I've gotten this question, so here's a little post on that. :)
Basically it's a group of parents who homeschool, that get together teach classes for each other's kids. One parent might be gifted in science, and offer a science class. One might offer a class on writing. It's completely parent-led. And each child must have a parent on "campus" while the child is there. Parents are 100% responsible for their own child.
The classes are great, but most parents also have some sort of formal curriculum they also use at home to supplement. There are tons on the market. But we haven't needed to go there yet. Actually, Target Dollar Spot has been awesome for us this year in making Zac's homework packets.
Our Tuesday co-op has been around for 20 years or something. So, it's quite a large group. Because of that, we have other perks, like legal help and things like that. It's extremely organized. When we walk in, we have to sign in, get nametags, sign in for whatever job I have to do (all the parents have "jobs" to do, from supervising the playground to hallway monitor, etc).
Most co-ops are held on a church campus. For our Tuesday co-op, the kids are ages preschool through high school. Classes are much like what you would see in a Jr. High or High School. There are 6 "periods" with a lunch hour. Each period is 55 minutes, leaving 5 minutes to switch classes. The kids can choose to take one class or all 6. It's just one day a week, which leaves the older kids time to attend college part-time as well. It's not uncommon for these kids to graduate high school as college sophomores. They do have quite an elaborate graduation ceremony, prom, etc, as well as all the committees (fundraising) etc to go with it. They also have clubs, too - like yearbook. The teachers give homework, grades, etc. They even have study hall.
It's not what I thought "homeschooling" was like. But we have been pleasantly surprised at all the options we have been offered! And the price is really really good. Some classes are free, most are between $20-45 a month. Zac has two classes that were just $20 for the entire semester. :) There is also a fee to actually join the co-op (pays for the church that we use, etc). And we have to buy the extra things (School ID card, yearbook, etc).
In January, we will most likely join another co-op as well. There are 2 others in town - but they both meet on Mondays, so we'll have to choose. And it's a HARD choice! We've heard wonderful things about both of them.
One of theMonday co-ops has 5 periods with a great variety in classes for Zac. I mean - how do you choose?!
Kindergarten
Paint/Clay
Colonial Kids
Advance Math
Gymnastics
Grammar
Art
Galloping the Globe
Botany Science
Ancient History
Munchie Math
Nuts about Nature
Draw Write Now
Kid Concoctions
Castles and Knights
All Star Sports
Extreme Science Experiments
The other Monday co-op has:
Well, first, it has care for babies. Which means, I could actually teach something next year, which I would love to do. Selah Grace would do fine for an hour without me.
For Zac, it offers:
Mini-Masterpieces
Nursery Rhyme Math
Legos
PE
Starting in first grade, there are a lot more classes offered - over 20 of them. Everything from Handwriting Without Tears (awesome program), spanish, even baseball!
Okay, that's all for now. Zac and I need to go get ready for co-op! :)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
That's awesome. Over here, Faith Christian in Grapevine has a co-op. I don't know many christian schools that do it, but I've heard great things about it. :)
Something I'll have to look into if we decide to homeschool. Still have this year and next year to see how far EK comes!
We have friends who are doing Faith this year. It sounds awesome! That is also up for consideration... since it's just one day a week.
Post a Comment