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A homeschool day with 4 kids, ages 5, 8, 10 and 16

One parent, four children, four 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.

Levi
Mae
Gus
Hazel
8:30
8:45
9:30
9:35
9:40
9:45
9:50
10:00
10:10
10:20
10:25
10:40
10:55
11:10
11:25
11:45
11:50
12:05
Everyone, 8:30 to 8:45, together: Morning time15 min
Levi, Mae and Gus, 8:45 to 9:30, together: History and read-aloud45 min
Hazel, 8:45 to 9:35, on their own: Algebra50 min
Levi, 9:30 to 9:45, on their own: Puzzles and coloring15 min
Mae, 9:30 to 10:00, with you: Science10 min with you, then on their own
Hazel, 9:35 to 10:20, on their own: Literature45 min
Gus, 9:40 to 10:10, with you: Science10 min with you, then on their own
Levi, 9:50 to 10:10, with you: Phonics20 min
Mae, 10:00 to 10:20, on their own: Spelling20 min
Levi, 10:10 to 10:25, with you: Math15 min
Gus, 10:10 to 10:40, on their own: Math30 min
Hazel, 10:20 to 11:10, on their own: Biology50 min
Levi, 10:25 to 10:40, on their own: Audiobook15 min
Mae, 10:25 to 10:55, with you: Reading30 min
Mae, 10:55 to 11:25, on their own: Math30 min
Gus, 10:55 to 11:25, with you: Reading30 min
Mae, 11:25 to 11:45, on their own: Typing20 min
Gus, 11:25 to 11:45, on their own: Spelling20 min
Hazel, 11:25 to 11:50, with you: Essay writing25 min
Gus, 11:45 to 12:05, on their own: Typing20 min
Hazel, 11:50 to 12:30, on their own: History40 min
Levi, 10:40 to 12:30: Done
Mae, 11:45 to 12:30: Done
Gus, 9:30 to 9:40: Free time
Gus, 10:40 to 10:55: Free time
Gus, 12:05 to 12:30: Done
Hazel, 11:10 to 11:25: Free time

Where you are all morning

  1. Everyone · morning time
  2. Levi, Mae and Gus · history and read-aloud
  3. Mae · science, to get started
  4. Gus · science, to get started
  5. Levi · phonics
  6. Levi · math
  7. Mae · reading
  8. Gus · reading
  9. Hazel · essay writing

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 three children together, not three times.
  • School is over by 12:30.

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?

Levi’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.