 3-4 hours? Like an arts and craft, hands on projects, kind of class??
I would consider it.......... BUT I would want to know the cost. (are we paying just for the "teaching" or the teaching plus supplies) I would also want to know her plans. Does she have plans or is this a by the seat of her pants type of thing. Or a week by week type of thing. (I would want it to be planned out and I would want a trial period to see if the kid likes it.)
I wouldn't b/c that sounds like it is for younger kids and I have discovered over the years that the cost I have paid for artsy type classes at co-op are directly related to supply cost. Two days a week at 3-4 hours is a lot of time lost. I am assuming you are including driving time in the time frame. 3-4 hours for an arts and craft class alone would be a lot of time for one outside activity presumably during school hours. For us, I found that "art" classes for under high school were things that I could have done myself and spent a lot less of our time and money.
Thanks for your responses! This is a new idea for me, although I can't stop thinking about it. I am trying to see if it something worth pursing. The fee would be small, We are military family and most of the families here are military...therefore most would not be able to afford a large fee. My plans for the class would be hands on learning. Like, learning about other countries and doing projects that correspond with it. Also, learning about good citizenship, freshing up on colors and shapes. Basically, just getting our hands dirty while learning and having fun!
Sounds a little too "all over the place" for me. Countries and citizenship + colors and shapes = two TOTALLY different age groups, motor skill levels, attention levels, etc. I'm not trying to say it's a bad idea. I'm just saying that what little you've mentioned so far sounds like a multi-aged daycare. I'd do a 1-2 hour focused class with several other same-aged kids, but not what you're describing. Does that make sense? I'd also want to make sure the fees are reasonable and the teacher has some sort of degree or training in the area being taught. Otherwise, I'm better off just doing it myself.
I would have things planned out on a monthly basis, as far as themes and what we would be talking about. Just a fun way to review what they already know and learn a few new interesting things. That's why I came here! To see what homeschool parents thought! Thanks so much for responding!
Meh. Nope. Unless it was someone who had some special skill that my daughter was insanely fascinated with, or access to opportunities/equipment. For example: I paid for her to take huntseat riding lessons at an equestrian training center. But arts and crafts kinda stuff? At an art center, perhaps....taught by someone with a special skill/insight. (Ceramics, animation, advanced painting, etc) Just generally teaching other people's kids...I dunno...kinda seems like something most home schoolers, by definition, avoid. Don't mean to be negative, just trying to give honest feedback.
No need to apologize! That's why I'm asking! It sounds great in my head LOL! Thats why I wanted some opinions!
Many of those types of classes are found in our co-op. We do have some professional art teachers in the area that offer home classes. So in our area it would probably only work if you have a specialized area/ degree.
I think it can be done. You need to determine the age and scope of what you want to do. Maybe allow them to sign up monthly and change the theme each month or something. Although, admittedly, two days a week out of my schedule, I would not do, personally. I hope that makes sense! You should look to see if there are established co=ops in your area where maybe you could teach and get paid there - lowers your personal overhead.
Keep the advice coming ladies! We do have a co-op in our town, the only probably is it is WAY on the other side of town, an hour drive one way for me, and I think there are other women in my area that not attending for that reason. Here's what I have so far: Ages 4-6. $10 a class. I would have no more than 3 students a class ( plus my 2 daughters). Maybe I could offer the same class twice a week. It would only be 2 hours, since others have said 3-4 hours out of their schedule is too much. I would have it all planned out on a monthly basis and have themes to go with it. We are military community to I would have a lot of Patriotism added in there.
Only for specific skills. For instance, I'm a music teacher. Most of my students (including my own children ) are homeschool kids. I can't draw a straight line with a ruler. So my kids take art. This sounds more like an "enrichment" idea. A lot of local libraries offer that for free. Personally, I think you need to focus on a skill, or one area that you can offer expertise in. Maybe consider 6 week themes, which can vary by age. Like Cake decorating one section, and color theory another. (If you're looking for variety). Most homeschoolers are pretty DIY kind of people
