I have found that having time to do reading and lapbooking (Five in a Row books w/ www.homeschoolshare.com) for the first part of the morning with my three children under seven years works well for us. I then do Math U See with each of them (while the five year old has room time and the three year old has blanket time near me-they trade places when the timer rings). Next, I focus on time with the older ones (phonics, writing, English, foreign Latin/Greek,and map work before lunch)while the younger ones rotate to different stations I create and change around (listen to books, manipulatives like beads and such, and puzzles, etc,). We eat lunch and then they all listen to Truthquest read aloud books while the children do different art (pastels and paper one week, charcoal drawing next week, or painting rocks). Lastly, we take off to the Y where they rollerskate while I work on the treadmill and wave to them as they pass by me (they love it, and I love getting in shape). On some days, I sometimes rotate special days of pj day where we do all this in our pjs or hat day...just a fun mix of different things to make it fun. So, I guess, I alternate students to meet the demands of so many children (six under twelve-some are studying Algebra and some are studying addition...quite a range).
I really like the ideas the ideas of Jimmie's post. I think trying different teaching methods helps to find the final shoe that fits and feels good for your family (one of the reasons I love this blogging place is to glean from so many great homeschool moms). In short, Jimmie's idea sounds great.
Edited by momofsix on Dec. 24, 2008 at 6:49 PM
