Hi there, I'm starting homeschool this summer and I have been working to get a homeschool group together. I've made enough progress to have the first meeting set for the end of this month. I'm thinking on doing a used curriculum library/exchange, parent led activity groups(drama, science, collections, and whatever else), group field trip offerings, thinking about putting ads up for volunteer tutors, etc.... Could any of you that belong to groups please clue me in as to what else I should be doing here? What do you do at your meetings? How often do you meet? I'm thinking on having open discussion for the parents and alternate leading activities for the children during the meetings. Only problem is, so far, I have an age group of 4-17 and most of the kids have pretty major physical and mental health issues. I don't want to exclude anyone for any reason! Maybe we should have free play for the kids to just hang out with each other under our watchful eye?!? Anyways, I hope someone can help me out here. I only have two weeks left to get organized and get this first meeting under way!!! Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have!!!!! Take Care...............Jaime
MY first view!!! When I was first starting out, we had a "Mom's Group" that met weekly. We were co-oping once a week, and a woman in our church took the kids for an hour of "Chidlren's Prayer" while the moms met. One thing that REALLY helped me was sharing of curriculum. We would pick a subject, and everyone would bring in what they were using (or, for some of the veterans, what they had used but weren't right then) and tell about what they liked about it. I learned so much that way! Then later I could go to that person and ask specific questions, or even borrow from them. It also gave me an idea of what to keep my eyes open for. You might also want to discuss household organization...meal planning (my weakness!), chores, etc. I've some friends that have come up with rather creative ways of trying to keep the clutter to a minimum.
We joined a hs group last year. We don't really have meetings unless you are on the hs committee. The group offers classes (6wk sessions for things like art, chess, spanish, etc). They also have playgroups at local parks each week. We plan field trips and Mom's night out as well. At the end of the year there is usually an awards ceremony and a talent show. We meet at an old school that is used as a community center. It sounds like you have everything covered. Our group also does textbook sales but so far they haven't been very successful.
The homeschool we started with last year. Meets on night a month for parent. Children are welcome but there are no sitters. Then they have park day every Friday for all the children to meet and play and mom's to sit and talk to each other usually about school. Then we have mom's night out and we usally meet for super and have a subject to talk about. They also have two to three field trips a week which is wonderful. They have a co op but it's for older children only and it pretty costly around 300 a semster. Other then that, that's it sounds like you have all your cookies in a row. Good luck. :lol:
Thanks so much you guys, I really appreciate all the input! You've given me many ideas and helped to assure me that I am on the right track with this!!! Now I have alot to think about!!! :shock: Any more ideas are always appreciated! I'm getting to work on more planning now!! Thanks so much..............Jaime
well well I have information for you I helped with a group several years ago that had monthly meetings. We stopped due to feelings that the same people were over everything. Others taking but not helping. Anyway at our meetings we had a short devotion time usually something on parenting. Sometimes a poem or story or sometimes a bible passage. Becare sometimes Bible can be touchy if different religions to think about. We decussed field trips, classes, craft days, and other thing we needed to do. At one point we talked about but never did do it. We thought of having a monthly book for kids to read and then come back and talk about each month. A fun filled book. We had days that we had speakers. Like health department talk on safety in the home or a nurse talk on new meds for adhd or something like that. You could go in many directions. We did do a snack time but clean up go to be a mess with kids eating too. You need to have an a list for who bring snacks and who cleans up. Some folks helps all the time and others don't. You could also have some moms who have hobbies show them to the group. Mom's night out is great every once in a while too. Good luck.
