Homeschool Co-op

Included here is all of the information that I have written for running a homeschool co-op. We meet once a week at our church from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the cost per student per year is $25 per student (for supplies). Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Table of contents

• Mission Statement
• Registration Form
• Class Descriptions
• Adult Responsibilities
• Discipline Policy
• Evaluation

The mission for this group is to exalt the Lord in both the teaching given our children and the relationships which exist with the children and amongst ourselves as parents.

Our goal for our school-age children is to provide opportunities afforded by a classroom setting. This includes:

• giving them a consistent means of interacting with a group of children and teachers,
• teaching them the necessity and blessing of respecting authority,
• encouraging and re-enforcing the character traits of attentiveness, cooperation, and responsibility,
• providing activities that would otherwise be impractical if not impossible to do at home,
• providing opportunities for monthly field trips through the support group, and
• instructing them in unit studies which integrate different curriculum areas such as language arts, math, science, social studies, art music, and life skills.

Additional Information

Parents' Name(s)_______________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________________

City / State / Zip_______________________________________________

Phone Number___________________ E-mail________________________

Names of children under the age of 2 years who will be attending the nursery:

Questions, Comments or Concerns:

Our elementary classes average 6 students per class, with grades K through 4th grade for the 1998-99 school year. Classes are taught by moms in one-month blocks. Some of the classes that have been taught in the past are:

• Health and Safety
• French
• German
• Ceramics
• Sign Language
• Drama
• Outdoor Skills
• Music
• Art
• Science Detectives
• Literature-based Cooking
• Countries of the world
• Physical Education
• Transportation

Note: There is a 30 minute physical education class and snack time scheduled within the 2-hour time block.

Hostess Responsibilities

1. Provide a small snack and drink for all classes and moms.
2. Separate snacks for each class
3. Pour drinks and place cups on trays with snacks.
4. Supervise any kitchen clean-up.

Nursery Coordinator

1. Maintain order in the nursery.
2. Announce clean-up time (about 11:15).
3. Oversee clean-up. (This does not mean do it yourself.)

   • Toys and equipment are to be disinfected and put away as directed by the church.
   • Tables are to be wiped after snacks.
   • Floor is to be swept if necessary.

4. Turn off the lights.

Overseer

1. Be the person "in charge" for the day.
2. Make sure the church is left like we found it.
3. Empty the garbage.
4. Turn off the lights.
5. Be the last one to leave.

Teachers

1. Plan for class time, preparing for projects/activities.
2. Take your class to their scheduled Phy. Ed. class.
3. Dismiss the children.

As a cooperative school it is important to teach our children not only the subject but also how to behave in a classroom setting. The students should quietly walk and not run down the halls, they should not run about the classrooom, or talk out of turn, etc. The following is to be a common guideline for all teachers to follow:

If a child is not following instructions, being disruptive, or generally causing problems, follow the following steps in order:

1. Quietly correct the child. Do not ostracize or embarrass the child in front of the other children.
   
   
   • e.g. "John, you need to come and sit with the rest of the children and work on our project."
     
     
2. If the behavior continues, take the child aside or out in the hall and talk to them.
   
   
   • e.g. "John, it is very important that you follow the rules. That is part of being in our co-op, so that everyone can have a good experience. Do you think you can do that?"
     
     
3. If the child continues their behavior, please have the helper bring the child to the mom, if possible. Sometimes a word from mom or a few "time out" minutes will be all that is needed. If the mom is not available, I believe the best option is to either:
   
   
   1. Get through the rest of the class and talk to the mom and/or the administrator after class.
      
      
   2. Bring the child up to the nursery and one of the moms will supervise a "time out" or keep him/her for the remainder of the class time.
      
      
4. Chronic disruptive behavior will be dealt with on a case to case basis with the parent and administrator(s) developing a plan of action.
   
   

A closing thought:

• Part of the beauty of a co-op setting like ours is that we, as moms, are present most of the time, and can and should be involved if our child is having difficulties.

Please answer the following questions regarding your experience with the preschool/kindergarten co-op this past year. If you are like me, you would probably like to conveniently misplace this form, but please take a minute and fill it out. Your input is very valuable and most appreciated. Thanks!

Please rate each of the following:

Suggestions for next year?

Comments/Questions/Concerns?

Thank-you for investing in the lives of our children!

Name (optional) _______________________________

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