History co-op ideas???

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  • June 9, 2011 at 12:49 am
    spoutygirl
    Participant

    Since my daughters an only child she really tends to need more classes and interactions than ones who have siblings to play with. I already organize a nature coop one day a week, but she really wants to do something another day too, so I’m trying to come up with ideas of how to implement a history coop. (this would be for the 7 to 10 age group BTW) basically things that we are already doing at home, but it will make it more enjoyable doing this someone else. I’m kind of at a loss though as to what one does for these types of coops…. Do we come up with a booklist and read some at home some in “class”

    Or do we do all reading at home and an activity in class? If so, What kind of activities should we do? I really don’t want something too complicated, but it’s got to be at least two hours in length otherwise it wouldn’t really be worth everybody’s time. Any other ideas or suggestions?

    We would be meeting in our state forest BTW where our other coop meets, under a gazebo, with a meadow. We already do a full half day of nature walks, nature study, picture study, handiwork with the other coop day, so I wanted to concentrate on history. Or even

    some kind of project based class.

    Thought anyone?

    Thanks!!

    June 9, 2011 at 1:04 am
    spoutygirl
    Participant

    I also wanted to add, we would probably be doing early American history and coming up with a list of books from a mix of various sources.

    June 9, 2011 at 1:21 am
    suzukimom
    Participant

    Not sure what to suggest for history…. but just thought I’d mention that science is a popular co-op choice…..

    June 9, 2011 at 1:26 am
    simple home
    Member

    I did a history co-op last year with SCM Module 1. We did readings at home, and then we met about every six weeks to do an activity that had a brief review of what was studied at home. Since module one is about Egyptian times, we focused on that as a fun subject for the whole year. Activities included making mummies, hieroglyphics, pyramids, etc. I found my ideas online for the activites.

    I have learned to keep it simple, and things flow very easily. If you do American history, maybe find a good, brief book to read aloud and then do an activity related to the book or just the time period itself. Then right before the co-op ends, have them “narrate” what their activity was and how it relates to that time period, or maybe what the story was about that you read aloud in the beginning.

    Have fun! 🙂

    June 9, 2011 at 2:15 am
    missceegee
    Participant

    I think you are interested in a weekly option, if so read on, if not, disregard.Smile

    I lead a CM co-op that met weekly, Sept. – Apr., for two years. Beginning fall 2011, we will meet 12 times per term (was 15) 3 weeks on and 1 off from Sept. – Apr. For this upcoming year we have 24 families and ~ 60 kids from infant – high school. We have chosen NOT to do history as most families either use different history cycles or curriculum/books for that and no one needs to duplicate. Classes that have worked very well – art, science, recorder, sewing, crocheting, 101 Things Kids Need to Know, Jr. EMT. We’ve found that the hands-on classes are the most enjoyed of the bunch. 

    That said, for fall 2011 we plan to have a 1.5 hour class time with the following options for kids 5+:

    • Misc. Handicrafts

    • Sewing (7+)

    • Backyard Ballistics (7+)

    • Weather Wonders & Natural Disasters

    • Art (geared younger)

    Each will be led by 2 adults. Younger kids needing extra help can have mom attend with them. Moms who want to learn a skill like sewing can participate with their kids as long as they aren’t needed elsewhere.

    This will be followed by a 1 hour block of Family Fine Arts where families will be grouped (4-5 families) and we will study poetry, artists/picture study, hymn & folk song study. This is totally new for us this year, but we’re very excited to try it. Previously, we had 2 one hour classes similar to the above. 

    We also hope to offer an optional Shakespeare/drama class at the end of the day. 

    HTH,

    Christie

    June 9, 2011 at 2:38 pm
    spoutygirl
    Participant

    thanks ladies for your input. After thinking about what you said Chrisite, I realized it would be difficult for everyone to be on the same page, so to speak.

     

    So I was up late last night trying to figure out what to do, and I think I’m going to go with a Little House on the Prairie theme. My daughter is 9 and I think this would be perfect for her anyways.

    Thanks for the help!

    June 9, 2011 at 5:27 pm
    4myboys
    Participant

    That sound fun.  Do you (or anyone you know) embroider and/or quilt?  Maybe you could work on making a quilt together or an old fashioned embroidery sampler.  I remember one group I was in as a young girls where we were each give a block with a Beatrix Potter character to embroider.  One of the leaders took all the blocks and made a baby quilt which we auctioned off for charity.  It was a lot of fun, helped our community, and we learned a new skill.  It would also tie in with the Little House/pioneer theme.  There are other handicrafts you could try, though.  Maybe making candles that the children could give away as Christmas presents; or corn husk or flour sack dolls?  Of course a field trip to a local historic village would also be lots of fun.

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