100+ Homeschool Co-op Class Ideas

Reasons to Join and Participate in Homeschool Co-op Classes

Joining a co-op has been a blessing in my life. In a true “co-operative,” all the people pitch in and help teach, organize, set up and clean, or watch younger children. Some people do not want the added responsibility, so I realize that a co-op is not for every homeschooling family. I truly love it, however.

  • It gives you a break from teaching that subject.
  • Your kids can learn from a different teacher.
  • Your kids can participate in group classes that are nearly impossible individually. (Such as singing in a choir or playing a multi-player game.) 
  • Your kids can practice working with others in group projects.
  • You have a built-in homeschool support system in your fellow co-op parents to swap ideas.
  • You and your kids get extra friendships.
  • Co-op provides a safe environment where you can meet and learn with like-minded individuals.
  • Your kids can make messes somewhere other than your own home. (In most co-ops, however, all parents pitch in to help clean up at the end of the day!)
  • Your kids get a chance to pack a lunch.
  • You and your kids have a lot of fun!

A thought to keep in mind: to teach a class, you’ll need a teacher. If you don’t know a soul who speaks or knows Japanese, you probably will struggle with teaching it in your co-op. Figure out your strengths and ask other homeschool parents to share their strengths. A homeschool co-op is most successful when it is actually co-operative in this way!

Homeschool Co-op Classes For Preschool Kids

Preschool is my favorite age for joining together at a homeschool co-op!

  • Music Exploration. Singing songs and play with hand instruments like drums, cymbals, and triangles to play with and learn to love music.
  • Story Time Activities.  Consider using my Preschool Picture Book Lessons.
  • Arts and Crafts. Do simple crafts together to enjoy learning about the fine arts.
  • Open Gym or Get the Wiggles Out. Bring balls, hula hoops, and more and do either organized or unorganized play.
  • Exploring STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). Do weekly activities and explorations at a preschooler’s level.
  • Playing the Alphabet. Do various amusing activities for each letter of the alphabet or simply play with the alphabet.
  • Learn with Play. Check out this book I contributed to. 
  • Salsa Spanish 1 (No reading required!). I love Salsa Spanish, a free video program available at Georgia Public Broadcasting..
  • Junior Club.  When we did this, a different parent took the class each week and did an activity of his/her choosing.
Homeschool co-op classes can range from fine arts to science labs. Here's a list of more than 100 homeschool group class ideas.

Homeschool Co-op Classes for Ages 5-8

Early elementary homeschooling co-op classes are super fun. Kids this age thrive on time together and working together. Focus on ideas that don't require reading, because kids at these ages read at varying levels.

English Language Arts Classes

  • Phonics Fun. I use Logic of English Foundations A for teaching basic phonics.
  • Speech. Give the kids a chance to practice talking in front of each other, such as doing show and tell or preparing simple speeches.
  • Book Club (i.e., reading and discussing fun stories with discussion, activities, or crafts)
  • Introduction to Poetry. Read and appreciate good poetry and try your hand at writing it. See my picture book poetry units.

Social Studies Classes

  • About our Community
  • U.S. States and Symbols
  • World Geography overview

Science, Technology, Engineering, Math in Homeschool Co-op

  • STEM Challenge (science, technology, engineering, and math). I have a lot of fun with this class. Younger kids may want to join with the preschoolers. I gear my class for 6-12.
  • Hands-on Math Lab 1 or 2. For younger kids or older kids. Play math with hands-on games and activities.
  • LEGO Challenge 1 or 2. Practice building with LEGOS with kid appropriate challenges.

Language Classes

  • Salsa Spanish 1 (No reading required!). I love Salsa Spanish, a free program from Georgia Public Broadcasting.
  • Salsa Spanish 2 (Continuation of Salsa Spanish 1, from videos 201 to the end)
  • Intro to ASL.
  • Other languages if you have willing teachers!

Electives Ideas

  • Five in a Row Unit Studies
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Drama club/theater. Let kids get a chance to try acting.
  • Music Appreciation
  • Music theory. See my how to read music game for this age!
  • Private music classes
  • Beginning Dance
  • Gym Class
  • Junior Club* (a different parent takes the class each week and does an activity of his/her choosing)

Homeschool Co-op Classes For ages 7-12

By early elementary, students can participate in more educational classes because they most likely have reading skills. That said, kids this age still love to play, so trick them into learning with fun-based and hands-on courses.

Language Arts Classes

  • Creative Writing Class (Using No More “I’m Done!”)
  • .Creative Writing with LEGOs.
  • Speech. Practice talking in front of other people.
  • Grammar Ace.
  • Introduction to Reading Response (i.e., learning the structure of great stories by responding to literature together)
  • Introduction to Poetry. Read and appreciate good poetry and try your hand at writing it. Use The Child's Introduction to Poetry for a good guide.

Social Studies Classes

Science, Tech, Engineering, Math Classes

.World Languages

  • Beginning or Conversational Spanish (or any language you have a teacher for)
  • Spanish Games and Activities (or any language you have a teacher for)
  • Intro to ASL. American Sign Language is a fun language to learn in person.

Other Electives Ideas

  • Drama Club/Theater
  • Intro to Cooking
  • Intro to Sewing Class
  • Art Exploration
  • Continuing Dance
  • Card Game Club
  • Book Club
  • Choir
  • Recorder
  • Private Music Lessons


Homeschool co-op classes help give the parent a break, but they also allow students to learn to work in teams in a way that cannot easily be replicated alone at home. Here are great homeschool class ideas to help you brainstorm what you could teach.

Homeschool Co-op Classes For 11-14

Older kids benefit from teachers with more specific expertise and experience. Middle School is not necessarily time for college prep work, but it is a great time for kids to explore what they are interested in.

Language Arts Classes

Social Studies Classes

Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Homeschool Classes

World Languages

  • American Sign Language
  • Beginning or Conversational Spanish (or other living langauge)
  • Classical Latin
  • Greek and Latin roots


Elective Homeschool Class Ideas

  • Misc. Unit Studies
  • Logic
  • Chess
  • Bible Study
  • Debate
  • Health and Nutrition
  • How to Cook
  • Art History
  • Advanced Art
  • Sewing or Knitting
  • Choir
  • Private Music Lessons

Co-op Classes For 14+

After middle school, I personally find co=op classes most useful if they are college or career preparatory. Some kids still won't know what they want, so it helps to give variety. Again, it depends on what parents are able to teach! Think outside the box.

English Language Arts Classes

Social Studies Classes

  • Advanced American Government or U,S. Constitution
  • American History
  • World History
  • Career Exploration
  • Introduction to Business
  • Pyschology
  • Anthropology (study of world cultures)
  • World Geography
  • Economics


Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Classes

  • High School Biology lab
  • High School Chemistry lab
  • High School Physics lab
  • Environmental Science
  • Geology
  • Astronomy
  • Human Anatomy
  • Forensic Science
  • Computer Programming
  • Web Design
  • Advanced Robotics
  • Game App Design
  • Architecture
  • Engineering
  • Geology or Algebra review or tutoring
  • Personal Finance

Languages

  • Modern Languages
  • Greek and Latin Roots and Vocabulary
  • Classic Latin

Electives Ideas

  • ACT/SAT Prep
  • Advanced Drama Class
  • Improv Acting Class
  • Teen Art
  • Sewing or Knitting
  • Private music lessons
  • Music Theory
  • Running Club
  • Yearbook Committee. You may want to use Blurb for designing your yearbook.
  • Private Music Lessons
  • Home Ec/Living on your own course
  • Auto Mechanics
  • Wood shop
  • Cooking


What do you think? Are you interested in joining a co-op? Are you already in a co-op? What were/are the best classes you’ve taken at a homeschool co-op?

Homeschool co-op classes can be educational or fun or both! Think outside of the box and find extra or curricula classes you'd like your homeschoolers to take with a class.
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Related Articles:

  • Hey … I noticed you had a five in a row unit study listed … and just wanted to throw this out of its helpful. We’ve been using mostly Five in A Row books for the last two years at our co-op, and have followed these two curriculums. It includes everything you need for a co-op class, including handouts and lots of classroom teaching ideas, low budget games and activities. It was something I was looking for when I started teaching at co-op, but when I couldn’t find it— we started working together to create one. https://www.chroniclesofmomia.com/2018/02/fiar-five-in-row-based-kindergarten-co.html?m=1, and are almost done this one, https://www.chroniclesofmomia.com/2018/09/more-fiar-inspired-literature-based.html?m=1. Hope it’s helpful to someone. 🙂

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