January is a great time to reevaluate your homeschool year. Did you plan too much? Or not enough? Are the materials you are using working out? Are your students thriving?
If you are looking for a change, Fox Valley Free Learner's indoor co-op may be just what you need. We meet regularly, but do not have a "class schedule". What does that mean? While we do have a wing of "class rooms", the use of the rooms is not on a schedule. Each room has different supplies and materials available that the students are able to pull and use as desired. The students are expected to clean up and put away items after they are done. Because we don't have classes and schedule, students are free to talk and collaborate with fellow students as they see fit. They won't be interrupting a teacher or lesson plan. They don't have to ask a teacher to be excused to use the bathroom, and lunch time is whenever they are hungry. It is easy for parents that are unfamiliar with this style of learning to see our co-op as "just a free day", but our students are practicing valuable life and executive function skills. They are navigating relationship skills, practicing self-direction and breeding inner confidence.
What about the parents?
This is not a drop-off program. The parents are on hand to help monitor students and be available to offer assist as needed. We have access to multiple floors and sometimes we need to remind students to clean up after themselves. However, parents have ample time to socialize and support each other as we navigate this homeschool journey together. The parental support I receive from this group has been invaluable to me and I am very thankful for it. We don't walk this journey alone.
Attendance:
Regular attendance is expected. By showing up each week, we are positively contributing to the intentional community we have created. Our kids want to have a peer base, and by showing up each week, we are providing that for them.
If you are interested in joining us, or setting up a visit, please fill out the pre-admissions form on our website.