Do you remember the Tootsie Roll commercial from the 1970s? For the young homeschool mamas who have no clue what I’m talking about, the ad slogan was, “Whatever it is I think I see becomes a Tootsie Roll to me!” I feel the same way about homeschool co-op class ideas. Whatever it is I think I see becomes a co-op class idea to me! Sometimes I’m browsing through a book store and a book pop outs at me and screams, “Hey! I would make a good co-op class.” Sometimes it happens while I’m randomly searching online. Sometimes a mom in our co-op approaches me with a fresh idea. But everywhere I go and in everything I do, I am constantly finding ideas.
I also enjoy making lists. I could probably rock a career as listmaker–if that was a legitimate career option. (And as long as I didn’t have to keep track of the list for too long.) Anyway, my love for co-op class ideas and my enthusiasm for making lists combine in this post to bring you a big, fat, gigantic–and almost ridiculous–list of co-op class ideas. I hope you find it helpful.
Preschool & Kindergarten Homeschool Co-op Class Ideas
Art & Motion
Sample Syllabus for Art & Motion
Before Five in a Row
Resource: Before Five in a Row Manual
Sample Syllabus for Before Five in a Row
Cooking Art
Blog Post for Cooking Art
Let’s Make a Mess (art class)
Blog Post for Let’s Make a Mess
Letter of the Week
resource: Homeschool Share’s Alphabet Notebook
Little Builders
Blog Post for Little Builders
Little Green Thumbs
a preschool gardening class
Making Make-Believe
an introduction to storytelling and dramatic play
resource: Making Make-Believe by Mary Ann Kohl
Math Art
resource: Matharts: Exploring Math through Art for 3-6 Year Olds
Monkeys on the Move
Sample Syllabus for Monkeys on the Move
My Body
Blog Post for My Body
Nature Detectives
resources: Summer Nature School, How to Start a Nature Study Co-op
Nursery Rhymes
resource: Literature Pockets: Nursery Rhymes
Paper Bag Books
resource used: Super Paper Bag Books
Sample Syllabus for Paper Bag Books
Pet Pals
Blog Post for Pet Pals
Science Art
resource: Science Arts: Discovering Science Through Art Experiences
Tiny Tumblers
introduction to gymnastics
Wearables
Students make something to wear that reinforces a concept. Projects include: Shape & Pattern Crown, Size Sorting Apron, ABC Vest, Month by Month Belt, and more!
resource: Adorable Wearables That Teach Early Concepts
Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?
Blog Post for Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?
Early Elementary Homeschool Co-op Class Ideas
Aesop’s Fables
resource: free Aesop’s Fables Notebook at Homeschool Share
Ahoy Matey
resource: Homeschool Share Pirate Unit Study & Lapbook
Around the World with Jan Brett
resource: Jan Brett World Tour (includes lessons for Jan Brett books set in various countries around the world)
Body Basics
Sample Syllabus for Body Basics
resources used: My Body (make a life-sized body; each kid in the class did this), My First Human Body Coloring Book
Children Around the World
resources: Children Just Like Me, TIME for Kids: Around the World
Christmas Crafts and Gifts
Cook with Books
Blog Post for Cook with Books
Crazy Kid Concoctions
Blog Post for Crazy Kid Concoctions
Discovering Great Artists
resource: Art Projects Inspired by Famous Artists Pinterest Board
Dr. Seuss on the Loose
Sample Syllabus
Fall Arts and Crafts
Fitness Fun
Sample Syllabus for Fitness Fun
Flat Stanley
resource: Flat Stanley Study and Lapbook
Fairy Tales and Folk Tales
Sample Syllabus for Fairy Tales and Folktales Class
resource: Folk Tales and Fairy Tales (Literature Pockets for Grades K-1), Folk Tales and Fairy Tales (Literature Pockets for Grades 2-3)
Feathered Friends
resource: Homeschool Share’s Backyard Birds Notebook
Finger Knitting
Introduction to Dance
Sample Syllabus for Introduction to Dance
LEGO Building Club
Blog Post for LEGO Building Club
Magic School Bus Science
Master Gardeners
Blog Post for Master Gardeners
additional resource: Roots, Shoots, Buckets, and Boots: Gardening with Children
Move It! Move It!
Sample Syllabus
Native Americans
resource used: Native American Pockets
Sample Syllabus for Native Americans
Nature Crafts
resource: Nature Crafts Pinterest Board
Sample Syllabus for Nature Crafts
Old Fashioned Games
Printmaking
Regions of the U.S.A.
Blog Post for Regions of the USA
Show Me a Story (storytelling class)
Blog Post for Show Me a Story
Sign Language
Spanish for Fun
Sample Syllabus
Story Art: Art Projects Inspired by Picture Books
resource: Story Art Pinterest Board
Symphony in Color
This is an art contest in our state; we have hired an outside teacher to teach this class every fall for many years.
Tea Time with Beatrix Potter
Blog Post for Tea Time with Beatrix Potter
Tea Time with Great Poets
Blog Post for Tea Time with Poets
Taekwondo
or any other martial arts class; our co-op hires outside teachers for this
Weather Wonders
Sample Syllabus for Weather Wonders
resource: Discover and Do Level 2 DVD
What’s Bugging You?
Blog Post for What’s Bugging You? (early elementary)
Yoga
Upper Elementary & Middle School Homeschool Co-op Class Ideas
American Girls
Blog Post for American Girls
Ancient Science
resource: Ancient Science: 40 Time-Traveling, World-Exploring, History-Making Activities for Kids
Backyard Ballistics
Physics Fun!
resource: Backyard Ballistics Project Book
Basket Weaving
Beginning Beading
Introduction to Jewelry Making
Bibliovores (for kids who devour books)
Blog Post for Bibliovores
Blood and Guts
resources: Blood and Guts, Homeschool Share Body Lapbook (based on Blood and Guts)
Calligraphy
Camping Adventure
Blog Post for Camping Adventure
Candymaking
Sample Syllabus for Candymaking
Careers with Animals
Explore careers such as zoo keeper, pet store owner, veterinarian, animal shelter worker, animal trainers, groomers, conservation officer, kennel attendant, etc.
Caring Quilts
Blog Post for Caring Quilts
Chess
Choir
Sample Syllabus for Choir
Collage Art
Sample Syllabus
Cook with Books
Blog Post for Cook with Books
Cooking Around the World
Blog Post for Cooking Around the World
Cooking for the Family
Sample Syllabus
Creative Cupcakes
Blog Post for Creative Cupcakes
Creative Writing
Blog Posts for Creative Writing
Crochet
Curious Research
Dare to Draw
Blog Post for Dare to Draw
Detective Science
Sample Syllabus for Detective Science
Digital Photography
Sample Syllabus for Digital Photography
Discovering Great Artists
resource: Art Projects Inspired by Famous Artists Pinterest Board
Down the Nile
resources: Ancient Egypt Lapbook from Homeschool Share, Ancient Egypt History Pockets
Drama for Divas and Dudes Part 1
Sample Syllabus for Drama for Divas and Dudes Part 1
Drama for Divas and Dudes Part 2
Sample Syllabus for Drama for Divas and Dudes Part 2
Face Painting
Famous Battles
First Aid
Fun with Fitness and Games
Sample Syllabus for Fun with Fitness and Games
Fun with Fitness and Games Part 2
Sample Syllabus for Fun with Fitness and Games Part 2
God’s Smuggler(s)
Sample Syllabus for God’s Smuggler(s)
resource: VOM Bold Believers Downloads
Greek Mythology
Sample Syllabus
Your class could complete this research project: Super Simple File Folder Reports for Greek Mythology
Heroes of the Faith
Sample Syllabus for Heroes of the Faith
Incredible Creatures That Defy Evolution
resource: Incredible Creatures Videos
Indiana History
Sample Syllabus for Indiana History
resource used: Indiana Lapbook from Homeschool Share
Into the Wardrobe Literature Class
Blog Post for Into the Wardrobe
Introduction to German
Sample Syllabus for German
Introduction to Guitar
Sample Syllabus for Introduction to Guitar
Introduction to Sewing
Inventors & Inventions
blog post coming soon
Junk Box Wars
resource: Junk Box Wars
Each team receives a box of junk and a challenge! This would be a great class to offer after students have already experienced Think! Team Building Challenge.
Knitwits (Knitting Class)
Sample Syllabus for Knitwits Knitting Class
Magic Science
resource: Magic Science: 50 Jaw-Dropping, Mind-Boggling, Head-Scratching Activities for Kids
Missionary Heroes
Sample Syllabus for Missionary Heroes
Mixed Media Art Class
We hired an outside teacher for this class; students were encouraged to experiment with ink, carving, clay, paint, and even digital art.
Paper Mache’ Art
Peer Editing
resource: Teaching Writing with a Peer Editing Co-op
Potions and Perfumes
a homemade cosmetics course
Reader’s Theater
Rocket Science
resource: Rocket Science: 50 Flying, Floating, Flipping, Spinning Gadgets Kids Create Themselves
Scrapbooking & Card Making
Sign Language
Snap Circuits
Sample Syllabus for Snap Circuits
additional resource: FREE Snap Circuits Lapbook
Speedometry
Hot Wheels STEM Class; learn the physics behind hot wheels cars!
Resource: FREE Speedometry Curriculum
Strategic Board Games & Logic Games
Symphony in Color
This is a contest in our state; we have hired a retired art teacher to teach this class the past four years
Tell Me a Story
resource: Show Me a Story
Think! Team Building Challenge
Blog Post for Think! Team Building Challenge
Trendy Treasures
Jewelry making class; our co-op asked a local jewelry store owner (bead shop) to teach this class
What’s Bugging You?
Blog Post for What’s Bugging You? (upper elementary)
What’s for Breakfast?
Blog Post for What’s for Breakfast? Cooking Class
Woodcarving
Yoga
Zentangle Art
Jr. High and High School Homeschool Co-op Class Ideas
Art Appreciation
Cadet Teaching
Some of the high school students in our co-op are now teaching classes for the younger grades!
Child Development
Current Events
Debate
Economics
Foreign Languages or Sign Language
Graphic Design
Health
resource: Homeschool High School Health Class
Logic and Critical Thinking
Blog Post for Logic and Critical Thinking Class
Microbusiness
resource: Starting a Microbusiness
Music Appreciation
Personal Finance
resource: Foundations in Personal Finance: High School Edition
Praying God’s Word
Psychology
Speech
resource: Speech Boot Camp
Stewardship
Study Skills
Thinking Like a Christian (Worldview Class)
Thinking Like a Christian Part 2
Sample Syllabus for Thinking Like a Christian
Vex Robotics
Resource: Vex Robotics Website
Video Editing
Web Design
World Religions
Find more ultimate lists and ultimate guides at iHomeschool Network
Thanks for linking me to your post, Ami. So helpful!
You've given me lots of great ideas, and I really
appreciate your including the syllabus for each class.
I've never organized a co-op, and you're blog has given me courage. 🙂
We start in 3 weeks!
Love the list!!! It has given me so much to choose. If we were wanting to use a unit study say Drama for Divas and Dudes, where would we be able to find it?
This is amazing! Thank you so much for compiling these!!
This a fabulous and creative list. Lots of great ideas! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing so unselfishly. Truly a rare find in today 's world. If you find the time. I would really like more information on how you did the Greek mythology class.