One thing that many homeschooling families look for is interaction with other kids. Not necessarily the same age, though sometimes that is the case, but other kids to learn with, discuss with, and have fun with. Additionally, mom enjoys some time with other adults having adult conversation as well.
A great tip for broadening your homeschool experience while getting you and the kids some interaction is to consider doing a class with another family. If you are not in a co-op this can be a very great way to give some variety to your homeschool and keep your weeks from being too monotonous.
Doing a class with another family can be as big or as small as you want it to be or need it to be. You can try one class, a unit study, a once a month class or anything you feel might fit into your schedule. Remember – that’s the joy of homeschooling, fitting it into your schedule and being flexible.
Here are some examples of some situation that might work for you:
Bible Study – consider a once a week (or bi-weekly or monthly) Bible study for you and another family. You can do the reading at home and the discussion when you get together.
Languages – languages are a great class to do with other families. This can give your children a time to speak and interact with other students studying the language they are studying. It doesn’t even have to be formal, you could just get together monthly and cook a cultural meal while everyone practices talking in the new language. Or you can have a weekly class together to work on the language. Whatever works for you.
Science – many families have trouble getting to the science experiments. Consider getting together with another family and doing the science experiments that go with your science curriculum. You may need to find a family that is doing the same curriculum as you can find a family that is interested and choose a curriculum together. You could do all the assignments together or just a few experiments each month.
Unit studies – if you just want to get together with another family occasionally, consider choosing a unit study to do one day a week for a 6 weeks and see how it goes. There are many available and this can be a great way to break up the year or the semester.
Art/Music – art and music are other subjects that seem to get pushed to the sidelines in a time crunch. However, if you have scheduled time each week to do art and/or music you will make time for it. Doing it with another family will keep you accountable.
Physical Education – are you having trouble making your family get up and do PE? Doing it with another family can keep you accountable and make it more fun. Learn new games, take turns teaching about a new sport, or just do something together like a bike ride, hike, aerobics, or running at a track.
Have you done any classes with another family? How did it work? What did you like or not like about it? I would love to hear from you.
This is a great idea, you can outsource a subject that you are not comfortable teaching to another mom. This way your kids will benefit from learning from another teacher as well.
I agree. I think its a way to help everyone. We actually don’t do it right now but have been looking to do this with another family next year. Thanks for stopping by.
Tawnee recently posted…52 Homeschool Tips for Every Homeschooler – #11 Consider Doing a Class with Another Aamily
So true. I know i’m not great with every subject. Which isn’t a huge deal in the younger years but as the child gets older and the courses become more involved, having other parents who are more accomplished and educated in certain subjects can be an excellent way to mix things up for the kids, ensure the subjects are being covered well and not glossed over, and take a little pressure off mom 🙂 Thanks.
Tawnee recently posted…Science for those that LOVE Science – SuperCharged Science Review
Great advice. It is so true!! We have combined a lot of these with other families because I am more likely to do more when accountable to other families. But there are a few suggestions I had not thought of before so thanks for the great tips!
I agree with the accountability factor. I find that if i know that i have to be there for the other families i’m less likely to cancel or put something off than i would be if it were just me, at home, with my children. Sad, but true. I think that is a great benefit to combining classes with other families. Thanks.
Tawnee recently posted…Science for those that LOVE Science – SuperCharged Science Review
I haven’t done this yet either, but it’s such a great idea! I think itwill be even more beneficial as my daughter gets older. Thank you 🙂
Yes, I think its more beneficial and more helpful as the kids get older and the subjects become more involved and broad. Thanks for stopping by.
Tawnee recently posted…Science for those that LOVE Science – SuperCharged Science Review
All your ideas are good. Here is another idea. Not all people like teaching the same subjects but know their children still must have a well rounded education. Since all the parents in your group have different talents, perhaps you can share classes–perhaps you like teaching music and another parent is a talented artist. You can switch classes for a unit or two. We did this in our school with five teachers. We had a lot of fun and the children didn’t get bored with the same teaching styles for all subjects.
Great ideas. I think that would be a wonderful way to teach and learn. I know many co-ops do this, that are parent led, and I think its an excellent way to help your child get a great, well-rounded education. Not to mention take a little pressure off the parents 😉 Thanks.
Tawnee recently posted…Science for those that LOVE Science – SuperCharged Science Review
What a wonderful idea! I have enjoyed several small coops between two families and we had so much fun!
Glad to hear it is something that works for you. I am trying to do better with this as I think it is an excellent way to stay engaged and accountable.
Tawnee recently posted…Science for those that LOVE Science – SuperCharged Science Review