Welcome to Funschool Co-op!
A community oriented erichment program serving the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago and surrounding areas
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Schedule and Classes

Schedule         Class Descriptions
AM CLASSES FALL 2009

DAY/TIME:   THURSDAYS, 10AM – Noon  Rotary Building in Veterans Acres Park.  

The Rotary Building is located at the north side of the parking lot at the Walkup entrance, just opposite the playground.

Cost:  $35 first child, $30 each additional child, per six week session 

Crystal Lake Park District Resident Discount: $20 first child, $15 each additional child, per six week session

CHILDREN UNDER 5 and over 12 are FREEFor now, children in this age range do not need to register through the park district, but need to email their info directly to me to reserve a space. 

 A majority of the supplies we decide to use will be covered in these costs, however, special projects or outings may require additional materials or fees.

Updated Program Dates

No Classes Week of 10/29

Second Six Weeks – 11/5/09 through week of 12/17 with no classes Thanksgiving week. (Registration code 4243-0)

CLICK HERE and Register today!

View all Program Details - Click Here

Homeschool Karate - We are thrilled to offer Karate for homeschoolers of all ages!  The Karate will be taught by Patric Murphy of Kon Jo Karate Club in Fox River Grove.  http://www.konjokarate.com/575/index.html

Patric Murphy is the chief instructor of our club. Mr. Murphy is a third degree black belt in Shotokan Karate. The maxims of Shotokan Karate can be summarized into the following words: Character,  Sincerity, Effort, Etiquette,  Self-control

Sensei Murphy has experience teaching children of all levels and physical abilities.  Participants will be able to belt test and move up in the ranks for an additional fee, however the testing is not required.

All students ages 5-16yrs are welcome!  Parents can also participate.  Please email me if you are interested in this option.

Cost:  $65, Crystal Lake Park District Resident Discount $50, per six week session

No Classes Week of 10/29

Second Six Weeks – 11/5/09 through week of 12/17 with no classes Thanksgiving week. (Registration code 4243-1)

CLICK HERE and Register today!

PM Classes Fall 2009
September 21 - December 14 (no class Oct 19th) 
Group Guitar Lessons (12 week Session) 6:30PM-7:30PM  REGISTER HERE!


This schedule is subject to change based on enrollment and space availability.

 

Schedule         Class Descriptions        Teacher Information


Class Descriptions
 Group Guitar Lessons **Updated for Fall 2009**
Students of all ages (adults too!) can learn to play guitar in a group setting.  Classes will cover basic chords and strumming techniques.   As the great John Prine once said, "if you know G-C-D, you can play any song in the world!"  While the class will be geared toward the beginning guitarist, anyone wishing to improve their playing skills is encouraged to attend.  The instructor will be happy to provide advanced finger picking techniques and chord structures to those who are ready.  Most songs will be taught by ear, so no music reading skills are required, but you will be amazed at how much music theory you will gain during this class.
Each student must have their own guitar, preferably acoustic.   Each student is also encouraged to have a small tape player or other recording device to record instruction during class.

Teacher: John Wetterholt
Suggested Age Range: 8+ (younger students will need parent support)
Cost: $125


Program Details 

10AM -10:15AM– Introductions to the days activities

10:15AM - 11:45AM – Multi-Aged Themed Centers, Teen Hangout Area

11:30-Noon – Break/Snack/Free Play

Noon-2PM – Specialty Classes, Interest Based Group Meetings

Multi-Aged Themed Centers

Participants will be led through three activity centers in groups of 8-12 students each week by parent guides.  Groups will be reordered every three weeks so that students get a chance to meet each other and build new relationships.

During the first six weeks, we will be touring the globe and experiencing the crafts, food and stories/songs/games of each continent.  A variety of activities will be offered at each station and can be tailored to appeal to any age group.  Parent support will be required for younger participants.  Students will be welcome to participate at their interest level.  If they would love to stay in crafts for all three sessions, no problem.  If they do an activity and want to go outside for a while, they are welcome to leave and re- join the group as long as their parent is there to support that transition. 

Break/Snack/Free Play

Students will use the time to enjoy a snack from home.  Participants will be asked to limit what they bring from home based on allergies that might be present in the group (ie. Peanuts, dairy, etc) This is a great opportunity for outdoor play, hiking in the park, sledding down the hill, playing ball in the fields below, etc.

Interest Based Groups

Participants are welcome to use the building to organize special interest groups or to take advantage of the Homeschool classes being offered.  Some examples of groups that could form are:

            Games: A variety of educational board/card games will be on hand throughout the semester.  In addition, weather permitting, outdoor large motor and co-operative games can be explored.

Scouting: Regardless of a child’s registration in any type of scouting group, children can work together to complete projects from a variety of scouting resources.  The parent facilitator will present ideas from Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Earth Scouts and Campfire Boys/Girls and participants can choose what they would like to be a part of.  If the participant happens to be enrolled in any of those organizations, they can use their experiences at Funschool to fulfill requirements for badge work in their particular organization.

Acting/Theater/Writing: The students can choose to spend the first few weeks writing a play cooperatively or may choose to use costumes and areas provided to act out something of interest to them each week.  A parent facilitator will be on hand to provide games and ideas to help the children get to know each other.  Students who may be more interested in writing will be given idea starters and a forum in which to share their creative writing.

Specialty Classes

We are thrilled to offer Karate for homeschoolers of all ages!  The Karate will be taught by Patric Murphy of Kon Jo Karate Club in Fox River Grove.  http://www.konjokarate.com/575/index.html

Schedule          Class Descriptions         Teacher Information


Teacher Information

 

 
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Christina Ecklund

Education Philosophy:  The student is an active and experiential individual with a natural desire to learn.   
 
Prior Experience:   Christina has a B.A. in Studio Art and Secondary Education from Dominican University. She as taught in a variety of settings, including presenting a recycled craft day for area homeschoolers.  Christina has extensive experience inspiring and assisting children in their creative pursuits.

Biography:  Chris is mom of one and lives in McHenry.  She is passionate about art and enjoys sharing that passion with anyone who will participate.


  

 

 Carla Gibson
Education Philosophy: I believe that all children learn naturally when they are interested in the subject matter.  It is up to the adults in their lives to present them with a variety of inspiring and interesting ideas and then to get out of their way and let discover their passions.


Prior Experience: 
I have been involved with life coaching for adults for the past two years and I have taught high school students in a classroom setting.

Biography:  I am a mom to three wonderful, unschooled children and the founder of Funschool Co-op.  In addition to mothering and volunteering with La Leche League and Mothers&More, I am a B.E.S.T. practitioner and I provide lifestyle and nutrition coaching through my wellness business, Gibson Wellness Center.  Prior to having children, I studied Education at Roosevelt University and was a substitute teacher at Niles West High School in Skokie, IL.

 



 John Wetterholt

Education Philosophy:  I believe that learning is a dialogue.   In my classes I will employ a Socratic approach, and use a question and answer format to build on the participants’ prior knowledge, whether extensive or modest, to move toward greater understanding.   Role-playing is also helpful in allowing participants to put their knowledge to use, and as an aid for more long-term retention.

 
Prior Experience:  B.A., American Studies, Grinnell College.   Concentration on the Revolution and Founding and pre-Civil War history.   My recreational reading since college has featured numerous books and articles related to these periods.

 

Biography:  I am a lifelong student of history.   Early interest in George Washington and Abraham Lincoln later developed into a passion for understanding the motivations behind the revolutionaries and the Founders, and those whose careers were spent trying to stave off Civil War.   Two questions that prompt many inquires are, “Why?” and “What if they had known?”   Regional political motivations also illuminate many questions.

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