A question though: With so many children, are each of them doing different unit studies/theme or same?

I only have 2, and I love to have both of them doing similar theme. But, the lesson planning zap me.

Cheers,
Delci
homeschooling mummy to 6yo and 4yo

Good Question:

We do as much together as we can. The circle/together time category at the right shows much of what we do together.

History and Science are easy to mold to different ages and levels.

For example: The spine (main book used for the study) is geared toward my older kids and then I try to find something for my younger 2 that fits with what we are studying. I usually end up at the Evan-Moor web site, buying a literature pocket. I also like the Hands and Hearts web site - they put together history kits that are fun and adaptable.

Ages 6 and 4 are super fun ages to do thematic units with. Last year, my two youngest were 3 and 6 and we did a study on butterflies while the older two did more of an insect study using Exploring Creation with Zoology - much more in-depth.

We painted butterflies, dot to dotted butterflies, 'grew' painted lady butterflies, read lots of books about butterflies, watched the Magic School bus video The Bog Beast (about butterflies), we hung butterflies decorated with tissue paper from the ceiling. I even found butterfly paper plates at the dollar store that we ate snacks on.

I do enjoy doing little theme units with my 4 soon to be 5 year old. We usually work on it 15-20 minutes a day. Recently, we did a farm unit togther. We made a lapbook from In the Hands of a Child, colored a book, read lots of books, made up plays using animal puppets.

Hope that helps.