Are you involved in a homeschool co-op? If not, one reason you may want to consider doing one someday because there are some classes that may be better to do in a group rather than at home. Here are just a few of the best classes to teach at a homeschool co-op.
Speech and Debate
There are several different speech and debate approaches that provide curriculum to help guide you through doing this at your homeschool co-op. These include NCFCA, Gavel Club, and the Institute for Cultural Communicators (ICC). This is our 4th year to be involved in ICC. One thing I love about it is that it’s for ages 6-18. The older kids, who are working on specific speeches and also doing public forum debate, are the student leaders who help guide and mentor the younger students. Each week we meet the kids have several opportunities to get up in front of everyone to present. We also speak in various places in the community as well as have a tournament each year.
Science Experiments
I am one of those moms who has a difficult time doing science experiments and projects at home. For a couple of years, we did them at a homeschool co-op, and the kids absolutely loved all the fun and interesting experiments they did there. See my post on Chemistry and Physics and for Physiology and Anatomy.
Nature Study
No Sweat Nature Study Live is such a fun class for elementary students! If you have a co-op where students can’t go outside to experience nature first-hand, they can still learn about it through Cindy West’s inspiring lessons. Each lesson contains some printables that you can work on and a nature study drawing with optional colored pencils or watercolors. The membership includes curriculum such as Defense Mechanisms of Plants.
History Projects
We are now involved in a Tapestry of Grace Fellowship Group (co-op), so each week the kids do projects, timelines, geography, food, art, etc. that go along with our history reading for the week. We have also done some really neat evening celebration nights to culminate our studies. See the one we did on The Exodus and the Roaring Twenties.
Music
See How to Add Music to Your Homeschool Co-op for lots of suggestions.
Many love to use my online courses from Learn.MusicinOurHomeschool.com at their co-op. You might like 20th Century Music Appreciation for older students or American Music for Elementary for younger students. Check all the options here:
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10 Songs All Preschoolers Should Know for Preschool – 1st grade
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15-Minute Music Lessons for Elementary
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Intro to Musicals for Elementary
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State Songs of the 50 U.S. States for Elementary
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Music of Christmas for Elementary
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Music for Holidays & Special Days for Elementary
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FALL Music for Holidays & Special Days for Elementary
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WINTER Music for Holidays & Special Days for Elementary
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SPRING Music for Holidays & Special Days for Elementary
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A Folk Song a Week for Elementary
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American Music for Elementary
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Music Appreciation: Middle Ages Thru Classical Era for High School
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Romantic Music Appreciation for High School
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20th Century Music Appreciation for High School
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10 Weeks of Shakespeare ~ An Introductory Course for 7th-12th Grades
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A Year of Charlotte Mason Music Lessons for All Ages
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Charlotte Mason Music and Shakespeare Bundle for All Ages
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Great Hymns of the Faith Hymn Study for All Ages
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100 Delightful Classical Music Pieces Mini-Course for All Ages
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Music Instrument Notebooking Pages set for All Ages
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Sampler Music Appreciation Mini-Course for All Ages
Art
Art is another subject that I have had a hard time teaching at home. We have had several forms at homeschool co-ops–drawing lessons from a certified art instructor, video lessons from See the Light (drawing, cartooning, and a variety of projects), and moms teaching from a script with Meet the Masters.
P.E.
We have only been at a facility one year that was able to accommodate P.E. It was a sports complex, so it was perfect for the long cold winters we have here! There was an indoor soccer field, basketball courts, and other large play areas. One of the dads took a long lunch break and came over to teach the kids. It was great! If you need guidance in this area, you can find ready-made lessons with videos at Family Time Fitness. They even have courses for high school P.E. credit.
Writing
One year had a mom who wasn’t really a writing teacher use the IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) curriculum to guide the middle school students in writing lessons. This year we have a couple of moms who feel qualified to teach and grade the papers on their own. Either way, I’m glad my kids are getting extra writing instruction there. Another great curriculum to look into is WriteShop.
Grammar
Grammar Galaxy would be a really fun language arts class to do with elementary students at a homeschool co-op. Use these flashcards for classroom games.
Check out the new audiobook for the first volume Nebula.
Drama
Drama at a co-op can be as simple as helping the kids learn, memorize, and perform a few little skits (like my kids do every month or so at our Tapestry of Grace co-op) or as complex as putting on a full-length play, like we did with middle school and high school students with the ancient Greek drama The Trojan Women.
Get a free guide for learning how to direct a play here: Introduction to Directing FREE .pdf by Sabrina Justison
Life Skills
Life skills such as using tools, emergency readiness, cooking, sewing, etc. are awesome to learn in a group setting. And if you need a curriculum, Skill Trek Academy is available now!
Preschool
Preschool “stuff” can be so fun for 3 to 5-year-olds. They love to do crafts, paint, listen to books being read aloud, and singing games. While the older siblings are doing their classes, be sure to have activities planned for the preschoolers!
Entrepreneurship
These courses are amazing! Christian Homeschool Entrepreneurship includes 36 weekly lessons to guide your students into learning all about being an entrepreneur–and putting it into action.
Selling on Etsy Masterclass for Teens is a step-by-step game plan for creating an Etsy shop and being a successful seller there.
Both of these classes would be really fun in a co-op setting so the students can share and brainstorm ideas, practice their sales pitches, and even collaborate together! Contact the owners of each course about a co-op license.
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If you found this post helpful, be sure to head over to read these:
- My Joy-Filled Life ~ 5 Reasons to Join a Homeschool Co-op
- Music in Our Homeschool ~ How to Add Music to Your Homeschool Co-op
(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.)
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