Tidbit #8: Multi-Level Learning

#1 · September 13, 2003, 11:53 am

Quote from Forum Archives on September 13, 2003, 11:53 am
Posted by: homenews <homenews@...>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE HOPE CHEST

with Virginia Knowles

Tidbit #8: Multi-Level Learning

September 13, 2003

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As you can imagine, life with nine children is very busy. People ask me how I "get it all done" and the truth is that I dont always get done what needs to get done! Its a juggle to make sure that each of my children gets the help they need with school work, since were often interrupted by toddlers needing a drink or hug, or siblings having another petty conflict. Lets not even mention the housework right now! This morning I cuddled with two year old Naomi for several minutes, while I reminded her how much I loved her. Then I scooped her up and playfully plopped her on the couch because I had to go do something else. As I walked toward the kitchen, she called out, "Hey, come back! You're my friend!" Ah, for all the time in the world to enjoy the sweet little things of life!

One thing that has immensely helped me this year is that Mary (16) often volunteers to help Julia (14) with English assignments. Julia is taking a weekly English class that entails lots of homework. I love high school literature and creative writing, but its still a challenge for me to teach it, especially when the subject matter is not particularly enticing to her. (Red Badge of Courage, Moby Dick and Edgar Alan Poe poetry come quickly to mind...) I also dont have all the time I would like to sit and discuss it with her. Mary is particularly gifted in these areas, and has been so gracious to lighten the load for me. (Thanks, Mary!) Its also been a good way for these two sisters to connect in their final years together at home.

Rachel (12) and Joanna (10) both decided to do Latina Christiana this year. Even though I aced high school Latin, I hesitated about getting it because I know it requires teacher involvement. One more thing for me to do! Fortunately, they only need to complete about one lesson per week, so I review it with both of them at the same time. They listen to the pronunciation CD in their bedroom, and sometimes work on it together.

These are both examples of multi-level learning. I wrote about this topic in both of my books. Here is an excerpt from the chapter called "Teaching Through the Years" in my book Common Sense Excellence: Faith-Filled Education for Preschool to 5th Grade. The five sections in this chapter are:

Key #1: Treat Your Children as Blessings!
Key #2: Set Solid Foundations for Life
Key #3: Respect the Ages and Stages of Childhood Learning
Key #4: Settle Your Mind About Grade Levels
Key #5: Figure Out How to Handle Multi-Level Teaching
KEY #5: FIGURE OUT HOW TO HANDLE MULTI-LEVEL TEACHING

Weve all read about the one room school houses of olden days where the young school marm taught several grade levels of scholars simultaneously. Thats sort of like home schooling more than one child. Of course, the relational dynamics are a bit different because you are not only the marm but the mom, and the other scholars are siblings! Each family requires a different approach, and it certainly is a juggle! Here are some things to consider:

Content-based subjects are the easiest ones to use for group teaching. This is because they are less dependent on the skill levels of each child. A mom might use a traditional textbook or literature selection to teach history or science simultaneously to more than one child, or she can do a multi-level unit study. In the latter case, there can be certain core books that she reads aloud to everyone, and other books and projects which are assigned (or chosen by the child) on the basis of difficulty and interest. This approach works well for many families, and I enjoyed it while it lasted at our house. However, my children dont usually want to be taught as a group anymore. There are still times when I am able to read to three or four of my children at once, but even those opportunities become increasingly rare as they get older. The older ones get bored if I simplify it for the younger ones, and the younger ones get wiggly and annoy the older ones. In the end, this phenomena signaled the demise of age-integrated unit studies as we had been doing them. We are still able to study the same basic history and geography topics, and their independent reading lists overlap somewhat, but even then, the assignments have to be very individualized at our house. I would still encourage you to try to do multi-level history and science as you are able. It does save time, and provides a common base of discussion topics between family members. It also tends to be easier than keeping track of several different topics (one for each child and school subject) at once.

Skill subjects are a bit trickier for group teaching. Many moms teach skill subjects like math and grammar simultaneously to two or more closely spaced children. Again, this can be a real time saver for a busy family. If you can get away with this, more power to you, and count your blessings! However multi-level skills teaching doesnt always work the way we would like. We need to look at what is best for each child, mentally and emotionally. For instance, the older child may resent being taught the exact same skills as a younger sibling, perceiving this as an insult to his abilities. The younger child, in turn, may use this to taunt the older one. The older child may be impatient when you have to take extra time to explain a concept to the younger one, who may be feeling rushed or confused. If you need to teach skills simultaneously, try to create at least some differences between the grade levels. For example, you can do the same oral instruction, but give each one a different written assignment to complete. It will also help if you set aside time to work with each one separately, even if it is just for several minutes. Try not to compare their performance. If they start comparing among themselves who is smarter, you might just have to tell them to mind their own business and do their own work.

Different learning styles can complicate multi-level teaching. If you have children who learn in very different ways, it can be quite frustrating to teach them as a group using the same materials or methods. For example, one child may learn best by read aloud, while another hates it. One may need lots of hands-on projects, while another gets frustrated by them.

Children need their own "space" as they get older. Everyone needs quiet times to be alone, perhaps to study, or just to think without constant interruption. Thats sometimes a bit hard to do in a busy home school household, especially if siblings must share bedrooms. Then your "one room school house" is actually more like a "one house school room"! In other words, you may need to let them go wherever they can get a snatch of solitude at the moment, and not expect them to always be learning right along with the others.

Spontaneous child-to-child teaching can be very rewarding. One major blessing in home school families is that the children often teach one another, with little or no prompting on the part of the parent! In our family, my children read to each other, coach basic skills, make up little worksheets for the preschoolers, play educational games, give dictation for a siblings grammar lessons, show how to do a certain kind of hairstyle, help with computer programs, and so much more. I like to let these cooperative learning situations arise spontaneously, because it builds relationships when there are willing parties involved. It also preserves an older childs ego, because she perceives herself in the leading and helping role.

Teaching with toddlers around presents its own challenges. Ive already written a whole chapter on "Little People" in The Real Life Home School Mom, so I am only going to summarize it very briefly here:

Tend to your smaller childs physical needs before each school session.
Work with your little ones at their own level. They are students too!
Cuddle up on the couch with a pile of good picture books.
Include the preschoolers in group school time as appropriate.
Give your preschoolers a simple educational task, such as a puzzle or coloring project, to do while you are teaching your older ones.
Plan ahead for short attention spans!
Do uninterruptible projects during your younger childs nap time.
Teach your older child to work independently when possible.
Arrange your home, including a well-stocked play area, for safety.
Recruit your older children to help.
Trade off child care for field trips.
Enjoy your little ones while you can. They are a blessing, not a burden!

Can you teach the preschool and elementary years at home, even with a houseful of children? Of course! In the next chapter, we will start discussing specific educational approaches that are common in the home schooling movement. I think youll find something that fits you!

~*~*~

Each chapter in Common Sense Excellence ends with a vintage quote. Here is the one from the Teaching Through the Years chapter:

"The mind of a child is soft and pliable which allows easy impressions upon it;

we should therefore lose no time to imprint on their minds

those characters which are so easily formed there.

But we must choose images which we would wish to impress upon them;

for in so small and so precious a reservoir,

we should lay up no froth but exquisite things."

Francis Fenelon in Education of a Child: The Wisdom of Fenelon (1687),

edited by Mark Hamby and published by Lamplighter Books

In His Sovereign Grace,

Virginia Knowles

The Hope Chest is a free e-mail newsletter with encouragement and practical teaching tips. The writer is Virginia Knowles, wife of Thad, mother of nine children, and author of Common Sense Excellence: Faith-Filled Home Education for Preschool to 5th Grade, and The Real Life Home School Mom.

Web: http://www.hopechest.homestead.com/welcome.html

(Please note that this web site is moving around September 21. Details to follow!)

Resource info: http://www.hopechest.homestead.com/resourceorders.html

E-mail: [email protected]

Subscription: [email protected]

Unsubscription: [email protected]

Posted by: homenews <homenews@...>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE HOPE CHEST

with Virginia Knowles

Tidbit #8: Multi-Level Learning

September 13, 2003

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As you can imagine, life with nine children is very busy. People ask me how I "get it all done" and the truth is that I dont always get done what needs to get done! Its a juggle to make sure that each of my children gets the help they need with school work, since were often interrupted by toddlers needing a drink or hug, or siblings having another petty conflict. Lets not even mention the housework right now! This morning I cuddled with two year old Naomi for several minutes, while I reminded her how much I loved her. Then I scooped her up and playfully plopped her on the couch because I had to go do something else. As I walked toward the kitchen, she called out, "Hey, come back! You're my friend!" Ah, for all the time in the world to enjoy the sweet little things of life!

One thing that has immensely helped me this year is that Mary (16) often volunteers to help Julia (14) with English assignments. Julia is taking a weekly English class that entails lots of homework. I love high school literature and creative writing, but its still a challenge for me to teach it, especially when the subject matter is not particularly enticing to her. (Red Badge of Courage, Moby Dick and Edgar Alan Poe poetry come quickly to mind...) I also dont have all the time I would like to sit and discuss it with her. Mary is particularly gifted in these areas, and has been so gracious to lighten the load for me. (Thanks, Mary!) Its also been a good way for these two sisters to connect in their final years together at home.

Rachel (12) and Joanna (10) both decided to do Latina Christiana this year. Even though I aced high school Latin, I hesitated about getting it because I know it requires teacher involvement. One more thing for me to do! Fortunately, they only need to complete about one lesson per week, so I review it with both of them at the same time. They listen to the pronunciation CD in their bedroom, and sometimes work on it together.

These are both examples of multi-level learning. I wrote about this topic in both of my books. Here is an excerpt from the chapter called "Teaching Through the Years" in my book Common Sense Excellence: Faith-Filled Education for Preschool to 5th Grade. The five sections in this chapter are:

Key #1: Treat Your Children as Blessings!

Key #2: Set Solid Foundations for Life

Key #3: Respect the Ages and Stages of Childhood Learning

Key #4: Settle Your Mind About Grade Levels

Key #5: Figure Out How to Handle Multi-Level Teaching
KEY #5: FIGURE OUT HOW TO HANDLE MULTI-LEVEL TEACHING

Weve all read about the one room school houses of olden days where the young school marm taught several grade levels of scholars simultaneously. Thats sort of like home schooling more than one child. Of course, the relational dynamics are a bit different because you are not only the marm but the mom, and the other scholars are siblings! Each family requires a different approach, and it certainly is a juggle! Here are some things to consider:

Content-based subjects are the easiest ones to use for group teaching. This is because they are less dependent on the skill levels of each child. A mom might use a traditional textbook or literature selection to teach history or science simultaneously to more than one child, or she can do a multi-level unit study. In the latter case, there can be certain core books that she reads aloud to everyone, and other books and projects which are assigned (or chosen by the child) on the basis of difficulty and interest. This approach works well for many families, and I enjoyed it while it lasted at our house. However, my children dont usually want to be taught as a group anymore. There are still times when I am able to read to three or four of my children at once, but even those opportunities become increasingly rare as they get older. The older ones get bored if I simplify it for the younger ones, and the younger ones get wiggly and annoy the older ones. In the end, this phenomena signaled the demise of age-integrated unit studies as we had been doing them. We are still able to study the same basic history and geography topics, and their independent reading lists overlap somewhat, but even then, the assignments have to be very individualized at our house. I would still encourage you to try to do multi-level history and science as you are able. It does save time, and provides a common base of discussion topics between family members. It also tends to be easier than keeping track of several different topics (one for each child and school subject) at once.

Skill subjects are a bit trickier for group teaching. Many moms teach skill subjects like math and grammar simultaneously to two or more closely spaced children. Again, this can be a real time saver for a busy family. If you can get away with this, more power to you, and count your blessings! However multi-level skills teaching doesnt always work the way we would like. We need to look at what is best for each child, mentally and emotionally. For instance, the older child may resent being taught the exact same skills as a younger sibling, perceiving this as an insult to his abilities. The younger child, in turn, may use this to taunt the older one. The older child may be impatient when you have to take extra time to explain a concept to the younger one, who may be feeling rushed or confused. If you need to teach skills simultaneously, try to create at least some differences between the grade levels. For example, you can do the same oral instruction, but give each one a different written assignment to complete. It will also help if you set aside time to work with each one separately, even if it is just for several minutes. Try not to compare their performance. If they start comparing among themselves who is smarter, you might just have to tell them to mind their own business and do their own work.

Different learning styles can complicate multi-level teaching. If you have children who learn in very different ways, it can be quite frustrating to teach them as a group using the same materials or methods. For example, one child may learn best by read aloud, while another hates it. One may need lots of hands-on projects, while another gets frustrated by them.

Children need their own "space" as they get older. Everyone needs quiet times to be alone, perhaps to study, or just to think without constant interruption. Thats sometimes a bit hard to do in a busy home school household, especially if siblings must share bedrooms. Then your "one room school house" is actually more like a "one house school room"! In other words, you may need to let them go wherever they can get a snatch of solitude at the moment, and not expect them to always be learning right along with the others.

Spontaneous child-to-child teaching can be very rewarding. One major blessing in home school families is that the children often teach one another, with little or no prompting on the part of the parent! In our family, my children read to each other, coach basic skills, make up little worksheets for the preschoolers, play educational games, give dictation for a siblings grammar lessons, show how to do a certain kind of hairstyle, help with computer programs, and so much more. I like to let these cooperative learning situations arise spontaneously, because it builds relationships when there are willing parties involved. It also preserves an older childs ego, because she perceives herself in the leading and helping role.

Teaching with toddlers around presents its own challenges. Ive already written a whole chapter on "Little People" in The Real Life Home School Mom, so I am only going to summarize it very briefly here:

Tend to your smaller childs physical needs before each school session.
Work with your little ones at their own level. They are students too!
Cuddle up on the couch with a pile of good picture books.
Include the preschoolers in group school time as appropriate.
Give your preschoolers a simple educational task, such as a puzzle or coloring project, to do while you are teaching your older ones.
Plan ahead for short attention spans!
Do uninterruptible projects during your younger childs nap time.
Teach your older child to work independently when possible.
Arrange your home, including a well-stocked play area, for safety.
Recruit your older children to help.
Trade off child care for field trips.
Enjoy your little ones while you can. They are a blessing, not a burden!

Can you teach the preschool and elementary years at home, even with a houseful of children? Of course! In the next chapter, we will start discussing specific educational approaches that are common in the home schooling movement. I think youll find something that fits you!

~*~*~

Each chapter in Common Sense Excellence ends with a vintage quote. Here is the one from the Teaching Through the Years chapter:

"The mind of a child is soft and pliable which allows easy impressions upon it;

we should therefore lose no time to imprint on their minds

those characters which are so easily formed there.

But we must choose images which we would wish to impress upon them;

for in so small and so precious a reservoir,

we should lay up no froth but exquisite things."

Francis Fenelon in Education of a Child: The Wisdom of Fenelon (1687),

edited by Mark Hamby and published by Lamplighter Books

In His Sovereign Grace,

Virginia Knowles

The Hope Chest is a free e-mail newsletter with encouragement and practical teaching tips. The writer is Virginia Knowles, wife of Thad, mother of nine children, and author of Common Sense Excellence: Faith-Filled Home Education for Preschool to 5th Grade, and The Real Life Home School Mom.

Web: http://www.hopechest.homestead.com/welcome.html

(Please note that this web site is moving around September 21. Details to follow!)

Resource info: http://www.hopechest.homestead.com/resourceorders.html

E-mail: [email protected]

Subscription: [email protected]

Unsubscription: [email protected]