Advice for Teaching Multiple Grade Levels at Home

Homeschooling parents are often teaching several grade levels at one time. This task may seem daunting, but I have a few simple strategies that can help.

My first piece of advice is to group whatever you can. Certain subjects like history or science are time-period or concept centered. It makes sense to study these topics together as a family.

Other subjects like reading and mathematics are based on grade and ability levels. For these subjects, students should be grouped by the skills they need, and direct instructional strategies should be applied.

Finally, purchase curriculum that supports your decisions.

Social Studies Instruction:

History is a great subject to do together as a family. Choose a time period that all of your children can learn simultaneously. Be sure to consider the age and maturity of each child. For example, don’t choose to study World War II in detail if you have young children. It would be too horrific.

Social Studies topics for younger children include citizenship, stories of people from the past, symbols, geography, and economics. Fourth and fifth graders usually study state and early American history. Middle Schoolers traditionally learn about the Ancient World. Eighth graders study the American Constitution through the Industrial Revolution.

I suggest choosing subject matter for the older child. Then scaffold the lessons for the younger child. Later, the younger child can revisit concepts as they mature.

These students were studying the “Wild West”. Together they learned about William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. They each wrote a summary based on the same lesson.

Buffalo Bill Sample Grade 7 — Seventh Grade Sample

Social Studies Curriculum Ideas:

I enjoyed teaching social studies with a literature-based approach. I used historical fiction along with Usborne books to cover time periods. Two literature-based curriculums that appeal to a variety of ages include Beautiful Feet and Sonlight. You can purchase entire curriculums from their websites, or just pick and choose from the suggested books to create your own course.

Timeline figures of Viscaino, Junipero Serra, and Portola were colored and assembled by a first grade student. — Timelines help students of all ages understand the chronology of historic events. These timeline figures were purchased from Beautiful Feet. They were colored and assembled by a first grader.

If you are looking for an award-winning resource with lots of support and choices of activities, Story of the World is a popular pick. It has an audio read-a-loud component so the whole family can listen. Each chapter supplies a variety of activities. Younger children might like the coloring pages while older children can answer review questions, conduct further research, and complete mapping exercises. In addition, you can purchase a test booklet for third grade and up if you are interested.

Some history curriculums will provide one lesson that you read together; then scaffold the activities by age or grade level. The Mystery of History is a Christian curriculum that does this. Their textbook is written for first grade through high school. The Companion Guide includes activity suggestions for younger, middle, and older students. They also provide a CD with the audio pre-recorded.

Science Instruction:

The Earth's atmosphere is diagrammed with construction paper, pictures, and scientific terms. — Diagrams represent data in a simplified manner. This diagram of the Earth’s atmosphere was assembled by a seventh grade student. Older children can type their own reports and definitions.

Science is another subject that multiple ages can study together. Science books are often categorized by disciplines such as life science, physical science, chemistry, geology, and astronomy. Choose a topic for study. Then find the books and grade-level activities to match up. It is fairly easy to find curriculum that appeals to a variety of ages, grades, and interests. Experiments can be done with everyone in the family working together.

Science Curriculum Ideas:

These models of the Earth's atmosphere and core were created using a Styrofoam ball, wooden skewer, and appropriate labeling. — Scientific models help students see patterns. These models of the Earth’s atmosphere and core were assembled by a third grade student.

Evan Moor has workbooks that cover an assortment of topics and grade levels.

I also like the “Focus On Series” by Gravitas Publications. Each book covers one of the five core science disciplines. They have an elementary version and a middle school version. Both provide a semester of reading and activities.

One science website that I found very helpful for homeschooling is Home Science Tools. They sell a variety of items needed to conduct experiments. You can search for science supplies based on age, interest, topic, or curriculum. They also have a blog with science projects for kids of all ages.

A fifth grade student uses a handmade scale to measure a corn seed. — A third-grade and fifth-grade student followed the directions from the Tops Corn and Beans book to created a scale that will accurately weigh a corn seed.

Another curriculum I would like to mention is TOPS Learning Systems. TOPS is a non-profit organization that provides 48 different hands-on-learning books. Each experiment uses simple things that you can find around the house. Books and supplies are affordable. Freebie sample labs are scattered throughout the website.

Language Arts Instruction:

Reading instruction for beginners works best if done one-on-one. If you have younger children, be sure to schedule time to introduce and practice letter sounds. Have students write, say, and identify phonemes so that they are using tactile, auditory, and visual approaches to learning the material.

Older children can be paired with younger children to review flashcards and listen to reading. Or older children can complete individualized silent reading activities while you work on direct reading instruction with the younger child. Older children should still discuss required reading assignments with you to be sure they are comprehending.

Spelling, vocabulary, and grammar should be appropriate for your child’s academic level. Writing instruction can be individualized or grouped, depending on the situation and preference.

Math Instruction:

Math instruction should also be individualized. Teach concepts sequentially based on ability and grade level. Here is an example of how you could stagger one hour of direct math instruction for three levels:

A schedule for 60 minutes of leveled math rotating between three students. — Direct instruction doesn’t always take the full 20 minutes. Use the extra time to answer questions as they come up. Older students can skip more difficult problems until you can help them. Also, an hour is a long time for a 2nd grader to sit. Consider giving them a five-minute break between sessions or letting them go outside to play if they are done early.

If you need more help with direct instruction for math, you may decide to purchase a math curriculum that has online or DVD teaching components. Take a look at these options if you are interested: Teaching Textbooks, Chalk Dust Math, or Mr. D Math.

Opportunities for Independent Learning:

I have one last suggestion. Provide appropriate learning activities for some children, while you work one-on-one with others. Puzzles, cut and paste books, lap-books, flashcards, mazes, building blocks, and play dough work well for quiet activities. Purchase headphones so that some students can learn songs, listen to audiobooks, or work on the computer while you teach others.

Enchanted Learning is a favorite website with lots of educational material based on a variety of topics. You can print crafts, activities, and worksheets. A personal subscription is only $20 per year. If you are educating at home through a Charter School, check with them before purchasing. Many schools have a site subscription.

You may also want to select on-line curriculum as needed. Reading Eggs, Math Seeds, Dream Box, and Spelling City all offer memberships. Check them out to see if any would benefit your particular situation.

Conclusion:

You can do this! You know your children like no one else. Take their particular interests and ages into consideration. Group your social studies and science. Individualize reading and mathematics. Provide resources for autonomous learning.

Let me know how it turns out.

Click here for the Differentiated Instruction Handout.