Community Blog

One of the great things about homeschooling is that sometimes you’re learning, but you don’t feel like you’re learning.

And why shouldn’t learning be fun?

This is one of those areas where the parents have to overcoming their own schooling experience, and math seems to be the hardest to de-school yourself in.

Homeschool mom and speaker Kathy Wentz says that math doesn’t have to be a negative experience, she says that if you had a bad experience, why do you want to pass that bad experience on to your kids?

Here are some resources to help you make learning math less serious and more fun.

The board game Smath:

There’s a great new program that just started this month and goes for one year — you can check out passes for lots of cool museums, including a zoo, children’s museums, Graue Mill, the arboretum, Oriental Institute and much more.

See the whole list and check if your library is participating here:
http://www.museumadventure.org

Many of the libraries where co-op families live are participating!

Members of the Schola Choir on Tour

Looking for an affordable way to incorporate music into your family’s life? Not everyone wants to play an instrument. Schola Choir is a high quality, affordable choir that’s also a music program.

The program administrator tells it better than I do, she writes:

The choir is a wonderful community, and the children make music with a lot of joy, while also receiving significant musical education. Rehearsals are lively and challenging — substantive but never staid. The choir sings in a variety of venues for community events and church services. In the spring, the more experienced choristers go on a 3-day tour, which is always tons of fun. The repertoire includes mostly sacred classical music, but also some music from a variety of world traditions. The children sing in many languages, and they learn theory and sight-singing. Church membership is not required and not pushed.

I am the administrator, and the conductor is Dr. Dennis Northway. Dennis (or Den-Den, as the kids call him) has an extensive background in conducting choirs for all ages, in addition to being a noted organist, composer, singer, and teacher. He loves the kids, and they love him. No audition is required, just a love of singing. The atmosphere is warm and accepting of all children.

We are committed to keeping the choir affordable for all families. If your child wants to sing, we will find a way! We depend on the church’s sponsorship, donations from Schola families who are able, and volunteer work by choir parents. We do charge a moderate administrative fee, and tour expenses are additional, but tuition is free, and scholarships are always available.

The choir rehearses on Wednesday afternoons during the school year at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake Street, Oak Park. Younger and less experienced choristers rehearse from 3:30 to 5:00, and older or more experienced choristers rehearse from 4:00 to 5:30. (For the hour of overlap, they are all rehearsing together.)

I hope very much that you and your children will consider giving it a try. We would love to have you join us!

Questions? Contact the administrator, Randi: randi (symbol) woodworths.net

There are many things that I love about homeschooling — the flexibility, being able to customize an education, the strengthened sibling relationships — but I think the greatest gift of all is TIME.

Time to live in an unhurried way. Time to be a family together. Time to volunteer together. Time for my children to take on increased, real responsibility, unhampered by loads and loads of homework. (Were you ever excused from chores because of school work as a kid? I know I was.)

My dear friends whose kids are in school tell me about the homework infringing on family time, about time spent volunteering at school, fighting the school… It all takes time: using school or choosing to homeschool. But how are you spending your time?

For me, the right choice is not to fight with the school, but to spend time with my children, time as a family, and set up experiences for them to learn, and keep their excitement about learning alive.

What about you? What’s the greatest gift of time for your family?

The views expressed in this post belong to the blogger, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Community Co-op. This blogger respects the right to choose school, and doesn’t mean to give anyone a hard time for choosing school.

Co-op member and new homeschooler writes:

“This may not be attractive to the “seasoned” homeschoolers, but for those like me just starting out, I really appreciated this book, “Homeschooling at Loving It.”

And now on her website, there is a $6 discount, and many testimonials…”

The coupon code is = LoveToHomeschool

The code is only good while supplies last.

To order the book go to: http://www.homeschool.com/hli

Steps to Participating in the Co-op

1. Read this website.

      FAQ, schedule, class descriptions, and leadership & volunteer roles list

1. Read the handbook.
2. Contact us through our website:
   • if you have questions.
   • if your child has special circumstances we need to discuss.
   • to check on availability of openings.

Please contact us by mail or phone if you are unable to reach us through the

website for any reason.  See registration packet for co-op address and

registrar’s phone.

1. If you would like a tour, please contact us to schedule a time.

Tours are available by appointment only.  Because we are a co-op, we are engaged in classes and not available to give on the spot tours during co-op hours. 

1. Consider what your role as a parent might be in the co-op. 

Each participating parent has a variety of jobs to choose from.  Please see the “Leadership & Volunteer Roles” list found on the “Current Program” webpage.

1. Print and complete the registration packet. 

Please print at your local library or contact us to request a copy of the forms if you are unable to print at home.

1.  Mail your registration packet and payment check by the registration deadline.

 As a courtesy to our volunteer registrar and schedule coordinator, please

 honor this deadline.

1.  Participate in the orientation.

Registration Info