Classical education and large, closely-spaced families

[StormySar]

We just found out we're blessed with number five on the way. My oldest is 5 and we're in our first year of classical education but not yet in the first grade year so we aren't doing the full curriculum. We will be next year.

My kids ages are 5, 4, 2, 1, and next due in August. Essentially, all my kids will be of school age one or two years after the previous one.

If you have a large, closely spaced family and homeschool with a classical approach, what is your schedule like? Is there anything you can combine so you aren't schooling from dawn to dusk? Trying to figure out how to do this without feeling overwhelmed once everyone is of school age.

[Bird Girl]

I would suggest that you look at Sonlight curriculum. It is easy to combine multiple ages in one core, with each child working at their own level in math, handwriting and language arts, yet sharing literature, geography, history and, optionally, bible. We do it secular style, although it is obviously a Christian company. It does not follow a strict four-year history rotation, but the history begins in core 1 with the ancients (their schedule is slightly different than the four-year rotation.)

I know that there are some other curricula that are designed to combine children--Tapestry of Grace is a name I've seen mentioned. I would join the Well Trained Mind forums here and ask your question there, if you want a wider-range of classically-minded answers.

[Momma Aimee]

first of all CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How wonderful and exciting.

I would look into any curr that you can maintain -- and use year after year -- non-consumable.

Also all of the kids can do the same year of history or read the same book, the expectations would jsut be differnt at the differnt levels.

the other thing -- one of my dear mom buddies is homeschooling 6 of her 9 children -- one having graduated last year and the other two being 3 month twins .... the first few years of school really don't take that long .. 45 minutes, in 1st 2 hours by 3rd or 4th ... soooooo by the time their work load should really take a lot of time they will be more and more independant.

so that will make it easier for you too ...

[theretohere]

Mine aren't quite as closely spaced as yours (I have a 5 year old, a two year old and a new one due in a few weeks- so far ) but we are classically homeschooling.
Most big families combine history and science- same time period or or type of science, just on different levels. They also assign homework for the olders. I'd focus on reading with your 5 and 4 year olds so that they can read some things to themselves. I also second the WTM boards- there are some pretty big families on there doing this very successfully!

[AngelBee]

Working on figuring this out daily

[MissinNYC]

Tapestry of Grace. I know a lot of HSing families with a bunch of close kids, and they all use this curriculum. You only buy one and then modify it to eachkid's level. Congrats, BTW!

[phathui5]

Our kids are 9, 6, 4 and 2. We've been homeschooling for four years using The Well Trained Mind as a guide.

We combine history, science and Latin.

[Reebekah]

my kids are 4, 2, and 3.5 months....while we dont plan to hs in a completely classical way, i have read the well trained mind...and i like a lot about the classical style....and i have purchased several resources that are recommended in the well trained mind book. that said, i know that i MUST combine some subjects in order to cover everything that i want to.....so i've decided to go with a more eclectic approach to homeschooling....a lot of classical aspects, but also incorporate a ton of literature (using Sonlight) and unit studies (self created or based on other things that we are doing). basically, i'm going to cover all of the subjects with all of the children at the same time, but adapt slightly for each child's appropriate level. for example, if i were reading a book about horses, i will read the same story to my 2 and 4 yr olds....each one gets something different from the story....my 4 yr old might start asking about the meaning of a new word (trots)....my 2 yr old might just enjoy looking at the picture on the page (wow, that's a horsie)...and even though it is above the 2 yr old's head, he is still getting something out of being read to.

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by Reebekah

my kids are 4, 2, and 3.5 months....while we dont plan to hs in a completely classical way, i have read the well trained mind...and i like a lot about the classical style....and i have purchased several resources that are recommended in the well trained mind book. that said, i know that i MUST combine some subjects in order to cover everything that i want to.....so i've decided to go with a more eclectic approach to homeschooling....a lot of classical aspects, but also incorporate a ton of literature (using Sonlight) and unit studies (self created or based on other things that we are doing). basically, i'm going to cover all of the subjects with all of the children at the same time, but adapt slightly for each child's appropriate level. for example, if i were reading a book about horses, i will read the same story to my 2 and 4 yr olds....each one gets something different from the story....my 4 yr old might start asking about the meaning of a new word (trots)....my 2 yr old might just enjoy looking at the picture on the page (wow, that's a horsie)...and even though it is above the 2 yr old's head, he is still getting something out of being read to.

my boys are 23 months apart, and "should" be in say k and 2nd at the same time -- but i plan to approach homeschooling with them together ...

not sure how THAT is gonna pan out when we put them ion school in 3rd .. the current plan .. we will see.

I feel we will be able to cover material together and each get whatever is "right" for them out of it. Given the normal ranger in any age group -- they will be as close schooling together at home as the "top" and "bottom" student in any class of 20 or 30 ....

when we "recover" soemthign for DS2 it will be no more than a nice review for DS1 and since DS2 will be there as we cover it all with DS1 .. it will not be new to him either.

we plan to seek out something extra for them, out of the house, that they can be in without the brother -- so they are not always a pair.

since i want to cover as much in a classical style / liveing book style as we can -- it amounts to not much more than a ton of reading fro mom -- they are used to that now and we all do art and color and so on together anyway ... their skill level will develope at their own paces.