I need topic ideas for a homeschool group, please...

[K&Rs Mom]

Our local group is just getting off the ground, we have about 5 regular moms at our monthly parent meeting and a few more call each month for info. Most of us are in our first 3 years of homeschooling; our most valuable veteran is about to graduate her youngest and can't make most meetings because of some personal issues with her family. Last night there were quite a few long pauses, and I felt like no one was really getting much out of this.

So I was thinking maybe it would help to have a "focus" for the meetings. Right now, it's pretty much just me with a list of upcoming events around the area, and then we discuss how school is going, but sometimes it's hard to draw out any conversation. My thought is something like March - history; April - nature/outdoors; and ask everyone their thoughts on the topic, what they are doing in that area lately, and hope that this can lead to more discussion.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

[Karenciavo]

I think that's a great idea, especially if everyone knew the topics beforehand.

[K&Rs Mom]

That's what I was thinking, to send out a topic when I do the email reminder about a week ahead. I just can't seem to come up with more than 3-4 topics!

[Karenciavo]

In addition to subject topics like history and such, you could do educational philosophy topics (What kind of homeschooler are you and how's that working for you?), preparing for various levels (high school, middle school, early education), making sure your life is balanced (How to keep your dh plugged in, how not to neglect other responsibilities in the home, meal planning), what extras do you use and find effective (online courses, computer programs, United Streaming, local activities and such). And maybe for some of these you could invite someone to speak, e.g. a mom or dad that has graduated students could talk about high school.

HTH,
karen

[angela in ohio]

My thought - limit everyone's time. I have done discussion topics like this before, and you always get one person (or two, if you're unlucky) who has the PERFECT curriculum and everyone else MUST TRY IT, and then they proceed to take an hour to describe its finer points. Ugh.

Some good ones we have done: scheduling, meal planning, electives (art, music, gym), math games and manipulatives.

[Hillary in KS]

We've done this before and have tried to balance nights of discussion with nights of activities for children. Usually there's a main speaker, and then we had a Q and A session at the end.

Mom's Night Topics:
Homeschooling and Staying Sane Through The Christmas Season
Home Organization/ Balancing Homeschooling and the REst of Your lIfe
Voice of a Veteran (A mom who's graduated her 3 children spoke about hsing)
A problem-solving night( Everyone brought a question to ask, and we then brainstormed solutions.)
Focus on an Educational Style night: (CM, Classical, Unit Studies, etc.)
Lapbooking/Notebooking Demonstrations
Loving Your Husband, etc.


Activity Nights:
Book Look is our biggest hit: Everyone brings their favorite curriculum or materials, and displayes them on a table. We spend a couple of hours wandering through the tables just looking at what everyone uses and asking questions. (Like a curriculum fair, but no sales.)
Living Wax Museum Night: Children create a display about a historical figure they've researched. Then they dress up like that character and pose next to their display. When an observer presses their "Start button", they come to life and recite a short biography of their figure.
International Night: Research a country, create a display, cook some food, and dress up as someone from that country.


At the first meeting, we made a survey and asked moms what topics they'd like to see discussed. Then we scheduled those first. It helped to have an icebreaker, then a speaker, and then Q and A. That kept us focused on a topic. People also brought snacks! :)

[mcconnellboys]

We did a series once where we got together once a month and had a different topic that we all shared. One month it would be history, another month science, and so on. Everyone would bring some of their favorite resources and would tell about websites they liked, etc. We could bring along books to show, etc., too. It was always fun and there was never a pause in the conversation!

Regena

[K&Rs Mom]

Thanks so much for all the ideas!!!! :)

[Jenstet]

A topic I don't think was mentioned was Homeschooling Through Life's Changes. Babies, illness, moving, job loss. How people manage.

I think writing can be an informative topic. It can be so vague.