Thursday, July 1, 2010
Homeschool Co-Op - How to Set It Up
A co-op is simply a group of families that get together on a regular basis to work on educating together. It offers support for the parents, and socialization for the students.
Co-ops Do Not Have To Be Large or Complicated
In fact, small and simple co-ops are often the most effective. Select three to five, like-minded families. While like-minded families are obviously ideal, do not shy away from families who have differences, either. They will bring a fresh perspective to the group. Do not over-complicate the program or the schedule. If it becomes a chore, it will defeat the purpose.
Organization of a Homeschool Co-op
Suppose the co-op will consist of four families sharing two subjects. (History and science are the most adaptable to a group setting.) Consider meeting twice per week, alternating between each family’s home. The host family could be in charge of snacks. The other families’ could rotate between two mothers teaching and one mother entertaining the babies and toddlers.
In this model, each mother would only teach a class two classes in two weeks, and would host once in two weeks. All families bring their own activity supplies, or designate one ‘shopper,’ to whom the others pay their share.
Sample Schedule
Mom 1 Mom 2 Mom 3 Mom 4
Week 1 Tuesday Host Science Babies History
Week 1 Thursday History Host Science Babies
Week 2 Tuesday Babies History Host Science
Week 2 Thursday Science Babies History Host
Another model might be each family having a permanent assignment for the length of the co-op. For example, Mom 1 might always host, Mom 2 might always teach history, Mom 3 might always teach science, and mom 4 entertains the babies each session.
There is no wrong way for families to operate a homeschool co-op. Whatever model is set up, the students will benefit from the group learning and the parents will benefit from the support.
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Great ideas, Robin! I hope I can always be a part of a co-op~it has greatly enhanced our homeschooling!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice on setting up a small co-op. I liked the schedule too! It keeps the teaching load manageable.
ReplyDeleteCarol Topp
Author of Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out
http://HomeschoolCPA.com
Thanks! And thanks for commenting on the schedule. I've tried and tried to get it to post here the way it looks when I do it on Word - any idea what I'm doing wrong there? But I'm glad you figured it out!! I'm out of state visiting family, and they're lined up to take me out for a Chicago pizza fix (I miss that in AR!) so I've got to go, but I will definitely check out your site ASAP!!!
ReplyDeleteThe co-op we're in recently expand beyond the size of a home. There are eight or nine families, many of them having six or seven children. It became an issue on where to hold the co-op. We finally found a local church that was willing to rent their building to us this last year.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody know how I can make that chart better?!! :)
ReplyDeleteThe homeschool co-op we belong to has 60+ families. Finding a place to meet is always the biggest problem. We, too, use a church that is very generous with us.
Our homeschool group's website is at www.faithhomeschool.org. Perhaps you can get some ideas from us to use as your group grows.