Raising Godly Children and How Homeschooling Co-op Style Helps!

Most parents are concerned that their children do not abandon their faith and jump ship after high school. Coming up with a philosophy of education and a mission statement is a great way to ensure that you are accomplishing your goals which include raising children to know, love, and serve God even after they leave home. Believe it or not, there are a few simple suggestions that are imperative to consider when developing a mission statement in order to successfully guide your children to a strong faith. Today's podcast on the Ultimate Radio Network is less then 15 minutes long, but the advice shared will help empower you, as a parent, to provide an educational environment conducive to success. So listen in!

At the end of the podcast several resources are recommended and the links to these resources are listed here as well.  Our children have been involved with all of these ministries.  If you want more information, message me.

http://www.worldview.org/

http://www.impact360.net/

http://www.axis.org/

http://www.summit.org/

http://www.bryan.edu/wv

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions below have been asked by those who have yet to enjoy homeschooling co-op style:

FAQ

1. How in the world do I find people to co-op with when so many of my friends are either engrossed in a compete curriculum or they already belong to a larger, formal co-op?
2. Is every parent expected to participate?
3. Does every student have to participate?
4. Are adults ever involved who do not have children in the co-op?
5. What if your group, for one reason or another, can not continue to meet at the facility where you are meeting?
6. What if you damage something at the facility?
7. How do you handle snacks with children who have allergies?
8. How do you pick a theme?
9. What subjects should you cover?
10. Should you include field trips?
11. What do you do about discipline problems?
12. How important is it to have a newsletter?
13. What do you do with toddlers and babies during co-op?
14. What if someone drops out in the middle of co-op?
15. What if someone wants to join in the middle of co-op?
16. Are there hardship situations that take special handling?
17. When you homeschool co-op style what do you do about high school transcripts?

Here is a link to a podcast that answers each of these questions.  If you have more questions, feel free to comment and we will answer those as well!  

Plan Now for Fall Co-ops!!

Now is the time to start thinking about fall co-ops.  If you have never been a part of a co-op, consider giving it a try next fall.  I think you will find the experience quite rewarding!  Several of our podcasts on the Ultimate Radio Network discuss how to start a co-op, but this week's podcast will give you specific step-by-step instructions for how to begin now planning for the fall!

When you are the one in charge of organizing the co-op you can pick the families you would like to join you, what day/time to meet, how long the co-op should last, and what subject to discuss.  Having family integrated co-ops that include parents means a lighter, shared workload!!

Here are a few benefits of homeschooling co-op style:

Safe and friendly environment for socialization
Fellowship with other families
Shared workload means less work
Audience provided for student presentations
Conducive to group activities
Highlight of the week for many
Thematic snacks
Students learn to use power point
Endless choice of themes
Easy to incorporate multi-media teaching

Here is a copy of a sample parental assignment chart as well as a front page of a newsletter from one of our co-ops:

We have published a few guides that make co-oping easy and I am available to consult if you need help getting started!  Listen to this week's podcast and make a plan for a fall co-op!!