Science with Experiments for new Co-Op

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  • April 7, 2009 at 12:33 am
    missceegee
    Participant

    Hi ladies,

    I’m beginning a new support group and co-op program and we would like to have 2 classes per age group each week. We’ve decided on Science and Art to begin with. For the babies – 2nd grade we have a plan, for the 3rd – 6th, I’m still noodling! 🙂

    Question #1 – For science we would like a complete program w/ experiments (ie. Apologia Astronomy), but I’m wondering if any of you have other options to recommend. To buy the book and kits for each kid would be ~ $60 and in this economy that can be a stretch for some. For the younger kids, we’ll do a hodge podge of experiments, but we are hoping for more direction and focus for the olders.

    Question #2 – We would like to combine the K-6th for the second hour of art, mainly to save on needed parent-teachers since our group is small. One option we’re considering is Artistic Pursuits. There is the possibility of hiring an outside teacher, but that gets $$$. Other ideas?

    I appreciate all of your wisdom and suggestions.

    Christie

    May 7, 2010 at 4:26 am
    mtnmama
    Participant

    Hi Christie,

    What did you decide to do for your co-op? We would like to start one this fall but I’d love to hear what worked for you. We have a few kids in each grade for K-5, for a total of 20 kids and we are starting from scratch as far as lesson plans, etc. Let me know what you think!
    ~Christina 

    May 7, 2010 at 1:38 pm
    missceegee
    Participant

    Hi Christina,

    This is long, but here you go.Laughing

    We just finished our first year of a CM inspired co-op and it was a success. We had ~ 50 kids babies – high school, but with the majority under 6th grade. We met 15 weeks per semester and offered 2 hours of classes, a big undertaking with 24 families. Each adult worked one hour & had one hour free for fellowship, unless someone needed a substitute – this did not work well with our small group. Next year, adults will teach/assist both hours & we’ll have “floaters.” 

    We had the following classes:

    • Nursery (babies -2) – both hours

    • Preschool (2-4) – Story Time Adventures & Music and Movement

    • K & 1st – Science Explorations, Atelier Art, PE/Playground Games

    • 2nd & 3rd – Apologia Astronomy & Atelier Art

    • 4th -6th – Atelier Art, Apologia Astronomy, FL History

    • 7th – 12th – Yearbook & Service Hour (lower grades)

    The classes went pretty well, but we found room for improvement. Art was enjoyed, but lots of work & $$$ & storage space. History is hard b/c people are in different cycles and want different things. For the 2010-2011 year, all classes (1st & up) will have a syllabus/schedule so parents know what’s going on and substitutes have an easier time filling in.

    Upcoming Fall Classes…

    • Nursery

    • 2s & 3s preschool – similar to 4s & 5s

    • 4s & 5s pre-k and K – Storytime, Science Experiments, Music, Outdoor Playtime, etc.

    • 1st & 2nd Grade – Science Fun! and Geography & Missions (8 wks) & 101 Things Kids Need to Know (7 wks)

    • 3rd – 8th Grade – Jr. EMT (taught by a fireman dad and nurse mother)

    • 3rd – 5th Grade – Apologia Botany w/ lots of hands on

    • 6th – 8th Grade – Writer’s Workshop

    • 9th – 12 Grade – Yearbook & Apologia Chemistry (outside teacher, college style, not CM style)

    Upcoming Spring 2011 classes…

    • Nursery, 2s & 3s, 4s & 5s – same or similar

    • 1st & 2nd – Etiquette (8 wks) & Paper Construction (Origami) (7wks) & Drawing (7 wks) & 101 Things (8wks)

    • 3rd – 8th – 101 Things Kids Need to Know (taught by different dads for the most part)

    • 3rd – 5th – Critical Thinking Skills (through games)

    • 6th – 8th – Apologia Anatomy (lots of hands on) 

    • 7th – 12th – same as fall

    Other things we did or will do…

    • Monthly mom chats (encouragement and fellowship) that starting this month will also have mini-CM lessons as a part.

    • Weekly park play days

    • At least 1 field trip per month

    • Various get togethers (game, movie, crafts, swimming)

    • CM Seminars. We were honored to have Sonya come for a 2 day seminar in March.

    • Thanksgiving Feast & shoebox service project (name escapes me right now)

    • Christmas cookie party & caroling at nursing home

    • Spring Banquet & talent Show

    • Family Field Day

    To help share the burden, all families will have at least 1 additional job this next year. It might be setting up each week, leading assembly time, collecting Box Tops, etc. We have a big list. This way my leadership team and I won’t get stuck with all of the work. 

    Overall, it has been a privilege to help encourage others and lead this group and I’m looking forward to this next year. So far we have ~ 75 kids for this next year and we’ve set an upper limit of 100. 

    Oh, we also use a great website service to help with communication and lots of other things. It is from homeschool-life.com. If you want to see our page, click River City Homeschool Adventures. You will only be able to see our public pages as it is a secure site, but I highly recommend this co. it is very reasonably priced and well done. 

    We do have a Parent Info. Handbook w/ all of our policies, rules, our statement of faith, statement of behavior & responsibility, etc. If you are interested, I can email those to you.

    This may be more than you wanted to know, but hopefully it helps.

    Blessings,

    Christie

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