How Do I Homeschool Multiple Kids?

"Oh, ratios! I love this stuff!" 🤯

My 13-year-old just said this about 10 minutes ago as he and his 10-year-old brother begged me to let them work together on the younger son’s Math.

One of my favorite tips for homeschooling kids in multiple grade levels is to let the older kids help the younger ones (from time to time, when they can afford the time away from their own studies).

So, at this very moment, my 15-year-old is helping the 8-year-old with his 3rd grade Math, and the aforementioned two are working together on 6th grade Math. And they all asked me to let them do this!

Is that a cop-out on my end? Of course, I'm going to say I don't think so!

Here’s my rationale... 

1. They have the time.

Both of my older two kids are well ahead in their studies. They can both afford to take a Friday off from their work and help their younger siblings.

2. They want to work together! 🤗

This is huge! Do you know how often they nit-pick at each other and want their own space? So, on a day when they’re practically begging to help and be helped by one another, you bet I’m gonna take advantage of that!

3. Teaching reinforces learning... for the person teaching.

In other words, not only are my older two helping their brothers, but they’re also helping themselves. You can learn a concept and demonstrate it on paper on a test or worktext. But you know you really know it when you can teach it to someone else.

4. The content is fresher to them than it is to me.

True confession: They probably know how to teach it better than I do. Sure, I will step in if I hear one of the kids struggling to understand (I’m within earshot of all of these little lessons happening as I type this email to you). But truthfully, my 13-year-old just went through this course a couple of years ago, and well, let’s be honest… It’s been a hot minute since I was in 6th grade Math! It’s much fresher in his mind than it is in mine.

5. I'm still overseeing this whole thing.

If the older kids couldn’t take this time, then either I personally would work with one or both of the younger children, or I would pull video lessons out of my arsenal that can help teach each concept thoroughly while I split my attention to overseeing each one.

Of course, nobody can replace you, the parent.

My kids know that. They know that even if their siblings help them, the buck stops with me. They can come to me at any moment. And if sibling spats start ensuing, I’ll break up the study group and send them all back to their own assignments.

But when they can work together to help each other and help me? That’s a win for everybody!

Could you see this approach helping you in your homeschool?

Happy Friday!
  

Because our kids deserve better,

Amy