American Girl class planning

I teach an American Girl class once a week in our homeschool co-op. I started with one class, and now I have two classes. The girls age range is 6-12 years old (1st-6th grade), need to read one book before each class, and I usually ask 5-6 discussion questions about the book. I recommend they own the books, and they can borrow them, but the library only has a few copies. The classes are one hour long. We do discussion questions, a craft and a snack. If we have time, we can do another craft or a ongoing activity that takes more than one week. 

I do charge a fee. I charge $50 a semester, which includes a folder, copies, and all crafts. I get most of my ideas from Jamin, another homeschool blogger that I found several years ago. The time it takes me varies. I would say an hour or two each week outside of the class. I read the book (30-60 minutes), gather craft supplies and make a sample ahead of time. I try to shop for the supplies all at one time, but sometimes it gets broken up into 2 or 3 trips. I used to shop for supplies every week, and it got to be too challenging. I usually shop at Wal-mart, Hobby Lobby and sometimes Jo-Anns or Michaels. 

This semester, I read all of the 12 books ahead of time, over Christmas break. It is nice to have them read ahead of time so that I am not trying to read while preparing and planning. I do try to buy the books. I have three daughters, and I know they will enjoy reading the books over and over. I have enjoyed most of the books, and learning history along with my students.

There are some companion books, called Welcome to ---'s World, of which I own several, and they are very handy to have. They offer lots of extra information that I can use in class. I like the extra stories to read if we have a few extra minutes.  There are some cook books and craft books at our library which are helpful too. I haven't used them all, but have found some great ideas in them. The extra books are worth checking into as well.

I have my elementary teaching degree from college, and it is nice to be able to use it with these girls! I also enjoy crafts a lot, and so it is fun to blend the two into a neat class! It is one of the more popular classes in our co-op. I have two classes with 12 girls in each class. I began with 15 students in my class, and it was tough with our limited space and the varied age ranges. I have two moms help in my class each week and one mom brings the snack, and I try to provide the recipe for them. Sometimes Jamin has a recipe, sometimes I just find one online.

Let me know if you have any questions, if I haven't answered something. The 12 classes in our semester always goes so quickly! I enjoy sharing God's love with the girls each week too. They are a blessing to me!

Exodus 31:4-5

...to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 

Exodus 39:8

They fashioned the breastpiece—the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.

Acts 17:26

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.