A "fee based" homeschool co-operative serving the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago and surrounding areas
Schedule Class Descriptions Teacher Information FAQ/Policies and Guidelines
Classes By Intended Age Range
AM Classes are held on Wednesdays beginning October 1st at the Calvary Assembly of God Church, 5906 S Rt 31, Crystal Lake (Just South of Rt 176 on the East side of the street)
PM Classes are held on Monday evenings beginning September 29 at the teacher's Crystal Lake residence.
AM Classes
9:30-10:25
Ceramics I
Magic Performance
Hands on Science for Kids
Preschoolers Play with a Purpose
Homeschoolers Hangout
10:35-11:30
Chess for Beginners (2 Five Week Sessions)
American Girl - Exploring Kit Kittridge's World
Exploring Fairy Tales through Mixed Media
Creating Your Life Vision for Teens
Homeschoolers Hangout
PM Classes
Mondays beginning 9/29, 7-8:30PM
First Six Weeks 9/29- 11/3 The Birth of the U.S. Constitution
Second Six Weeks 11/10 - 12/15 The Constitution in American Life
One Day Workshops
September 24, 2008 9:30-11:30
Introduction to Sign Language (Signed Exact English)
Make This! BeetleBot
Exploring Fairy Tales through Mixed Media (10AM-11AM)
November 5, 2008, 9:30-12:30
Introduction to Sign Language (Signed Exact English)
Make This! Minty Boost
Hands on Science for Kids (10AM-11:30AM)
This schedule is subject to change based on enrollment and space availability.
Classes By Intended Age Range
Age ranges are provided as a guideline and explain the level at which the instructor will be teaching. Any child who has an interest in the subject matter, can attend the class without causing a disruption (this can be with parent support, parents are always welcomed in any class) and is willing to pay the fee, can take any class, no matter how they fit into the age range specified.
Pre School (3-6)
Ceramics I
Preschoolers Play with a Purpose
Hands on Science for Kids
Introduction to Beginners Sign Language (Signed Exact English)
Exploring Fairy Tales through Mixed Media
Homeschoolers Hangout
Lower Elementary (6-8)
Ceramics I
Homeschoolers Hangout
Magic Performance
American Girl - Exploring Kit Kittridge's World
Hands on Science for Kids
Chess for Beginners
Introduction to Beginners Sign Language (Signed Exact English
Exploring Fairy Tales through Mixed Media
Ceramics I
Homeschoolers Hangout
Magic Performance
American Girl - Exploring Kit Kittridge's World
Chess for Beginners
Introduction to Beginners Sign Language (Signed Exact English
The Constitution in American Life
Make This! Minty Boost
Make This! BeetleBot
The Birth of the U.S. Constitution
Teen/High School (13+)
Creating Your Life Vision for Teens
The Birth of the U.S. Constitution
The Constitution in American Life
Class Descriptions
American Girl - Exploring Kit Kittridge's World
Come join us in "Exploring Kit Kittridge's World." We will read the American Girl Kit series and travel back to the 1930's to explore the Great Depression. Find out the reasons behind the Depression and how Americans coped and survived. We'll explore using discussions and fun hands-on activities like publishing a newspaper, making napkins out of a flour sack, creating a "Waste Not Want Not Almanac', cooking hobo stew and performing a service project. Students will need access to the American Girl Kit books. There will be outside writing and reading. A schedule will be distributed at the first class.
Suggested Age Range: 8+
Cost: $57 first child - $47 additional siblings/Non-Member: $80 first child - $70 additional siblings (Includes $10 non-refundable materials fee)
Min/Max: 5/15 Class Length: 60 minutes/10 weeks
Class Outline
Cancelled for Low Enrollment American Literature of the 1920s
The period between World War I and the Great Depression marked a tremendous shift in the form and nature of American literature. This class will examine influential writers of the period, including: Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Eugene O’Neil, Zora Neale Hurston, John Dos Passos, e.e. cummings, Langton Hughes and Edna St. Vincent Milloy. A syllabus will be mailed to students over the summer. All assigned readings should be readily available through the public libraries.
Teacher: W. Mark Weaver
Suggested Age Range: 14+
Cost: $52/Non-Member $75
Min/Max: 5/15 Class Length: 90 minutes/12 weeks (PM Section)
Class Outline
Cancelled for Low Enrollment Art Discovery for the Young Child
Using the Usborne Art Treasury and Discovering Great Artists by MaryAnn F. Kohl, students will learn a bit about an artist’s life and then complete a project in the style of that artist. For example, when learning about Michelangelo, we will paint a fresco plaque and try lie-down painting, or when studying Pollock, we will do our own splatter painting!
In addition to the projects, students will listen to music from different composers of the times of the artists (when possible to coordinate) and learn a bit about their lives as well, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi, and Tchaikovsky. We may also listen to other instrumental pieces as we work.
The goal of the class is to expose students to many different techniques in art, rather than teach how to draw, as well as some art appreciation. As time permits, we may use the Come Look With Me art books (by Gladys S. Blizzard) to discuss paintings.
Teacher: Michelle HabrychSuggested Age Range: 4+
Cost: $32/Non-Member $55 (Includes $20 non-refundable materials fee)
Min/Max: 5/12 Class Length: 60 minutes/10 weeks
Class Outline
The Birth of the
This class will explore the development and ratification of the United States Constitution. We will discover the need for calling the Constitutional Convention and come to know many of the personalities attending and the regional and sectional differences among the delegates. The class will include a re-enactment of some of the debates with students playing the parts of James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and others.
Students should have some basic familiarity with the branches of government.
Teacher: John Wetterholt
Suggested Age Range: 9-14
Cost: $32 first child - $25 additional siblings/Non-Member $55 first child - $48 additional siblings
Min/Max: 3/12 Class Length: 90 minutes/6 weeks - September 22-October 27 (PM Section)
Class Outline
Ceramics I
In this basic ceramics course students will be given an opportunity to complete a variety of projects including but not limited to a pinch cup/bowl, coil object, and slab box/cylinder. A 6 piece set of wooden tools and a rubber shaping tool (for ea. student to keep), air drying clay, paint, and instruction will be provided.
Teacher: Chris Ecklund
Suggested Age Range: All Ages - " old enough not to eat clay and young enough to have fun playing with clay"
Cost: $32 first child - $22 each additional sibling/Non-Member $50 first child -$40 each additional sibling
(Includes $10 non-refundable materials fee)
Min/Max: 5/15 Class Length: 60 minutes/10 weeks
Class Outline
Students will learn basic fundamentals of playing chess, beginning with identifying the pieces and how they move on the board, all the way up to basic strategy and play. Each class will include a lesson along with some chess play time so students can put into practice the lessons they have learned.
Teacher: Brent Allan
Suggested Age Range: 7-12
Cost: $27/Non-Member $45 (Includes $10 non-refundable materials fee)
Min/Max: 6/14 Class Length: 60 minutes/5 weeks
The Constitution in American Life
This class is designed as a follow-up for The Birth of the U. S. Constitution class. We will explore each branch of the government as designed in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments. We will discover what motivated succeeding generations of citizen lawmakers to insert changes to the original document and place important developments in their cultural and historical context.
Students should have some basic familiarity with the branches of government. This class will follow “The Birth of the U. S. Constitution” class, although that class is not considered a prerequisite.
Teacher: John WetterholtSuggested Age Range: 9-14
Cost: $32 first child - $25 additional siblings/Non-Member $55 first child - $48 additional siblings
Min/Max: 3/12 Class Length: 90 minutes/6 weeks - November 3 - December 8 (PM Section)
Class Outline
Creating Your Life Vision for Teens
Are you ready to be a “grown up”? Society expects you to know what you want to be when you grow up by the time you are 18 years old, however, most adults go through several career and life changes throughout their lives. Are you going to college? Many adults who went to college are now working in professions other than what they studied for their degree. What is your role in your family and what kind of family do you want in the future? In this weekly discussion group, participants will be given the opportunity to examine their beliefs in the areas of Family, Community and Career and to engage in activities that help them refine their values and ideals as they look toward setting goals and refining a vision for their adult life. All activities will be voluntary and may include writing the speech you will give at your 100th Birthday party, examining your values through prosperity consciousness activities, identifying and completing a service project in your community, taking care of a “baby” and identifying career goals and the paths available to achieve those goals. This class is being offered in return for one service hour to the Funschool Co-op each week. Duties may include being a teacher’s aide, supervising open play, helping with setup or cleanup, being a hall monitor or helping with the school store. Duties will be assigned for the first few weeks of the co-op and students will have the opportunity to choose their duties as the needs of the co-op are refined.
Teacher: Carla Gibson
Suggested Age Range: 12+
Cost: One Service Hour Per Week to Funschool Co-op/Non-Member $25 and One Service Hour Per Week to Funschool Co-op
Min/Max: 2/15 Class Length: 60 minutes/10weeks
Exploring Fairy Tales through Mixed Media
Each week we will take a classic fairy tale and explore it through various forms of mixed media, such as art, music, performance, writing (or dictating for those who can’t write yet), and creating handmade books. This is a very easy going class geared towards various levels of maturity, confidence, and I am more than happy to work with any adaptations for behavior/mental/physical limitations. Please have the students dress for comfort and ease of movement. Non skid socks would be a great thing for this class. Let me know of any sensory issues with textures, sounds, fabrics, etc. Get your passport ready for this trip around the world! During our journey, you will experience how children live, learn, play and experience the wonders found on every continent. This is a trip you definitely won't want to miss. Teacher: Stac y Weaver Cancelled for Low Enrollment Fearless Presentations Do you know how to present your ideas on a topic to a group of people? Are you comfortable standing up and talking in public? Do you even know where to begin? Fearless Presentations will help! This class will teach you the basics of making great presentations. We will cover how to choose a topic, how to research it, how to craft it, how to structure it, different types of mediums to use in order to present your material, how to capture and keep your audiences’ interest, introduction to Power Point, and ample opportunities for students to present material. Students will also receive constructive feedback on what worked well and how to improve. Teacher: Terrie Price Introduction to Beginners Sign Language (Signed Exact English) Magic Performance Teacher: Terrie Price Students would need to bring some sort of “third hand” device to hold the piece as they are working on it and an Altoids Gum container. All other supplies will be provided and are included in the class fee. Teacher: Terrie Price Cancelled for Low Enrollment Moms and Baby Signs Teacher: Jill Davis This class will introduce the younger students to cooperative activities and teamwork events. The goal for this class is to have the kids learn that it’s more fun when we all work together. Teacher: Reid Huffman
Teacher: Elizabeth Gambardella
Suggested Age Range: 4-8
Cost: $32 first child - $25 additional siblings/Non-Member $55 first child - $48 additional siblings (Includes $15 non-refundable materials fee)
Min/Max: 5/12 Class Length: 60 minutes/10 weeks
Class Outline
One Day Workshop 9/24/08
Fee: $5/Non-Member $8
Min/Max: 5/12 Class Length: 60 minutes
Cancelled for Low Enrollment Exploring Our World
Suggested Age Range: 4-8
Cost: $62 first child - $47 additional siblings/Non-Member $85 first child - $70 additional siblings (Includes $15 non-refundable materials fee)
Min/Max: 5/12 Class Length: 60 minutes/10 weeks
Class Outline
Suggested Age Range: 8+ (students should be able to sit in class and be quietly respectful of those giving presentations
Cost: $52 first child - $42 additional siblings/Non-Member $75 first child - $65 additional siblings
Min/Max: 5/15 Class Length: 60 minutes/10 weeks
Hands on Science for Kids
Join us for hands on science where we explore animals, plants, minerals, outer space, weather, and a lot more. Each week will be a new topic to explore with our senses. Magnets, mirrors, kaleidoscopes, tornadoes, bubbles and more! This is a hands on class and there will be mess! They will each get their own set of scientific tools to work with that will be theirs to keep at the end of the session. Please let me know of any allergies/sensitivities to foods/chemicals/etc and/or sensory issues.
Teacher: Elizabeth Gambardella
Suggested Age Range: 4-8
Cost: $62 first child - $55 additional siblings/Non-Member $85 first child - $78 additional siblings(Includes $20 non-refundable materials fee)
Min/Max: 5/15 Class Length: 60 minutes/10 weeks
One Day Workshop 11/5/08
Fee: $8/Non-Member $10
One day workshop activity will be learning about worm composting and each participant will take home their own worm composting bin.
Min/Max: 5/15 Class Length: 60 minutes
Class Outline
Homeschoolers Hangout
Does your family just want a place where they can go, rain or shine, to meet other homeschoolers, play games, make connections, participate in swaps, project fairs and be part of a community? During the Funschool Co-op hours, the Homeschoolers Hangout will be open and your family is welcome to join the fun. Whether you take a break between classes, hang out with your younger child while your older children take classes or just come for the community, you're welcome! Children under age 8 need to be supervised by a parent in the Homeschoolers Hangout area at all times and all parents must remain in the building during co-op hours. Funschool Co-op does not offer "drop off" programs. All families are encouraged to build some time into your schedule to enjoy this unique opportunity.
Teacher: None - Area will be supervised by a Parent Volunteer but parents are responsible for the behavior and safety of their children
Class Length: 10 Weeks, Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30, October 1st - December 12th
Cost: Free to Funschool Co-op Families who have paid the Semester Fee
Non-Member $55 per semester or $10 per family/per day drop in rate
In this class, you will learn the basics of Sign 101. You will learn about deaf culture, the differences with the deaf and hearing impaired, and will learn a variety of signs and you will be able to hold a simple conversation with someone who signs.
Teacher: Jill Davis
Suggested Age Range: All ages
Cost: $15/Non-Member $35
Min/Max: 5/15 Class Length: 120 minutes/1 Day Workshop
This class will cover a variety of styles of performance magic, including stage magic, close-up magic, mentalism, and other styles using a variety of props like cards, money, ropes, and more. Besides just learning secrets to magic, students will learn how to properly perform magic so it is entertaining and astonishing.
Teacher: Brent Allan
Suggested Age Range: 8-15
Cost: $52/Non-Member $75 (Includes $15 non-refundable materials fee)
Min/Max: 5/10 Class Length: 60 minutes/10 weeks 
Make This! BeetleBot
Based on the wildly popular Maker Faire that happens every year in
Suggested Age Range: 8+
Cost: $20/Non-Member $45 (Includes $10 non-refundable materials fee)
Min/Max: 5/12 Class Length: 2 hours/ 1 day workshop 9/24
Make This! Minty Boost
Based on the wildly popular Maker Faire that happens every year in
Suggested Age Range: 10+ younger students will definitely need parental help
Cost: $30/Non-Member $55 (Includes $20 non-refundable materials fee)
Min/Max: 5/10 Class Length: 3 hours/ 1 day workshop 11/5
This class offers moms and/or dads the opportunity to learn basic signs to be able to communicate with their baby. Signs include: sleep, eat, more, happy, change diaper, milk, drink, tired, bath and more. Parents will take home the knowledge of about 50 signs.
Suggested Age Range: Parents can begin learning baby signs even before their babies are born! Most babies start to notice the signs between 6 and 9 months of age and can appreciate using signs until they are communicating verbally sometime during their third year.
Cost: $15/Non-Member $35
Min/Max: 5/15 Class Length: 2 hours/1 day workshop offered 9/24 and 11/5
Play with a Purpose (Gym & Games)
Suggested Age Range: 3-5 (Preschool age, with parent support if needed)
Cost: $12 first child - $10 additional siblings/Non-Member $35 first child - $33 additional siblings
Min/Max: 5/12 Class Length: 60 minutes / 10 weeks
Cancelled for Low Enrollment Writing With Description
Suggested Age Range: 8-13
Cost: $37/Non-Member $60
Min/Max: 5/15 Class Length: 60 minutes/10 weeks
Teacher Information
Brent Allan Education Philosophy: My education philosophy is that people learn better when they are having fun. I believe that people have different styles of learning, and it is important to teach using a variety of styles to better engage students of different learning styles. I also believe that basic information is not sufficient, and that education should include practical application.
Prior Experience: I have mentored people in magic performance, and have worked for a company called CheckMates
Biography: Brent Allan has been a professional entertainer for over 18 years, specializing in magic, juggling, and comedy. He performs over 200 shows a year all over the Untied States. During the school year, he teaches chess to children in an after-school program.
Jill Davis Education Philosophy: I believe that all children can learn. I agree a lot with Gardner and his Multiple Intelligences. I feel that people learn in all different ways and that teachers need to find what works for them to be able to reach all unique learners!
Education Philosophy: The student is an active and experiential individual with a natural desire to learn. Education Philosophy: I believe every child has their own way of learning and will show it, and even if it’s not what the parent thinks is best, they should still explore the idea. Children learn by living and it’s our job to make sure that their life is making a happy and peaceful learning environment. 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. Education Philosophy: I believe children learn in many different ways so I try to touch on all of the senses in my teaching. I consider myself a relaxed eclectic classical homeschooler. Education Philosophy: My education philosophy is cooperation and teamwork can get you anywhere and that is what I will try and teach the children in this class. Biography: My name is Reid Huffman and I am 14-years old. I have two sisters and a brother. Shay is twelve, Macy is seven and Gray is five. I have fun helping to take care of them. My interests in the future are to be a missionary or youth pastor. I just recently took a missionary trip to Education Philosophy: I believe that children should learn on their terms at their own speed. I believe that this creates a live long love of learning and the things that are learned are remembered. Education Philosophy: I believe in creating a multi-sensory learning environment to support an active-learning process. This is especially critical in the early cognitive and social development of elementary age students. Biography: I am a native of Education Philosophy: This class will utilize the Socratic method of education, thereby requiring all students to contribute to analysis and discussion of the subject works. Biography: I was born and raised in northwest
Prior Experience: I taught for eight years in a general education setting. I started out in urban, then tried suburban, and craved the urban challenges again and that is where I “retired” when I had Kayla. I taught all subjects, including Sign Language, which I incorporated into lesson plans. I taught teachers “teaching” stuff as well as Sign. I also taught families in my community as well. Before that, I substituted general education as well as special education for three years.
Biography: Jill was born and raised in NJ and moved here in August of 2007. She was born with a hearing loss in both ears and started wearing hearing aids when she was five. She taught herself Sign Language when she was seven years old. Then she started teaching other children with losses and families as well. She taught in a general education public school setting for eight years and loves children. 
Christina Ecklund
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. 
Elizabeth Gambardella
Prior Experience: Over 13 years experience in primary childcare, have taught art classes to groups of 15-20 children, and research art and science projects in my spare time.
Biography: I’m full time mama to Michael monkey, Nathaniel the banana addict, and the queen Beatrix, and caretaker to my awesome granny, and wife to my nerdy husband, Chris. I love animals, especially cats and reptiles, and am vegetarian. If I’m not hanging out with my kiddos, I’m happiest reading, making art, and playing video games, (but not all at the same time!) I’ve dabbled in photography, sculpture, design, glass bead making, and oil painting. When I grow up I’d like to making a living making art and/or making a difference in the world. I helped found the first Earth Scouts Homeschooling group in McHenry County and love being surrounded by awesome kids that are interested in helping the world be a better place. 
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.
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, 
Michelle Habrych
Prior Experience: I have taught at Indian Hill Co-op in
Biography: I am a mom of two awesome kids, ages 7 and 5, and have been married to my wonderful husband (Brent Allan) for nearly 12 years. I am a lifelong 
Reid Huffman
Prior Experience: I am the oldest of four home-schooled children and am very involved helping with my five year old brother and seven year old sister. I also help with younger children in my scouting groups and work with the early youth in Sunday school. 
Terrie Price
Prior Experience: My educational experience includes homeschooling my own 2 boys for the past 12 years. I have taught and assisted in several classes for various co-op/homeschool groups including 4H, scouts, Lego robotics, conservation, art and science, as well as planning numerous activities for kid’s parties/holiday fun.
Biography: Terrie is a homeschool mom to two active boys, ages 12 and 10. She is an artist and writer with a published chapter in a soon to be released unschooling book. Prior to choosing to stay at home, Terrie was employed at a Fortune 100 company responsible for several million in sales revenue. Since having children, Terrie has pursued several interests including fencing, martial arts, mixed media art, knitting and her personal favorite, travel. Terrie has been in leadership roles for 4H, scouts and Roots & Shoots as well as Chairmen of the Board for a non-profit organization.
Prior Experience: I majored in early childhood education/theater education at 
W. Mark Weaver
Prior Experience: I earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in English Literature from
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. 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 inquiries are, “Why?” and “What if they had known?” Regional political motivations also illuminate many questions. 
John Wetterholt
Prior Experience: B.A., American Studies,
