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Combining Multiple Curriculum Years/multiple ages learning together
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I have read through what SCM has stated in how to learn, but I have more detailed questions. If there is something on the SCM site that would answer this, then by all means, refer the information to me as I might have missed it.
Having said that, I am really interested in learning the practical logistics of how others have done this with their families. I have also looked at the website by Nancy called Sage Parnassus, as she has a post on it, but it is very basic in this information she gives.
I would like to know how others, who have multiple ages of children, learn together for most subjects using the CM method? This would mean everyone would be on the same history period, learning the same science, etc. Some subjects would of course be done separately like math.
I am interested in doing this with my children. I am thinking it could be done in a very simple, but rigorous way, but not quite sure how.
How do you cover the various subjects so that everyone can get something from it for their level? How do you plan your year out? How do you read the different books on various subjects? Do you choose one book per subject that everyone listens to? Do you have the older ones read extra books in a subject to supplement their learning? Or do you read multiple books of different levels for each subject to everyone (this sounds like too much)? What kind of books do you use? How do you choose books that everyone can get something from for their age? How do you do narrations, both oral and written? And how do you keep things simple while giving everyone a very rigorous education by learning together in the CM way? Lastly, how do you manage little ones with this type of learning? I presume habit training would be important here. And how to maintain everyone’s attention in learning no matter the level they are at.
Caralee
I have 5 children: ds(12), ds(10), ds(5), dd(3), dd(2 months)
We have some subjects we do apart and some together. The ones on their own are math, spelling, handwriting or dictation/copywork, bible memory, and foreign language. Foreign language is on their own because the have different languages they wanted to learn. They also do map drill individually because we do it on the computer and they need to take turns. They also all have something to read on their own. For the younger two (7 and 9) it is fiction; for the older two (11 and 12) is related to what we do in history and they do a written narration on it.
That is about half our homeschool day. The other half is together work which includes bible, history, grammar, science, poetry, art, etc. for most topics I read fron a book and they take turns narrating. Mine are all within five years in age so level isn’t too much of an issue. In general I think it is better to gear it to the older kids but maybe throw in one or two books that are on a lower level but still interesting. As the kids get older or if I had a wider age range I would have the older ones do a little more of the reading on their own. Also I have them read their written narrations to their siblings.
Nebby
Welcome, Caralee,
I highly recommend that you have a look at the free curriculum guide. Click on either the Bible, history or geography links and it will give you a more detailed picture as to how all of this plays out in a multi age family.
Basically you would use what is usually called a spine — that is a main book that covers a topic in a very broad sense (think about a history book that covers from exploration to present day, or a science book about a wide variety of topics). This would be the main book for the course, and most likely the one you would read aloud to all of your children together. In the guide you will notice the spine is listed under family. Some of the topics covered with the sound may warrant further exploration, so this is where other living books come in. In the guide there are break downs of books suitable for grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12. Books for the grades 1-3 willmost likely be read aloud to children in that age bracket. You may allow younger or older children to listen in if it appeals to them. Mostly likely you will have the grade 4 and older children read the recommended books for there age range independently. Assignments based on the reading will reflect their ages and abilities: oral narration is most common, but written narrations begin mid elementary. There are tons on narration suggestions somewhere on this website. Someone might be able to find them quicker for you than I can with my Playbook.
Hi Caralee,
You have received good suggestions from others already. Have you seen the Family Handbooks for history in the bookstore? You can download a free sample of one of them (I’ve linked to the Middle Ages guide) that will show a bit of the schedule and explain how to use for a family.
http://simplycharlottemason.com/store/middle-ages-renaissance-reformation-epistles/
I was actually thinking of doing something more similar to what Nancy describes on her blog. Here is the post I am referring to: http://sageparnassus.blogspot.ca/2010/07/fall-planning.html
I am intrigued as to how she reads living books of various subjects to her children of many different ages. I am not able to get further information unless I engage in her consulting services of which I cannot do.
Does anyone do what she does or similar to it? would anyone have any ideas as to how she does this?
Overall, I am thinking she reads various topical books that everyone can get something from and/or books that appeal to everyone but are at a lower level (ex: fiction as Chronicles of Narnia.). Perhaps she has her older children read books independently at their level, but she does not mention this.
And I am thinking she has trained her children in good habits: listen to others while they narrate, being patient, not being a disturbance, occupying little ones with a quiet activity while with everyone, etc.
What do you all think?
Caralee – from what I read, that is exactly what the science, history, literature and other subjects listed in the SCM Curriculum guides do. Have you actually downloaded a sample and really looked at the lessons?
They list a book (the spine) to read together with the whole family, with additional readings for your children to do themselves at all grade levels. I actually read the individual things aloud since we are all interested.
The other subjects are chosen by you off the guide to best match your childrens ages – since some things will appeal to a wider variety of ages.
My littles have free time or activities that they can do at the table while we are there.
This is essentially what we’ve already described. While earlier I gave the example of history, you can apply the same idea across the range of subjects. You may begin as she does with a Bible reading and prayer which is obviously suitable for everyone, has them narrate from that, then moves into perhaps a history reading (in her example perhaps they were studying Ancient Rome), a science reading, maybe poetry or a biography that ties into studies in another subject. ( I would not recommend a reading from every book every day. Alternate for interest throughout the week. Maybe a max of two or three readings depending on length, subject and the number of narrations you need to listen to in between. Like her, you may meet after lunch to complete the group readings/instruction. Personally I find meal times the best time for a reading. I also use audio books from time to time when I can find them. One less book for me to read. We usually have an evening read aloud going as well, but I don’t expect them to narrate from those.
Are we getting anywhere close to answering your questions?
Please do look around the free curriculum guide here. I think it will answer a lot of questions. We’ve been homeschooling 7+ years and I have always combined most of our lessons as a family. Perhaps seeing an actual schedule will help. Our day, today, looked like this (for reference I have kids ages 12, 12, 9 and 6):
Scripture study, hymns, memorization, religous book – family
History (Ancient Egypt using the Simply Charlotte Mason handbook) – family, but the 2 older boys need to read 3 chapters from the Golden Goblet on their own.
Read-aloud – family – We are reading The Hobbit and Harry Potter. I alternate days – today was The Hobbit.
Artist Study – family. We looked at and discussed a picture of Van Gogh. (Other days we do composer study, poetry, Shakespeare, and logic)
Latin – family. Did one lesson from Getting Started with Latin.
Then we did individual work.
6-yr-old with mom – reading, math. On his own he does handwriting, Explode the Code, and piano practice.
9-yr-old with mom – math, spelling, read out loud. On his own he does copywork, read scriptures, piano, math worksheet, Explode the Code.
12-yr-olds with mom – math, spelling. On their own they do science (Apologia), Life of Fred (1 chapter), cursive, copywork, read scriptures, Old Testament study, piano, math worksheet, literaure book for the week, and any history book assignments.
With the 2 younger boys and mom – science (topic of their choosing), read-aloud books (currently Aesop’s Fables, Thomas the Tank Engine stories, Mother Goose, and Dinotopia).
With the 2 older boys and mom- Grammar
We combined science as a family up until this year (as in one month ago). The older boys are now doing Apologia General Science and will continue doing ‘harder’ science like this. They are getting ready for high school classes and more independent work. The younger boys and I do a more nature study driven study where they choose a topic and we find books and movies and learn about it until they’re ready to move on. Right now it’s mammals. We just finished ocean animals.
Good luck finding what works for your family!
I read the link to Nancy’s blog. It sounds very much like our day…Minus the weekly spreadsheet! We do our morning family subjects, then 3Rs, and we end with project-heavy subjects like art, science, handicrafts, nature study, etc.
I have a weekly schedule, based on the SCM weekly schedules. It has been changed a bit to fit our exact subjects. For 3Rs, they each have 5 subjects each day…any more than this and it gets to be too much. Piano, math, and phonics are done daily. Copywork, dictation, typing, grammar, writing, etc. are done 1-3 times per week. Having it all planned for the week helps assures me that we won’t be missing an area of study.
I’m also a fan of SCM’s Planning e-book. It really helps you figure out how to schedule your materials and how frequently they should be scheduled. I also like the history modules. Even if you end up using different history resources, glancing through the free samples should give you a nice idea of how it’s all laid out for a larger family.
This blog series might also add to the discussion: Combining Homeschool Grade Levels.
Thankyou Ladies! You have been so very encouraging and helpful with all your ideas.
Initially, we were learning together in the earlier years and I gradually trained my oldest children to become independent in their learning as this is what I thought they needed to do. But since we began homeschooling 6+ years ago, when I think about our homeschooling, the Holy Spirit has constantly encouraged and reminded me to learn with my children, having everyone learn together. So I have finally obeyed and we have begun this week to learn together. I am SOOO thankful that I finally obeyed the persistent voice in my heart as I see so many benefits come to light in the past two days, and I see some that will come in the future. God really is good!
Now, I am trying to quickly organize myself for learning together so that everyone learns at their level and yet enjoy it, but it is different now in comparison to years earlier as I now have to manage 5 children of various ages.
I am very thankful for all your help. If anyone else has any ideas or suggestions, please post them.
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