"Coop or not? Why or why not?" People would think we were talking chickens for this week's home school post. That's extreme home schooling right there.
So, co-operative education or not? Why or why not?
Short answer: "No. My kids are too young."
That being said, youth is the only reason I haven't done any co-ops. I love the idea of a co-op. It is the opportunity for each person to shine in their strengths and talents for the good of others.
If you couldn't tell by yesterday's post, I love history. I love making history come alive. I would love to teach a junior and senior high school history course. It would totally stretch me, and be my element. Timelines, mythology, classics, biographies, and cartography...
I think a co-op would also be very beneficial for the sciences and lab work. Someone who love dissecting and blowing things up, supervising a bunch of students. That would be awesome. Though, that person would not be me. I've never dissected anything, and I have no intention of starting.
Or what about the higher maths? Algebra 1 and 2, Calculus, and Geometry. I did okay in algebra and geometry, and actually got pretty good at it teaching it to the next couple siblings under me. But, it isn't my passion or love. Someone understands math much better than I.
Art. If you have read me for more than a month, you probably have heard me say that I am not an artist. I am trying to learn a new skill set, but really, it isn't my cup of tea. But, I am blessed to be surrounded with artists. And, for the past 2 years, I have organized an art day for home schoolers, bringing in some local talent to teach drawing techniques, painting, sculpture, and origami. It has been well received, and I am already contemplating another go at it this fall.
The other area I have considered using a co-op is foreign language, particularly Spanish. We have a couple friends who are fluent in Spanish, being from Latin America and Spain respectively. I can't teach my kids Spanish. I could get them a Spanish course. But, I think it would be more affective for them to learn from and converse with a Spanish speaker.
I have seen something floating around FB and Pinterest about "We've seen the village, and we don't want it raising our children." While I appreciate the sentiment behind that, I don't completely agree. Actually, my most popular post for a while was It Takes a Village. I am willing to admit I don't know everything, and that my kids need the influence and gifts of others to enrich their lives.
BMV will be in 6th grade this fall. It is almost time to start contemplating some co-operative education. This is something I will be praying about. And if you are a homeschooler in my neck of the woods, I may be approaching you about what we can work together on.
Do you use co-ops or coops? Will you ever?
For more why's and why not's on co-ops, check out
Chareen
Hwee
Nicole
Erin
Julie
Savannah
Lucinda
