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JeniferS
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| Posted: Aug 12 2008 at 7:18pm | IP Logged
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Last year, I taught my son and my daughter went to preschool 3 afternoons a week.
This year, I am in charge of teaching both of them. I had grandiose plans of combining many topics (history, science, writing, etc.) to make my life easier. But, I am realizing that this will be so difficult because while my children are only two years apart, academically they are much farther apart.
My son is gifted and learns things so so so quickly. My daughter is just your typically kindergarten girl, although of course, I think she's bright :)
My son, while on a higher level in many academics just is not independent enough to work quietly on his own either near us or in another room.
He is still having problems with his writing (even after we spent lots of $$$ for a special writing program with occupational therapists) and is easily distracted so I feel like if I am going to get anything done with him, it needs to be quick and in a single block.
This morning, I was so frustrated that I actually took them down to the school to sign them up! But was told there was a waitlist to get them in. (thank goodness! LOL)
Anyways, I know there have been many threads on rhythms and routines, but I'm just wondering for those of you that have children a few years apart (I'm guessing their academic levels are probably closer to kindergarten and third/fourth grade) how do you do it? How do you balance it? Do you do anything together with both children or do you just have two separate blocks?
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Jenifer, mom to Harrison, 7 and Olivia, 5
The Way We Learn
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JuliaT
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| Posted: Aug 12 2008 at 9:43pm | IP Logged
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Jennifer, I had a huge adjustment to make when my ds started learning with us. It took me close to a year to get everything sorted out. Now it is a breeze to do two. You just need to give yourself time to find your rhythm. If you try something and it doesn't work, don't give up, brainstorm and try to come up with something else. That first year was alot of trial and error.
My oldest two are very similar to your children. My two are 19 mos. apart but they are so far apart academically. I was planning on teaching them together for the content subjects but my ds was just not ready.
Now, I have things a bit different in that I have three children. So what I do is work with one while the other one plays with his/her younger sister. I do all of the skill subjects with the one, then I switch and do the skill subjects with the other one. For the content subjects, I just didn't do them with my ds. He had no desire so I didn't push it. He has matured so much this past year that I think I will include him in the content subjects this year.
This year I will be teaching all three children. This will be a whole new ball game of trial and error. But I am going to try to wean my oldest so that she will do most of the skill subjects more independently so that I can spend more time with the two youngest. At least from my experience with teaching two, I know that this may take awhile to find our rhythm so I just need to be patient and persevere.
Blessings
Julia
mom of 3 (9,7,5)
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JeniferS
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| Posted: Aug 12 2008 at 10:06pm | IP Logged
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Thank you so much, Julia.
Do you begin the day with the children together or do you just go right away into the separate teaching? I'm really thinking this is what I'm going to have to do with our learning. I have to admit that I am mourning the fact that my "homeschool" will not look like I had imagined it after reading Real Learning and turning the pages of the Sonlight catalog. But, I guess I need to remember that our homeschool will look just the way it should, right? And because we aren't learning together this year, does not mean we won't learn together next year or even later this year.
Thank you for your encouragement and for sharing your story.
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Jenifer, mom to Harrison, 7 and Olivia, 5
The Way We Learn
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KerryK
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| Posted: Aug 13 2008 at 11:32am | IP Logged
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Jenifer,
My kids are older than yours (11 and 7), but spread apart, and this year we will have a toddler in the mix as well. Last year was my first year hs'ing, and I had to jump right in with two. It wasn't too bad. I just had to get used to their individual styles so that I could take advantage of them! My ds is an early riser, so sometimes we would get some of his work out of the way early, leaving more independent stuff like silent reading for later. Other times, I would work with him in the evening while dd was busy with something else. I wouldn't call our "school day" typical in any sense, but we did have a lot of fun, and were actually able to combine a lot of content, like history and geography, where we would learn about the same topic, but the older child would do more with it than the younger. Let's just see how it goes with a toddler now!
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Kerry
Mom to
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Mary (6)
New baby Samuel 2/26/07!
and 9 angels in heaven
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hereinantwerp
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My kids were very spread apart when we homeschooled (4 1/2 years), and my older one was academically advanced, similar to yours. But reading aloud works wonderfully all together! Vary the books so some are simpler and some more challenging, share gorgeous pictures together, look up locations on maps and things together, draw pictures based on the reading together---I was always very surprised how much my 4-5 old got, and retained, from our read alouds with his older brother! Classic "living books" which are beautifully written draw everyone in, and can be enjoyed again at an older age at another level.
"Skill" areas, like learning to read, handwriting, math you really can't do together if your children are at very different levels. I think the best thing for your own sanity is to cover these in the simplest way possible. THere are definately programs that make it "easier on mom" this way--eg., if you are teaching different levels, don't go for a math program that requires lots of intensive one on one time and you presentating everything, go for something straightforward and clear that your child can do as independantly as possible. My oldest was a very independant learner, which was helpful----my youngest is NOT.
But truly---at 7---I would not stress too much if handwriting comes hard. Just minimize it--do things orally, and fill in the blanks for him, etc. Because my oldest was gifted mentally I definately pushed him too much. Some of these things just come much easier later, with more muscle dvlpmt.
Interestingly, when we put him in a EUropean school for a short time my oldest son learned cursive in about 2 days, because he needed to and because it was different and fascinating. So, you never knwo!
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Angela Nelson
Mother to Simon (13), Calvin (9), and Lyddie Rose (3)
my blog: live and learn
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JuliaT
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| Posted: Aug 13 2008 at 2:33pm | IP Logged
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Jennifer, we have Bible reading, circle time and read aloud first all together, then I work with them separately.
Blessings,
Julia
mom of 3 (9,7,5)
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Mare
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| Posted: Aug 13 2008 at 2:49pm | IP Logged
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Jenifer,
I use to teach before becoming a stay at home mom. September was viewed as time to learn routines. I've carried that idea over to homeschooling.
We start in August with the idea that our routine will be changed over the course of the next few weeks. Our routine always looks good on paper before the school year starts. Reality is a whole other thing. 
What has worked well for us is to do Math and Language Arts first thing but separately. While working with one child, the other children are working on something else, playing with the youngest or reading. Later, we all work together for art, music, history and science. I find it easier to have things geared for the older child and then find other activities for the younger child.
Have you seen the plans for Along the American History Trail? Even if you don't use those plans, they could give you an idea of what a day might look like.
Peace
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graciefaith
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My kids are close in age but in the 3R's, they are in different levels. The only thing we do together is FIAR, Religion and read alouds. I work with one, while the other plays or distracts the baby. Then they switch. After the 3R's, we do the rest of the subjects together. Neither of my children do anything independently. All the curriculums i've chosen are parent intensive.
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Blessed wife and mom of 3 girls, Sept. '01, Dec. '02 and Oct. '07
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JeniferS
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| Posted: Aug 13 2008 at 11:46pm | IP Logged
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Thank you all so much for sharing with me.
I know I can do this. I just need to try....
Today, I rearranged the school room and cleared off some shelves with the plan of creating some Montessori type trays with activities for the children (mainly my son since my daughter easily self-occupies) to do while I work with the other. I've found that once my son leaves the room, it is very difficult to get him back and he just doesn't focus well in other places in the house (ie with the tv or Wii in view LOL)
I think the biggest thing is that I myself need to find my rhythm and only then can I apply it to our day.
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Jenifer, mom to Harrison, 7 and Olivia, 5
The Way We Learn
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Aug 14 2008 at 12:03am | IP Logged
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Jenifer (I love the way you spell your name...I had a dear friend who used that spelling!),
You're really blessed, because your children are close in age. I know they're on different academic levels, but you can use the same overarching themes for both. Also, they are young. You don't have to do history every day if you don't want to.
My children are 6 years apart...reading aloud helps unite them. I read to my children (my son is 16) every day and we all enjoy the books together. Reading aloud is an excellent way to expose your children to living books and wonderful literature, poetry and nonfiction. You can choose books that touch on history and science topics.
Another uniting factor could be art. You can use illustrations and narrations (oral, that you type up or record in some way) for both children. Each child could illustrate the narration in some unique way.
I like the idea of Montessori/hands on work to keep your son engaged. Initially you might have to hide the Wii...but do bear in mind that this is standard-issue boy behavior (my son still wants to head to his computer when I'm not looking!). He will mature, and his attention span will lengthen...but it will take time. Putting the distractors away and offering the activities you've planned is a good way to deal with this. Sounds like you're on a roll, IMHO!
Science is easy to do together. You can go hands-on (Janice Van Cleave writes great experiment books) or theory plus hands-on or pick a spot in your yard to observe for nature study. Bird feeders (and a field guide) are great for winter nature observation. (Your children can learn to ID birds, draw them, watch their movements and describe them...endless fun!)
Children love Bible stories, and that's a great way to bolster not only their faith formation, but also their knowledge of cultural and intellectual history. (Sounds complex...but let me tell you a story. I went to UCLA and one of my roommates was jealous of me when we took history together - because I could identify Bible scenes/saints painted by artists from practically anywhere. I'd never taken art history, but I knew what all the saint symbols were, as well as the 10 Commandment tablets, things like that. First time anyone accused me of having an unfair advantage - in fun, but she felt it - for being Catholic!)
I think you'll be fine. Nothing is cast in stone at this age...you have plenty of time on your side.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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JeniferS
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Nancy, thank you so much for such an uplifting post and for your ideas.
btw...I'm a fellow Bruin, too! I majored in history.
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Jenifer, mom to Harrison, 7 and Olivia, 5
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: How do I do it? How do I teach 2 kids...
