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A homeschool day with 4 kids, ages 6, 8, 11 and 14

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.

Ruth
Sam
Lily
Owen
8:30
8:45
9:30
9:35
9:40
10:00
10:10
10:20
10:30
10:40
10:45
11:00
11:05
11:10
11:20
11:25
11:40
11:50
12:10
Everyone, 8:30 to 8:45, together: Morning time15 min
Ruth, Sam and Lily, 8:45 to 9:30, together: History and read-aloud45 min
Owen, 8:45 to 9:35, on their own: Algebra50 min
Sam, 9:30 to 10:00, with you: Science10 min with you, then on their own
Lily, 9:30 to 10:10, on their own: Math40 min
Owen, 9:35 to 10:20, on their own: Literature45 min
Ruth, 9:40 to 10:10, with you: Phonics30 min
Sam, 10:00 to 10:30, on their own: Math30 min
Ruth, 10:10 to 10:30, with you: Math20 min
Lily, 10:10 to 10:40, on their own: Writing30 min
Owen, 10:20 to 11:10, on their own: Biology50 min
Ruth, 10:30 to 10:45, on their own: Handwriting15 min
Sam, 10:30 to 11:00, with you: Reading30 min
Ruth, 10:45 to 11:05, on their own: Audiobook20 min
Sam, 11:00 to 11:20, on their own: Spelling20 min
Lily, 11:00 to 11:25, with you: Grammar25 min
Sam, 11:20 to 11:40, on their own: Typing20 min
Owen, 11:25 to 11:50, with you: Essay writing25 min
Lily, 11:25 to 12:10, on their own: Science45 min
Owen, 11:50 to 12:30, on their own: History40 min
Ruth, 9:30 to 9:40: Play
Ruth, 11:05 to 12:30: Done
Sam, 11:40 to 12:30: Done
Lily, 10:40 to 11:00: Free time
Lily, 12:10 to 12:30: Done
Owen, 11:10 to 11:25: Free time

Where you are all morning

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

Why this day works

  • You have 6 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 6 turns with one child and 2 times all together.

How long is a homeschool day for a 6-year-old?

Ruth’s lessons here add up to 2 hours 25 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.