I agree with what has already been written, so I am not adding anything new, just different words. You can do this. Agreed, that your first grader is going to take a lot of attention this year, but it can be managed with scheduling. List, at least in your mind, the subject areas that you MUST teach one on one with each of them, what can be done independently and then what you can group together.
Start your two younger ones off with some basic fun things they can do together without your help, even if it's making their beds, feeding the pets, cutting and pasting something, etc. Get your fourth grader started at this time. Once your fourth grader is doing her work, then spend time with your first grader. If your fourth grader gets frazzled, let her know she can take a 5-15 minute break or play with the younger one and you will get back to her soon. Explain the schedule you choose to the kids so they begin to grasp the routine and once they see that they each get some one on one time with you, they'll learn to wait and won't be vying for your time. If you can manage to be the stability during their adjustment time, they'll catch on a lot sooner. (If you do manage this well, congrats. It's takes most of us awhile to get there.)
Science, history, etc can joyfully be done as a group. Family reading time is a great way of learning and loving. You might do the one on one activities in the morning, break for lunch, clean it up (maybe), then gather on the couch where you read a story about George Washington. The younger ones can fiddle with blocks quietly and you can talk about what you've learned. Then do a lesson with it. You can print various activities with various age level lesson from enchantedlearning.com. ($20/year). You might have your fourth grader then do a writing assignment or further reading on her own.
One of the keys to home schooling is that once the kids get some real one on one, eye contact time with mom, they are willing to then go off to do work and play independently without getting into too much trouble.
Jun 19, 2010 Rating
Smooth Sailing by: Judy
A few things that have helped us to enjoy "smooth sailing" between the grade levels are:
1) Create a system wherein each student has a blocked out period of time for independent work and another for work that is done with you. However, alternate these between the grade levels so that when one of your students is doing independent work, you are with the other one and vice versa.
2) Take advantage of nap times for your little one...if there still is such a thing...We wait until nap time to do Kindergarten and at that same time the older students have lunch break and recreation time outdoors. This allows me to give my undivided attention to the Kindergarten student:)
3) There might be some subjects that you can group the eldest kids together for...even though they are several years apart. For instance, you can read aloud a general history story...and then separate the students for assignments that you give them pertaining to their on individual skill and ability level.
4) Some people (and we have done this too when needed) teach on alternating days...if juggling the grades gets too tricky...then teach one on a certain day and the other on the next...or do the same thing during ONE day...but teach one student in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Remember that in homeschooling, there is no such thing as "set" hours unless YOU make them so.
You can take advantage of weekends, evenings...anything that helps you create a peaceful learning atmosphere for all!
God BLESS your family as you are discerning this new lifestyle!
And thanks for visiting our forums Nancy!
In Christ,
Judy
Jun 19, 2010 Rating
Easy Multiple Grade Levels! by: Mary
I just love the advice of Mrs. Laura Berquist and her Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum! She has really great ideas.
A favorite with us is any of the Spalding phonics courses for at least K-3 and really K-12 for most of the language arts.
Dr. Art Robinson has some really good advice at RobinsonCurriculum.com.
My sister in law gave us some really good advice to go with all of this, "Teach the little ones first." Then they can stay busy with coloring pages or play time.
