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Homeschooling and potlucks

My homeschool group has started a wonderful thing- Potlucks.
Instead of each of us making lunches for our families we've decided to each bring an item or 2 for a potluck.
Right now it works like this- there are 2 moms in charge of each monthly unit study and those 2 moms plan our potlucks for the month and assign meal components.
For example- a few weeks ago we had taco potluck- I brought lettuce. Last week it was spaghetti- 3 moms brought 9x13 pans of baked spaghetti, 2 moms brought bread sticks, 2 moms brought salad and 2 moms brought beverages.
We are trying to be careful about costs- making sure we even it out. When one mom is required to bring an item that is more costly one week, she'll be assigned something cheaper the next week.
How do we determine menus? Well, sometimes we look at interesting things that are going on, like last month was National Peanut Butter Month so we had a pbj potluck (some yummy gourmet pbjs!). We've also had the normal holiday parties- like Valentine's and Easter. We have a pizza luncheon once a month- using our book-it coupons for the kidlets and purchasing large $5 pizzas for the moms to share.
The potlucks have been a huge hit. Us mommas like not having to worry about what we're cooking/packing each Tuesday. We all like saving a bit of money as well as the time saving factor. The kids enjoy eating the same thing together- nobody's lunch being better/worse than anyone elses . . . . .
We are already in the planning stages for next school year- a lot of changes will be going on in our homeschool group- we're moving in a new direction- instead of monthly unit studies for the entire group we are going to be offering classes that focus on electives that we aren't finding time for at home or we aren't necessarily gifted in as teachers or are best done in a group setting (like gym days). Our group meets every Tuesday and our plan is to offer 3 separate elective classes during our school time each week as well as one group class (music, art, gym). AND- we're discussing having a Lunch Mom- who will be in charge of setting up our potluck schedule for the year - month by month (with other moms switching each month as her helper momma).
We have moms that are gifted in teaching groups and we have moms that are not comfortable leading a group or speaking infront of the group- so we are working to find ways for each mom to "find her fit" and contribute.
What will I be doing? Well, I've already been volun-told (LOL) that I'll be teaching a class on creative writing. Other than that- I'm looking at something for the older girls- a bible study/homekeeping type of class. We've got moms that want to teach dissection (oh thank the Lord someone is willing to do that for me!), more science, art, music, cooking . . . . one mom that feels led to teach our preschoolers. Another mom wants to work with those that are having trouble learning to read.
I have to say that I am very excited about the new direction we are heading. We have a veteran homeschooling mom coming to speak with us a the end of the school year. She'll be sharing with us about credit hours and transcripts, how to set up co-op classes, ideas of what we can offer and how to run it and so much more. She shared with me that she has enough material to share that we'll need her to meet with us twice!

Untitled Comment

2:29 PM, 2008-Apr-7 .. Posted by gabbie427

What a wonderful idea! I am wondering if my area has anytghing like this!

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo