How can you teach all grades in one day easily and with organization?

A friend of mine with four children recently asked me about the ideas I might have for homeschooling so many different levels in one day. And I realized that yes, those of us with multiple children are bound to encounter seasons of life when our children are all at very different levels. And it can get a little overwhelming sometimes.

Right now my friend has an early elementary, elementary, middle schooler and highschooler. This may be you too! Imagine the content chaos! There are so many different levels and content and books and curriculum and expectations that it can get quite crazy.

Best Ideas for Teaching All Grades:

Everyone homeschools differently and has their own way of teaching all the grades, but here are some basics to help when it comes to homeschooling all those grades in one day.

Create & Utilize Checklists (FREE TEMPLATE HERE)

• This is going to create a routine and expectation for your children.
• Keeps everyone organized (it’s too much to try and remember everyone’s list!)
• Whether they are 5 years old or 15 years old, a checklist helps. This is going to help them stay on track just as much as you.

Planned 1:1 Teaching All Grades

• Alternate the days and times you work with the children on their subjects.
• For example: Spend an hour or two on the younger two children for Monday-Tuesday to get them started on new material.
• Then spend an hour or two on the elder children for Wed-Thurs. This gives them time to go over questions or new materials with you.
• No one said you had to start a new lesson on Mondays. With multiple children you can start and stop units/lessons whenever you have time. There is no harm in reviewing or practicing old materials.

Use Pre-Made Curriculum & Outlines for All Grades

• With multiple children at so many levels, it’s often a good idea to have very organized and planned out curriculum.
• Any curriculum will work as long as you have it laid out so you can know immediately what you need to get done that day.
• Good and highly rated curriculums for all types of learning and family needs include: Power Homeschool, Apologia, Abeka, Sonlight, and Demme Learning
• Books like Math-U-See, Apologia and IEW all have day to day planners built in to the curriculum to tell your child what to do and when to do it. This frees up more time for you to know what content they are working on and when you need to check with them.

Alternate/Gradual Subjects

• If you have been homeschooling for a while, you will likely know what curriculums require a lot of time and what curriculums are easy-going and flexible.
• Have your younger students stick to a simple subject checklist for the first month (or however long you want to alternate) then gradually add in subjects.
• For example: Younger students can do reading, math and science. Then after spending a few weeks with the older students on a complex curriculum unit, you can go back to younger students to help them start up on history or writing or spelling etc.
• Have your younger students have pre-made worksheets and weeks of lessons marked so you can direct them and they can take some independence.
• Have older students work on the first lesson or week of lessons with you each day and then let them continue it on their own.

Here’s an example for teaching all grades for one week:

Takeaway for Teaching All Grades

Whether you have many young children or children in every age group, homeschooling multiples can be challenging and exciting. Remember that homeschooling allows for flexibility and changes. If one system or curriculum isn’t working for your schedule, try something new.

It’s okay to take breaks, regroup, reorganize. Talk to your children and brainstorm ideas of their likes and dislikes. There are so many resources available online and in bookstores now that it is easy to find what fits. Talk to people you know, join a co-op group, get connected with people who have had these seasons of busy homeschooling.