What's the best way to juggle home schooling 2 kids in different grades?

Question

This is my first year trying to home school two kids at the same time. One is in second grade, the other in Kindergarten. It seems as though I'm never able to finish with the second grader so I can work with the kindergartener. I'd love some HELPFUL suggestions.

Answer 1

I try to keep mine (6th and 1st grade) together for as much as possible. We (loosely) follow the classical approach, which dictates history and science be done chronologically. When I started doing history with the younger one, I just brought him alongside his older brother for read-aloud time (even though we were starting the middle ages, not ancient people). I do require older brother 1). to read more (and more advanced) books on the topic we are covering and 2). to write about what he has read.

You could also do science together (the same experiments), just ask the 2nd grader to write about the experiment and what it shows.

You could ask the 2nd grader to help you teach math or read-aloud to younger brother/sister while you prepare (take your pick): lunch, the next lesson, a load of laundry...

By combining everything you can and having the older one work independently whenever possible, this frees you up to work with just the younger one.

Oh, and don't try to do too much with the younger one just yet. I focused entirely on phonics and basic math in K (with a few science experiments thrown in just for fun) and my 1st grader is already reading at a 2nd-3rd grade level.

Also, make sure you're not asking too much of the 2nd grader, either. I made this mistake when we first started homeschooling (trying to have him learn everything I thought he needed to learn all at once!). Now, we are usually completely finished with school between 1 and 2.

Answer 2

This will depend on the skill level of the 2nd grader. You can teach the second grader to do math independently, write a full page independently and read independently. While the 2nd grader is doing the work you can work with the kindergarten student in the same room. Be there to encourage the 2nd grade student. Help when needed but not too much.

Answer 3

First prayer. Then I would divide up their day, Have one working on a writting assignment while the other is doing math. That way you can assit with math. Using an Art project will also help give you time to focus more on one, while the other is being creative. Plus what about combining their story time and have each do a book report on it. You might even allow the older sibbling read to the younger. It will only be tough during the first couple of weeks. Once you are all on a schedule it will run a lot smoother. Best of luck!

Answer 4

I usually set my third grader onto some busy work, something he knows and needs little help on, then do my kindergartener's schooling. She usually takes less than an hour to do her worksheets and such. Then I let her draw, cut and paste and look at books until she feels like she's had enough. While she's at that, I go back to my 3rd grader. It's worked for the past 2 years.

Answer 5

Think either same subject or entirely different subjects.

What I mean is you either have them both doing math activities, at their level, at the same time or you have your kindergartener colouring while you do spelling with your gr. 2 child and then have your gr. 2 child work on a math worksheet while you work on letters with your K child. Things like that.

Also, make sure your older child doesn't monopolize your time. Although the older child will spend more time working than the younger, the child should still have work to do independently.

Answer 6

i had the exact same span for my kids and what worked for me was this: I would let the younger one sit with us and scale down every subject for the little one. For example if we were studying math I would let her listen and then when the older one was doing some practice I would explain simple 1 +1 to the little one and have her practice . I would just go back and forth and let them work on their own a bit. It worked out well . In fact they are both in school now and the younger one passed up my oldest and is 2 grades ahead. Never underestimate what they can absorb and understand.

Answer 7

"Real" teachers do this and more everyday! And they do it well. Send your kids to school, where they belong. Let the professionals teach your kids. They really do know a lot more than you think, and they have the great advantage of experience, which you don't have.