How Our Homeschool Co-op Got Started and How it Works

This post is in response to several people that have approached me lately about wanting to know how homeschooling co-ops work and how to start one. I hope this post answers most of your questions and inspires you to start one.

Homeschooling August 2013 Part 1

Montessori Mathematics: Number Rods

  

Number Rods  (info taken from this wonderful site: click here)** Personal Note: I also use the extension that you can see in the second picture, the one with the number tiles. It is super simple for him now that he can count up to 100+, but it is still a good and quick practice activity.

Montessori Culture (Geography): Land, Air, and Water

First, we reviewed the differences between land, water and air. 

We talk about why they are all important for life. 

Then, I open the envelope with living things and K sorts them out (animals that are in air, water and land).

After that, we clean up and I open the envelope with methods of transportation and K sorts them out (airplanes, helicopters, etc go by Air, boats, ships, canoes, etc go by Water, cars, trains, trucks, etc go by Land).

Desk Work

Reading and sight word practice

Gym Co-op: 

Ballet for girls, sports for boys and developmental activities for tots

I have started a Kombucha brew. It is a much (MUCH) slower process than water kefir, but I am hoping it'll be well worth it. I am now working on rehydrating the scoby in black tea, sugar and vinegar (to balance the pH).

A wonderful anniversary present and the kids' first sleepover

My friend, Stephanie, was so sweet and gracious to offer to watch my kids OVERNIGHT so hubby and I could go out on a date to celebrate our 5-year wedding anniversary! She's such a generous soul!

Hubby and I had fun going to dinner to a fancy restaurant. The food was delicious. Then we went to see a movie. We hadn't been to a movie (just the 2 of us) since before K was born (that's 3.5+ years)!

Needless to say, we needed that. And like that wasn't enough, we got to stay up late and enjoy some cheesecake and sleeping in without someone waking us up (another first for us). 

And now for the kids: they got to hang out a friends' house, ate dinner, played, watched a movie, slept over, had breakfast there and played some more. It was a great experience all-around, I'd say. Definitely owe Stephanie...big time! :)