Juanita and I have been talking about starting a local homeschooling support group. I've mentioned this to at least two others in the area as well. You'll find what we're considering below. We welcome and encourage comments which can help make this a great group. Things we might not have considered, things to make an idea better, or any questions you have which might help us to get it figured out better.
This group's primary focus (beyond support) would be service. Service that can be worked on through the year(s), as individuals and groups. As well as service in larger areas as a group (ie. clean up playground or beach, visit the elderly, etc)
Although we're organizing a local group, we're interested in others doing the same with the same primary focus, and then incorporating some regional projects (maybe even a regional meeting or two a year).
This local group would meet every other week on Wednesday. Projects may be planned for times and days other than the meeting group time.
It would include a lunch-on (assigned pot-luck style, rotating who brought what).
It would include a project for the kids (also rotating who's setting it up). This could be an on going project, or a new one. Craft or otherwise, as long as it engages the kids while we discuss what we need. Older children, who are able and willing, can participate (and will be encouraged to participate) in the planning of service projects. There will be no unsupervised children...as in, if the kids are outside, so are we so we can keep eyes on them, etc.
The more social part would be during lunch, with the support and planning happening directly after.
Participation in any group service is voluntary and is not required to participate in the group.
Large service projects will, hopefully, include learning experiences beyond the service. For example, if we clean up a section of the beach, then they have the opportunity to also learn about hermit crabs and tidal pools. They also can have a "built-in reward" by swimming.
Any thoughts, suggestions, or questions are greatly appreciated.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Back when I was asked to seek out service projects for the stake, I looked into Literacy Volunteers. They asked me to arrange to have sisters come to read to the elderly, and recommended children's stories. But I bet they would rather watch children read children's stories. Oh, and maybe it would help with the "old germs" Kim ;-) Just teasing!
Thanks, Marie... that's a good idea.. maybe even have kids act out kids stories! :)
Post a Comment