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A homeschool day with 3 kids, ages 5, 9 and 15

One parent, three children, four and a half hours. You teach each child one-to-one in turn while the others work on their own, and you all meet twice for things you do together.

Lily
Owen
Nora
8:30
8:45
9:30
9:35
9:40
10:00
10:15
10:20
10:30
10:45
11:00
11:15
11:35
11:45
11:55
12:10
Everyone, 8:30 to 8:45, together: Morning time15 min
Lily and Owen, 8:45 to 9:30, together: History and read-aloud45 min
Nora, 8:45 to 9:35, on their own: Algebra50 min
Owen, 9:30 to 10:00, with you: Science10 min with you, then on their own
Nora, 9:35 to 10:20, on their own: Literature45 min
Lily, 9:40 to 10:00, with you: Phonics20 min
Lily, 10:00 to 10:15, with you: Math15 min
Lily, 10:15 to 10:30, on their own: Puzzles and coloring15 min
Owen, 10:15 to 10:45, with you: Reading30 min
Nora, 10:20 to 11:00, on their own: History40 min
Lily, 10:30 to 10:45, on their own: Audiobook15 min
Owen, 10:45 to 11:15, on their own: Math30 min
Nora, 11:00 to 11:45, set time: Swim lessonSet time · 45 min
Owen, 11:15 to 11:35, on their own: Spelling20 min
Owen, 11:35 to 11:55, on their own: Typing20 min
Nora, 11:45 to 12:10, with you: Essay writing25 min
Nora, 12:10 to 1:00, on their own: Biology50 min
Lily, 9:30 to 9:40: Play
Lily, 10:45 to 1:00: Done
Owen, 10:00 to 10:15: Play
Owen, 11:55 to 1:00: Done

Where you are all morning

  1. Everyone · morning time
  2. Lily and Owen · history and read-aloud
  3. Owen · science, to get started
  4. Lily · phonics
  5. Lily · math
  6. Owen · reading
  7. Nora · essay writing

Why this day works

  • You have 5 turns with one child at a time, and you’re never needed in two places at once.
  • While you’re with one child, the others work on their own or play, so nobody sits waiting for you.
  • History and read-aloud is taught once, to two children together, not two times.
  • Nora’s swim lesson stays at 11:00; everything else fits around it.
  • School is over by 1:00.

Questions families ask

How do you homeschool 3 kids at once?

Take turns. Teach one child at a time while the others do work they can do on their own, and teach what suits everyone together, once. In this day you have 5 turns with one child and 2 times all together.

How long is a homeschool day for a 5-year-old?

Lily’s lessons here add up to 2 hours 5 minutes, with play in between. Young children need far less time than a school day, because one-to-one teaching goes quickly.

Can I make a schedule like this for my family?

Yes. Planpaca plans each day of your week like this from your own children, books and school hours, and moves the rest of the day when something runs long. It’s free for 14 days.

More sample days

Planned by Planpaca’s own planner, for one parent. The children are made up; your own day follows your children, books and school hours. Make your own day free.