co-op class ideas needed for pre-K-2nd « SCM Discussion Forum: Charlotte Mason Method Homeschooling

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co-op class ideas needed for pre-K-2nd

(13 posts) (5 voices)

Started 1 year ago by my3boys
Latest reply from my3boys

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my3boys
Member

So, I am a member of a hs group that is not CM. We support all methods/styles, etc. and offer co-op classes taught by the mom's (one dad). I wanted to do something for my own kids to pass the time in the morning for about an hour or so (CM style) and it evolved into a full on class. Okay, that's fine, but now I'm at a loss as to what I can do with 15 kids. I will have 1-2 moms to assist (maybe more), it's for 1 hour, we have access to a classroom and a large lawn area. I wanted to read some books that I would like my own kids to hear, spend time outdoors, have a simple snack, listen to music, sing, dance, etc., but I need help with ideas...

I would like it to be something I would've done with my own kids (8 and 4 1/2) at home and compromise my own goals for our homeschool, but at the same time consider the other kids' needs as well.

FYI, I know a few families that are interested in the CM method (I know one that used the method in the way past with her oldest daughter, but not anymore), but for the most part I'm on my own so I'm not going to have any success in asking anyone from the group. It's funny cause I know now what to do with my own kids (pretty much), but have hit a road block with a group. I did write up a brief description of the class and it sounded good, but now I'm starting to panic...

Plus, how long should I expect 4-8 yo to focus on a story?? Should I stop before they get antsy or expect them to listen to this great story that I have to offer, lol??

It's late and I'm getting lost in my question. Thank you in advance for your replies.

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
CoastalCarol
Member

What about activities based on Aesop's Fables? Homeschool Share is a good place to get ideas.

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/aesop.php

One other suggestion: Omit the snack. If the class is only 1 hour long, they shouldn't need one. I think it will only complicate your planning and make it more expensive too.

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
my3boys
Member

I meant to say that I have some ideas, but putting it in a structured format is what I'm lacking (got it with my kids, but not other's). And, it was suppose to say that I did not want to compromise my homeschool goals:)

Thank you for the suggestions, I think I just visited that site this morning, I will check it again. I'll speak with my co-teacher on the snack thing and see what she says. Maybe just keep it for a special time like holidays:)

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
admnt
Member

We have a poetry in the park group that meets bi-weekly. Here is the schedule of what we do and what each entails.

1. Poetry reading: Each child reads a poem of their choice.

2. Hymn study: Each quarter we study a new hymn.

3. Folk song study: Changes every quarter and the kids love this! We have been singing Farewell to Nova Scotia, my kids sing it all the time!

4. Artist Study: New artist each quarter, and a new picture every week. The kids observe the painting for a few minutes and then flip it over and describe what they saw or found intersting.

5. Nature study: Again new every quarter, this quarter is insects, last quarter was birds... We pick a different bird or insect to study every week that we meet. Then the kids paint/sketch what they learn about into their nature journals. The younger children read a story about whatever topic we are studying and do a simple craft. Hope this helps!

Angela

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
Sonya Shafer
SCM Team

Do you have Karen Andreola's new book, Lessons at Blackberry Inn? The main character teaches a group of children in her home using CM methods, and you might get some ideas from that chapter.

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
my3boys
Member

Oooh, thank you for the ideas. I must add that I am leading the little ones one week then my co-teacher the next so I am trying to see that we are on the same page, so to speak, for our sake and that of the kids:) On the week that I'm not there (but my kids are) I have to be okay with whatever she decides to do and how. I think she is open to my suggestions (probably hoping that I will have most of it planned, she's teaching another class), but she is not CM. But, I think that she will be okay with whatever I have thought up.

Also, I still wanted to know what I should expect from these little ones. Leading kids from different homes is one thing all by itself but since (or if) they aren't CM I don't want to step on their toes, but not compromise the classes focus. I did describe the class as CM style so I guess those who don't know what that means will ask and those who read that portion and signed up anyway must've been okay with it. What do you all think??

Thanks so much for your comments; I appreciate the help.

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
my3boys
Member

Just wanted to get this back in the front incase anyone had anymore ideas as how to do a CM style class with a group of kids 4-8 who are possibly not using the CM method at home. How do I structure 1 hour of lessons/activities?? Like I mentioned before, I have it pretty well figured out for my own kids, but not sure about a group of kids.

I suppose it would be different or not so confusing for me if I was a part of a CM style homeschool group, but currently that is not availble to me, and I do like the group:)

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
botanicalbecky
Member

Have you thought about maybe a nature study type of thing? The thing is, you have a whole hour to fill, and CM advocates short lessons, which for 4-8 year olds is only like 10-15 minutes I'm thinking. What do you do with the rest of the time? I'm just thinking if you can get them outside, get them to start looking around, that might take longer than a "traditional" lesson. CM seemed to be less about "activities" than to provide opportunities. You mentioned that you will trade weeks with the other teacher, so maybe one week you do nature study and the next week read a couple of living books - maybe encourage them to act out the story, etc. I don't know, just throwing some ideas out there . Let us know what you decide to do and how it all turns out! Becky

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
my3boys
Member

Thank you for your suggestion, Becky. We do have a large lawn area available to us and I did point out in my description of the class that I wanted to incorporate outdoor time as much as possibe, have short lessons, and read living books:)

I set this class up (if you want to call it that) for my own kids to have something to do during this hour of co-op time where there aren't as many kids there (9-10am). I planned on it being something that I was going to do for my kids to meet our homeschool goals, then it morphed into a full fledged class, yikes!! I'm happy to do it, I guess I just want the parents to find the value in "opportunities," as you mentioned, and not have their eyes set on "acivities." I think they'll be okay with whatever I do. How can you go wrong with good books and outdoor time, right??

Thank you for your ideas. I've been writing them all down so I have something to give the other mom for the alternate week.

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
botanicalbecky
Member

Sorry about that - after I posted my reply I went back and re-read your original post and realized I didn't offer you anything new but only repeated what you said you were doing. How embarassing. I think you have a better handle on this class than you realize! Good luck with it! Becky :)

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
botanicalbecky
Member

And you are absolutely right - you CAN'T go wrong with good books and outdoor time!!

Just wondering here, for conversation's sake, what kinds of books are you planning on reading - meaning, general literature-just-for-fun, or are you going to cover a period of history, or will they be "science" based?

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
my3boys
Member

I haven't decided on the focus, yet.

I have undiagnosed ADD, lol, and am all over the place with ideas. I need to decide on what I want to cover for my own two little ones that I would've covered at home. I'm dying to read more science living books with them and start a nature study/sketch book, but I didn't want to leave my oldest out and was planning that for Fridays in my own home. I guess we would still our Fridays and Mondays would just be extra. We could always have that as our focus in the good weather and move on to something else in the ugly weather. There are so many science living books I want to cover with my kids but there are several science classes offered through this group; not CM style, that's why I didn't sign my kids up for any of them.

Also, there are several "literature-just-for-fun" books that I want my kids to have read to them, poetry, too:) Not sure about how "long" I want the books to be, either. I thought if they were "two sittings worth" that that would be enough for a group of kids at this age. I love to read books to my kids that take several days/weeks to digest and we usually have several going at one time (I'm sure you can relate), but not sure if other parents in my group will see it the same way. We'll see:)

I have until Sept. 13th to get my plan together and have already begun to figure things out, like posting here for advice:) I am a planner, but I wouldn't say I'm the most organized person ever born, but I don't like to be unprepared for my kids or anyone else's. I am in the process of purging all of my textbook type clutter from my home and my goal is to be as ready as I can for the new school year and that means this class, too. Yeah for me, huh??

I so appreciate you ladies for taking time away from your families to help a total stranger. God Bless You:)

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
my3boys
Member

Oh, and I wanted to ask, for conversation's sake, if any of you find it best for certain subjects/topics to just keep for your family only?? I have found that there are certain things that are acceptable as a group (karate, park days, etc.) and some that best done as a family/individual. I have been on field trips and the such that seemed great for the social aspect but not so great for what was available to mull over and spend time with.

Does that make sense?? Maybe I'm just being too picky these days? Does anyone else ever feel this way and have had to make changes to benefit your family?? I did with the co-op this year. I feel good about it, but didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I did let some people know that if a class that was offered didn't meet a goal of our's then we weren't going to sign up. I still made sure that my kids were kept in the loop and will have plenty of opportunities to build relationships, but didn't want to do a class that was too far off the beaten path...

Hope that makes sense:)

Posted 1 year ago # Report Post

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