Managing multiple students and grade levels can make online schooling difficult for anyone and balancing a wide array of learning needs can be a big responsibility.
The key? Planning and scheduling. Learn how to homeschool two different ages attending an online school like Connections Academy and how to share learning responsibilities with these effective strategies:
How to Teach Different Ages
1. Plan Ahead to Maximize Learning Time
Online tools such as a student planner and family calendar can help you create a solid learning plan and see how it fits into your overall schedule. Start by entering vacations, appointments, and other events. Then, take a week-by-week look at the upcoming lessons and assignments for each of your students. Map out in advance when one student can work independently while you work one-on-one with the other(s).
2. Create a Schedule that Works for Everyone
Online learning comes with so much flexibility—use it to your advantage to develop a schedule that works for everyone. Integrate the rhythm of your family’s daily life and your students’ individual learning styles and grade levels. Be prepared for some trial and error as you figure out the time of day each student does his or her best work and how to stagger the schedule to make the most out of your time and their time.
3. Group Lessons by Theme and Work Together
No matter your students’ ages, there are always opportunities to work together and learn from each other. Allow your students to work as a group—whether on art projects that require similar materials or on reading assignments and book reports that share common themes. It may be helpful to preview each day’s lessons and assignments the night before so everyone can hit the ground running when class begins.
4. Block-Schedule Like a Pro
To maximize your energy as a Learning Coach, consider block-scheduling subjects together on certain days instead of supervising work on multiple subjects across multiple grades in a single day. For example, you may find switching gears between third- and sixth-grade reading assignments is easier than switching gears between third-grade reading and sixth-grade math. Remember, your role as Learning Coach will differ according to your students’ ages—meaning the level of supervision between a first grader and a middle-schooler is vastly different. With strategic scheduling, those age differences can actually work to your—and the students’—advantage!
5. Set Rules for Online School at Home
When learning how to homeschool two different grades, establishing mutually understood house rules for school hours is an important step. Guided by what works for your family, you should all agree on the following: daily start and end times; scheduled break times for meals, snacks, and play; the lessons to be completed each day; and expectations for behavior while school is in session. If other family members are home during the school day, make sure they’re on board with the rules, too.
6. Minimize Learning Distractions
Organize your learning space(s) to keep distractions, including those that occur between students, to a minimum. Set up separate learning zones for each student or create different types of learning spaces depending on age groups and activities—like a crafts area for elementary students, a study area for middle and high school students, a common area for group projects, or a designated quiet zone for independent learning.
Check out Home Classroom Ideas on our Pinterest page for creative, space-saving ideas. Yard sales are great places to pick up inexpensive supplies and furniture for your classroom.
7. Schedule Breaks Throughout the Day
Schedule breaks and be flexible about taking impromptu breaks that let students burn off excess energy when they’ve become restless or distracted. Discipline is important, but there’s no point in figuratively bashing your head against a wall when a short break can help mitigate a distracting dynamic. Just be careful that your students don’t get the idea that misbehaving earns them break time.
How to Share Learning Coach Responsibilities
For Connections Academy® families, Learning Coaches may share responsibilities as part of their daily routine, or they may occasionally shift responsibilities when the primary Learning Coach is unavailable. Here are some insights on both of these topics from experienced Learning Coaches:
If you routinely share responsibilities:
- Play to your subject-matter strengths. Dividing responsibilities based on your strengths and interests can enrich everyone’s experience. For example, a working parent/part-time subject area coach gets to share their expertise and spend valuable time with the student while the student experiences a different coaching style. Meanwhile, the primary Learning Coach gets more time to work with their additional students, do other tasks, or take a break.
- Communicate. Make sure that you and your coaching partner are on the same page in terms of schedules, classroom discipline, student learning styles, and expectations. Privately share any concerns about your student(s) with your partner to avoid inadvertently undermining your students’ confidence.
- Enlist older students to help younger students. They’ll reinforce their own learning and develop confidence while helping their siblings and lightening your load.
If you’re temporarily shifting responsibilities:
- Bring your Learning Coach partner up to speed on upcoming assignments, the daily routine, and important contact information. Post that information prominently so that your partner doesn’t have to scramble to find it in your absence.
- Schedule a family meeting to make sure that everyone understands how they’ll need to work together to make the transition go smoothly.
Looking for more help? Connect with our community on Facebook. You’ll find Learning Coaches and Connections Academy families sharing tips, advice, and support at Facebook.com/ConnectionsAcademy.
To find a Connections Academy school in your state, visit Connections Academy online public school. Or, to learn about online private school, visit the Pearson Online Academy website.
