If you’re planning to homeschool your child long-term, then you really need to keep in mind that they will be progressing in grade levels.
Being able to teach different grade levels also means that you will be studying different grade level materials as well. This is a big review of elementary and high school knowledge for you.
The biggest benefit you can expect in taking up this challenge is that not only would your child be able to learn from the same teacher that can keep up with their pace, but also you can keep your mind as sharp as a razor.
Your child doesn’t need to worry about who will be teaching them next year and you don’t have to worry if the next teacher will be able to understand and provide your child’s educational needs. This part will really be a bonus for both of you. You and your child can work on your challenges together.
If you’re teaching one child, then you only need to plan for this when the next school year comes. What if you’re teaching more than one child and they are of different grade levels? This may sound scary to you, but you really just need to approach the challenge as a family. Get your children involved in teaching each other.
A child at a higher level is expected to know and understand the lower level material. Encouraging them to learn from each other strengthens their sibling bond and encourages cooperation.
This approach will help build leadership skills in the higher level student and teach the lower level student the importance of respect and possible apprenticeship.
Certain lessons can actually be done together with other grade levels so you need to find creative ways in maximizing your time and effort in teaching.
You aren’t alone. You can join groups and communities of parents that homeschooling their children that may have experienced teaching multiple grade levels simultaneously or you can find help specific to a grade level.
Teaching children of different grade levels are indeed challenging, but it can be fun at the same time. You will have to research on current trends to see if you can make your lessons upbeat. Parents can conduct lessons on a per level basis, and also as a group. Teach your children on how to understand instructions well, so while you are attending to a different student, you can let them work on their workbooks to save time. Creating a lesson pattern for a group study session will also stimulate independent learning among your children. Don’t forget to take breaks. Make your study area conducive for learning comfortably for everyone. Continuously motivate them with their lessons, and always think of fun activities in between and during rest from studying.
If ever you’re stuck at teaching or have any fears, don’t hesitate to reach out to others for help. What you want to teach your child is independence not isolation. What you do and what your child sees you do will certainly affect them when they grow up.
For 15 years Mimi Rothschild has been privileged to help hundreds of thousands of homeschoolers educate their children at home. The MorningStar Academy is a private online Christian school offering diplomas and teachers. The Jubilee Academy is an online Christian curriculum provider offering over 150 full year online Christian courses for PreK-12.