Learning at home is becoming increasingly popular among parents as it allows a tailored approach to educate children as opposed to the traditional schooling system in many countries. The concept of homeschooling has been around for many years but has gained more attention lately due to the current pandemic situation. Many parents find themselves in a difficult position due to the disruption of the conventional educational system and have to take the responsibility of educating their children themselves.
One of the challenges of homeschooling is that it requires a lot of planning, organization, and special attention on the part of parents. Even more so when you need to homeschool multiple grades.
1: Understand What Homeschooling entails
The first step to successful multiple grade homeschooling is to understand what homeschooling entails. Homeschooling is different from traditional schooling, since it allows children to learn without the rigid structure of a classroom setting.
Homeschooling also allows parents to choose the curriculum and methods of teaching tailored to their children’s individual needs. It also allows parents to provide more learning support and flexibility in terms of pacing and adjusting activities to their children’s interests. For parents with multiple grades in their family, planning what they should teach in each grade is essential.
Parents are encouraged to read up on the basics of homeschooling, and understand the demands and popular approaches of various methods such as unschooling and Montessori learning. Some popular curricula also offer insights into different grade levels for parents to use as a reference in their planning.
2: Decide on a Curriculum
When it comes to homeschooling multiple grades, having a consistent curriculum is important. A consistent curriculum allows parents to construct the day-to-day lessons by having a concrete plan, which helps them plan effectively and efficiently. Parents are advised to look through available resources and decide on a curriculum that will work best for them and their family.
When deciding on a curriculum, parents can consider certain elements such as the level of difficulty, goals, learning styles and educational requirements. For example, some parents may prefer to follow a certain curriculum to meet certain educational requirements or goals that they have set for their children.
Parents may prefer to use a curriculum that allows them to subscribe to certain websites which provide video lessons and educational activities for the children to do. They can also look out for curricula that prioritize a personalized and customized learning path by catering to each child’s needs.
3: Consider Different Learning Methods
While having a consistent curriculum is important for homeschooling multiple grades, it is also important to consider different learning methods that can be used in the home environment. Some learning methods such as Montessori learning and unschooling can require more resources and materials than other traditional methods. However, these methods can allow for more creativity and freedom in the way children explore and understand the material.
Certain curricula also suggest certain learning methods, and these can be tailored to the children’s needs and learning styles. For example, some parents may prefer to use hands-on materials or activities to teach their children while others may opt for a more traditional lecture-style teaching.
This ultimately depends on the parents’ preferences and the children’s needs.
4: Create a Learning Routine
Setting up a learning routine is important in order to ensure that all lessons and activities are conducted efficiently. This also provides a rhythm and consistency for the children to get into their studies. When creating a learning routine, parents should consider the school days, the length of breaks, and the start and end times of each day’s studies.
When creating a routine, parents can also factor in the different subjects and topics which the children will be learning. This includes planning out the different topics and activities for the day, and allocating enough time for each topic.
Additionally, parents can set aside designated breaks for the children, to allow them to take a break from their studies and rejuvenate.
5: Get the Right Resources
In order to ensure the success of the homeschooling process, parents should have the right educational resources at hand. This includes the physical resources such as books and notebooks, as well as online resources such as websites and educational apps. Having the right resources not only provides the children with more material to refer to and learn from, but also helps parents to keep track of the children’s progress.
Parents are encouraged to look through available resources, both online and offline, to get the right materials and equipment. They can also look online to find free resources such as educational videos, online activities and games, and educational apps.
Additionally, parents can also get helpful advice from homeschoolers’ forums which provide useful insights to homeschooling and resources.
6: Provide the Necessary tools for Learning
In order to ensure an effective and successful learning environment, parents should provide the children with the necessary tools for learning and understanding. This includes providing access to age-appropriate books and materials, as well as having the right tools for conducting activities. For example, some parents may need to provide art supplies, scientific tools, and computers for the children to use for certain activities.
This can be done by researching and finding the right tools and supplies, as well as having adequate storage space to store these materials. Additionally, parents can also purchase or subscribe to certain online platforms which provide helpful resources and tools for homeschoolers.
7: Involve the Children in Learning
In addition to providing the necessary resources, parents should also involve the children in their own learning process. By providing the opportunity for the children to be engaged in their learning, parents can create an atmosphere of self-directed learning where the children are responsible for their own learning as well as their own progress.
This can be done by involving the children in tasks such as goal-setting, setting up learning plans, and participating in activities and discussions. Additionally, parents can also involve the children in their lesson-planning, allowing them to have more say in their learning process.
8: Stay Organised
When homeschooling multiple grades, parents should also ensure that they stay organized. Staying organized not only allows them to ensure that the lessons, resources, and tasks are structured clearly and in an orderly manner, but also minimizes administrative work.
To stay organized, parents are advised to make use of alternative scheduling methods such as planners, courses of study, and calendars. They can also make use of educational software and resources to store and track records and assessments. Additionally, parents can look into different filing systems and storage solutions which can help them to store the children’s worksheets, notes and records.
9: Make Time for extracurricular activities
Apart from structured learning, parents should also make sure to include extracurricular activities and the arts in their children’s curriculum. This allows the children to explore different interests, use different talents, and practice different skillsets. Parents can encourage the children to explore different activities and participate in programs, such as joining a club or taking up an online course.
Additionally, they can also involve the children in art or technology-related activities. This involves tasks such as brainstorming, creating arts and crafts, and experimenting with different materials.
10: Involve the Whole Family
Homeschooling multiple grades involves a lot of planning, organization and oversight, which can be overwhelming for many parents. To minimize this overwhelming nature of homeschooling, it is important to involve the whole family in the learning process. This includes allowing other family members to assist in teaching, supervising and assessing the children’s progress.
Parents can also involve their children in teaching others, allowing them to present what they’ve learnt more confidently by having more ownership over the learning process. They can also involve the children in supervising the others’ progress and helping them with their learning.
Alternatively, parents can also look into joining co-ops, allowing them to share the responsibility of teaching and overseeing the children’s learning with other households.
11: Maintain Connections
When homeschooling multiple grades, certain social activities such as family events or field trips can provide valuable opportunities for the children to interact with their peers and the society. To ensure feel this sense of social engagement, it is important for parents to ensure that their children are still connected to the society and their community.
Parents can facilitate this by providing learning opportunities in their local community, such as attending local events or joining an online or physical homeschooler group. This provides the children with the opportunity to bond with others who have similar interests and engage in fun learning activities with them. Additionally, parents can also look into programs such as virtual exchange programs, which allow the children to engage with children from all over the world.
12: Seek Assistance When Needed
Homeschooling multiple grades can be a challenging task for many parents. There will be times when parents may need assistance and advice, which is why it is important to seek support when needed. Parents are encouraged to reach out to other homeschoolers, who may be able to provide them with valuable insights and advice.
Additionally, they can also look into online forums and websites which provide additional resources and support for homeschoolers. There are also certain resources and organizations which provide assistance in certain aspects of homeschooling, such as access to materials and supplies, or providing accredited diplomas and certificates.
13: Have Fun
At the end of the day, homeschooling multiple grades should be enjoyable not only for the parents but for the children as well. It is important to ensure that learning is fun and engaging through the inclusion of different activities and topics that the children are interested in. This includes incorporating resources such as games, stories, puzzles and musical activities into the daily lessons.
Additionally, parents should also remember to take a break and take one day off every week to spend time as a family and enjoy recreational activities. This allows the children to take a break from structured learning, and can help to keep them engaged and motivated.
Conclusion
Homeschooling multiple grades can be an overwhelming task for parents. However, with proper planning, organization, and the right resources, homeschooling can be an enjoyable and fulfilling activity for the family and the children.
It is important to ensure that the children are engaged in their own learning process and have fun during their learning journey. Ultimately, this will allow them to have a meaningful learning experience and be well-prepared and knowledgeable towards their future endeavors.