Favorite co-op classes for elementary -

[Shellydon]

Can you tell me some of your favorite co-op classes for elementary, including Kinder? I am trying to get some ideas for our co-op next year.

 

Thank you!

[fhjmom]

My kids' favorites at our co-op are the LEGO technology classes and the cooking classes. We also have an art teacher (owns her own studio and gives private art lessons) that comes in and does art classes, but those cost a little more than the parent-led classes. When DD was in first grade, they did an "Around the World" class for K/1st that "visited" different countries (2 weeks per country). We colored the flag, found it on the map, did a craft, read a story, tasted food, learned songs or did other activities/games associated with each one. The kids seemed to like that.

[celticmom]

My dd7's favorite so far is P.E. She has also enjoyed recorder and folk dancing.

[GailV]

At our co-op the 3rd-5th graders really like the SOTW class. They're doing Early Modern Times this year, and will do Modern Age next year (next year will be aimed more at 4th -6th, I think).

 

The same group also enjoys science, which is lots of hands-on demos and experiments. And in the afternoon they have a drama class that's quite popular -- lots of improv, and some script work.

 

Younger kids, K-2, have simpler classes -- for science they go on nature walks, plant beans, make simple projects like volcanoes. They do art. They have a lot of free play time. They also do "drama", although I've no clue what that entails at that age.

 

Both groups have other classes, but I think those are the most popular.

 

We're thinking about next year combining science with math, and having math games as a regular part of the class.

[Sarah CB]

We've got a great K-2 group. One of my favourite classes of theirs is Arty Science. They explore science through experiments and artwork. It's creative and fun. They also have junior literature, PE, centers, and music. Last term they did a Community Workers class where we had different people from the community come in. They met police, toured the car and even watched them pull over someone for speeding. They had a tow truck guy come and show them his tow truck - he was talking about drinking and driving being a cause for accidents and my 6 year old piped up, "My mom drinks and drives all the time!" Coffee. They had a paramedic come with an ambulance and each kid got to ride in the ambulance and sound the sirens. Firemen came with a truck as well. That was a pretty cool class.

[Shellydon]

We've got a great K-2 group. One of my favourite classes of theirs is Arty Science. They explore science through experiments and artwork. It's creative and fun. They also have junior literature, PE, centers, and music. Last term they did a Community Workers class where we had different people from the community come in. They met police, toured the car and even watched them pull over someone for speeding. They had a tow truck guy come and show them his tow truck - he was talking about drinking and driving being a cause for accidents and my 6 year old piped up, "My mom drinks and drives all the time!" Coffee. They had a paramedic come with an ambulance and each kid got to ride in the ambulance and sound the sirens. Firemen came with a truck as well. That was a pretty cool class.

 

This looks like something I could put together! Thanks!

[momofkhm]

My favorites to sign my elementary kid up for are PE. But if you are teaching be aware that elementary ages have vast ranges of skills. I did a field day games. I ended up with 16 kids and only 2 girls. No biggie there, but it never occurred to me I'd have to teach someone how to dribble a basketball. It makes complete sense now that a 5 yo may not have seen one but at the time I was floored! Then I had other students who could shoot baskets better than I could. This was a K-2nd class.

[laughing lioness]

choir, art, science, gym. Group and messy stuff.

[Shellydon]

Thanks ladies! I am trying to figure out something I could actually teach. Wish I was gifted in music!

[datgh]

I am using God's World News magazine for middleschoolers at our coop this year. The magazine comes in several different levels geared to different age groups. They even send you the lessons every week so you don't have to spend hours putting your class together. http://www.gwnews.com I have totally enjoyed teaching with it.

[laughing lioness]

Thanks ladies! I am trying to figure out something I could actually teach. Wish I was gifted in music!

 

Younger kids are pretty forgiving and love using sticks, and other percussion instruments. Our music teacher uses a lot of the Wee Sing books for the younger grades, songs with hand movements - they love it. I say, go for it!

Or crafts. Our younger grades all do crafts with an art purpose. My kids LOVE art class. Color mixing, simple drawing, etc.

[Shellydon]

Thanks so much for all the ideas everyone!

[2_girls_mommy]

Kinderbach... a video music/piano program. Each child brought their own keyboard, even toy ones worked for the beginning of the program. Anyone could watch with the kid and print the worksheets and work the kiddos with this program.

 

Sign language class using Signing Times videos. Basically they watched the videos and practiced together. Yes, I could have done it at home, but I didn't. It was nice that this was in my 5 yrs old's schedule each week. Very age appropriate.

 

Dr. Seuss unit study type class. The teacher did a different book and activity each week. It was wonderful. She was able to cover so many different things around Dr. S. books. This was by far the best K class my dd ever had.

 

P.E.

 

Art

[Shellydon]

The Dr. Seuss sounds wonderful!!! I'll have to look around the web and see if anyone has lesson plans on that.

[hsbeth]

Our co-op uses Meet the Masters for art. 1 class period is spent studying the artist and a few of his techniques. Week 2 they make a similar painting/art work. You can add some research at home and our memory work of famous paintings depending on whether your group model includes homework during the week.

 

We also use A Reason for Science (doing labs at co-op) and having kids answer follow up questions during the week in conjunction with some projects.

 

We also do a part year geography class. Each age group covers a certain continent. If they do 5 years they've covered basically everything. Younger grades do easier ones (2nd does Australia/Antarctica, then South America, the Africa, then Europe, and finally Asia).

 

Another group I know of does a states/capitals class. State specific history might be another good option.

[Shellydon]

Our co-op uses Meet the Masters for art. 1 class period is spent studying the artist and a few of his techniques. Week 2 they make a similar painting/art work. You can add some research at home and our memory work of famous paintings depending on whether your group model includes homework during the week.

 

We also use A Reason for Science (doing labs at co-op) and having kids answer follow up questions during the week in conjunction with some projects.

 

We also do a part year geography class. Each age group covers a certain continent. If they do 5 years they've covered basically everything. Younger grades do easier ones (2nd does Australia/Antarctica, then South America, the Africa, then Europe, and finally Asia).

 

Another group I know of does a states/capitals class. State specific history might be another good option.

 

 

Thanks!

[ScoutTN]

We haven't been able to do one yet, but the classes that would interest me are things I cannot do (or do well) at home or by definition require a group.

 

Art

Drama

Foreign language taught by a native speaker.

P.E. - An actual structured class which teaches skills and games, not just active play time.

 

 

I am not interested in giving up history or science at this point - those are our super fun things and I love getting to teach them. But most co-ops here do offer one or the other.