5 Tips to Help You Teach A Homeschool Co-Op Class
What Is A Homeschool Co-Op Class?
A Homeschool Co-Op (Co-Operative) is a method of teaching where families come together and teach each other’s children in an area of education where they are specialized. Sometimes parents feel that they are not adequate teachers in specific curricular areas (such as math or science) so they enroll their children with other homeschool parents where the parent who teaches is passionate and specialized in that subject. Sometimes the trade off is having all parents teach in order to offset the costs, however some parents pay for their kids to be in these classes.
Homeschool co-op classes are a great way to introduce topics to your children that they may not experience well with you. For example, I know that I am not gifted in robotics and engineering, so I have enrolled my son (who loves the Discovery show “BattleBots”) in a small group class where the teacher is an expert in that field. He is a father of 2 and his passion is robotics and engineering.
How do I Teach a Homeschool Co-Op Class?
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Where did it all begin?
Several years into homeschooling, I was asked to teach a homeschool co-op class for a group of about 12 mixed elementary aged kids. I had been a public school teacher in my pre-homeschooling days. In fact, I had led 25+ students day in and day out in elementary curriculum and instruction. But when I was asked to teach for a homeschool co-op, I knew the needs and wants would be completely different.
I knew that I would have unlimited creative freedom when planning for my classes. I won’t lie, the excitement and spark of creativity lit up in me knowing that I could create lessons that were completely different from what I had done in the past (you know the ones you dream about in college before you start your first teaching job:-). The public school I taught at had come to the point of scripted lessons and the whole focus was on test scores. My lessons were therefore lacking in passion and creativity.
Homeschool Co-Ops Are an Amazing Opportunity if You Love to Teach!
It has been about 5 years since I started teaching homeschool co-op classes. I have taught about 15 different co-op classes from pre-K to high school. Here are the lessons that I learned from teaching a successful homeschool co-op class.
5 Tips for Teaching a Homeschool Co-Op Class
- You need to be passionate about what you are teaching.
- Get creative and focus on hands-on lessons and learning.
- Get to know your students and what they enjoy.
- Plan out your lessons and be prepared.
- Get feedback and adjust your teaching.
BONUS TIP: HAVE FUN WITH YOUR CLASSES!
How Do I Teach a Homeschool Co-Op Class?
Once you find the Co-Op that matches your purpose and reasons for homeschooling, you will need to decide on a topic. Talking with the leader of the Co-Op and other parents as well as their children will give you some pretty good ideas. Teaching a homeschool Co-Op class will require planning and organization.
What Do You Teach in A Homeschool Co-Op?
Because I still homeschool my children, I try to set aside time to plan out my homeschool Co-op lessons so that it doesn’t take away from my kiddos. Sometimes that means getting up earlier or having dad take them out on a special date. I like to plan the entire course I will be teaching before I start so that I can have all the supplies that I need and be more organized. It also helps me know how much to charge each family so that funds don’t leave our savings account :-).
Some of the classes I have taught have been to fill a need for the families I know. For example, I have taught:
Biology, Anatomy, Marine Biology, Art History, A class on inventors, a class on rare creatures, habitats, a high school writing class, and so many others. Talking with other parents is key to figuring out what to teach.
Homeschool Co-Op Lesson Plans
When I first started teaching homeschool Co-Ops I would sketch ideas and lesson plans on scraps of paper. Organizing and planning out the lessons was not really a strong point for me. I decided to design a Homeschool Co-Op planner that I now use to completely organize and plan for an amazing class. Now everything is in one place and I am losing things less.
Planning A Homeschool Co-Op Class
Start with the big picture and the theme of your class. If you are asked to teach something specific, that will help you to narrow it down. However, if you are asked to come up with a teaching idea, survey the families that you will be working with. What are their needs? Some families really dislike teaching the sciences (that is what I have found in my years of homeschool co-op teaching), and since I absolutely love science it works out for me to teach science classes.
What is your reason for teaching?
My goal is always to try my best to get the kids I teach to be excited enough about the subject to start learning on their own. When a student (no matter the age) comes back to you before or after a class with a book about the subject you have been covering to share that they are learning more independently is what makes teaching worth it.
Or to get an email/text message with a cartoon from a high school student that relates to the subject you covered that day is the encouragement you need to keep on teaching. These are great examples of really reaching your students.
Homeschool Co-Op Lesson Planner
Are you looking for an easy way to keep organized as you plan out and teach your Co-Op class? I have created and refined a Co-Op planner that you can use to help you plan and teach your class.
Homeschool Co-Op Class Ideas- Elementary
My focus tends to be science related when teaching Co-Op Classes. However, the possiblities are endless!
Homeschool Co-Op Class options for Elementary School are:
The Science of me (anatomy for little kids), Anatomy, art classes, math games, P.E. and sports, literature studies (choose any children’s book or author), Biology, Astronomy, Ocean animals, Marine Biology, sewing, handicrafts, creative writing, and so much more.
Homeschool Co-Op Class Ideas- High School
There is such a huge variety of classes that you can teach for the high school aged student. This is the age where such deep thinking and understanding takes place. There is also an amazing opportunity to form great relationships with them and their families.
Homeschool Co-Op Class Options for High School can be:
Budgeting, cooking, adulting, life skills, finance, biology, chemistry, creative writing, creating an art portfolio, music, theater, history, and so many more.
I’ve started a local homeschooling co-op in my area. I’ve taught a stem class focused on hands on engineering and a science nature study focused on insects. Both were a hit with a wide range of ages. Thanks for the ideas 💡