Showing posts with label co-op. Show all posts
Wonder Workshop: Out of this World
Today saw the launch of the first wonder workshop. It was themed "Out of this World", and we had a full eight kids to start! I had so much fun, and so far the feedback has been awesome -some kids went home and just carried on experimenting!
I thought I'd take you through the workshop by photo...and also lend you some tips if you are wanting to host or start your own co-op.
Once I've planned everything (remember it's my middle name and the way I remove stress from the morning!), I make sure I am prepared for the day. I pack each experiment we're going to do into a set box, or put it into a special place in the kitchen. So here are some boxes ready...
And I try to have something on the table that'll pique their interest as soon as they walk in....
To begin with, we had a few ice breakers as these kids didn't really know each other. There were some connections between the kids, but we played a few name games to help them to remember each others names. As the overarching theme I had chosen was " Out of the World", we spoke about the 8 planets in the solar system (yes, you read right, Pluto is no longer considered a planet, but a dwarf planet, and you can read the ins and outs here). I found this lovely song here, and we did a little game using it.
Then we came inside and speculated what it would be like on the planet closest to the sun...and made these awesome lava lamps! I was blown away by the fun these kids had, and how they changed and altered the experiment to make swirling storms in the glasses too!
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| got to love Mr. Sociable's face! |
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| things do look impressive in a row hey?! |
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| King Arthur's... |
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| Mr T's |
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| got to love the clumps of salt on this! Reminds me of a limestone landscape! |
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all so different! |
And again, this proved such a hit, the kids stayed here forever! I filled up the bottles of colors a couple of times, and after they had played their hearts out, they left them for a while, and when we came back, this is how some had changed:
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| Such beautiful colors |
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| Mr Sociables addition of his lava lamp to the ice created this volcanic looking ice! |
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| Mr M's lovely ice sculpture! |
And then a much needed snack break...
Then some more fun - what if we visited a new planet, what might we discover? Some SLIME perhaps?
Combining two liquids to make...wait for it...a solid...a SLIMY solid! For this one, they worked in designated pairs...
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| got to love Mr M's face! |
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| eugh! They made this color! |
I'm so thankful that I'm following my heart and doing these workshops, and thankful for these precious kids to share them with!
SACH Carnival #8: Co-ops and Support Groups
Along this homeschool journey you will find that not only you, but your children also, need companionship and support. This Carnival post seeks to explore some of the ways in which you can find support, encouragement and fun for your children along this path.
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| our co-ops almost always involve food! |
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| bike riding happens a lot at one mom's house! |
Our co-op has been described by some as being “hard core” (!) in that we are geared towards a craft or activity (it can range from an outing, to painting cushion covers, box construction – you get the picture!) every week, whilst other friends of mine hold a very “low-key” co-op where the emphasis is mostly on playing after a very small craft. The nature co-op takes will depending on the the age of your kids, the shared vision you hold as moms and the desired outcome you want from your time together at co-op. They beauty of it? You get to decide!
And truthfully? Co-ops change. They're as organic as our individual homeschool journeys. What you start out with at the beginning of a year may not be what you end up with as you look back! In our co-op, we had 3 babes in arms at the beginning of the year, all of whom have grown up remarkably during the course of the year and who now need their own little activities. As moms, we've had to keep talking to one another about what we want our co-op to be, and the form we want it to take. Co-ops work if they are able to adapt to the changing needs of the group.
Two golden keys if you're not a part of one and are thinking of pulling one together?
Two golden keys if you're not a part of one and are thinking of pulling one together?
Communication and commitment.
You'll need to learn to co-operate with the other moms way before your kids have to learn to co-operate with each other! Communication – being able to hear one another and to verbalise what you want is essential in making it a successful endeavour.
And our co-op has delighted in watching our children form friendships with one another as we are committed to being a part of it, every week, bar illness or holidays.
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| enjoying a Science experiment... |
Some other keys to running a co-op?
- Compatibility – when drawing together a group, have an evening where you can freely discuss what it is that you want from the group, and how you want to achieve that. You may find that people whom you really like as individuals may have completely different goals to you, or ideas of how something should be run that might make you feel uncomfortable. Are your own learning styles and those of your children compatible with others? Being different in this area is not necessarily a problem, as long as you are aware of this at at the outset – after all this happens in the classroom and later the work place! The key about co-op, for moms and children alike, is learning to get along, to co-operate. And this can take time – for moms and children alike.
- Consistency - Although in our own co-op we oscillate madly, we keep trying (note, trying!) to keep some things consistent from week to week. Perhaps it can be the opening song, or they way in which you close off your time together as co-op? Kids welcome a routine, however simple it might be.
- Size – each time a family is added to a co-op the dynamics change – not only because of the number of children , the noise levels and the dynamics of their interactions with one another, but also the number of moms. Think about where your co-op is going to be held – what will it be like on a rainy day? I would recommend starting small and then adding families on when you've found your stride, if you want it to be larger. It's much harder to go from a large group to something smaller.
Wendy from Loving Learning takes you on an inside look at her co-op. I loved the hands on activities on South Africa culture both here (mmm milk tart!) and here (mmm bobotie!), and aslo wonderful to see how their co-op is supporting an incredible journey!
Taryn over at Hayes Happenings also gives you a sneak peek into her co-op, the real nitty girtty so to speak, as well as a look at ideas of how you can structure support groups and/or social opportunities for your children according to what they/you need - weekly or monthly.
Nature Clubs are another version of co-ops, but this time the focus is very much on exploring and enjoying nature. I love Nikki's post on a recent nature club outing over at Our Journey in Him - do yourself a favour, and spend some time looking around her archives to see what else they get up to! Great outing ideas too!
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| one co-op member teaching his personally created recipe to the others! Support groups are essential – I still have a copy of my fist post I ever wrote on the Homeschool Kitchen Table eloop years ago! It was a genuinely heartfelt list of questions that I needed answers to in making sense of homeschool. From that single email, I made a friend who has led me into many of the homeschool friendships I have today. Being honest and vulnerable sometimes takes courage, but those further on this journey are always willing to help you are on your way. Taryn (Hayes Happenings) has written this informative and helpful post of the eloops available to South African Homeschoolers, as well as details on how to join them. Facebook also has a Homeschooling SA group, as well as a Western Cape one. There may very well be a group for your province too - if not, why not consider starting one?! Lindy has posted honestly over at Homeschooling in South Africa about how lonely and isolated she felt near the beginning of her journey, but by using the eloops and stepping out and creating a support network, she found a much needed community. She also has some helpful tips to bear in mind. Trys over at Homeschool Blogger has a wealth of both local and international links that would be useful to both new and seasoned homeschoolers. |
You are never as alone as you think you are!
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| one from the archives - Aragorn at one of the early co-ops! |
This post features on the South African Carnival of Homeschool Bloggers where South African home schoolers share experiences, ideas, philosophies and much more. You can join the carnival too by heading to the South African Carnival of Homeschool Bloggers sign up page.
Clueless About Co-op?
It's come up in a number of forums from people new to this journey, and people wanting to embark on doing something new with others, so I thought I'd give it a go and attempt to explain co-ops! I remember well during the 'research and devour' phase of my journey how clueless I felt about many things! So here's a smattering of insight on co-ops:
Simply, a homeschool co-op usually refers to a group of families coming together regularly to share a time of learning and socialisation.
Simply, a homeschool co-op usually refers to a group of families coming together regularly to share a time of learning and socialisation.
Most of the co-ops I know of (and let's be honest here, the three I know of in the Western Cape!) involve between 5 and 7 families, who meet once a week. The venue usually rotates between members' homes, or can also involve an outing (this year our co-op visited a farm and a cheese factory) and in our co-op, we generally tend to do something along the lines of art/craft/dance/singing.
Usually, groups come together as they share the same curriculum, or are looking for opportunities for their children to socialise, and in all cases I think the co-ops have provided a support network for the mothers involved. In America it also seems quite common to hold co-ops at a neutral venue, but it seems these are for older children, and then subject specific classes are also offered to a range of children.
Usually, groups come together as they share the same curriculum, or are looking for opportunities for their children to socialise, and in all cases I think the co-ops have provided a support network for the mothers involved. In America it also seems quite common to hold co-ops at a neutral venue, but it seems these are for older children, and then subject specific classes are also offered to a range of children.
Christine Alcott, (an author over at www.suite101.com), writes this of the advantages of a co-op:
- Children get a chance to learn in a group setting, rather than a more traditional approach.
- Children get a chance to meet and socialize with peers
- Homeschooling families get to know one another.
- Support - meeting with other people trying to do what you are doing, who know your challenges and frustrations, is priceless
- A wealth of knowledge - sharing teaching responsibilities means sharing gifts. Maybe you are weak in history. At a coop, someone else may offer classes in World History, Ancient Egypt, or WWII. What a great exchange!
- A wider view - A group can often do more than an individual. A family alone may not be able to get group rates to museums, plays, and other events. A coop as an entity can often qualify for these things.
Having advantages usually means having disadvantages, as well, and she goes on to explore these:
- Responsibility - Coops are not "Mom's Day Out". Parents must usually help plan or teach. Teaching a science class for 15 children may involve a lot more preparation than teaching the same material for your own child. This can be difficult.
- Philosophy - Many coops have a basic philosophy concerning their purpose in education. It is important to make sure your own style or beliefs are compatible with those of the coop. For example, if you do not attend church, a faith-based coop would not normally be a good match.
- Personalities - Being a part of any group means being able to get along with others. Make sure you can get along with group members. You do not have to be everyone's best friend, but if there is someone you will clash with terrible, this can be a hard situation.
- Committment - Coops are smaller groups, and usually rely on members to remain members, at least for the duration of a set of classes. Do not join unless you are serious about committing, at least for while (Read more at Suite101: Homeschooling Coops: Pros and Cons | Suite101.com )
She also presents some ideas of what to do before you join one -
- If you find a coop you are interested in, get to know some members. Find out what their experience has been with the coop. If you can, visit a class during the coop. See what kind of structure and order there is. Do the children seem to be engaged? Having fun? Do the parents seem organized?
- Read the coop's mission statement or registration form. Consider if their philosophy works with yours. Understand fees involved. These might range from a small fee-per-class to more hefty yearly or semesterly fees. Are the fees per child, or per family?
- Understand what is expected of each family. Make sure you are willing to make that commitment.
Are you feeling inspired? Go on over here or here to read up on some tips to follow if you're wanting to start one. Frugal Homeschooling has also posted a comprehensive page on all you need to know about co-ops too - a must see! One need not have to do it once a week either - this lady designed one to replace a week of the American summer camps which can get pricey.
Personally? Although I've only been a member of a co-op for about 5 months, I've loved watching my kids find their feet and make new friends, and I've loved the brainstorming that happens between the moms when a moment can be snatched to talk. I would recommend finding one to join, or even starting one - and remember, if you're struggling to find people to commit to a once a week even, try something once a month to begin with.
Good luck!
Personally? Although I've only been a member of a co-op for about 5 months, I've loved watching my kids find their feet and make new friends, and I've loved the brainstorming that happens between the moms when a moment can be snatched to talk. I would recommend finding one to join, or even starting one - and remember, if you're struggling to find people to commit to a once a week even, try something once a month to begin with.
Good luck!
Tag :
co-op,
homeschool,
Co-Op: Box Construction
Ever wondered what to do with all the recycling that gathers each week?
Collect it, store it, then invite some eager young minds to get creative!
Co-op last Friday was at our house, and was themed "Creator-Inventor-Designer". As I'm aware some moms are a bit nervous about doing/starting/hosting co-op, I'd like to show you just how simple they can be, but how much fun can be had!
As I write this I'm so aware that this might begin to sound like a lesson plan (that's the high school teacher in me coming out!), but I can assure you that although this was the PLAN, and it was ever present in my mind - it was only that, a plan! I'm not entirely sure that it was executed in the same way :)
I began by reading a Bible story about creation, and asking the kids if they knew what an inventor/creator/designer was. Whilst reading I'd given them bubble wrap to pop, as our co-op has a number of boisterous boys for whom sitting still and listening is their biggest challenge - I figured if I could keep their hands busy it might keep their mouths closed! Success rate? 50%!
After sending them out to run and jump a bit, they came back in and read a "Harry and the Robots" (a delightful story of Harry making robots to blast away Nan's cough). It clearly appealed to the boys as there was SILENCE! (interesting what engages children isn't it?).
I'd really hoped that they would catch what God had laid on my heart -
within each of us is this innate creativity,
that comes from God,
to be used for him.
And when we, as mothers, parents, or even children, operate in that creativity we bless others.
In the story, Harry blesses his Nan's heart and cheers her up, and I wanted the kids to see how easily they can create, and to catch something of the delight in creating. And I loved their creativity!
And as always, no co-op is complete without some food!
And even after co-op, the creativity just keeps flowing!
(ps I've deliberately cropped some photos as some moms prefer not to have photos of their kids on the internet...)
Collect it, store it, then invite some eager young minds to get creative!
Co-op last Friday was at our house, and was themed "Creator-Inventor-Designer". As I'm aware some moms are a bit nervous about doing/starting/hosting co-op, I'd like to show you just how simple they can be, but how much fun can be had!
As I write this I'm so aware that this might begin to sound like a lesson plan (that's the high school teacher in me coming out!), but I can assure you that although this was the PLAN, and it was ever present in my mind - it was only that, a plan! I'm not entirely sure that it was executed in the same way :)
I began by reading a Bible story about creation, and asking the kids if they knew what an inventor/creator/designer was. Whilst reading I'd given them bubble wrap to pop, as our co-op has a number of boisterous boys for whom sitting still and listening is their biggest challenge - I figured if I could keep their hands busy it might keep their mouths closed! Success rate? 50%!
After sending them out to run and jump a bit, they came back in and read a "Harry and the Robots" (a delightful story of Harry making robots to blast away Nan's cough). It clearly appealed to the boys as there was SILENCE! (interesting what engages children isn't it?).
I'd really hoped that they would catch what God had laid on my heart -
within each of us is this innate creativity,
that comes from God,
to be used for him.
And when we, as mothers, parents, or even children, operate in that creativity we bless others.
In the story, Harry blesses his Nan's heart and cheers her up, and I wanted the kids to see how easily they can create, and to catch something of the delight in creating. And I loved their creativity!
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| a light sabre... |
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| a robot.... |
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| a flower |
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| and with boys, the invariable sword fight! |
And as always, no co-op is complete without some food!
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| Belle made sure she had the best seat! |
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| basking in the sun! |
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| Belle was inspired by the other robot, and asked to make one together |
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| King Arthur with camera, tank, and light sabre! |
(ps I've deliberately cropped some photos as some moms prefer not to have photos of their kids on the internet...)
This post features on the South African Carnival of Homeschool Bloggers where South African home schoolers share experiences, ideas, philosophies and much more. You can join the carnival too by heading to the South African Carnival of Homeschool Bloggers sign up page. In the meantime, head to the Hayes family where the carnival is hosted this week. We hope you enjoy the carnival as much as we have!
Friday Co-op
As many of you know, we're part of a co-op (homeschool jargon for families meeting together to learn co-operatively, or working together), and today's focus was a tea party, set in the 1930's. Lady J hosted it, and it was just lovely - the kids and the moms really getting into the spirit of things...
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| an impressive table hey? And set at kids height, they all sat on cushions - a feast fit for a king! |
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| Aragorn's costume |
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| Belle's dress |
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| The clan |
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| Young Misses |
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| I was pleased to sneak in a photo of miss J here! Don't these girls just look lovely? |
And now for the lads, the masters, the gangsters!
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| King Arthur DID NOT like the hat! |
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| a gangster look?! |
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| the food... and master T |
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| Aragorn and I |
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| Lady S and Miss P |
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| Lady J sharing etiquette for High Tea |
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| the feast (ahem, the food was really good enough to warrant this many photos of it!) |
Tag :
co-op,
