Coop+Logistics

Format
Wednesday mornings, meet for 1.5 hours. Please note: If you arrive after 10, do join the group, but with as little disruption as possible.
 * 9:45 - Arrive, meet & greet. Kids can play.
 * 10:00 - Begin class. ^^^ If introducing a new book, hand out books to the kids, read and lead discussion. Discuss things brought up in the lesson plan - but flow with the interest of the children. Find the location of the story on the map, if applicable.
 * 10:30 - Break for snack (brief so we don't lose their flow)
 * 10:45 - Resume class. ^^^ Do activity.
 * 11:15 - End class. Those who are done with the activity can play. Those who would like to continue can do so. Parents can chat.

^^^ Fit Show-n-Tell in during either the first half-hour or second half-hour of the class. Also, please keep parent chatting to a minimum while an activity is going on -- it is very disruptive to the children to hear other discussions happening behind them.
 * NOTE: We'll need one parent who can go with the flow of the younger siblings to make sure they are happy.

Location
The co-leaders will choose their week's meeting location. In most cases, it's better not to meet at a house - but rather in a place that is neutral for all the kids. However, if a house is needed because a public space is unavailable, or does not provide the needed accommodations (for example a kitchen, if the activity is baking), Sue and Linda's houses are potential meeting locations. If a house is needed, please check with Sue or Linda before booking.
 * Crowder Park – one of the back 2 shelters. If you’re the first one there that day, if possible, take the one furthest back in the park that’s empty and closest to the bathrooms.
 * Eva Perry Library conference room (needs to be book ahead and in-person)
 * Cameron Village Library conference room
 * Sue's house
 * Linda's house

More Notes

 * Each meeting will have two co-leaders. Between them, they plan the class and work out who-does-what. In the event that one leader can not attend (due to illness for example), the other leader is familiar enough with the lesson to be able to lead. Other benefits to co-leading: gives someone to bounce ideas off of; distributes responsibility for bringing materials.
 * Field trips will relate to the books covered. If you want to open the field trip up to other families (friends/CHS), it is up to the co-leaders on whether not it will work for that field trip. Large groups of children tend to make it more distracting to those attending if they're listening to someone speaking. Field trips may occur anytime during the month, but try to avoid scheduling on the "n/a" dates.
 * Younger siblings can participate if they like or not. If they don't participate, they should play away from the "class" as not to disrupt those participating.
 * When starting a new book for the week, the idea is to introduce the book to the kids at the same time: at the meeting. The leader can then read and discuss the book assuming that the kids have not already read the book [that week]. This may be relevant to you if you decide to do FIAR at home. You may want to "start" on Wednesdays, and have the co-op meeting be day 1 of the five-in-a-row.

**Supplies / Materials**
Each week the children will bring their tote bag, binder, and standard art supplies. Activities may require additional materials (such as paper, paint, yarn, etc.). In general, if materials need to be purchased for an activity, it is preferable to select ones that are not expensive and environmentally conscious. If special tools or containers are needed, you could ask people to bring what they have at home.

Leaders will decide how to handle the cost of any supplies needed for the activities. They can choose to cover the cost out-of-pocket, or they can choose to ask that every child contribute xx amount for that book/lesson/meeting. If they plan on this reimbursement, they should email everyone a week ahead of the meeting to ask if the dollar amount needed is okay (so if it is not okay, they have time to change the activity to a less expensive one).

**Snacks**
Bring your own (so it's quick for break) unless the leaders want to do something food-specific (they will notify group before the lesson day).

To minimize "snack-envy," if you bring a commercial snack item or juice box in “market-to-children packaging” please repackage in your own container - if you have time as you rush out the door!

Co-Leader Responsibilities, shared between the two leaders

 * One-Time, to do ASAP**
 * Post which books you've selected for your topics on the Book List page//.//
 * Request the books needed for your topics from the library. There is a special library form you can fill out to request books for a specific date in the future. Before requesting, check to make sure the library has the number of copies you need. If they do not, select a different book or see if families would like to purchase copies.


 * For Each Class Lead**
 * Coordinate with your co-leader.
 * Obtain the needed books from the library and bring them to the meeting.
 * Post the meeting location on the page for that week. ("W01 Sep 1 Introduction" for example)
 * Post any additional supplies that are needed for that week. If supplies are being purchased and you would like reimbursement, post the cost/child a week in advance. That way, if families feel the supplies are too expensive, you will have time to change your plan.
 * Post anything families should bring from home for the lesson.
 * Post what children should bring for Show-n-Tell.

Participant Responsibilities
One-Time, to do ASAP
 * Post how many library copies you need for each book on the Book List page. (see that page for more info)


 * Weekly Materials**
 * Bring your own copy of the book on the day of the meeting (Obtain a copy of the book, if possible.), if you declined a library copy.
 * Bring a snack for mid-morning break.
 * Bring your child's tote containing their:
 * 1) binder - a smaller binder (.5" 1" 1.5") in which they can keep their maps and whatever else
 * 2) basic art supplies ^^
 * 3) show-n-tell
 * 4) library book to return (if they received one at the previous meeting)

^^ Basic Art Supplies:
 * Something to color with (crayons, markers, pencils)
 * Glue
 * Scissors
 * Dry erase marker/crayon, if you have it.
 * Tape, if you like, but not required.
 * Anything else your child likes to be creative with (that can reasonably fit :)