KONOS Co-Op Overview

Purpose   

The Online Co-op is an ongoing training session where moms are trained and mentored by KONOS author, Jessica Hulcy.  You will be provided written out weekly lesson plans and a wealth of teaching tips and strategies using the award-winning KONOS curriculum. Wade and Jessica Hulcy will oversee the groups with the help of veteran KONOS moms.  The purpose of the group is to eliminate the planning and decision-making for implementing the curriculum. This will allow “mom” to concentrate on teaching her kids.  The co-op members will be provided via the internet the following:

• Weekly teaching objectives
• Weekly lesson plans by choosing activities
• Vocabulary words to focus on
• Materials list
• Field trip suggestions
• Suggestion of where to find materials
• Writing assignments with suggested focus
• Encouragement
• Teaching tips
• Student Certificate of Completion
• Teacher Certificate of In-Service Teacher Training

Benefits

Accountability to the group…not that anyone is going to write you up for not teaching an activity, because life happens and you are free to do what you want but….just knowing that the rest of the co-op moms are doing the daily activities and you should be doing them, creates good, self-imposed pressure that keeps you on track and stimulates good teaching! 

Ideas from from other co-op members, where moms write in and say, “Guess what I found out?"  All members can be on the lookout for great opportunities to share.

Problem solving will come from the leader and other members when the educational results you imagined are not happening in your home either helping you to adjust your expectations or change your teaching techniques.  Resources, teaching strategies, and advice will be given to solve problems and overcome obstacles.  “There is wisdom in many counselors.”

Encouragement from the group is a huge benefit.  Just having others doing the exact same activities is a comfort.  When you get down, the group and leader will pump you back up. 

Prayer will be a major part of the KONOS teaching day.  If we know that you are a little nervous about teaching the sub-unit on composers to your children, then we can be praying for you.  We can also pray for specific needs not necessarily related to homeschooling.  We will need a chaplain mom to coordinate and follow up on prayer requests.

Cost

The cost is $30 per month.    

Commitment

Many of you have asked if you can pick and choose the units you do with the KONOS Online Co-op Group.  I have asked Jessica that question several times and her answer has been steadfast with an unwavering "No" each time.  I told her we are going to lose some people who want to join and then dropout, because they have already done some of the units.  She knows that but her response is this, "To build a group that is going to function as a co-op group should, people have to be there for at least a semester."  Sign whenever you are ready, but stay through the end of the semester.   
 

If you don't think this format will work for you since you have already done certain units with your kids, we understand.  We would rather start with a smaller number of people and have a real, live co-op group than have many more people using the virtual revolving door. 

Sign Up and Start

http://www.homeschoolmentor.com/  Click on "Ready to Join?"

Format and Schedule

The video webcast training sessions for moms are will be posted in late August as will the lesson plans.  Classes start Sept . 2nd. You must stay through the end of the semester.  

How will the lesson plans come to you?

• Jessica will deliver the weekly instruction via web cam and Power Point.  You will be able to see Jessica as she talks to you and view her Power Point on your computer screen at the same time.  This is where Jessica will give her incredible tips on how to homeschool and how to teach.  You will be able to get to the web cast by logging in on the website and following the instructions.
• You will also be able to download the same written lesson plans that you can hold in your hand from a PDF file posted on the website.

Just so you will know how we have planned the year, the…..

 Fall Semester begins September 2nd and ends December 12, 2008

 Spring Semester begins January 5th and ends May 29, 2009

Obviously, not every week has five working days.  We do have a Thanksgiving Holiday as well as Spring Break.  A calendar will be sent to you when you join the group.

Results

This is not a teaching co-op in the sense that we are having a once a week class at your house, then mine.  That is impossible.  What is possible is to have a teacher’s co-op where moms come under the mentorship of an experienced KONOS user, like Jessica, to have her establish a pace and plan what is covered and when it is covered.  Moms will come together on line to share ideas, successes, prayers and problems, making the coop group as close to teaching together as possible even though we are miles apart geographically. 

The challenge is to make this group a great substitute when you don't have a local group to join in your hometown.  Here is an opportunity to share with other women the common goals and challenges of teaching your own children at home.   You have an opportunity to give as well as glean from the group of like-minded women.  We are excited about the prospects of helping a new generation of homeschooling moms to train up another generation of KONOS kids who want to serve the Lord.  What a privilege!!!

Testimonial