Teaching Them All at Once
Teaching several grades, learning styles, personality styles, and attention spans seems to be the reason most people ask, “HOW do you do it?!”
I never really ‘understood’ the worry over this issue until now. My oldest will be in first-ish/second-ish grade and my second will be doing Kinder. Add in my 3-year-old and an 8-month-old, and I have my work cut out for me.
How are we supposed to do it? Make sure everyone has some one-on-one time with mom while still creating some sort of cohesive family learning adventure? I believe this task *seems* so overwhelming to most mothers (or fathers) that often times public school wins out because they feel they cannot give each child what he needs.
Fear Not! Let’s not forget how resilient and sponge-like our children are. Even in just a short amount of time a day, our little ones blossom in home education, and often their siblings are teaching them more than their mothers! This is ok. In fact, this is good.
With that being said, I’m still nervous as all get out in my first year teaching more than one grade. I’ve been teaching them for years already, but now it ‘counts’ and we have ‘goals.’ It’s a game changer. Here are my tips and my plan to make it all work.
Schedule
I am not a schedule “Type A” girl. I like to take my time, go with the flow, and blow where the wind takes me. However, I’m a 30-year-old adult. Children love routine and structure. So, I believe we start with that.
I am working on a rough draft of my schedule now and will hang it for the kids to see soon. It will loosely lay out our mornings with individual time, group time, snacks, breaks, independent work, etc. I did NOT do this last year, and we got pretty burnt out and frustrated by spring.
So, depending on your children, their ages and abilities, I’d set a schedule in place first. Talk to your kids, even if they are young and let them contribute. “Who would like to learn with just mommy first?” What would you like to do after math? Blocks? Workbook? Reading? I am talking to my boys about what is going to help them concentrate and be patient while I help one of their brothers. I hope this will let them feel like their have some control and they know what to expect…in turn, reducing the horrid whining we all loathe.
Practice Being Quiet (Start now!)
This week (while still on summer vacation) I’m starting to have the boys work on being quiet while I sit and read to one of them. They can do anything they like while I’m with their brother, but they have to be quiet. I am *hoping* this will help us get through more read-alouds without me stopping every 2 seconds to remind people to sit down, stay quiet, stop hitting, tongue in your mouth, spit in your mouth, etc. Sounds familiar? 😉
Practice Being Patient (Start now!)
No matter your teaching style, most children will need some one on one time. In order to provide that, the other children need to know that time is sacred and they must respect you and their brother.
In order to help my very young boys wait their turn and stay happy while doing it, I’m revamping our school room this week. I’m putting together various learning tubs (You can follow Hip Homeschool Moms on Pinterest for some great ideas), ordering some activities off Timberdoodle, and talking to them about the up-coming school year. They know they will do Bible, History, Science, Read-Alouds, Library, and co-ops together. However, Language Arts and Math time are 1 on 1 subjects at this point. I believe this will take lots of practice for both me and the boys. Some days will be more trying than other.
Just to show how hard this will be for us, I was interrupted 79 times while writing the previous paragraph. Oy.
So, what happens when you implement all of the above and it’s STILL nuts and a huge struggle to get things done? Welcome to normal-ville, sister. I know lots of homeschooling families and they are nothing like the TV ones we see every Tuesday night. Interruptions, lack of patience, fighting, getting behind in certain subjects, kids whining about doing school. It’s normal, and it is God’s way of shaping both mother and children.
Remember to stay patient. Start over often. Revamp all the time. Believe in yourself. Don’t get discouraged. Be excited so your children will ‘catch’ that attitude about ‘school time.’
Just keep on swimming. Every day. Every subject. We can teach them all at once!!!
I’m so grateful my kids play independently! That has made ALL THE DIFFERENCE when it comes to giving dedicated attention to school projects 🙂
That’s awesome! Mine are getting there!
I’m lucky, mine went to public school when they were younger and less manageable. However, I separate my 4th grader and 7th grader in the room so that they don’t interfere with each other much. I couldn’t imagine managing all 4 of my kids when they were younger. You sound like you have a great plan.
I am interested to hear how you will get them to sit and be quiet during reading times. I am pretty sure that 4 out of 5 of my children have ADHD….. and that has been our number ONE challenge in homeschooling.
Second, I think your ideas are super great. I tried some of these in our previous years and have spent a fortune trying to keep my kids “entertained” and learning. Last year we had a super rough year, but I am coming back this year with renewed vigor, excitement, determination, and plans. I am assigning tasks to the olders to do with the youngers that involves learning. I am also going to look heavily into busy bags in the next couple of weeks.
Good luck! I am following you this year! (My kids are 11, 10, 9, 7, and 4.5) Good luck to me as well. hehehe
My kids also love audio books! Used with a head set or listening as a group while keeping their hands (mostly quietly) busy.
Because I need 1 on 1 time for reading lessons for both my 2nd and K’er I have assigned them each a toddler activity time with their 2 yo sis while I work with the other big kid reading. Then we swap. Consistently over the past 3 weeks it has been their favorite part of the day and keeps the tyke from being neglected. I put out bins of activities for them to preselect (beading, stencils, pom poms and cups and spoons, sea shells and stones…) The trick is that these are only available during tot school time. They are also free to do something else as long as the tot stays the focus and they both work to stay out of the kitchen as much as possible.
They DO NOT sit still! I let them ride bikes in the driveway and I read to them as I walk with the stroller. Or they do handstands. I often YELL entire chapters! But they really do pick it up!!!!! It’s not ‘perfect carpet sitting!”
Yes, you can do it! This year I am teaching 11th, 9th, 6th, 4th, 2nd, K and I will have a 3 year old in the mix! Just stay flexible. The early elementary years are so wonderful with your kids, but high school isfun too!
I have found that a routine works a bit better than a schedule of times. We all do the same routine throughout the day but the time schedule is flexible. Some days move more quickly than others.
The children wake and do all of their “morning jobs” to prepare for the day. After breakfast we are ready to get going. The children are pretty flexible. They basically do the same subjects at the same time. I help one get going with this and then another get going with that. I always do a read aloud with all (yes, even with my older son) and then they have quiet reading time and time to write in their reading response journal. That is the basic flow to the schedule. My children are accustom to free play time. If needed, I can give the younger a bit of free play recess, giving my older son time to finish his work. Yes, when you’re younger you get more recess. That’s just life 🙂
These FREE printables might be helpful with back to school routines.
http://waddleeahchaa.com/2012/08/16/helping-children-transition-back-to-school-free-printable-cards/
I’ll be adding a Kindergartener this year, which I’ll admit makes me a little nervous. But we managed it with 3 others, so I’m assuming somehow we can add a 4th without a major breakdown to our system!
A routine was essential to us, too, though things were subject to change as necessary. My oldest will have to do more work independently this year, which will be a big change, but one I think is important for them to make as they get older. I love doing as many of our subjects as possible together with everyone at the same time, but I also know they NEED to learn some independence.
I wish you the best for your coming year and all the beautiful chaos it will hold! 🙂
The big question, of course, is why these disparities in parental investment come about at all. After all, as Baker notes, many parents are familiar with research showing that elementary school boys trail girls in test of vocabulary and math. And they’ve also likely heard about studies suggesting that early interventions might have a big impact on the lives of children.
Love this!! Just what I needed to read! I am teaching a 1st grader and a prek3 with a baby on the way! He will be here at the end of October! We started school at the beginning of July to get a head start on the school year. Most days it goes ok~ but we are quickly falling out of the ‘schedule’ I wanted to keep to stay on track before baby gets here! Glad to know that its kinda normal and we’ll do ok! 🙂
Wonderful post! I can relate to you in so many ways! We are about to start our first year of homeschool and I too am preparing for the same challenges! I have a 3rd grade boy, a K girl, and an almost 4 year old. We too are beginning to ‘transition’ into our routine! Even with summer in full swing, I’m working them towards daily routine, already implementing quiet time, and individual ‘practice school’ time. Like you, I agree that this is a wonderful journey where the Lord will shape us all. And that they will teach eachother, and me, just as much if not more than I’m teaching them! And that, is something I’m grateful for and excited about! God Bless yall on your jouney!
Thanks so much for the encouragement. I have three boys and am expecting my fourth boy any day now. The homeschooling issues you described sound so familiar it makes me wonder if you’ve been inside my house. Not only will I be homescolling with a newborn, this will be my first year homescooling a 2nd grader and a kindergartener. I live in Maryland, which means I have to keep a portfolio for all school-aged children. I am more than a little apprehensive about the quickly approaching school year!
Oh my! A portfolio! Ack! I’m in TX, so nothing is required here. Congrats on your newest addition! That’s so exciting!!! You’re going to do great!
If it makes any of you feel ANY better…. these are typical classroom teacher frustrations too! My last few years in public school, I wanted to do cartwheels if I could actually get through a class without some type of interruption, be it student drama, a guidance counselor at my door needing to talk to little Johnny, a principal at the door needing to talk to little Sally about what she saw Becky and Alex doing in the parking lot…. And the list goes on and on!
Also keep in mind that while at public school they may be there 7+ hours, but ACTUAL quality instruction time? I’d venture to say MAYBE 3 hours at a PUSH, and be assured none of that is one-on-one! I currently teach at a very small private school with one class of 3 and another class of 1… basically, it’s kinda ‘homeschool’ feel…. One of the lessons I taught today in 15 minutes, I KNOW, from 20 years experience, would have taken TWO 90 minute class periods in a public school classroom with 30+ students!
I was a public school teacher for 5 years before becoming a homeschooling mom! I SOOOO am 100% in agreement with you!!!!!
Right there with you! Doing a third grade and a kindergartener and a two year old. I invested a lot more time on their schedule this year, but also trying to remember That God is in control even if the day feels like its not! Patience is something I really struggle with. Praying lots and trying to remember that it’s an amazing opportunity. Blessings to you and your family.