President Co-Op

Yesterday we had our first official co-op on U.S. President's. We had many children give reports varying in age from 5 - 15. The topics covered the first 5 Presidents and many other important events that took place during that time-period from 1789 - 1825.

My 6 year old reported on the Monroe Doctrine. Here is his report:

"The Monroe Doctrine
By Michael
The Monroe Doctrine was written in 1823 by President Monroe. It was our country’s first foreign policy.

President Monroe was worried that some countries in Europe were going to send armies to countries in South America. Some of these countries had just won their independence from Spain. President Monroe believed they had a right to remain free.

He gave a speech to congress stating that the U.S. would not let other countries send armies into any country in the Western Hemisphere (which is North and South America), and the U.S. would fight other countries if they tried. He also said no foreign country could take over any more land in the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. would also stay out of wars in Europe.

No countries from Europe sent armies into the Western Hemisphere and we did not get into any wars in Europe until World War I.

This speech became known as the Monroe Doctrine, and many other Presidents later used this doctrine to keep America’s freedom."

Later, I will post my 14 year old daughter's report.

U.S. President's Co-op

Our co-op on U.S. Presidents started today. We will meet once a week for the next 10 weeks. We have 5 families and 15 children of varying ages participating. The plan is to study all of the U.S. Presidents, and some major political events in the next 10 weeks. I'm very excited, as I hope to learn so much, right along with my children. I think that is the thing I love most about homeschooling, learning with my children.

Our co-op is set up in such a way that every student will have to research, write and present a report every week. The younger children will be expected to do less than the older children, but all will get up in front of the group to share what they learned in their research. The parents all share responsibilities during the meeting by either giving an overview of the topics for the week, leading a Bible devotional, bringing a snack, leading an activity or craft, or writing the weekly newsletter. The parents will rotate through these responsibilities so that no one has to be responsible for the same thing each week.

The weekly newsletter is a compilation of each of the children's research papers, a write-up on the craft, activity and snack as well as any pictures that were taken. At the end of the 10 weeks, we will bind them and give each family a copy for their portfolio.

Today the children choose their topics to research and report on next week. My 14 year old daughter will report on John Adams, and my 6 year old son will report on the Monroe Doctrine. (I must admit that I did not know what the Monroe Doctrine was when we picked the topic, but I'm very excited to learn about it!).