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

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

jonathan toomeyWith 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 planning now, you can make this year’s Christmas experience one that your family long remembers.  Listen in as I share a few ideas on how to make a holiday co-op fun and meaningful.

As promised, here are a list of favorite Christmas book titles.  If you visit our Facebook page you can add more titles, or see what others add!  https://www.facebook.com/dpkproductions

The Tale of the Three Trees by Angela Hunt
The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
We believe in Christmas by Karen Kingsbury
The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans
Operation Christmas Child by Franklin Graham
The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola
Jacob’s Gift by Max Lucado
Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco
The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs
Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones
The King’s Christmas List by Eldon Johnson
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey Book by Susan Wojciechowski
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
The Christmas Scrapbook by Phillip Gulley
The Homeless Christmas Tree by Leslie Gordon
The Gift of the Magi by O’Henry

Also, Advent Books (which do not work well for a co-op unless your co-op meets daily, but are great to include in your family traditions) are Jotham’s Journey, Bartholomew’s Passage (both by Arnold Ytreeide) and The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp.

 

 

Encouragement from an Expert

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

learning in spite of labels

 

 

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 guide, not a god!  Joyce offers all kinds of great advice and she shares a few secrets that teachers never tell!

 

 

Tweaking Co-op in Order to Prepare Teens for Life

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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 power point, current events, worldviews, debates, break-out sessions and more in order to prepare students for life after high school by homeschooling co-op style!

Frequently Asked Questions about Homeschooling, Co-op Style!

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This podcast will answer the questions below that have been asked by those who have yet to enjoy homeschooling co-op style:

  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’t stay 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?

If you have questions that are not included in this podcast, leave a comment and we will answer your questions as well!

 

What do dissections have to do with co-ops?

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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 so we love that we can turn duties like that over to the parents who do enjoy dissections.  In this picture Kendra’s children and their friends are watching a turtle being dissected.  turtle dissecting

The 1, 2, 3’s of Co-oping

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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.)

Co-ops, money matters and more!

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

 

Host Carol Topp

Host Carol Topp

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.  However, there are benefits to becoming a non-profit and, if you hire teachers you may find it quite beneficial.

 

Carol Topp is a retired homeschooling mom who is also an author, speaker and consultant.  Check out the products and services she offers at her website:  homeschoolcpa.com!

 

 

 

 

My first co-op experience!

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Button week 4 EdressI 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 in to hear more about the ins and outs of co-ops as well as a few stories on how our co-op experience led our family in a few entrepreneurial experiences!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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:

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When should your co-op meet?

How often should you meet?

Where do you meet?

Who do you ask to join you?

How long do you meet each time?

For how many weeks do you meet?

What do you study?

Join us as we discuss Homeschooling, Co-op Style because homeschooing is better together!!

Are there important subjects to be included?

Co-ops, Football and Dads!

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

By Ryan Sprage

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 life as well as his involvement with co-ops!    Ryan’s newest book, Seasons, is a book that should be read by all teens and young adults.  This book would make a great addition to a teen co-op.