We’re just a few months into our new homeschooling setup, and I lastly really feel like I’ve skilled sufficient to talk about it. So what’s new? I’m glad you requested.
This yr we switched issues up and joined a co-op fashion we haven’t been a part of in years. A fast stroll down co-op reminiscence lane:
- H 1st grade: dwelling full time
- H 2nd grade: 1 day/week, teacher-led
- H third grade: 2 days/week, teacher-led
- H 4th grade: 1 day/week, parent-led
- H fifth grade: 1 day/week, parent-led
- H sixth grade: 1 day/week, parent-led
- H seventh grade: transferring & then 1 day/week, parent-led
- H eighth grade: 1 day/week, teacher-led
- Okay joined in round H’s 2nd grade and adopted the identical movement.
As you may see, we’ve had a mixture of parent- and teacher-led setups, however our co-ops have usually been socially centered with elective-style lessons (PE, normal science, artwork) and little or no assigned work from home. I’ve at all times chosen the curriculum and acted because the “ring chief” for all core topics.
This yr, although, we stepped into one thing new. Our present co-op is someday per week, Charlotte Mason–primarily based, and structured in order that academics introduce the themes and assign work for every weekday at dwelling. The topics embrace literature and composition, science, artwork, nature research, and cultural research. Historical past and math are nonetheless on us.
Now that we’re just a few months in—and as I’m beginning to assume forward to highschool for H in fall 2026—I figured slightly reflection could be useful for me, and perhaps for you should you’re in the same season. So listed here are the professionals and cons of our present setup:
The Professionals
Nice academics
The academics are participating, talk clearly, and appear to genuinely get pleasure from main the children. The ladies like their lessons, which makes an enormous distinction.
Charlotte Mason basis
This philosophy facilities on a beneficiant, various curriculum full of “residing books” that convey topics to life—historical past, literature, artwork, music, all introduced in a wealthy and significant means. I actually love the curriculum and e-book selections. Truthfully, if I hadn’t, that will have been a deal breaker.
Different children
H has a candy group of ladies she connects with, which makes my coronary heart so joyful after transferring states. Okay thrives with friends round her—she’s a social butterfly and lights up with group vitality.
Extra psychological freedom for me
I wasn’t certain whether or not this was a professional or a con at first. I’m now not working the present; as an alternative, I really feel extra like an assistant coming alongside the women. It felt unusual initially, however… dare I say… I’m beginning to prefer it? I believe that’s partly the women’ ages and the elevated rigor, and partly the belief I’ve developed within the work being assigned.
The ladies appear to benefit from the problem
H is accountable and self-motivated, so I anticipated her to do effectively, and he or she is. It’s been enjoyable watching her have interaction with topics that haven’t traditionally been her favorites (good day, science).
Okay has shocked me in one of the simplest ways—she’s risen to the brand new workload with enthusiasm, particularly when assignments let her be artistic (performing, baking—something hands-on and he or she shines). Even the less-fun components (dictation, writing) she’s tackling with a great perspective most days.
The Cons
I miss morning time
I’d actually like to convey this again, however with the women wanting to dive into their co-op assignments, it hasn’t naturally match. I’ve shifted some issues like read-alouds to lunchtime, however I’m hoping to reestablish a rhythm in January that brings artwork research, historical past, self-development, and Bible time again to the forefront.
Becoming in math
SO glad we began math sturdy in August, as a result of becoming it in persistently with the brand new workload has been difficult. That is actually simply on me being firmer about priorities, so I’ll tighten that up in January now that we’ve adjusted a bit. Realistically, our faculty days—particularly for H—will in all probability must stretch previous lunch.
Much less group for the mothers
That is in all probability the largest factor I miss. Previous co-ops naturally created group as a result of all of the mothers had been there each week. Our present co-op does provide mother nights, however I haven’t been in a position to attend one but.
General, the professionals outweigh the cons, and I’m genuinely grateful to be a part of this co-op. I believe, developmentally, it’s a terrific match for each women. A part of me wonders if I might’ve appreciated yet one more yr being the ring chief for Okay to fine-tune studying and writing earlier than shifting to this fashion, however there’s no means I might have been in a position to ship H and never Okay.
Now my thoughts is shifting towards the highschool years. I don’t assume fully-at-home is the suitable match for H. I believe she’d do very effectively with it truly, however I believe she is going to develop and profit from being plugged right into a group at this age. Nonetheless, many academically centered co-ops transfer to 2 days per week beginning in ninth grade so we have to assume by that. I’m at the moment contemplating two choices: our present Charlotte Mason–fashion co-op, and one other that’s extra like a college mannequin faculty—in all probability as near mainstream highschool as you will get within the homeschool world. I’ll know extra after the open home.
There are nonetheless one-day, socially centered co-ops in our space, however attendance drops off in highschool as a result of it’s exhausting to surrender a full tutorial day for electives. For us, the time-to-benefit ratio simply isn’t there.
I’ve already emailed a number of school admissions places of work to study what they search for in homeschooled candidates so I can map out a normal plan for H’s highschool years. My essential aim is just to present her the widest vary of choices as she figures out what she loves.
All of this feels surreal, actually. A part of me aches for the early days of nature walks and library books being our essential focus. And but, I’m so deeply pleased with what we’ve completed collectively so far. I by no means meant on homeschooling, but for quite a lot of causes it’s the trail we took. We dedicated to figuring it out alongside the best way, adjusting as wanted in every new stage.
If I pause to essentially see it… wow (mother bragging alert)- our women are thriving. They’re rising of their strengths and dealing exhausting of their challenges. However past that, they’re my favourite folks to be round. They’re type, fascinating, humorous, and succesful. They’ve hobbies and skills, are respectful, and are rising in confidence on a regular basis. It’s such an honor to be by their facet and assist lead them. Whereas I really feel like I’m at all times questioning and determining what our greatest subsequent step is, I’m so grateful for the chance to get to do it.
In case you’re nonetheless right here studying this lengthy diary-style ramble, I’m impressed. 😉
Getting all of this out of my head and onto the display screen helped a lot. In case you have ideas about any of those upcoming selections, I’d love to listen to them. In case you’re starting your individual journey of determining the most effective instructional path for your loved ones, belief your intestine and know you may modify as you go. And should you’re simply right here for the learn—thanks for listening. <3
