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INDEX:
“Getting
things done is not always what is most important. There is
value in allowing others to learn, even if the task is not
accomplished as quickly, efficiently or effectively.”
R.D. Clyde
What
is multi-level teaching?
Most
homeschool parents have children in several grade levels.
Rather than teaching each child using his own grade-level
textbooks, many homeschool parents teach all their children
the same subject at the same time, but give them assignments
based on their ability. This is called multi-level teaching.
Multi-level
teaching is easily accomplished and is the method of choice
for most homeschooling parents. Their children are given their
own math textbooks. Reading and handwriting instruction is
given individually. The remainding subjects are taught as
a group similar to the old, one-room schoolhouse.
This
works really well in a homeschooling situation and takes much
less time than using curriculum designed for grade-level classroom
work. Many parents use a prepared lesson plan to teach multi-level.
Others create their own lesson plans from scratch. Some prefer
the structure of a textbook and work a unit study around the
textbook.
A
simple way to begin multi-level teaching is to use a prepared
lesson plan or unit study such as:
For
those who like to create their own units, try Study
Starters or feel free to use my Unit
Study Planning Guide for History or Unit
Study Planning Guide for Science. Check out the Learning
Calendar for ideas of learning projects to explore.
For
activity ideas use my Project
Ideas for Unit Studies and Hands
and Hearts Discovery Kits.
For
composition ideas, use my Writing
Project Ideas, Homeschooling
With Notebooks, and the Notebooking
Corner. If
your child is artistic, check out History
Scribe.
Create
a timeline for your unit by printing out my free, blank Timeline.
Encourage
higher level thinking by using this list
of verbs or verb phrases in your discussion or assignments.
Feel
free to use any of my history and
science units in your homeschool. Sing
N Learn is a great resource for auditory
learners. Visual
Manner is a great resource for Visual
Learners.
If
you prefer using a traditional textbook, select one textbook
for all your children to use. For example, for children
in 1st - 6th grade, A Beka's 4th grade science is a good
choice. Read each chapter orally to your children (or have
them take turns reading as able) and discuss the questions
orally. Complete appropriate lab work and other hands-on
activities together as a family project. Finally, assign
each child age-appropriate library books and written work
to be done on their own as
“homework.”
After
you've started doing multi-level teaching, you'll want
to purchase The Checklist to
plan and keep track of your children's studies.
What
is a Unit Study?
A unit study involves teaching all subjects using one theme.
The theme can be a historical period such as the Civil War,
a person from history such as George Washington, a science
topic such as insects, a character trait such as obedience,
or any other topic of interest. The children study the topic
by reading books, completing writing assignments, doing arts
and crafts projects, singing and listening to music, and doing
science lab work. (Math, reading, and phonics must be added
to a unit.)
The
best way to get started doing unit studies is to use a prepared
unit such as one listed above. Or try some free samples from
sassafrassgrove. http://www.angelfire.com/mo/sassafrassgrove/homeschool/unit_studies.html.
Another
good way to begin to do unit studies is to take off a week
or two of regular schoolwork and do a short unit on a subject
of interest to your child. Why not try one of the ideas below
and see how fun it can be!
- St.
Patrick. Born in Britain, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish
pirates at age 16 and enslaved in Ireland. After his
escape, he preached the gospel for nearly 30 years to
the Irish people. A good starting point to learn about
Ireland and teach your children about evangelism. Also
a good time to learn about pirates and have a "treasure hunt"
by hiding small trinkets or magazine photographs of treasure
around the house. Read some children's books about St.
Patrick and pirates. The KinderArt
website has a fun art project about St. Patrick using
the techniques of Henri Matisse and a recipe for St.
Patrick cookie pops.
-
Alexander Graham Bell. Have your child read a biography
of Bell, read about the telephone, and then make a display
about Bell and the history of the telephone. Read about
sound and learn how sound waves travel and then make a string
telephone. Cut the top out of two tins cans. Punch a hole
in the bottom of each can. Tie a knot on one end of a strong
string about six feet long and slip it through the inside
of one can leaving the knot in the can. Then thread the
string through the other can and tie a knot in that end
so it will not come out of the second can when you pull
tight on the two cans. Now you have your own handmade telephones!
(Log on to Brain
Spin for more fun and games on the telephone and A.G.
Bell.)
- Eli
Whitney. Have your child read a biography of Eli Whitney.
They will not only learn about the Civil War but also how
the cotton gin was invented. Have your girls make a display
showing how clothes are made and what fibers or other products
are used to make them. Collect samples of each kind of fabric
to make it interesting. Visit the Eli
Whitney Museum for more information.
- Johann
Sebastian Bach. Make a timeline of this period in history
and show your children how Bach, Frederick the Great, Benjamin
Franklin, and Handel were alive at the same period of time.
Listen to Bach's music as you read a biography about him.
An excellent biography of Bach is Opal Wheeler's, Sebastian
Bach, the Boy From Thuringia
 .
(Buy new at Grace
& Truth Books) Make a music notebook of the various
instruments with pictures and text written by your child.
Visit the Dallas
Symphony Orchestra or PlayMusic.Org.
Have your little ones make their own instruments out of
coffee cans and pie plates with beans in them.
Check
out Fun Stuff for some unit ideas!
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