Homeschool Co-op End of Semester
5/14/2019
We have once again come to the end of a semester of our homeschool co-op.
This semester was different in a few ways. First, my oldest daughter (age 15) opted to sit this semester out. She stayed home and did her usual school work while the rest of us participated in co-op. She quickly found out that she missed co-op and was very bored by herself at home and has decided to rejoin co-op for the fall semester. I'm glad!
Secondly, this was my first semester in a new role at co-op. I had previously served as the Treasurer for our group, but began as a Co-Director this semester. I have learned a lot more about the behind-the-scenes planning that takes place to make co-op so great! Working alongside two other gals, I was able to be a part of the initial planning of meetings, overseeing the computerized class registration process, laying out the schedule for every kid and every mom to know where to be all 4 hours, helping make morning announcements, filling in wherever help was needed, taking pictures throughout the semester, and helping to plan the final program. This was a growing experience, for sure!
For my kids, this was another great co-op semester. My oldest son was in Gym, Nerf War, Christian Heroes, and Creatures that Defy Evolution.
He had to do a presentation on the Christian Hero of his choosing. He chose John Bunyan. We read some books about him and researched together, creating a posterboard. This was his first ever presentation in front of a class. He did well! Here he is with some visual aids he used - a copy of Pilgrim's Progress and a Lego scene with John Bunyan in jail.
My 5-year-old participated in K-1 classes this semester. She took Gym, Art, ABC Show & Tell, and Cook & Book. She enjoyed all of her classes. Here she is showing the page of her ABC book for the letter S with her drawing of our bird Skittles and a sunshine.
Here she is with a little cake she decorated in art class.
Her favorite part of co-op is being with her good friend Addy!
My 3-year-old moved up to PreSchool this semester. This means more structured learning time, with a focus on one community helper each week. They also play big group games in PreSchool gym, which he loved.
My littlest guy was in the nursery all 4 hours. I popped in occasionally but was not in there regularly. He handled it so well. He has no attachment issues whatsoever.
He loved the days when there were balloons to play with.
And the brave nursery leaders let the kids paint (something I'd never let him do at home). He loved that!
Our Scripture passage for this semester was Ephesians 3:14-21. "For this reason, I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you being rooted and established in love may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpassed knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
We practiced this passage each week, working to memorize it. At the end, any kids who can recite it from memory receive a small reward. So we always practice it at home as a family so even the littlest ones know some of it by heart.
We're so thankful for our co-op. It's so encouraging to see each mom using her gifts to teach or lead or facilitate or help. And I love sharing in my kids' excitement over something new they learned or a game they played or whatever. We always have to take turns in the van on the way home so each person can share what they did at co-op. So much enthusiasm and excitement. We love our co-op!
