Co Op Classes

[kwg]

Has anyone taught a cool co op class for 6-8 year olds? I need some ideas! I do best with a curriculum. 

 

Thanks in advance!

[TCB]

I taught a class for this age group based on the "Paddle to the Sea" book by Holling Clancy Holling. I found some lesson plans free on-line. It was fun and interesting and the kids seemed to really enjoy it. We carved a canoe out of soap as a project and the kids really enjoyed that!

[HomeAgain]

I did 4-8yos.  We focused on foundational skills through literature, using well known children's books to springboard into crafts and imaginative play where they focused on fine/gross motor skills, beginning narration, community connections, and underlying themes.  Each week I'd pick a short book and build around that: Harold and the Purple Crayon, If At First You Do Not See/The Very Hungry Caterpillar, folk tales, seasonal stories..

The main thing was that each class could stand alone (so kids weren't behind if they missed), and that the skills slowly built with lots of practice.

[knitgrl]

Not free, but I found this Paddle to the Sea study here for $4. The url has "Catholic" in it, but this literature study is not specifically Catholic. The link will take you to a description. I thought it was very well done, and would be fairly easy for you to execute.

[mschickie]

Five In a Row is a great foundation for a co-op class targeting those ages.  Our co-op has done that several times.

[Farrar]

Yes... but I've never used a curriculum, so I don't know if that's any help. Some of the best units we had around that age in co-op included American History You Wanted to Learn About, The Big Bang, Spies, Poetry, and Dinosaurs.

[Lori D.]

Similar to Farrar -- yes, I did a terrifically fun hands-on science at that age (a grade 1-3 version, and a grade 4-6 version), but it was all pulled together by me, as I don't work well from most pre-made programs. Also similar to HomeAgain, in that each class was stand-alone, with no homework, and no worries if you missed a previous class.

Art or Science have been topics that people seem to really like to have at co-op for early elementary ages. Crafts or projects that are messy or that families don't always have time to do would also be good choices for your age range. Other ideas: group games, or choir, or an unusual topic like some of those suggested above.

Edited October 29, 2018 by Lori D.

[kwg]

Thank you all so much! You have given me some great ideas! 

[Lori D.]

Ooo! Check this out: Ultimate List of Homeschool Co-Op Classes. It is divided into age ranges and every idea has a link to a book or program or lesson plan. There are plenty of ideas for early elementary ages, but some of the pre-school/kinder ideas look like they would work for your ages, too.

[Moncha]

My son participated in a class that was about farm animals which he really enjoyed. 

I never sat in but it seemed like they just picked a different animal each week... learned a  bit about them, read a picture book that included said animal, did a craft and maybe a game or activity too.

For cows.... they made butter from cream

i think they did chickens, pigs, sheep.... 

[moonflower]

I wonder if some of the TOPScience modules would be a good base for a co op class at that age.

[TheAttachedMama]

The memoria press enrichment programs might give you some ideas.   I think they could work well in a co-op.   (Maybe not all of it, but pick and choose.)

 

Another idea is the Mystery Science program. (If you have access to a screen large enough for all to see.)    I think those work well with groups.   

[rjand6more]

I am just finishing a Simple Machines class for that age group.  It was a lot of fun.  We read books, watched videos and made simple machines.

[SoCal_Bear]

I did an astronomy class for 1st to 3rd graders. They loved that class.

I also did Song School Latin which was also very much a hit for that age group.

Edited November 16, 2018 by calbear

[lmrich]

I second Song School Latin. So easy in a co op. 

How many weeks? About how many kids? And do you like projects? 

[KrissiK]

I did several years ago. We did a unit on bubbles which was fun. I used this book https://store.aimsedu.org/item/p-1209/soap-films-and-bubbles-4-9/1.html and while it says it’s for grades 4-9, there are some activities that can be used for younger kids or modified. It was a lot of fun.

[Lori D.]

How to Teach Children Art has some good info and projects that we used when DSs were grades 1-3 ages. No experience with this book, but Paint Lab for Kids says it's geared for ages 7-10, and could help flesh out How to Teach Children Art. (And if you end up needing art project ideas for older kids (grades 3-7), Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media looks great.)

How about a learning to sew with simple sewing projects class? 

books with instruction & tips
My First Hand Sewing Book
My First Sewing Book -- hand sewing

additional project ideas
Sew Can She blog: "10 Best Sewing Projects for Kids"
Dabbles & Babbles blog: "15 Fun and Easy Sewing Projects for Kids"

[knitgrl]

Art Lab for Kids is good, but definitely geared for older kids. I thought I would use it with dd a year or two ago and decided to shelve it for future use. I imagine it would work very well for 5th or 6th grade.