Hey there, I'm trying to get some ideas here... I am pondering if I should start a co-op in our local area... we have many hybrid schooling options (shared school) and a local area CC... but NO independent co-ops. I think there is room and need for one. Some questions I have... What is covered in your co-op curriculum/subjects? Are there subjects or classes you wish were covered? How often do you meet and for how long (hours)? Do you pay for the service? If so, how much? Where do you meet? (a church, school. community center?) Is it a drop off or parent participated program? And what would you prefer? What is done to manage non-school aged siblings? Have you encountered problems while attending? How could those be avoided? What's the best thing about it in your experience? Are there other things you think I need to know?

Does anyone use software to organize their co-ops? Something that would help the leader of the co-op create a schedule with who is teaching what and in what room? It would need to allow multiple teachers to be assigned to a room at a single time. Does such a creature exist?

We're just wrapping up our first year of homeschooling in the Bronx. This first year we tried some things we liked; we started to get into a rhythm. There is more we want to do next year. But one of the things we definitely want to do is connect on a regular basis with other Christian homeschooling families. We have been part of a huge association of NYC homeschoolers this year (NYCHEA). Mostly we joined them for field trips. But my children are craving more regular interaction with one group of children their own age, and for me, I am looking for a Christian group. Does anyone have any suggestions of how I could try to make this happen for my family next year? Thanks for your help.

I may be teaching/facilitating a High School Literature class this upcoming school year (second semester) for a co-op I am joining. I have never done this before so I would love some feedback on how you all would run a class like this. I know that we will likely read about 10 books. The younger class is going to read their books, discuss them in class and write a paper once a week. I think this sounds like a good model but I really need some resources to help guide me through the process. What books would you choose? My daughter said she would like some books in they style of Fahrenheit 451 or one she read recently, The Rifle. What would you do in class? Discussions? Lectures? Written Assignments? Other? Would you include written assignments? Do you know of any resources you think I should look in to?

I'm hoping to start an ongoing thread to gather info for Twin Cities co-ops, social groups, or other info helpful to Twin Cities homeschoolers. I'm interested in South Metro specifically, but feel free to post other Twin Cities or Minnesota info. To get us started, I'll post what I know! There are Classical Conversations groups in a number of local Twin Cities communities (I'm aware of Hastings, Prior Lake, Savage, Chaska and Northfield because those pertained to me, but there are others). Contact: http://www.classicalconversations.com/. ECHO-MN Yahoo! Group is the best source of South metro info I have found thus far. http://www.echo-mn.org/blogengine/page/Yahoo-Group.aspx South Metro Co-Ops: Hedfex http://www.hedfex.org KNEEL http://kneelco-op.org/ Helping Other Parents Educate (HOPE) http://www.homeschool-life.com Please say hello and chime in with what you know! Thanks!

We are new to HSing, we have a DS, 10 and DD, 4. We just pulled out DS this year, gifted but also ADHD inattentive (ADD). Daughter is in 1/2 day PK b/c of vision impairment. I was wondering, for those who have been doing this a while...how do you get to a state of balance? I really, REALLY, think I need to know. We have a full curric for DS and also have been supplementing to enrich. He is methodical and takes a little longer, but really loves to learn and will put in the time. We put most time in when DD is at PK 5 afternoons a week (just 3 hours, plus bus), but he also works on his own on assignments, projects, and reading. We have done 2 co-ops all year. We wanted to do this to continue giving him classroom experience. One I've just been helping in the PK group, the other I teach 1-2 classes each session for the olders. We also have a 3rd co-op which is a morning preschool playgroup. This is our 3rd year with the group and it is a very laid-back group. Son comes and works on his own during this time. I think I'm a little stressed, we are also leading Cub Scout den and dad is coaching travel soccer. We also take care of a lot for my mom who is in her 80s, financial and medical. I've felt a little tight on energy all year, but have really felt pinched the last couple of months. I'm also getting a little impatient with some of the other kids at the co-ops who run a bit wild. My last class last week it almost seemed like the kids didn't have a strong curiosity, they just wanted to get through. I don't want to give up co-ops, I think they are wonderful in many ways -- but should I scale back to basics a bit? I really don't care for having to keep other kids in line in a class (running, messing around) -- time is so precious I feel if they don't want to learn they shouldn't be there, or their parents should be there to monitor them in class. I also feel like this limits how much our DS can learn in these groups--this isn't what I want at all. So, how do you ever manage to find out what works for you, and cover al the bases? Please, any suggestions would be much welcomed. Oh, and my house looks a bit like a tornado has come through it. Actually, we did have a flood last fall which caused significant damage as we were just starting HS year. And my mom and DD have had some health issues to address. Again, any suggestions or magic wands to make things smoother would be much appreciated! Amy

We're loving Classical Writing. Next year, I'd like to teach it at a co-op -- apparently writing is the one subject that befuddles many of my hs friends. Have you done this? If so, how did you organize it? What did you do in class, and what did you leave for homework? Any advise would be much appreciated.

I am considering joining a new co-op that is forming. The person in charge is someone from my homeschool group that we occasionally go on field trips with. I would be required to teach, if not during the first semester, than during the second. I'm strongest at grammar, but not really sure what curriculum would work well with a co-op environment. I was thinking that maybe WWE would work. Has anyone tried this? If so, how did you compensate for that fact that different children will most likely be at different levels? Here's what I'm using next year with my own kids: WWE, GWG, Sequential Spelling, SOTW, R.E.A.L. Science, Math Mammoth, McRuffy Phonics and Reading, MUS, Alpha Omega Lifepac Bible. None of those that I would feel comfortable teaching in a group scream co-op to me. Any other suggestions?

Oops....It looked like I wanted to talk about chickens....I wanna talk about groups of children getting together:-) 1. I'd love to hear what types of co-ops everyone is involved in 2. How often they meet, 3. How many weeks and about how much they charge. 4. What ages does the co-op serve? If you're in charge..that'd be cool to know to:-) And, if there's a website to look at, I'd like that, too! :-) I've thought about some different kinds: A.... Veritas Press Co-op Omnibus for the olders with Veritas Press... Living Memory Co-op (LLC centered??) Living Math Co-op Living Science Co-op SOTW Co-op Social/Interactive Co-op (no...to almost no... academics) Thanks! Carrie:-) I'd love to hear about what you love/hate...

Do you attend a co-op? What are your thoughts and feelings for belonging to the group? Do you live in a big city, small town etc? Is your choice more for academics or socialization? What has made your co-op great or terrible?

Co-op Campus Discipline Policies/Spankings? I would love some feedback about discipline policies at your co-ops, especially in relation to spankings. Do you permit mothers to do as they need to do in private or do you have a "no spanking on campus" policy ? I realize that many churches have policies in place that don't permit this even among workers/volunteers with their own children Does this affect your co-op, if so, how?

Hey There, So, we love CC, but want to do a side subject for co-op with another couple/few families. I'd love to know which subjects and/or programs you have tried...that work for you. I'm open to any grades for ideas, but my children are in 1st and 6th next year.