There are often times when I think it would be nice to participate in a homeschool co-op once every few weeks. I seriously looked into it last August as a new co-op was beginning in my area, and I have looked at some in the past. What I’ve discovered has been disappointing.
There was nothing for most of my children to do but play in a nursery/preschool room for the entire half a day co-op, and at some co-ops most of my young children are not even welcome. Anyone under age 6 does not have actual classes to participate in. Why is that? Why are the classes rigidly age segregated? We love learning together as a group and 4 of my 5 children are under age 6!
We have another issue to consider for our family. Food. We live with a severe food allergy (to eggs), and any event with food has the potential for a hospital visit for us. Many times all the snacks offered at an activity are not safe for us.
The other problem I’ve found is that the co-ops never offer something we’re ready to study. Inevitably, if we are studying ancient history, the co-op offers American history. If we are doing life science the co-op has space science or physics for kids classes. Sigh. Nothing is perfect, but it always seems that we’re off schedule for classes being offered.
I have been praying about starting a co-op myself, with a group of moms I know through my church. I have investigated places we could hold said co-op. I have even looked at possible classes to offer. Nothing quite fit, as I really could not offer a large time investment to starting and running a weekly co-op.
Just this week God shifted my focus. What about a book club? A group where the babies and toddlers are just as welcome as the elementary ages. Reading aloud books is something we love to do as a family, and it is something that can include every age in the fun, including non-readers.
So I sent out an email to see if there was interest. The families I approached were not only willing, but ready to begin next week! Our plan is to read a book all month in our families. Then the first Wednesday of the next month we meet to discuss the book, maybe do a related activity, and then have snacks.
Yes, I said snacks! One of the perks to starting the book club is being able to set the rules, and one rule is that all snacks accommodate the food allergies of the children in the group. Believe it or not, our list of allergies for the group is:
- eggs
- soy
- citrus
- red dye #40
- strawberry jelly
- gluten (this one is not severe and can be eaten in limited quantities)
I am so excited! I will happily come up with snacks that avoid all those allergies. :)
Did I mention that between the 5 families that plan on participating we will have 23 children? Yes, really. Those range in age from infant to 12. There are more girls than boys, and I think we have a child in every age from infant to 12 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc), with more than one child at some of those ages. It is going to be great!
For our first meeting the kids are bringing a favorite book to show and tell, we’ll make some bookmarks, and then while the kids snack the moms will choose the first 6 books we’ll be reading. I’m working on a list of possibilities.
Do you have any favorite read aloud books to recommend? Please leave a comment or send me an email – I would love to hear from you!
14 comments:
That sounds like fun.
HOLY MOLY!!! what a great idea!!! I may borrow this and start one in my area. I run into the same problem as you do with co-ops. Thanks for the insite!!!
Leah - you are welcome! It really does seem like it will be a great solution for our family. I am so excited!!
What a super idea, Tristan. I like the alternative to the "normal" co-op. I actually think yours will be much more fun!
That sounds like so much fun!
We have a co-op here and I just looked into it for the first time this year. Our semester started in Feb. It is a great co-op from all I have heard. We belong to a homeschool support group and go on field trips with them and all the gals there rave about the co-op. My problem with the co-op is the time commitment. I just don't know if I want to devote that much time to it. We didn't sign up for this semester and the next semester starts in Sept. Which I think will interfere with our vacation. (we vacation off season, you know a perk of homeschooling! LOL).
We've been in a homeschool book club for years now. We don't run it like a book club where we all read the same book, instead we have a theme that we follow for each meeting. Then the kids present. Here's a link to our schedule this year.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kristenph/727766/
Tristan you are one smart lady! I taught Writing for 2 years to high school age homeschoolers and also chemistry 1 year.
A book club sounds like way less stress on you and more fun as well. I'm sure it will be a huge success.
That's fantastic :D I have some friends who attend a similar book club here in the UK ~ they really enjoy it :D I have some recommendations for you; 'Because of Winn Dixie' (Kate DiCamillo) & also 'THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE' by the same
http://bit.ly/bgFe7V (written in full poetic form ~ BRILLIANT!)
Pretty much anything by Michael Morpurgo,
My kids love http://bit.ly/aOmREz
Mr Poppers Penguins is going down well here atm too :D
I don't know how many in your group are Christians, but many of the Patricia StJohn books make nice cosy read alouds.
Whatever you choose, have lots of fun!!
We just started going to a book club here! It's so much fun. Very little time commitment. :) Have fun!
Great idea! A couple of our favorites:
Calico Captive
Gone Away Lake
Understood Betsy
Trumpet of the Swan
The Little Duke
Little House books
I would love to hear which six you settle on!
~Erin
"Going to sleep down on the farm" but can't remember who the author is. I am downstairs and the house is quite so I am not chancing it so maybe a library search can produce some results. The book is absolutely gorgeous (artwork) and is such a nice story. It is a well loved book around this house. Well suited for ages 8 and under but most children enjoy a good story being read to them so I don't think you will have many complaints.
Good luck with your book club. I have been really praying for a book club to be started in my area. I will be looking forward to hearing more about it.
We did this when we were in CA and the boys loved it. They read Little Britches, Treasure Island and a Little House book. Then we moved. We often had a themed party at the meeting where they discussed the book. Loads of fun. Now if I could just find some homeschoolers in my area......
What fun! I'm going to start something similar this summer: We're going to play games, do some music, read a book, and do a related art project for ours. I'm going to call it "Circle Time".
For preschoolers, don't miss the Harry the dog series (Harry the Dirty Dog, Harry by the Sea, by Gene Zion. These are my all time favorites. We also love anything by Virginia Lee Burton (The Little House, Katy and the big Snow.) For chapter books, we loved Catwings, a shorter chapter book.
I post book ideas from time to time on my blog, www.susanlemons.wordpress.com where I blog about homeschool/homepreschool. Have fun!
Blessings,
Susan Lemons
I loved the Melendy Quartet - four books about a family with four children. The first one is "The Saturdays". In this one their ages range from about 6-13. All but the very youngest will probably find them interesting. You could also have a fun discussion about what each child would do if he/she had a Saturday to himself/herself to do as they please.
Patricia Polacco has some beautiful and thought-provoking picture books that appeal to a wide range of ages.
We also love Sid Fleischman's McBroom books. The are hilarious! He of course, also wrote "The Whipping Boy".
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