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A homeschool day with 4 kids, ages 4, 6, 9 and 12

One parent, four 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.

Cora
Ben
Ava
Eli
8:30
8:45
9:30
9:40
9:45
10:00
10:05
10:10
10:15
10:30
10:40
10:45
10:50
11:00
11:05
11:35
11:55
12:00
12:25
Everyone, 8:30 to 8:45, together: Morning time15 min
Everyone, 8:45 to 9:30, together: History and read-aloud45 min
Ben, 9:30 to 9:45, on their own: Handwriting15 min
Ava, 9:30 to 10:00, with you: Science10 min with you, then on their own
Eli, 9:30 to 10:10, on their own: Math40 min
Cora, 9:40 to 10:00, with you: Phonics20 min
Ben, 9:45 to 10:05, on their own: Audiobook20 min
Cora, 10:00 to 10:15, with you: Math15 min
Ava, 10:00 to 10:30, on their own: Math30 min
Eli, 10:10 to 10:40, on their own: Writing30 min
Cora, 10:15 to 10:30, on their own: Puzzles and coloring15 min
Ben, 10:15 to 10:45, with you: Phonics30 min
Cora, 10:30 to 10:45, on their own: Audiobook15 min
Ava, 10:30 to 10:50, on their own: Spelling20 min
Ben, 10:45 to 11:05, with you: Math20 min
Eli, 11:00 to 12:00, set time: Co-op art classSet time · 60 min
Ava, 11:05 to 11:35, with you: Reading30 min
Ava, 11:35 to 11:55, on their own: Typing20 min
Eli, 12:00 to 12:25, with you: Grammar25 min
Eli, 12:25 to 1:10, on their own: Science45 min
Cora, 9:30 to 9:40: Play
Cora, 10:45 to 1:10: Done
Ben, 10:05 to 10:15: Play
Ben, 11:05 to 1:10: Done
Ava, 10:50 to 11:05: Play
Ava, 11:55 to 1:10: Done
Eli, 10:40 to 11:00: Free time

Where you are all morning

  1. Everyone · morning time
  2. Everyone · history and read-aloud
  3. Ava · science, to get started
  4. Cora · phonics
  5. Cora · math
  6. Ben · phonics
  7. Ben · math
  8. Ava · reading
  9. Eli · grammar

Why this day works

  • You have 7 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 four children together, not four times.
  • Eli’s co-op art class stays at 11:00; everything else fits around it.
  • School is over by 1:10.

Questions families ask

How do you homeschool 4 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 7 turns with one child and 2 times all together.

How long is a homeschool day for a 4-year-old?

Cora’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.