When you are homeschooling children of multiple ages you can sometimes feel overwhelmed. Ok, you can often feel that way. When I found myself feeling ‘in the thick’ with homeschool science, I decided we needed to scale down and focus. So I’m sharing my favorite multiple age homeschool science how tos with you. And the key is to keep it simple.
It’s truly not that hard put together multiple age homeschool science. It all started in our home with our high schoolers studying Apologia’s Marine Biology and my youngest girl loving sharks. Hmm. Surely we can join these together and have some fun learning as a family, right? Right!
Multiple Age Homeschool Science How Tos
- First, I chose the high school level textbook and subject.
- Next, I chose the elementary/middle school level textbook to match the high school level.
- I looked to see what resource helps were available.
- I researched family passes for local venues.
So when we enjoyed a family study of marine biology, we used:
- Apologia’s Marine Biology
- Apologia’s Swimming Creatures
- Accompanying Notebooking Journal
- Secured a family pass to the Georgia Aquarium.
With that ‘model’ in place, the next summer we looked at Chemistry. The year after that, we matched up Physics and Astronomy. The next we cycled back to Biology.
- Chemistry/Exploring Creation with Chemistry & Physics/Local Science Museum Membership
- Physics/Exploring Creation with Astronomy/Local Science Museum membership
- Biology/Exploring Creation with Land Animals/Local zoo membership
- Health (new!)/Exploring Creation with Anatomy & Physiology
Note that the local membership is a bonus we added. Field trips fun for the win!
Tips for Teaching Science to Multiple Ages
But just how do you find the time in the homeschool day fit in all those subjects for multiple ages? Here are some tips for teaching.
One More Thing After Lunch
I read aloud the Exploring Creation text for elementary – sixth grade to everyone during and after lunch. The high schoolers can add to the conversation and the learning time. Since everyone is studying the same, general topic, there are more natural discussions that happen.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRv71EUheRF/
Our high schoolers work through their lessons independently with my supervision. Our eldest son, now a homeschool graduate, enjoyed the Physics course with Apologia Online Academy. This was a perfect way for him to work independently.
Apologia afternoon science with our notebooking journals and popcorn.
Notebooking Journals!
Oh I cannot say enough about this tool for helping keep us on track and solidify the learning.
Homeschool Science Experiment Saturdays
Homeschool Science Experiment SaturdaysWhat about alllll those science experiments? We make a list and schedule up a Science Saturday a month. Do you see why we love it? All those ages, piled in together, learning. Sharing. And it minimizes the set up and the clean up. (Sigh of relief, right?) Of course there are days we go ahead with the experiments for the younger set of children because we are in the moment learning.
Auditory Learning
Auditory LearningAuditory Learning with Apologia – because we have auditory learners at our house and this also helps us homeschool on the go.
Independent Study
This year our sixth grader asked if she could have the Apologia Exploring Creation with Botany textbook to simply study on her own. Of course! This is a perfect one to enjoy during spring and summer – independently or with multiple ages.
Looking for More Apologia Resources?
Looking for More Apologia Resources?You might like my reviews of:
- High School Exploring Creation with Marine Biology
- Apologia High School Chemistry
- General Science and Student Notebook
- Constitutional Literacy
- Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day
- Land Animals of the Sixth Day
- Explore Homeschool Astronomy
Where Can You Find Science Resources for Multiple Ages?
Browse the selection of Apologia science texts for all ages, plus notebooking journals, science kits and more at Apologia.com.
In summary, this can be a simply wonderful way of learning together as a family. And it is simply simple and fun. Nothing complicated. All just a natural way to weave the learning into your days.
Homeschooling for over seventeen years now, Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos with five children. She is author of You ARE an artist art curriculum for all ages and helpful homeschool habits at Hodgepodge. She and her husband, Steve, are owners of The Curriculum Choice.
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