OK, have you ever wished there was a homeschool co-op close by? Have you thought about starting one, but lacked the courage to try or just didn't know what to do to get started? The Co-Oping for Cowards video is for you! It is a fun and entertaining way to learn how to form your own homeschool co-op.

To Karin Carpenter, homeschooling is like a cruise ship with Mom as the cruise director. Trying to get it all in was just making her a frazzled mess, she needed some "staff" members to help her family on its cruise. Co-ops were the answer for her. Pat Wesolowski wanted a fun way to incorporate communication skills into their homeschool as well as help in teaching subjects in which they were weak in. The answer: a homeschool co-op.

Karin and Pat's definition of a co-op is: "Co-op (noun, action verb!) -- a group of children being taught by a group of their parents, cooperating together to make the experience a success. A co-op creates a safe and friendly environment for children of all ages to make presentations on information they have researched."

Their co-op's main focus is to give their children the ability to communicate by having them do a short report each week. The student picks a topic, researches and writes a report about it. During the co-op meeting, the child gives an oral presentation. The co-op is a safe place to hone his reading, writing and public speaking skills. In the video, Karin and Pat give several reasons for co-oping, guidance on setting up your co-op, and a sneak peek into their co-op. There is also an instructional guide and Volume 1 (Cross Cultral Cruise) available.

This video would be a good investment for anyone interested in starting a co-op. You could watch the video with your homeschooling friends, then discuss the ideas together to come up with a workable co-op in your town.



--Product Review by: Dawn King, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine