RISE Co-op

08/21/2026

Rock the Vote! 🗳️

Your voice matters—especially in the elections that shape our schools, communities, rights, and future.

Rock the Vote is a nonpartisan organization that helps young people register, stay informed, and take part in the democratic process. Whether you are voting for the first time or have voted before, make a plan: check your registration, learn about what is on your ballot, and encourage a friend to do the same.

Voting is one powerful way to show up for your community. Register, get informed, and rock the vote! https://www.rockthevote.org/

Dedicated to building the political power of young people. Register to vote, check your registration status, and more. Fast, easy, secure, nonpartisan.

08/20/2026

Free to Read Thursday - I Talk Like A River🗣📕

Today’s pick is I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith. This tender picture book gently honors the experience of a child who stutters and reminds us how powerful patience, empathy, and understanding can be. It’s a beautiful read for families who want to support children in feeling seen, accepted, and loved just as they are.

💫It opens the door for compassionate conversations about speech differences.
💫It encourages children to value their own voice, even when it feels hard to use.
💫It reminds adults that listening with patience can be deeply healing.

Pick up a copy from your local library or favorite independent bookstore.



[Image credit: google]

08/19/2026

STEAM Wednesday: 25 Indigenous Artists to Know🎨

We’re sharing a list of Indigenous artists to know, and it’s a great reminder that STEAM learning includes so much more than just labs, formulas, and machines. Indigenous artists bring together creativity, problem-solving, design, math, science, materials knowledge, and cultural storytelling in ways that are deeply meaningful and highly innovative.

Each artist on the list represents a different way that art and STEAM connect, whether through weaving, beadwork, sculpture, printmaking, photography, or mixed media. These forms of art often involve geometry, patterning, color theory, material science, and a strong understanding of place and culture. They also show children that innovation has always existed in Indigenous communities.

For homeschool families, this kind of resource is a wonderful way to expand STEAM conversations beyond the usual classroom examples. It helps students see that art is not separate from science and engineering, but often works alongside them in powerful ways.

Sharing this list is also a great opportunity to center Indigenous creativity, honor Native voices, and introduce children to artists whose work deserves to be seen, studied, and celebrated.

https://www.artnews.com/list/art-news/artists/native-american-artists-to-know-1234762021/sydney-akagi-2/

This Native American Heritage Month, we delve into art by 25 Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian artists

08/18/2026

🧡💙 EMOTIONS IN MOTION — FREE WORKSHOP! 💙🧡

This Saturday, the Nolanville SMART Museum is hosting an interactive, trauma-informed workshop for parents, caregivers, and teachers. This workshop will help them to strengthen connection and communication between children and caregivers.

Please see more information below.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ETLxkKLCs/

🧡💙 EMOTIONS IN MOTION — FREE WORKSHOP! 💙🧡

Parents, caregivers, and teachers—join the Nolanville SMART Museum for an interactive, trauma-informed workshop designed to strengthen connection and communication between children and their caregivers.

📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Nolanville SMART Museum
408 N. 10th St., Nolanville

Participants will learn how to:
✨ Recognize emotions in themselves and children
✨ Understand what emotions are communicating
✨ Practice healthy ways to express feelings
✨ Enjoy engaging books, songs, games, and activities

🎓 BONUS: Caregivers will receive 3 clock hours of instructor-led training and a certificate!

The workshop is FREE, but registration is encouraged. Scan the information on the flyer to enroll or contact the SMART Museum for more information.

Come learn, connect, and discover healthy ways to help children understand and express their emotions! 🧡

08/18/2026

Homeschool Resource: Expand Your Bookshelves by Following We Need Diverse Books!

If you haven't already, we recommend following We Need Diverse Books, whose entire mission centers around uplifting diverse voices, creating inclusive books, supporting diverse publishing professionals, and donating thousands of books to students who need these stories.

They believe in transforming bookshelves with diverse books to increase empathy and reduce bias. This is a phenomenal resource to have if you're seeking more diverse literature for your home. It's a beautiful way to shine a spotlight on voices that often go unheard.

Give them a follow and check out their website for more information:

We Rise Welcome! Indigenous Reads Rising is a celebration of Indigenous children’s literature of Native Nations, centering those

08/17/2026

Mood Forecast

What’s the weather like inside your heart today?

Sunny? Stormy? A little bit of both?

Take a moment to name your mood. You don’t have to change it—just notice it.

Draw your mood forecast or describe it in the comments!

[Image credit: Farhat Altaf]

08/14/2026

Join The Art Space of Central Texas on August 22, 2026!!!🎨

They are hosting a Spooky Pot Paint Workshop!!! You'll get to paint a friendly ghost on a mini terracotta pot just in time for spooky season!

See below for more information about this event and if give them a follow if you haven't already!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DJk4yF71Z/

08/14/2026

Thank You!💫🍎

As we begin a new semester, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who donated supplies from our wish list or helped share it with others.

Your generosity means so much to our nonprofit and the students we serve. The donated supplies will directly support our nonprofit’s educational programs and help us create meaningful learning opportunities throughout the semester.

Thank you for believing in our students and our mission. We are truly grateful for each and every one of you.



[Image Credit: Google]

08/12/2026

STEAM Wednesday: Indigenous Innovations Still Used TODAY!!!

Today’s spotlight is on Indigenous innovations that continue to shape the world around us. From agriculture and architecture to medicine and engineering, Indigenous peoples have developed technologies and systems that are still in use today. This article highlights inventions like early forms of syringes, baby bottles, snow goggles, and more that demonstrate deep scientific knowledge and creative problem-solving.

Whether you’re exploring science, history, or engineering at home, learning about these innovations can help children see how Indigenous knowledge laid the foundation for many modern technologies. It’s a powerful way to connect STEAM learning to real-world impact and cultural history.

You can read more about these innovations in the article linked below. This is a great one to add to your homeschool STEAM studies this week.

https://www.thecollector.com/innovative-indigenous-iventions/

Despite often being designated as primitive, Indigenous cultures contributed valuable inventions that are still used in modern culture.

08/11/2026

Secular Homeschool Families: Don’t Sleep on Your Public Library! 📚

Our public libraries are so much more than a place to pick up books. For secular homeschoolers, they can be an affordable, welcoming, and flexible extension of our learning spaces—filled with resources for curiosity-led, literature-rich, hands-on education.

Whether your child loves science experiments, graphic novels, coding, history, art, chess, crafting, nature study, or simply meeting other young people, our local libraries offer opportunities to learn, create, and connect without needing to buy another curriculum.

Why libraries are a homeschool win:

✨ Borrow books, audiobooks, DVDs, magazines, and e-books for unit studies and independent learning
✨ Find nonfiction, primary sources, biographies, diverse literature, and research materials
✨ Attend free story times, STEM activities, book clubs, craft sessions, game days, and teen programs
✨ Build social connections in inclusive community spaces
✨ Let your child explore interests that may not fit neatly into a traditional school schedule
✨ Use computers, Wi‑Fi, printing, and librarian support for research projects

Local libraries to explore:

📍Salado Public Library
📍Copperas Cove Public Library
📍Killeen Public Library
📍Temple Public Library
📍Stewart C. Meyer Harker Heights Public Library

A simple homeschool habit to start: choose one day each month to review the event pages for all of the libraries in the area. Add one free library event to your family calendar, even if it is outside your usual subject plans. You may discover a new interest, meet a new friend, or find inspiration for your next unit study.

Which local library do you visit most—and what is one program you would love for them to offer?



[Image credit: google]