Homeschool Co-op
This past fall we decided to start attending a homeschool co-op for classes. They hold classes once a week from 9am to 3pm. We decided to go all in and attended all day. Bitty was in the nursery where I volunteered for two of the five classes. Daffy was in the preschool class and loved it. They had nap time right after lunch, which wasn't necessarily her favorite time of class, but at least she got some rest in every time we went. I also volunteered in one of Skinja's classes, Around the World. Each week we learned about a different country and usually had a snack from that country. It was pretty neat. During my breaks I often subbed for teachers if they couldn't make it or helped in a class if a helper was absent. Co-op was held at a church in Pleasanton, so it made for a very long day with our travel time included. The kids really enjoyed and so did I, but I was also really glad when the semester was over and we had a break for a couple months.
Tink and Skinja took all of the same classes, but because some of them had so many students sign up, they actually ended up being with different teachers. They had Solar System, Reader's Theater, and Around the World in the morning before lunch. In the afternoon they took Spanish and Arts and Crafts. Tink's favorite class was arts and crafts. She loves to create things and is very creative. Skinja's favorite class was Around the World. One of his best friend's grandma taught the class, so I think that helped. But she also made sure to have an activity and snack from the country that we learned about that week, so I think it worked well for the all boy class.
Spring classes started In February and ended in April (12 weeks, with a break about halfway through). This semester, the administration of the co-op decided that all parents needed to teach at least one class if their children were going to participate. At first I was a little miffed about the new requirement, but then I realized that it's really not that big of a commitment and was completely fair. I volunteered to teach a beginner's music class for K-2nd grade. I also decided to just take afternoon classes, to give us more time to do other things at home since we had just started a new homeschool curriculum. So, Tink took my music class and a VeggieTales class. Skinja took Art and the VeggieTales class as well. Daffy was in the preschool again, but didn't really like it because ore often than not she ended up sleeping through all of co-op. Bitty was in the nursery again and seemed to do pretty well most of the time. The hour I wasn't teaching, I was either in the preschool or nursery.
One of my favorite parts about co-op this semester was that it was at a church that is about 10 minutes from our house. Hopefully, we'll be able to continue to have co-op there. One of my other favorite things was that my class had only 4 students, which I really enjoyed. They all picked up on everything fairly quickly and we were able to get through quite a bit of material.
On the last day of both semesters, the classes were able to do presentations. I have videos from both, so I will see if I can figure our how to post them.
Tink and Skinja took all of the same classes, but because some of them had so many students sign up, they actually ended up being with different teachers. They had Solar System, Reader's Theater, and Around the World in the morning before lunch. In the afternoon they took Spanish and Arts and Crafts. Tink's favorite class was arts and crafts. She loves to create things and is very creative. Skinja's favorite class was Around the World. One of his best friend's grandma taught the class, so I think that helped. But she also made sure to have an activity and snack from the country that we learned about that week, so I think it worked well for the all boy class.
These pics are all from when we were learning about Egypt and mummies. Unfortunately, these are the only pics I have. And, I can't find the video from the first semester of the class presentations. I'm very sad! :-( I guess I will have to see if any of the other moms have a copy of it that they can give me.
I found some more pictures! Yay!
This was the last day of the Around the World class.
These were the shirts they made in their arts and crafts class. Skinja refused to be in the picture.
Spring classes started In February and ended in April (12 weeks, with a break about halfway through). This semester, the administration of the co-op decided that all parents needed to teach at least one class if their children were going to participate. At first I was a little miffed about the new requirement, but then I realized that it's really not that big of a commitment and was completely fair. I volunteered to teach a beginner's music class for K-2nd grade. I also decided to just take afternoon classes, to give us more time to do other things at home since we had just started a new homeschool curriculum. So, Tink took my music class and a VeggieTales class. Skinja took Art and the VeggieTales class as well. Daffy was in the preschool again, but didn't really like it because ore often than not she ended up sleeping through all of co-op. Bitty was in the nursery again and seemed to do pretty well most of the time. The hour I wasn't teaching, I was either in the preschool or nursery.
One of my favorite parts about co-op this semester was that it was at a church that is about 10 minutes from our house. Hopefully, we'll be able to continue to have co-op there. One of my other favorite things was that my class had only 4 students, which I really enjoyed. They all picked up on everything fairly quickly and we were able to get through quite a bit of material.
On the last day of both semesters, the classes were able to do presentations. I have videos from both, so I will see if I can figure our how to post them.
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