This may seem like a very broad question, but I would love to get some ideas for co-op classes for the fall. For those of you that have been in co-ops: what were some of the more interesting classes you have taught or that your kids took (grades 1-6)? Any classes that did not go so well with the kids? All ideas would be appreciated. I'm currently teaching Geography to 1st-3rd graders, and I'm finding that teaching in the co-op is more fun than I thought it would be so I'm planning on teaching again. I would just like to be really prepared. That's why I'm thinking about this now.
I was thinking of Geography 1-3 next year, too! I'd like to teach one semester of the Revolutionary War, and the second semester of the Civil War. State history is also a good one. Apples is a fun topic for younger kids; there's really a lot that can be done with it!
I did a geography co op, still have lots of links if anyone needs them! I used Trailguide to Geography as a spine and videos and such from youTube as our film strips--- I gave out a ton of papers for map work and designing clothing from different countries as well as links each month we met. Each family would share a project they did from a list each month, we had science boards used as project boards and it was awesome! Some famlies did a TON of lesson work! I wondered if they took the co op and ran with it as the whole curricula some times! I pulled teeth to get my own son to work on the projects cause he followed me each month on a research and capture study then would have to do a project on top of it, not to mention the rest of his work lol so I did not volunteer this year.
Our co-op has the following classes this year: Grades k-3: Beginning words (suggested for kids k/1st who aren't quite reading/writing) Geography (they cover a state a week) Art Music Science P.E. Grades 3-6: Astronomy Art Music Sign Language Spanish Geography Grades 7-12: Yearbook Chemistry Sign Language Spanish Speech Scrapbooking I hope that helps!
I have done one on general science experiments, art appreciation, explorers and this session I am doing the American Revolution. I have been using Time Travler by Homeschool in the Woods as a spine for the history classes. There are lots of options out there. Some of the more successful classes from our co-op have been lapbooks (this session is Australia), Adorable Wearables, Little House on the Prarie, American Girl,Horses and art class. Ones that I have heard about that were not so successful, Apologia Botany, Math Games (too many different levels) and Vocabulary builder.
Poetry and Poetry Writing Creative Writing Birds Boning up on the Skeleton States and Capitals State History Spanish Weather Art Literature (Pick a different book to cover each month.) Map Skills Art History Outback Animals Constellation Mythology: There is a story about each of the constellations. Presidents Fractions/Percents/Decimals Ancient Egypt Photography PowerPoint Bible Animals Leaves (We made a scrapbook of dried leaves and labeled each leaf. We also did deciduous, conifer, leaf types, bark rubbings, vein patterns, seed pods, flowers, etc. We used the old "magnetic" type photo albums. We dried the leaves in phone books--lol.) Blessings, Susan
5-6th grade -- Living History--I taught them how to request an interview, develop questions for an interview, conduct an interview, transcribe it and write thank you notes afterward. We did several interviews in class. They first interviewed my co-teacher and me. Then we invited in another co-op Mom who had grown up as a missionary kid in an African country (can't remember which on now!) and a co-op granddad who had lived a very interesting life and was a WWII vet. Then we invited veterans from our local VFW; we had one Korean vet and two Vietnam Vets. For the grand finale, they conducted their own interviews, typed it up and brought it in with pictures. They shared the highlights of their interviews with the class. We then took all of the interview transcripts and compiled them into a book for each of them to have. It was a great class. The transcribing was a bit hard for that age group; Mom ended up doing most of the typing.
