Teaching Multiple Ages @ TheChristianHome.Net

Teaching Multiple Ages

SITE SPONSORS:
Foundation for American Christian Education
Timberdoodle
Flower Power Fundraising Inc
Bodies...The Exhibition
Apologia Educational Ministries
Rosetta Stone
Landmarks Freedom Bapt Curr
Christian Liberty Press
CLASS Homeschools

Complete Supplier Directory


Product Reviews	Events Calendar	Free Info	Library	Church Leadership

Teaching Multiple Ages
by Deborah Wuehler, Senior Editor, The Old Schoolhouse
courtesy of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine/The Homeschool Minute

People often wonder how homeschool parents can teach so many different ages at once. Society has been conditioned by the public school experience of different ages being segregated. It makes what should be a normal part of family life seem like a daunting task.

I love having my boys (16, 12, & 7) all working together at the table. Even though my youngest might not be able to fully comprehend all that we're discussing, he definitely gets the benefit of repeated exposure to new concepts. Plus my older boys get the benefit of repeated practice on the basics by helping him.

It might take some juggling to find what best works for YOUR family when you're schooling kids at different levels, but remember that grade levels are a very arbitrary thing and they don't have to rule your homeschool.

You decide what you want your children to learn and just dig in. I'm sure that there will be something for everyone - from oldest to youngest.

Teaching multiple ages... my first thoughts went something like what Todd Wilson's might be:

Babies - put them in the swing with a good dose of sleep inducing music.

Toddlers - send them to the backyard with a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter and a big spoon.

Elementary kids - Buckle them to their little school desks making sure their hands are free to write down the answer to every problem in every workbook - correctly.

Older kids - Banish them to their separate rooms to mope until their work is done with threats of having to baby-sit the others if they don't.

Okay, I am totally not serious, but some days we just wonder how we can teach all these ages all at the same time. Well, the beauty of home educating is that you don't have to do either-you get to do them:

You don't have to teach: A lot of learning is done without you specifically setting time aside to instruct. Learning happens in living life together. What kind of learning? Older kids learn how to interact with younger ones; young ones hold conversations with adults; everyone learns how to be on the same team working toward the same goals, and they all learn to serve and love each other. You get to teach whatever you choose as a family to learn.

You don't have to teach all at the same time: While I am working with Caleb & Mercy on phonics, Hannah is working with Joshua on science, Christopher is reading to Hope, and Jonathon is working with his computer math tutor. And then we can switch subjects and partners. Other days, Mom is doing her computer work right next to the table where all the independent students are gathered around doing their assignments while the younger ones are playing games nearby. You get to teach all at the same time as you gather together to study the Bible or history, or read aloud their favorite books.

Multiple ages can mean multiple challenges. It can also bring multiple blessings as we multiply our time in prayer. Then, we certainly see God multiply our creativity. (I think I am finally learning my multiplication tables). Okay, I'll stop now.

No matter how you multiply it, you can do it. What Johnny doesn't get today because you are working with Susie, he will get tomorrow when you are working with him. Do as much as you can all together. Being together as a family reading and talking and laughing and learning-it can't get much better than that!


Deborah Wuehler is the Senior Editor of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. The article above was reprinted with permission. To find out more about free subscription offers, call toll-free 1-888-718-HOME or visit www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com.