K-5
We offer the same three classes each year for students in K-5th grade: Collaboration, Speech and Gym.
Kids will be separated into K-2nd and 3rd-5th for their 3 classes. |
6-8
Students in 6th-8th grade participate in Collaboration (including several month introduction to Collaboration with a Cause), Speech (with PowerPoint) and Literature Discussion.
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Why not "core" classes?
We have intentionally chosen these classes to develop essential skills in our children and offset the education we individually provide.
Collaboration is a way to learn to work through challenges alongside others. It is a means to develop relationships in the group through working together, as well as build a skill necessary for today’s collaborative workforce environment. Each month there is a problem or activity that must be accomplished as a group. After it is accomplished the group presents their work or findings to the other groups, this builds not only group problem solving skills, but also group speaking skills.
Speech class builds confidence in the necessary skill of standing in front of others and presenting information. It is essential for higher education and nearly every field of work. When skill in public speaking is developed early, it can prevent a lifelong disabling fear. We have seen that adequate preparation builds the students’ confidence and develops the best speech skills. Joining families should be willing to invest time, which might be small or significant, into getting their kids prepared according to the assignment given.
Gym is obviously challenging to do at home, but that is not the only reason we offer it. The children will be performing mental challenges, speaking and listening. In providing some much needed time to move, gym is another opportunity to develop collaboration (team) skills and relationships.
Literature Discussion provides a place for the students to work through their thoughts and challenging concepts as a group. Discussion is an important element of communication. Learning to express your opinion and position when others have contrasting opinions is important for life and can only be learned though experience. They also learn to develop ideas as as a group and respect others as they speak. We use the Center for Lit's Socratic teaching methodology for our class.
Collaboration is a way to learn to work through challenges alongside others. It is a means to develop relationships in the group through working together, as well as build a skill necessary for today’s collaborative workforce environment. Each month there is a problem or activity that must be accomplished as a group. After it is accomplished the group presents their work or findings to the other groups, this builds not only group problem solving skills, but also group speaking skills.
Speech class builds confidence in the necessary skill of standing in front of others and presenting information. It is essential for higher education and nearly every field of work. When skill in public speaking is developed early, it can prevent a lifelong disabling fear. We have seen that adequate preparation builds the students’ confidence and develops the best speech skills. Joining families should be willing to invest time, which might be small or significant, into getting their kids prepared according to the assignment given.
Gym is obviously challenging to do at home, but that is not the only reason we offer it. The children will be performing mental challenges, speaking and listening. In providing some much needed time to move, gym is another opportunity to develop collaboration (team) skills and relationships.
Literature Discussion provides a place for the students to work through their thoughts and challenging concepts as a group. Discussion is an important element of communication. Learning to express your opinion and position when others have contrasting opinions is important for life and can only be learned though experience. They also learn to develop ideas as as a group and respect others as they speak. We use the Center for Lit's Socratic teaching methodology for our class.
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Challenging
We expect to enjoy our time together, but fun is not our highest priority in the learning process. Our co-op classes are structured to teach essential skills in a way that is interesting. However, school and learning should challenge the kids, so we don’t quit just because they aren’t liking a particular aspect. Participating families should expect to be committed to these valuable learning experiences even when it requires kids, and parents, to persevere through things they find difficult or uncomfortable.
Speech Specifics
Each month has a specific speech assignment to target specific speaking challenges. For instance, one month they perform something they've memorized where the challenge is what to do with your body when you have nothing to hold onto. Other month they present a book report where they get to use note cards but then need look at the class.
Skills and expectations are clearly communicated, but families get to choose topics they are already using in their own curriculum or child is interested in. Parents also choose how in depth their speech is. A science project speech for a Kindergartner might be on the color wheel and how they used those colors in a picture while for a 6th grader, it might be about an experiment they've done with controls and variables. Both get to practice using information from a display board and still looking at the audience, but they are working at their own levels.
Speeches and teacher's instructions for the next class are video recorded and viewable by families between co-op classes. Students can learn to improve by watching their own performances.
Speech classes are broken up into 3 levels based on their age groups:
Diamond League (K-2nd) - Diamonds in the rough, who by honing their skills, will become brilliant!
Creator League (3rd-5th) - Those who are crafting their skills and are adding humor, creativity and increasing their strengths.
Master League (6th - 8th) - Those who are mastering skill, content, persuasion, and visual presentations while learning to clearly communicate opposing views.
Skills and expectations are clearly communicated, but families get to choose topics they are already using in their own curriculum or child is interested in. Parents also choose how in depth their speech is. A science project speech for a Kindergartner might be on the color wheel and how they used those colors in a picture while for a 6th grader, it might be about an experiment they've done with controls and variables. Both get to practice using information from a display board and still looking at the audience, but they are working at their own levels.
Speeches and teacher's instructions for the next class are video recorded and viewable by families between co-op classes. Students can learn to improve by watching their own performances.
Speech classes are broken up into 3 levels based on their age groups:
Diamond League (K-2nd) - Diamonds in the rough, who by honing their skills, will become brilliant!
Creator League (3rd-5th) - Those who are crafting their skills and are adding humor, creativity and increasing their strengths.
Master League (6th - 8th) - Those who are mastering skill, content, persuasion, and visual presentations while learning to clearly communicate opposing views.
While speeches differ depending on the league, here are several examples that several of the levels present
Geography Fair
Book Report
Memorization
Science Fair
How-To
Ad Campaign
Debate
K-2nd grade obviously have lesser requirements. They are working on being in front of a group with less fear. Their speeches usually look like topic directed show and tell.
Geography Fair
Book Report
Memorization
Science Fair
How-To
Ad Campaign
Debate
K-2nd grade obviously have lesser requirements. They are working on being in front of a group with less fear. Their speeches usually look like topic directed show and tell.