10 best strategies for teaching to different grades

Know how to homeschool kids of differing ages by following these tips — Photo courtesy of Viktor Cvetkovic / E+

As a homeschool mom of seven, juggling multiple tasks is the norm in my home. Our family is big and busy, but we love to get all the important projects done. We’ve graduated four homeschoolers to college and continue to homeschool three children at the high school, middle school, and elementary school level. Our children not only excel academically but also enjoy an active lifestyle, a joy that comes with homeschooling.

As a homeschool community leader and an educational specialist at the Home School Legal Defense Association, I’ve learned a lot over the years — in particular, the importance of community involvement when parents homeschool their kids and how to make teaching subjects at multiple grade levels a rewarding and enriching experience for all.

Here are my 10 best tips for homeschooling children at multiple grade levels.

Identify subjects that can be taught to multiple grades

I love to use academics as shared family time to teach subjects like history, writing, and even science. We can study a specific period of history as a family with various projects for each grade level. For example, when we study modern history, my elementary student can learn new vocabulary words and color and circle answers to multiple choice questions, while my middle school and high school students can fill in the blanks, write papers, and do oral presentations on the same topic.

In science, chemistry and the periodic table can be fun for all ages. For instance, my younger student learns all the elements on the periodic table by singing songs, while my high school student engages in balancing equations and doing in-depth experiments.

Use prep time wisely

A little planning can take you a long way. When I put together an academic plan at the beginning of the month and review it weekly, it helps me to stay on task when life gets busy. Our week may not always go as planned, but I can circle back to my monthly schedule and pick up where I left off on my academic plan.

Use staggered wake-up times to your advantage

I used to want all the kids up at the same time until I learned the beauty of younger kids who are early risers, which allows me to enjoy one-on-one instruction with them. Young kids wake up ready to learn and can practice counting with their favorite breakfast cereal. Meanwhile, my older kids appreciate the time to get a few extra minutes of rest after sports practice or sports games the previous night. It is a win-win for the family.

Activity bin with independent projects

Homeschooling multiple kids means keeping kids engaged, and my activity bins do the job. There is always a project that my kids can grab and learn, such as discussion questions, dictation, arts and craft projects, and more. This keeps them engaged while waiting to start our next task. This strategy is perfect for the times when I’m working with another kid. It’s also the place where the kids can leave their completed assignments for me to review later.

Games are a perfect way to get kids thinking critically

Homeschooling isn’t all textbooks and exams — Photo courtesy of supersizer / E+

I love using games each morning to help my kids wake up their brains. Logic games are my favorite, and LEGOs are a friend to our family. We enjoy lots of time with LEGO building while telling stories. Another family favorite is chess, which is a lifelong game for all ages.

Enjoy the opportunity to teach leadership to your older kids

When mom is busy, it’s the perfect time for the older kids to help each other. Older kids can help by grabbing breakfast bowls from a tall cabinet or warming up leftovers for lunch. There are many ways that kids can start their community service hours right at home.

Schedule one-on-one time with each kid

I love sitting in a comfortable chair in my home and visiting with each of my kids. This helps me keep up with their individual needs and answer their questions without interruption. This is precious time. It’s also fun to take just one kid to the grocery store for a math field trip.

Playing outdoors is perfect for kids of all ages

Outdoor activities and free play are where childhood memories are made. We are “road schoolers,” and we love to get outside in our RV to travel across the states. Simple visits to the playground are also fun, and let’s not forget about the beauty of playing in the backyard. Teaching bicycle safety is always a worthwhile activity.

Plan a field trip

There is nothing better than learning through experience by planning a field trip. Learning comes to life when you visit museums, attend plays, and travel to new destinations. My kids love seeing the world beyond the pictures in a textbook. It makes learning fun and reading meaningful. The National Park Services’ Junior Ranger Program is a gift to the world.

Tips: Homeschool mom shares how to turn a road trip into an epic field trip

Enjoy the season because it all goes fast

Homeschooling can be overwhelming, but time goes faster than you think, from snapping on onesies to planning for college. As a mom with kids in several stages, I come across pictures when time seemed to stand still, and I look up to wonder where the time went. So, learn to stay in your season and enjoy these moments.