What is an Offering?
Offerings are classes, workshops, activities, or projects offered by SPARK for our families to participate in and facilitate. Offerings can cover a wide and diverse range of subjects and interests. Typically, offerings are about 1 – 1.5 hrs in length. Some offerings are targeted at certain ages, while others incorporate a range of ages learning together. Parents engage by leading and assisting with offerings and/or additional table activities. To see photos of them in action, visit our Facebook page.
Each family has the opportunity to lead an offering of their choice to share a skill or passion their family has. Families may opt to recruit a hired mentor/facilitator, as our budget allows. Seasoned families typically lead offerings at the beginning of our terms and give newer families some time to observe and get the swing of things before leading an offering themselves.
All of our scheduled offerings and activities are non-compulsory and child participation is never required. SPARK understands that learning happens in everything we do and all learning styles are different. We encourage our children and parents to collaborate together to find the right mix of participation and individually focused activities or play for each unique child.
Our Democratic Offering Process
Step 1: Offering Ideas
An offering starts with an idea. The idea can be proposed by a child, caregiver, or outside resource who wants to bring their passions and skills to the group. We gather ideas in person when we meet and also online in our member Facebook group. The offering suggestions can include a detailed description of the offering or might just be a topic or theme to explore. Considerations to include in offering suggestions are target age range, mentor recommendations, supply costs, and preferred day and season.
Step 2: Offering Preferences
Offering ideas are shared, typically in our member Facebook group, to gauge interest and feedback. Families can also request more information, expand upon ideas, and let us know if they have resources or can help lead a particular offering at this time. Families will then indicate the offerings their children most want to see in the upcoming session.
Step 3: Offering Schedule
The Offerings Coordinator analyzes the level of interest and logistics for each offering and develops a schedule for each day that suits the needs of both individuals and the group as a whole. They then submit the proposed schedule to the member Facebook group and tweak it based on feedback and availability of leads/mentors. Offerings may be led by caregivers, outside mentors, and/or the kids themselves. Finding a committed lead is also key to making the offering schedule work. Some offerings may be saved and scheduled for future sessions if we cannot find a lead, would prefer a different season, or have too many ideas!
Step 4: Offerings in Action
The offering schedule is finalized and posted to the group for caregivers to sign up for leading and assisting. Offerings Coordinator works with families to ensure the space, supplies, and leads/mentors are prepared for the offerings scheduled. Each day during opening circle, the offerings are introduced to the children and they can choose that day whether to participate in the offering or another activity or free play. Children may choose to participate one week and then not the following week and may leave an offering early if they choose. Some offerings may be hard to jump into, but we make every effort to support children's choices and interests. Children who are not participating in an offering are asked to respect those that are by not being disruptive and giving space when needed.
Step 5: Closing the Process
Once the offering has been completed, families provide feedback on the experience. This feedback may include comments on mentor, content, resources, engagement, recommended changes or follow-up offerings, etc. This feedback will be used by the Offerings Coordinator and the rest of the community to evaluate and inform future offerings.