Many parents are drawn to the personalized approach to learning that homeschooling offers but worry their children may not have the same opportunities for social engagement as other students. 

Homeschool groups offer an ideal solution that blends academic flexibility with authentic social interaction. These communities provide an appropriate balance between educational excellence and robust social development for their children. By joining a small homeschool group, families enter a world of collaborative learning, shared resources, and a variety of extracurricular activities that significantly augment the homeschooling journey.

As a provider of innovative resources tailored for homeschoolers and small group environments, Demme Learning is committed to offering effective learning solutions that meet the evolving needs of educators and students. Adding Demme Learning products into your small group can significantly improve the effectiveness of small group instruction and cooperative learning and give your kids the social outlet they need to make friends and establish relationships with their peers.

Let’s take a look at the top five benefits of using Demme Learning in your small group and how this method of learning can significantly upgrade your family’s homeschooling experience.

1) Parental Collaboration

One of the most significant benefits of small group learning in a homeschool group is the opportunity for parental involvement and collaboration. Parents joining together to share the educational experience for their children creates a dynamic, multifaceted learning ecosystem. Perhaps the best feature of a homeschool group is its most valuable resource: parents themselves. Coming together to teach in a small group broadens the scope and depth of education for every student.

STEM classes (science, technology, engineering, and math) are a prime example of how parents can bring their extensive experience to their students’ education. Take a science class studying bees, for example. One family might contribute their beekeeping expertise, bringing a “live” example to class. Another parent could speak to the engineering design of the honeycomb structure, incorporating math lessons the students have learned from their Math-U-See classes. A third family could discuss the healing properties of honey. Drawing from the different experiences of multiple parents, “class” takes on a whole new meaning, integrating life science, engineering, and health into one engaging lesson.

In this collaborative setting, Demme Learning helps parents create interactive lessons that cater to various learning styles and stimulate critical thinking. Small group instruction not only deepens the learning process but also encourages students to participate actively in their own academic journey.

2) Peer Support and “Socialization”

Small group learning in a homeschool group setting offers unique socialization opportunities. Unlike traditional classrooms, homeschooled students have the advantage of interacting with peers beyond their age group. This diverse social environment helps students develop communication skills and adapt to various social situations.

As they grow older, homeschooled students in these cooperative learning groups naturally assume leadership roles and are encouraged to assist the group with younger students. This acquaints them with the intricacies of the adult workforce, which also typically involves working with co-workers of differing ages and generations.

Demme Learning products and materials are designed to facilitate group discussions and encourage peer learning. These resources can be used to create engaging activities that promote social interaction and help students build collaborative skills. Through these experiences, students learn to work effectively in a group while also developing the social skills necessary for success in higher education and beyond.

3) Shared Resources

Small group learning in a group setting allows families to share expensive school supplies and resources, significantly boosting the learning experience for all students involved. Shared resources do not always present themselves as tangible items like microscopes for science labs or electronics for advanced STEM classes. However, when teaching resources are shared among the group, the parents build a learning network for the students.

Demme Learning’s curriculum packages can be an excellent vehicle for providing teachers with shared resources in this context. By pooling resources to invest in these high-quality materials, group members can ensure that all students have access to top-tier educational tools that fit into individual family budgets.

4) Collaborative Learning

Small group instruction in a group setting offers unique opportunities for collaborative learning that go beyond parental expertise. This environment fosters peer-to-peer learning and group activities that allow students to build problem-solving and communication skills themselves.

In a homeschool group, students of different ages can learn from each other. Older students can take on mentoring roles and reinforce their own knowledge while simultaneously helping younger students grasp new concepts. For example, in a Math-U-See class, an older student who has mastered certain concepts can work with younger students by explaining problem-solving strategies and providing support.

Collaborative learning also thrives through group activities that encourage teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. Demme Learning designs its curricula to complement these group activities so students can get the most out of the overall learning experience.

For instance, students could work together on a project that applies mathematical concepts from their Math-U-See lessons to real-world scenarios, such as planning an event or managing a budget.

The benefits of this type of collaborative learning include: 

• Better understanding as students explain concepts to each other
• Improved communication skills through group interactions
• Exposure to different perspectives and problem-solving approaches
• Increased engagement and motivation in learning

5) Extracurricular Activities

Small groups excel in offering extracurricular activities that can be challenging to provide in a home setting without peers. Drama, field trips, sports, and life skills classes are often the starting point for many groups because they fill an important gap in the homeschooling experience.

These activities provide hands-on learning opportunities that complement the academic curriculum. For example, putting on a theater production allows students to learn about various aspects of performing arts, from acting and directing to lighting and costume design. This comprehensive approach not only teaches specific skills but also encourages teamwork, time management, and creative problem-solving.

While Demme Learning’s resources are not specifically directed to extracurricular activities, they can enhance the student’s experience and expand their education. In the example of the theater production, allow students to take their experience to a deeper level with one or more of our High School Grammer Reinforcements. Younger students can explore their writing powers with a WriteShop class that allows them to brainstorm and create in a group setting. 

Blending academic rigor and practical application creates a more foundational educational experience that prepares students for future challenges.

Experience the Full Potential of Small Group Learning

Incorporating Demme Learning products and learning material into your small group can significantly amplify the benefits of this educational structure. Small group instruction in a group setting offers many advantages, from organizing parental collaboration and peer support to enabling resource sharing and collaborative learning.

Demme Learning’s resources enable groups to create engaging, effective learning environments that cater to diverse needs and learning styles. While academic performance tends to be the focus of small group learning, it also helps to develop important social and collaborative skills that impact behavior, manners, and other “soft skills” that can be easily overlooked when pursuing scholastic priorities.

Balance is perhaps the most important goal of homeschool groups because it takes the academic journey beyond the classroom, where a supportive community helps students thrive, explore interests, and develop a more comprehensive worldview. 

With Demme Learning as your partner, your small group can become a lively, collaborative place where learning comes as easy as laughter.

Schedule a meeting with our dedicated sales representative, Johna Lawrence, to discover how Demme Learning can transform your small group experience!

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