Jul. 26, 2007
Homeschool Co-op Ideas...mostly for boys
Posted in HOME SWEET HOMESCHOOL
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We have a wonderful co-op that continues to grow, and grow...so much so, that we have a limit on it now of 250 students...and a HUGE waiting list! The girls classes were plentiful (sewing, quilting, knitting), but the boys classes were not...and boys don't want to sit and be lectured to, so I am usually a "boy class" teacher. Last school year, I taught a year long class "Hands-on Challenge" based on the science activities from the PBS show Zoom. Here is the link:
We built a suspension bridge, marshmallow shooters, balloon brains, egg drops, a geodesic dome, and more. I told them what we were making and gave a short lesson on what the activity was about...engineering, senses, chemistry, etc. and how it applies to real life. I had only planned on it being a semester class, but the children LOVED it, and wanted it another semester.
Other ideas:
Astronomy-using Apologia's Astronomy by Jeannie Fulbright
Notebook pages available here: http://www.jeanniefulbright.com/Notebook.html
Blood and Guts Science-using Blood and Guts: A Working Guide to Your Own Insides by Linda Allison. Now this is not a Christian book, so you will have to weed out what is inappropriate, but for the most part, the book looks really good. Each chapter is about a part of the body, it has a reading section, and then simple projects to do.
Geography-using the Beautiful Feet Geography guide and Holling C. Holling books.
Supplemental sites:
Science-using Lyrical Life Science or God's Design Science series...I like these books because they are small enough to cover in a once a week co-op setting
AIG class-using any of the Answers in Genesis material
Shop or Woodworking-A Dad comes in and teaches this class (we had it where a different Dad came in each week and taught on a subject of their choosing (this limits the amount of time that any Dad HAS to take off. My husband did simple motors...and the boys made these simple motors that ran...cost us a pretty penny, but the boys LOVED it! He also did a week of auto maintenance. Another Dad did archery and then gun safety and cleaning...this Dad was a Game Warden)
Science Fair Class-my best friend taught this, and the class time was where she helped them with their project and their board for the science fair. The students brought in their own project material. Check this site for project ideas and setting up the boards: http://www.sciencebuddies.com/
Here is a few (HA!) more ideas for co-op classes for boys (and girls):
1. Robotics using the Lego Robotics kits
2. Mavis Beacon Typing/Beginning Computer
Ok, these require computers, and not all co-ops are set-up with 2 computer labs like we are...btw, all our equipment has been donated by individuals or companies, so there is hope for those just starting co-ops!
3. Art appreciation/history
4. Music appreciation/history
5. Heroes of History (what boy doesn't love heroes?)
6. Heroes of the Faith
7. Principles of Design (K'nex, Legos, Marbleworks)
8. Learning Games
9. Fitness/PE
10. Photography/Yearbook
11. Colonial History
12. Pioneer History (this strikes me more enjoyable for a boy)
13. Considering God's Creation science
14. The Magic School Bus Science
15. Destruction! (taking apart old appliances and such...you would not believe what they can learn from this! This will help boys learn what is on the inside of things)
16. Financial Peace/Economics
17. Public Speaking
18. Test Prep
19. Story of the World History
20. Critical Thinking
21. Current Events-God's World News and local newspaper
22. Lifeskills (cooking, cleaning, survival, wilderness, first aid)
23. specific State History or States History
24. American Government
25. Mock Trial
26. Shakespeare for Kids
27. Drawing with Draw-Write-Now (Drawing, handwriting, and science/history all in one!)
28. Band...we actually have a homeschool dad that used to be a public school band director
29. US Presidents (dover has some good coloring books for this)
30. Journalism (we couldn't get this one off the ground, both years only 1 newspaper out)
31. Native Americans
32. Backyard Ballistics (ohhhh...not me!)
33. Christian Worldview
34. Sign Language
35. Contenders for the Faith class
36. Community Helpers/Careers (get people from the community to come in and describe their jobs...we did this for a year at our co-op, and we had some real interesting people...helicopter pilot landed in the parking lot, EMT's with an ambulance, Cook's Pest Control man...with bugs in tow (ewwww), vets, farms, etc.)
Here is the site for our homeschool co-op classes...although they don't have the fall co-op class schedule up yet...check back in August for a look at our new classes.
Article on our co-op...although it isn't completely correct, but then the girl writing the article was a new journalist! LOL http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/livingtoday/070309/homeschool.shtml
Whew! I do this brainstorming of co-op ideas every year...talk about the use of creative juices! :)
God bless, Traci Boyd in Alabama <>< Joyful Wife to Sean Thankful Homeschooling MOMY to Hunter, Payton Nicole, Courtney, Logan, Noah, Emma, and Katelyn Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow For children grow up, we've learned to our sorrow, So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby, cause babies don't keep. |
Comments
Jul. 26, 2007 - Great Ideas!
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Posted by Aug. 18, 2007 - Great Ideas!!
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