Learning Center Informational Packet
(mentioned on page 181 of UGS2001)
1999-2000 LEARNING CENTER
INTRODUCTION
This is our twelfth year organizing a home school co-op. The Learning Center was conceived and organized in 1988 by Beth and Ken M------. Since then the number of home educated children involved has grown dramatically and we have needed to increasingly become more formally organized.
Currently the co-op is directed by myself, Kathy Shaheen (treasurer) and Nancy Mellinger (administrator), a.k.a. The Triumvirate. I do try to run the co-op as much by consensus as is possible. This is achieved through a summer meeting and through members' response to questionnaires throughout the year.
We think things will run most smoothly if all families involved have a clear understanding of the purpose of the Learning Center and the responsibilities involvement with the co-op entails. We also think you need to know where we are coming from before you can make an informed decision about your involvement.
Please, then, read through this handout and bring any questions or comments you may have to our next organizational meeting.
1999-00 MEMBERSHIP
Interested families must apply for membership (request a form from the administrator). Membership decisions are based upon the following:
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there is room |
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the oldest child in the family is at least seven |
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the teaching parent has gifts and talents that compliment the Learning Center program and philosophy |
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the family is sponsored by a current Learning Center
member in good standing. |
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Our educational goals include raising independent, life-long learners. To this end, we believe in emphasizing the learning "process over the product."
The activities at the Learning Center will be designed to give the children the opportunity to create, evaluate, experiment, make choices and take risks. Whenever possible we would like the children (as opposed to the mothers) doing most of the "work," i.e. learning. Remember that in any given learning situation it is the teacher who learns the most. So let's allow the kids to have that opportunity. For example, in 1991 the older children had the opportunity to write, cast, design, and direct a scene from the play about the American Revolution.
PURPOSE OF THE LEARNING CENTER
The Learning Center, we believe, provides children with important experiences: the opportunity to interact in a group and to function under other adult leadership. Schools, of course, say they provide these experiences, but parents have no control over which group or teacher our children are placed with. The Learning Center gives us those important choices and that should make all the difference.
Primarily, we believe the Learning Center is a social experience. And that that in itself is good. If the children enjoy being together and have fun, we believe that is a worthwhile result.
However, we feel fun and social experiences can be integrated with academic endeavors without much effort, too. So every attempt will be made to provide academically-challenging and meaningful projects for the children to collaborate on.
Secondly, major activities undertaken at the Learning Center should meet one of these standards:
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1. The activity requires an audience (i.e., play, or science fair) |
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2. The activity requires a group ( i.e. choir, soccer
game) |
We want to use the Learning Center to provide educational experiences we can not create at home.
RESPONSIBILITY*
The Learning Center takes time to lead, organize and administrate. We think it is a tremendous experience for our children, but we do not want to get burned out by the responsibility or see only a few moms carrying the load.
So we expect all mothers (and to a lesser degree fathers) whose children are involved to be willing to lead/assist in activities, care for little ones, administrate and help clean up. Moms should expect to be in attendance at all Learning Centers. At the Learning Center, mothers should expect to be assigned to two out of three sessions either as a teacher or helper. Mothers without specific assignments should expect to fill in where needed.
A semester schedule will be put out well enough in advance that mothers will know what their major responsibilities are at the Learning Center and have adequate time to prepare for that.
Moms who are assigned to lead activities are also responsible to design that activity. In some cases I will provide some guidelines and help, but I need moms to shoulder the responsibility for planning. For example, the preschool program is intended to be semi-structured. The kids will do better if their time is planned. We would like to see a story time, game time, puzzles, crafts, singing, etc. incorporated into their program. But it is the mothers who are assigned to the preschoolers for a particular center who will design that day's program.
Even when moms do not have a specific assignment on the schedule, mothers should still pitch in where they see a need during the Learning Center. Because we want to run a creative, flexible co-op, the schedule is a general plan for the day. As things progress during a Learning Center, other mothers will inevitably need to step in and lend assistance.
We also recognize that the Learning Center provides a social outlet for us mothers, and I do not want to set a rigid tone for our time together. We certainly can take time to converse with each other, just please don't wait to be asked before helping out.
We understand that some factors, like having a baby, will legitimately affect the level of a mom's involvement during a given year. Also, I see leadership as a seasonal responsibility. The level of responsibility shouldered by a given mom will ebb and flow. Typically, I do not look for a lot of leadership from a mother participating for the first time -- now the second year is a different story.... And moms who have been contributing heavily for several years should ideally have the opportunity to sit back and relax for a semester or so.
LEARNING CENTER RULES AND CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOR
The children will need to adjust to a lesser degree of freedom this year because we are such a large group. The leader of a group should adhere to the guidelines for bathroom privileges, drinks and care of the facility, etc. and also not hesitate to address any misbehavior. Parents should discuss with their children why we need to establish certain routines ( ex. younger children walking with a partner quietly to the gymnasium, drinks only at the break, ladies first.) and address their children immediately if their behavior warrants that.
We will try to keep the "rules" to a minimum and they will be clearly articulated and posted at the first Learning Center.
FEES
The fees for involvement in the Learning Center this year is $10/month per family (not child). The co-op meets for 9 month so the total is $90. This can be paid in two installments. A minimum of $45 is due by the first co-op day in September. The balance is due by December 31st is the other option. Fees are non-returnable. We also raise money for the co-op with an annual hoagie sale in the spring.
Sample Electives & Activities That Have Been Offered During the Past Few Years
Produced several plays
Made tin lanterns, dipped candles, carded wool
Christmas caroling
Packaged care packages for orphanage in Romania
International Christmas party
First aid classes
Fire prevention presentation
Writer's groups, published the Learning Center Rag
Juried science fair
Children's choir
National Geography Bee
Pizza Hut Book-It Program
Global Challenge
Presidential Fitness Challenge
Overnight science camp
Arts festival/family night
End-of-the-year picnic
Participate in the Walk-For-Life
Sheep shearing
Electives offered in:
Economics
Civics
Pioneer Days
Christian Charm
Chemistry
Physics
Shakespeare
PA History
Volleyball
Basketball
Square Dancing
Aerobics
Weaving
Quilting
Cooking
Sewing
Medieval Days
Poetry
Sign Language
Drama/Mime
Sports History
Inventors & Scientists
Chess
1999-00 CONTRACT
In exchange for the benefits and opportunities membership in the Learning Center provides for my children, I agree to do my best to fulfill with excellence and joy the following minimum responsibilities:
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1. I will lead or assist with 2 out of 3 sessions each Learning Center. |
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2. I will be ready to serve as a substitute or assist with set-up and clean up on an as needed basis. |
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3. Our family will pay promptly the fee of $45 prior to the start of each semester to the Learning Center treasurer. |
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4. Our family will sell a minimum of 20 hoagies for the spring fundraiser or make up the difference at a $1/hoagie. |
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5. I will do my best to arrive promptly and ensure my children are prepared for their classes each Learning Center. |
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6. If I have ideas for improving the Learning Center I will readily share them. If I am upset with Debby, I will come and tell her and not be afraid. |
______________________________________________ ________________
signed date
I appreciate your willingness to commit yourself to the Learning Center for the sake of providing all our children with the best experience possible. In exchange, I promise to quickly extend grace to any of us for our momentary lapses in fulfilling this commitment. (Providing that I have had my morning coffee first.)