It's been awhile since I've dedicated a post to how co-op is going, so I thought I would update. In all honesty, co-op is completely exceeding my expectations. Over time, the children have all settled in to a wonderful grove, and (to use a fancy Montessori term) normalization has started to occur.
Despite the fact that we have a group of close friends who are all very active, they are actually working when we are in the classroom. The noise level has decreased a lot! We are actually even getting silence at times because the kids are so into the trays they are working on.
One time it was completely silent and Henry looks up and says "What's that noise!" And one of the other moms turns to him and says "Silence, Henry, that's silence!"
Speaking of Henry, in my last update, he still wasn't working during co-op. Now, I say we are probably 50/50 whether he will work or just wander around. He has started participating in circle time, so I'm happy for that. But, the rest of the time is pretty iffy. Overtime, he is getting better, so I'm happy with that, even if progress is slow.
One problem we are encountering right now is space. As the kids get bigger, and their siblings get bigger, the room seems to get smaller and smaller. It does at times make it difficult for the kids to work and harder to get and return work. But, this problem may actually solve itself. I need the room for a nursery now, so in a few weeks, when the weather warms some, everything is moving down to our {slightly} larger sunroom. Hopefully, this is will be the last move for awhile and will accommodate our needs a little better.