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A homeschool day with 4 kids, ages 5, 7, 9 and 11

One parent, four children, three 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.

Eli
June
Max
Ruth
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
11:05
11:25
11:35
11:55
Everyone, 8:30 to 8:45, together: Morning time15 min
Everyone, 8:45 to 9:30, together: History and read-aloud45 min
June, 9:30 to 9:45, on their own: Handwriting15 min
Max, 9:30 to 10:00, with you: Science10 min with you, then on their own
Ruth, 9:30 to 10:10, on their own: Math40 min
Eli, 9:40 to 10:00, with you: Phonics20 min
June, 9:45 to 10:05, on their own: Audiobook20 min
Eli, 10:00 to 10:15, with you: Math15 min
Max, 10:00 to 10:30, on their own: Math30 min
Ruth, 10:10 to 10:40, on their own: Writing30 min
Eli, 10:15 to 10:30, on their own: Puzzles and coloring15 min
June, 10:15 to 10:45, with you: Reading30 min
Eli, 10:30 to 10:45, on their own: Audiobook15 min
Max, 10:30 to 10:50, on their own: Spelling20 min
Ruth, 10:40 to 11:25, on their own: Science45 min
June, 10:45 to 11:05, with you: Math20 min
Max, 11:05 to 11:35, with you: Reading30 min
Max, 11:35 to 11:55, on their own: Typing20 min
Ruth, 11:35 to 12:00, with you: Grammar25 min
Eli, 9:30 to 9:40: Play
Eli, 10:45 to 12:00: Done
June, 10:05 to 10:15: Play
June, 11:05 to 12:00: Done
Max, 10:50 to 11:05: Play
Ruth, 11:25 to 11:35: Free time

Where you are all morning

  1. Everyone · morning time
  2. Everyone · history and read-aloud
  3. Max · science, to get started
  4. Eli · phonics
  5. Eli · math
  6. June · reading
  7. June · math
  8. Max · reading
  9. Ruth · 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.
  • School is over by 12:00.

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 5-year-old?

Eli’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.