What is co-op?

Our co-op is a group of homeschooling families that get together to exchange teaching to glorify God and benefit each other's children, as well as our own children.

In order to participate we pay:
-$50 registration fee which covers all ink and supplies needed for co-op for the school year
-$ insurance fee -we use a church at no cost but we must have our own insurance (amount to be determined, but should be about $12 a person for the year.)
-for all the books our children need for each class
-any and all materials we need to teach our our own class (i.e. I teach preschool, so I provide the paint we use in class.)

In addition we must agree to teach a class or assistant in a class or with cleaning while our children are in class. I teach preschool while my boys are in History & Science. I will assist with Josh's Latin as well.

The benefits of our co-op are:
-children get socialization with other Christian children
-children benefit from knowledge I may lack
-worship time before classes start
-support group for homeschooling moms and dads
-children learn to work in groups and as a team (group projects, etc.)
-science lab (I could not possible get all that at home)
-getting a break from mom and siblings (if your siblings are in a different class)
-mom gets a break from her kids as well (unless she is teaching a class they are in)
-getting used to a routine (if you do not have one at home)

They are more as well, but I think you get the idea.

Our co-op meets at a church Tues. & Thur. from 10:15am-3:30pm.
The schedule is:
10:15-10:30-Worship and prayer time
10:30-12:00-History (children eat lunch in history)
12:00-12:30-children in rec / parents in meeting
12:30-1:45-Science
1:45-2:30-Latin
2:30-3:30-Odyssey of the mind

I just wanted to share what our co-op is. But a co-op can be as simple as a playgroup or as complex as an entire school. Co-op just means all involved have say and are required to work in exchange for participation.

Are you involved in any co-ops? How do they work?

-Becky

Our day at co-op

Today co-op went incredibly well.

Joshua did so good. His teachers commented that he was polite and cheerful and seemed to fit in well.

Jason did well, but had some difficulties adjusting to new classes and rules, especially during history as the teacher was one he had never met. Last year it took him about 6 months to warm up to his history teacher.

My preschool class was awesome. I have two teachers assistants, which is great. There are 6 preschool boys in my class (no girls at all!!) If you have ever seen an active preschool boy you can only imagine 6 of them. Yikes. But we have a very structured morning planned with Bible songs, verses, and stories, plus crafts and lots of moving activities. After lunch is science and free play for my class. They get a bit tired after lunch, so free play works well. Today we went outside and saw two amazing butterflies landing on flowers. The preschoolers loved that. Then we played with a parachute and ball. They all had a blast.

Joshua said he enjoyed his day, but for some reason has turned into a crank and has gotten in trouble, so he lost his DS lite and had to go to bed early. I guess he is tired, but he still has to have consequences for misbehaving.

Jason also landed himself an early bedtime. I think getting up and back into school routine will take a bit of time (pray not too long.)

I was super glad to be in fellowship with some wonderful Christian homeschool families today. Starting our day in group prayer was awesome. Plus getting up before my boys (thanks mom) this morning was so helpful to our day running smoothly.

I pray Thur. at co-op goes as smoothly, perhaps even better, especially for Jason.

When do your kids start back to school or back to homeschooling?

-Becky

Today Co-op starts

I am up (it is about 8 am.) We are starting our homeschool co-op today. It is really neat. First class is history. Then lunch and rec. Next is science. Then we will have latin. During history and science I teach the preschool 2-5 year old class (we also have a nursery.) I will be helping out in latin (so I can learn it as well.) The kids are all broken up by grades. Preschool/K, 1st-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th & 8th, and high school. We start the day with worship and prayer. It is really cool. I am super excited. Please pray the day runs smoothly for all families (about 35) that are involved in co-op.

-Becky