Baby #4

Money

Christmas Programs

Early Elementary class

Chickens / Goats

Homeschool Coops (THE

SECRET SAUCE):

Should I Join or Lead?

Heloise (Lois) J. Ridley, MBA

Ridley Concepts & Solutions:

POWERFUL Resources for
Parents & Families

Ridley Concepts & Solutions:

Powerful Resources for Parents and Families
Get off of the Crazy Cycle and onto a Path of Peace

Parent support for proactive, hurting and struggling families, teen concerns
Internet Safety Assistance,
1-on-1 Support
I would love to help Parents in your Church, Homeschool group or organization.
Contact Lois @ 570-795-9757

Contact info:

http://facebook.com/ParentingTwinsandMore
Text Cell 570-795-9757
https://www.pinterest.com/loisridleymba/
https://twitter.com/_ParentingTwins
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/heloise-j-ridley-mba/15/b69/393/

In Case You Pin.

https://www.pinterest.com/loisridleymba/

Homeschool Coops:
Should I Join or Lead??
1. Whats a Coop?
2. What Does it Look Like? Possible Structures
3. Benefits & Considerations for Joining

4. How Do I Find?
5. Why & How Do I Create?
6. Coop Blues: Possible Challenges to Overcome

1. Whats Homeschool Coop?

A few as 2 families
together to a large school
sized organization with
periods and class
changes

2. What Does it Look Like?

Possible Structures for Coops
Drop Off vs. Roll Up (Cost)
Accountability vs. Exposure Experience
Homework and due dates depend on the way
the courses are set up.
Grades??

Ending Programs/Recitals?
Picnics?
How many?
Class periods per day?
Sessions per month/ year?

Any Official Leaders??

Directors and Boards vs. Founder

Possible Structures for Coops

(cont)

Teachers = Paid vs. Volunteer Parents =)

Paid teachers expected to require a lot from students
Some families prefer non-intrusive enrichment
Some parent teachers have high expectations
Decide on quiz, test and paper grading?

Possible Structures for Coops

(cont)

Curriculum?? WHAT DO YOU NEED

FOR YOUR STUDENT(SSSSS)?
Eclectic mix depending on the
teachers
Content Specific
Tapestry of Grace, KONOS, Classical
Conversations, Sonlight, Apologia
Science, Institute for Excellence in
Writing (IEW)
Fine Arts Instruments, Art,
Dance
Enrichment Hands-On Events,
Crafts, Sewing, Knitting, Archery,
Sports

3. Benefits/Considerations for
Joining Coops

Parents?? Type A++ Agnus vs Relaxed Renee

Homework and due dates depend on the way the courses are
set up.

Friends for our children

Cost effective for some subjects

All in one place (especially for fine arts & large families)

PRIMARY GOALS??
Socialization vs strong academics vs. creative arts
Field Trips and Events?
Yearbook?
Leadership?
Book or Speech Club?
Which grades???

Coop
Yearbooks:
Class

Photography
Layout

Editing

Coop Benefits: Hands-On Events

Yearbook Memories Perk.

4. How Do I Find an Existing

Coop?
How far am I willing to drive?
Is online a viable coop option?
What are our family needs? Age range?
Goals?
How much can we afford?
Collaborative freebie Mortgage payment

1.
2.
3.
4.

Pray
Reconnected with friends who lived there
Contact the homeschool organizers suggested
Find an enrichment coop

Normally to find a coop:

1. Search online for Christian statewide homeschool organizations
2. Look for surrounding county/region
3. Contact Organizers
4. Visit
5. Pray some more

 Connection to local community

Friends
Emotional Support to adjust

Temporary House items before baby #4

Prayer support for our difficult situation
+homeschooling for kids (Japanese,
recorder, cooking, Maine state history,
puppetry & ventriloquism)

Tapestry coop
Hands On
History event

Japanese

Finding Links on Pinterest

https://www.pinterest.com/loisridleymba/homeschoolinghomeschool-coops/

New Jersey Counties

Eastern
Pennsylvania Counties

6. Why Create A New Coop??

Transportation issues coops are too far
Subjects / Curriculum needed not provided by
available options
Finances options available are expensive
Families want to be together you have friends
you prefer to work with
Informal or formal organized coop

Informal closing
promotion day
with other families

6. How Do I Create a Coop??

Prayed a lot for guidance

In person? Online?
How many families?
What are our goals?
What budget?
Who will teach? Parent vs. Teacher led

Where House vs rent facilities?

How long will the day be?
What age group are we targeting?
How will we handle intake of new candidates for
coop?

Online Coop
Specific curriculum
Yahoo groups to communicate at each level
Students
Parent teachers

How
Coop Rules & Policies to Consider
Behavior Strategies and Conflict Resolution
Peacemakers pledge signed by families
Introductory meeting each year to review
policies
Preplan for any issues that arise

How often meet?

Absences & lateness

Policies and consequences
Fines
No interrupt class rule

Coop Rules & Policies

Eating & behavior - Depends upon the
location.

Formal bylaws for larger coop organizations.

5013c?
Insurance?

How do the parents/teachers meet and

collaborate each week?
Table swap or exchange?

New Coop Blues:

Challenging Issues to Handle
Communication gaps
Mismatch goals or theoretical orientation
How to handle doctrinal issues that arise
(curriculum, lessons, teachers)
Unwanted Drama:
Some people bring it
Some people cause it
Some people enjoy it

Naughty children who are not disciplined

New time constraints for families reduce extra
events

Contact info:

http://facebook.com/ParentingTwinsandMore
Text Cell 570-795-9757
https://www.pinterest.com/loisridleymba/
https://twitter.com/_ParentingTwins
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/heloise-j-ridley-mba/15/b69/393/