Homeschooling Co-op Style

Pat Wesolowski

Join us every other Wednesday as we discuss the ins and outs, and ups and downs of Homeschooling Co-op Style! Below is a short introductory video to our show and then a list of past shows. Hit the MP3 button to hear any of the past shows you may have missed. The podcasts are available via iTunes as well!

Here are a few benefits to homeschooling, co-op style:

1. Children can practice giving presentations in a safe and friendly environment
2. Socialization skills are taught and behavior is monitored
3. Working together with other students teaches teamwork, leadership skills and provides opportunities to think critically and discuss logically
4. Parents share the workload, minimizing stress
5. Because students love getting together, completing homework becomes less of a chore
6. Including subjects that a parent feels deficient in teaching helps accomplish those particular goals
7. There are often students involved who, by their behavior and because of their participation, set a high standard and raise the bar for excellence!

Philosophy Adventure with Pat

Philosophy Adventure with Pat Replay: Sponsored by the NIV Application Bible. When I first saw this product advertised I could not wait to get my hands on it. I so hoped it would meet my expectations and it did!!! Finding a curriculum that encourages students to think, discuss, study, and share is rare, […]

Starting off 2015 with a Bang . . .

because you may have fizzled out in December! Whether you are thinking about homeschooling, are new to homeschooling, or have been homeschooling for years, listen to this podcast for a suggestion on how to start the new with year off with a less-stressful, more enjoyable homeschool experience than before!

Enjoy Fun, Food, Fellowship and SERVICE with a Holiday Co-op!

With the holidays often comes a time of stress and commercialization and we often end up dreading, rather than enjoying one of the most important holidays of the year for Christians! Why not plan a holiday co-op so that your family can join along with others to celebrate while serving this year? If you begin […]

Encouragement from an Expert

Joyce Herzog (teacher/author/consultant/speaker) has been a friend to homeschooling families for over 20 years. Listen to this interview and be encouraged to help your children learn in spite of labels, or in spite of curriculum that does not seem to be working, or in spite of the naysayers!! Curriculum is to be a […]

Relax and Enjoy the Ride!

Homeschooling should be a natural extension of your family life! Learn while living! Learn while loving! And, while you are at it, teach your children to love learning! Join us today as I interview Dr. Mary Hood, an expert in the field of enjoying a successful, yet relaxed homeschool experience! Check out Mary’s websites here: […]

Homeschooling: When All Else Fails

Is your homeschooling experience less- than- exciting? Are you ready to throw in the towel or, worse, throw out the kiddos? Have your expectations for a great year already been demolished by reality? If so, listen in and receive some advice that might make things better.

Tweaking Co-op in Order to Prepare Teens for Life

It is vital to be intentional about specific subject matters to be included in teen co-ops in order to help students think critically, speak articulately, question respectfully, understand the world around them and, most importantly, be ready always to give a gentle answer for the hope they have! This podcast gives specific instructions for including […]

Be Ready Always … Honing Public Speaking Skills via Co-ops

Teaching children to master public speaking skills is a must, and using the safe and friendly environment of a co-op makes this task easy! Listen in to hear specific instructions on how to be intentional as you plan public speaking opportunities for the students who attend co-ops. After all, we do want our children […]

Frequently Asked Questions about Homeschooling, Co-op Style!

This podcast will answer the questions below that have been asked by those who have yet to enjoy homeschooling co-op style: 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? Is every […]

Plan Now for a Fall Co-op

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. 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 […]

What do dissections have to do with co-ops?

Listen in as Kendra Fletcher, a fellow Ultimate Radio Show host and a mother of 8, shares her co-oping experiences! Sometimes Kendra’s co-ops included only one other family while at other times more joined in! Using the strengths of additional parents greatly enhances the co-op experience! Neither Kendra nor I care for dissecting animals […]

Can working moms homeschool co-op style?

Meet Terri who has worked part-time and full-time through her homeschooling adventure. Listen in as she describes her co-op experiences and be encouraged to give homeschooling co-op style a chance!

The 1, 2, 3’s of Co-oping

1, 2, 3’s of Starting a Co-op Join me as I give simply, step-by-step instructions for starting a successful co-op! Use the handout included that goes along with the podcast! (Click on the blue link ‘1, 2, 3’s of Starting a Co-op.)

The Psycho with 6 Loves Co-oping! Who knew?

Melanie is a psychologist, author, radio show host, and a homeschool mom of six who loves to homeschool co-op style! Join me as I interview Melanie tomorrow and hear about her co-op experiences! For more information about Melanie, go to her website at http://www.psychowith6.com/

Co-ops, money matters and more!

Join me as I interview Carol Topp, CPA extraordinaire as we discuss the ins and outs of money matters in regard to co-ops and other issues that pertain to homeschoolers (such as fund raising)! If you are like me, the thought of formalizing your co-op into a non-profit might not have entered your mind. […]

Co-op therapy — help for a struggling mom!

This week’s interview is with Charlotte, a homeschooling mom who struggled through an unwanted divorce. Never having participated in co-ops before, she decided to give it a try and has not regretted it for a minute. Listen in on December 18th at 10:00 am EST as Charlotte shares her experiences.

Thoughts on Co-oping from the Mastermind of the Ultimate Radio Show

Felice and I met at a homeschooling convention many years ago and have been friends ever since! Felice has a heart for encouraging, training, and helping homeschooling families enjoy their homeschool adventure. Listen in as Felice shares her co-oping experiences as well as her thoughts and advice regarding making the study of science (as […]

Philosophy Adventure with Pat

When I first saw this product advertised I could not wait to get my hands on it. I so hoped it would meet my expectations and it did!!! Finding a curriculum that encourages students to think, discuss, study, and share is rare, but Philosophy Adventure fits the bill! Why philosophy is an elective […]

My first co-op experience!

I had been homeschooling my children for several years before being introduced to homeschooling co-op style and it changed my life! On this show I interview my friend, Edress, who invited my family to join her co-op. This introduction to homeschooling co-op style changed the direction of our academic experience in a huge way. Listen […]

The who, what, when, and where of co-oping!

Discover how easy it is to plan, organize and start a homeschooling co-op! Include a few parents who will help you prepare for an adventure that is sure to please your students, improve skills that require group situations, and make the most of your homeschooling experience. This broadcast will cover the basic questions: When […]

Co-ops, Football and Dads!

Listen in to an interview with Ryan Sprague. Ryan is an author, pastor, homeschool dad, former athlete and co-op guest speaker. Discover how your co-op can be enhanced with intention and purpose. Ryan played on FSU championship team and he played for the pros! Join our show to hear a little bit about his […]

Co-oping with Teens!

Our first broadcast includes an interview with Suzanne, who is conducting a co-op in Florida for teens. Co-ops provide a way to meet a few goals that are not easily met in the home (particularly if you have a small family). Suzanne’s co-op includes lessons in worldview, current events, conflict resolution, the Constitution and more, […]