Can I combine these 2 kids?

[crl]

I am unsure if I'll be able to combine my 2 kids in anything. DD is 8 going on 9 in May. She is doing mostly 3rd grade work now, so it'll 4th grade in the fall. And DS just turned 6 and is definitely a K level now (not reading yet), so maybe 1st or ending K in the fall. I know that in LA and Math they will be separate but is there any way to combine them for other things next year?

We are adding a newborn with heart issues to our family this summer. We already know that she'll need open heart surgery and a few weeks in the hospital. So I need something that is easy for the teacher to open and use without tons of prep time that maybe Dad can do on our bad days.

Or would it be easier to keep them separate due to the age/ability gap?

We are a Christian family with young earth creation views.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

[MomatHWTK]

My kids all watch the VP self-paced social studies lesson, then oldest reads the questions and the younger two take turns answering. (The 2 y.o. loves the memory song.) We do other Bible time together, I usually read and if there are worksheets I scale them to the child's ability. For instance, everyone gets the same copywork, just in different fonts. Basic grammar everyone listens to me explain then DS does his own more advanced work.

 

I am reading SOTW to them this year, in the past it's been History for Little Pilgrims, or other social studies selections. I don't quiz on the materials but we sometimes draw pictures or watch a go-along documentary. Oldest Ds now likes to look up go along materials on the internet to add now and then.

 

Science, I just split out for oldest this year. The others are getting a bit of a break from science right now so I'm just using documentaries and Beakman's World with them. Often Ds will share with them a streamlined version of what he is learning in science and they usually spend a day a week out on grandma's "farm" so they get hands-on learning. Previously, I've used printable materials or textbooks and everyone listened to the reading.

 

For Art we used Meet the Masters and the Evan Moore book, both were easy to adapt to mixed ages.

 

Trips to the zoo, studying a pond, etc. really aren't age specific. The same is true for museum visits, etc.

 

Basically, I share the core information with all the kids then split them out for any actual seatwork selected for their individual level. I have gone to a LOT of computer based learning this year though. My younger two use Jumpstart for a lot of math and reading review while the oldest does his work on PLATO.

 

In your situation, I'd probably choose a science, social studies and perhaps a world culture read aloud and use those with everyone. Your Bible time can be combined too. I'd do the same for any art or music programs. Sometimes it may be a little "easy" for the older child, but you can add to it. For the youngest, at this point any exposure to the information is a plus and long term retention isn't that important. KWIM?

Edited March 7, 2012 by MomatHWTK

[edeemarie]

We are trying to remedy a similar situation for next year. My ds8 and dd6 are doing HOD Bigger this year, and I know that it wouldn't work to combine them in Preparing for next year. I also have ds3 and ds1, so I don't feel I have adequate time to go through 2 guides. So next year we are doing MFW ECC. Unfortunately we haven't gone through it yet, but I did get the materials and it looks like dd6 will be just fine with the work. It is very open and go, and there are added "optional" activities in case you have extra time that week- and if you don't, that is OK too! They will be doing LA and Math in their own levels, but I just decided that it would be easiest for me to combine Bible, Science, History, and read alouds. MFW does a great job of suggesting ways to keep the younger ones involved so that the activities are not too much for them. And I have decided that if we come to a project or activity that is too much for her, I will just adjust it for her, or not do it at all:) I wish I already had a year of experience to let you know for sure that it worked, but I have seen many other people use MFW successfully with multiple ages. Best of luck deciding! Hope this helps!

[crl]

I actually have MFW ECC as a possibility on our list, but there are so many mixed reviews out there that I'm having a hard time figuring out if it would work for us. If I knew I had time to spend with DD doing it, I'm sure she'd love it, but I'm afraid that we may get in the bare bones rut and then it would be boring reading and filling out worksheets.

[Chelli]

You can always look at Expedition Earth. It is like MFW ECC for lower elementary and MUCH lower price. I am planning on using it next school year for a 3rd grader and K'er.

[crl]

Expedition Earth looks great, but does anyone know if it will be enough for a 4th grader?

[swiegers]

My kids will be Gr3 and K in the fall and I plan on using Animals and their Worlds from Winter Promise with both of them. It is quite expensive, but it is a whole year's worth of science and some social studies. You will use the same reading materials with both kids, but there are 2 different teacher guides and workbooks for the younger and older age groups. The program also comes with a lot of art/craft suggestions, so I suspect you won't need to add more art if you don't want to. My DD7 loves animals and she is very excited to do a whole year of just animal science.

[Mommy22alyns]

Expedition Earth looks great, but does anyone know if it will be enough for a 4th grader?

 

 

From what I've seen, it would be fairly easy to beef up for a 4th grader. Just add some good extra reading and maybe have her do some basic research on the countries you're studying - capitals, languages, bodies of water... things like that.