Homeschooling With 5 Kids: An Update | Ep. 242

[@valeriesearles3000]

We have 5 kids and homeschool as well. We use Mother of Divine Grace homeschool (classical).

[@alenakhatuntsev4042]

Thank you not cutting the video but uploading the whole thing 😁 Also, I don’t know if I missed it, but what about language arts and things like grammar and spelling?

[@mimh9770]

Do you have tips to teach the multiplication table?

[@Suecaroline7]

I would love to know this too

[@lavonna1953]

Me tooooooo 😂

[@darlenesabatka446]

If you're thinking about joining a CC community, I would warmly encourage you to try it! I have been blown away with our experience and how much my 6 and 3.5 year old have absolutely loved it. You can always do the memory work 20min/day apart from a community. However, the community aspect is so delightful...it's the best part of our week bc we go do something fun after class 9-12pm.

[@RaelynnG]

This is so inspiring! Thank you for letting us in on your homeschool life. 6 years old doing 4th grade math and reading at a 6th grade level! That is amazing and I am beyond inspired, I NEEDED THIS VIDEO! I also love the 6 days a week school days and starting the week on Sunday. Wow. This is life changing! Thank you!

[@AN-jw2oe]

Another great author who has several really good books for kids is Astrid Lindgren (she wrote the Pippi Longstockinf series), one of my favorites from her is Mio, My Son! Such a powerful story, and beautifully written (well, translated), and mirroring parts of the Gospel: ❤❤❤

[@brees.2961]

We love love love our CC group! The great thing about it is that you can tailor it to how much or how little you want to do at home (aka, how deep you dive into each subject is up to you!). It’s been a great opportunity for my kids to work with others with the same goal! You should totally do a visit day to check out your local group to see what you think!

[@aguilacec]

Thank you, guys. Sharing your knowledge with us is very helpful for many of your listeners. God bless you and your family.

[@mosesschrock2343]

Thank you so much for giving us insight into your homeschool! Katie has taught me so so much, and I'm grateful!

[@AN-jw2oe]

Thank you for all these tips! I so agree with you about those early grade level readers--such terrible writing. If you ever start to feel like Saxon Math is not working for you, I would highly encourage you to try out Math Mammoth! Written a few decades ago by a homeschooling mama (from one of the Nordic countries) who was a math professor who did not like any of the math curriculums available at that time, so she wrote her own! I love how they present the concepts and build upon them, and the number of problems is not too overwhelming. You can get through most of the curriculum by just doing 2 pages a day for the younger elementary grades (this can take as little as 10-15 mins), and probably 4-5 pages for 5th grade and up. Regarding Science (and also History) my oldest (of 5) is in 6th grade this year and until this year we never did any formal science either! I always figured that for things like Science and History, they would be able to soak it all up through just reading good books about it when they were older. But anyways, my friend recently mentioned this science series for elementary and middle school, written by Jay Wile (the guy who did the Apologia science textbooks, I think?) called Science in History, and I LOVE this series! It points out various scientific ideas and concepts while presenting people in history and what they contributed to Science, so the first volume is Science in the Beginning (basically Physical Science), and then goes to Science in Ancient Times (going through the scientific ideas and discoveries in Ancient Times), etc. Each lesson is about 2-3 pages, with a whole experiment explained, but I don't have the bandwidth to do the experiments, so thus far, I have them read through the experiments just to understand what it is trying to teach. I hope one day I can get around to doing some of the experiments with them! I do have to disagree a bit with that Robinson guy, I can see there being merit to learning Science, like understanding Biology and Chemistry, because there is such wonder and beauty in understanding the world and life as God created it, and so amazing to see how complex and intricately designed it all is. I enjoyed learning about Biology, and while I sucked at Chemistry in H.S., the whole idea of how the chemical formulas work, and how, using math, the parts move around via chemical reactions to turn into different structures, and therefore different substances, is pretty cool (appreciated more now, as an adult, than when I was in H.S.). So I think his view that "all science before physics is a waste of time" or "only true science is if you don't need adult supervision" is a bit too narrow.

[@ashleyirizarry-diaz6415]

One of my favorite podcast so far! Thanks for all the insights and details! Looking forward to applying to our homeschool!

[@alishagibby985]

Wow! What a great idea that you go ahead in the math and look at what the next concept will be. Love the tea and math idea!

[@katrinasimmons9288]

Loved this episode! Thank you for sharing the resources you use. It’s incredible and inspiring to see what you’re able to do with your children at such young ages. I hope you’ll continue to share more.

[@jackielynn9716]

I like the idea of not sticking to grade levels, that definitely has me thinking of how to move forward in math. I am curious your thoughts on skipping a grade in math saying it's not really necessary, but then saying you also believe in doing every math problem because alot of science has gone into how it was written? I'm asking as a genuine question, it just seems like if you're trusting how it was written there would be a reason to have an entire grade?

[@cyndicopeland4113]

I’m so glad you didn’t cut the video!! Loved all the info and your pov

[@emilyribnicky9410]

I am the same way with starting at 4 years and taking it slow. So far my oldest 2 kids have blossomed beautifully with a gentle early start!

[@simplyjoyfulhomeschool8627]

Love that you work ahead with your kids and your are so confident in what you are doing! I work ahead with my daughter who grasps things pretty quickly and really enjoys learning and I feel like in this whole unschooling movement there is judgement and its almost looked at in a negative way.

[@laurens8623]

Making food is also chemical science. Heat, freezing, reactions etc

[@rubiehumble9593]

Hello, I'm currently researching the Apologia homeschool curriculum, mainly for science. Based on what I've learned so far, I think it would be a blessing to your family. It is presented in a Charlotte Mason type approach and strong emphasis on Gods design. They have Elementary Physics!

[@nanaronhano337]

Yay! Can’t wait to clean the kitchen while listening to this. 🙂

[@steffa648]

Haha I do the same thing!!

[@KaitlynRaeann]

Alton Brown has a really entertaining cooking show where he uses a ton of science in how he cooks

[@jessicadormi8928]

We do the Robinson Curriculum too! My 6 year old is about to start 4th grade Saxon in January. It’s interesting how you use RC along with other resources 🤗

[@laurenboudreaux3236]

I was just hoping for a video just like this y’all!! Kid you not. Wow that’s awesome! Kudos for getting ahead in language arts and math. We too have a lovely mix of Charlotte Mason & classical philosophies it just aligns so well with who I am as a mom and how my natural learning and teaching leads. I never heard of these various philosophies before homeschooling and we have an 8 year old, 7 year old, 4 year old and 2 year old. Three boys then the one little girl. We’ve only ever homeschooled thus far, So I relate so much with y’all it’s nice to feel connected even though we never met and are so far away. I happened upon Charlotte Mason and it’s so close to just how my natural way had been doing things. It helped me better pull everything together and this blend we have going is working great for our children. I know there may be differences in opinions with good and beautiful but I am very happy with the Language arts and math they offer. Plug in all your good literature it’s wonderful. We had been doing Saxon math and I just found it was starting to be that subject we all just didn’t look forward to. I just would even have to force and motivate myself to do it 😅 but I decided to try and order the food and beautiful math. It came in and I was ever so happy and so were they. It touches on logic and cultures around the world even touches on the architecture you’ll find. It gives a lot of opportunity for deeper learning if we wish to do so. I find it does make math interesting and enjoyable for us. I am not a lover of math, so it makes it even better that I get excited to do the lessons with them. They always want more! That I hadn’t seen with Saxon even for me. Just a thought just to try it out may make a world of difference in math. I know faith is important to you but I find it’s very agreeable even with our faith background. Saxon had nothing faith in it so if we can make good from Saxon we can do the same with good and beautiful as well. I haven’t come across anything in it that stirs up a soul issue. you I think would really like the math course they offer. The kids may even get even farther ahead if it suits the family well. Not that you have to I know but I thought it was worth a mention. Might actually help! Forgive any grammar 😅 I’m typing so quickly

[@jennifersanchez4245]

Same! Thanks!

[@RebeccaM132]

As a young adult, I’d like to further my history education. I learned from text books, sadly… very little of it I retained 😂 Any biographies or autobiographies in particular to recommend? Or just books that pertain to history in general? A good place to start. I’d appreciate it! ☺️

[@holistic_Ology]

Having a Book of Centuries is beneficial for history, you really see the connections.

[@lavonna1953]

I loved this so much! 👏🏻❤️So inspiring and helpful! I was curious if you didn’t mind explaining why you chose to do Saxon plus learn math fast? Did you feel one was not adequate? (I had never heard of LMF so def interested in getting it! I’m just curious why you might not think it’s enough?) and also how u helped your kids with math facts and times tables as this is a weak spot in our curriculum now. thanks a bunch!!!🎉

[@hannahthehomesteader]

Curious about your music teaching approach. Things like how early do you start, which instruments are best, how do you approach formal learning vs casual play, etc. My kids are 3 and under but LOVE playing instruments "all together" with the family. Obviously it's just play and noise right now but I would love insight on when we should start introducing real musical concepts and how. Thanks!

[@marianaefosa]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[@BrytniJade]

This was great, and I’d love an episode on your developing philosophy on screens… 😊

[@allaboutacatholicfamily]

Love this! I have taken things from the Robinson curriculum for years as well. Such a great resource! I'd say we follow a very similar mindset. I am in catch up mode right now instead of from the ahead standpoint because of some crazy years of health and other factors, but I am not stressed as children learn so much and sometimes more when all you can do is keep placing the things they are interested in in front of them. They take off in amazing ways when there is no pressure❤

[@freetobe15]

I love you guys! Thank you for your example and sharing your thoughts on so many topics!

[@DrLindaSchwartz]

Eclectic is the way to go. Ive been homeschooling for 9 years and I dont 100 percent agree with any one style. A little bit of this and a little bit of that is my style.

[@kristaramos9732]

This was very helpful in peeking into someone else’s approach and perspective- thank you! Also, I know you mentioned the 3 R’s but how do you approach beginning writing?

[@laurensklenars2608]

yes was wondering this too!

[@ashleyestrada2983]

how did you teach your kids to read? a video or podcast would be great

[@theswampstead559]

How do you know what books to use for your kids? Do you just know all these books from when you were school aged?

[@laurensklenars2608]

Would love to hear how you respond when your kiddos don't want to do a particular lesson. Yes you say you mix up your approach as you don't settle for tears, but in the moment before you have time to be creative do you just say that's fine you don't need to do this right now or make them finish what you've asked of them?

[@slee7991]

Where do you find the 15 minute time line song??

[@emilyslittlebooknook-8043]

I have a 6mth old baby I plan to homeschool one day what would be better to invest in ? Get it all done Or homeschool

[@emilydonleycpa]

Thanks for this episode - I went to a private Christian school that used Saxon and I get those same flashbacks with my homeschooled first grader doing Saxon math! And I completely agree about kids getting bored with math and that's why it's such a disliked subject.

[@readaloudkids1407]

How do you have time to eat if you are reading to them during breakfast and lunch?

[@mycupofcocoa1125]

I’m excited to try reading more to my kids and scoop in all the info to make the future grades easier 😊Physics is BORING! Katie I think u might like biology tho I read kid biology books so they can be healthy and know how there body works.

[@justfamily272]

So very helpful. Thanks for sharing.

[@Dreaming0fSunshine]

love this episode ! thank you for sharing with us ! very encouraging and aspirational ❤

[@yn3481]

I loved this textbook

[@FostersFollowingJesus]

what do you use for LA and English spelling writing etc?

[@lavendersbluefarm7738]

I really enjoyed this thank you for the update. I was wondering if you could do a video on choosing joy/positivity in parenthood. I’m very emotionally reactive and our whole family, I’m guessing because my husband and I are this way, are very negative and critical 😭 of course we are always working on it but I’m guessing it starts with our thoughts! I find motherhood the biggest blessing but very difficult and extremely frustrating. I do give consequences but there is still a lot of disobedience and a lot of intense frustration on my end in reaction. That’s a lot I know lol

[@amc8075]

I’d love to hear about you teach logic!!

[@bibeejane]

would love to get the update on your screen philosophy =) anyone else interested?

[@Laurenmefford]

Great video, guys! Thanks for sharing all of this. Only because you invited it, Katie :) -- I like your approach to science, but disagree that it's all "fake" (according to Robinson) if you don't know physics. There are multiple branches of science (i.e., biology, anatomy, herbology, etc) that are not really in the same camp as physics, and you dont need physics to learn those things. You also dont have to do experiments to teach science! But most importantly, it would be wise to teach our children science from a biblical worldview *especially because* of the world we are in today...where science is idolized as ultimate and is often taught from a godless worldview (I almost went completely atheist in college, before becoming a Christian, because of a science course). However, if we teach children from a young age how God made things to work and function in His world (science), it's a fantastic approach to apologetics in our day today. I personally have enjoyed the Apologia curriculum for this (check it out!). All of our children are similar in age to yours, and I really just use their curriculum (we are currently doing anatomy) as part of our breakfast reading rotation, depending on the day. The older ones (6 & 7) have their junior notebook that is an optional purchase and like to color or do a little activity on their own time if they choose. I dont do all they recommend or suggest, nor do I go by their suggested timeline...I just read and help them along in their notebook if they want to do it. I am totally with you on skipping out on the experiment piece. Its not for me. But they love it! And Im enjoying it too, especially since I was always taught science from a secular/godless worldview. Its refreshing! On a separate note, to clarify-- how do you determine grade? Just by math and reading level? I never thought about skipping ahead based on those things, but it makes sense!

[@snowymountainmama]

This was fantastic! Thank you!

[@ashleyirizarry-diaz6415]

Do you buy all these story books? Or use the library?

[@iam.1353]

Hi, isn't it too much for children to HS 6 days a week? I'm in the Hs community and the norm is 4 to 5 days with 4 being the most common. Also Why in the US do families want their kids to be so ahead or start school early? When children in Finnish don't start until age 7 and they out perform the u.s when it comes to testing. Not being mean just asking legit questions for educational reasons. Love their podcast as normal . Thank you!

[@lh3003]

Interesting views on mathematics. Any recommendations for books or videos to find out about the robinson curriculum?

[@cindyflinchbaugh7155]

Loved your insight

[@anastasialungu7511]

What’s the 15 minute time line song you mentioned?

[@RCGWho]

Google Classical Conversations Timeline Song. I'm sure you can find it.

[@anastasialungu7511]

Thank you, found it!

[@Shelfaroundthecorner]

Love it!

[@AlexHuffman-b2c]

I love both of your enthusiasm on this subject! You are so inspiring.

[@laurens8623]

Do you do arts and crafts

[@laurens8623]

I have a science degree

[@laurens8623]

I guess mathematicians love math

[@madisonthehomemaker]

Your 6 almost 7 year old is in 4th grade? Huh?

[@carleyohare6694]

Kind of sounds like my Sister who puts her Children in whatever grade she wants.

[@NowThatWereAFamilyPodcast]

We are just accelerating reading and math in our homeschool. For everything else he is 2nd grade. :)

[@AN-jw2oe]

I completely understood how they explained it! It’s not that they are pushing their 6 year old to read 6th-grade-level books, they even mentioned trying to deter their child from this difficult book with so much difficult vocabulary that it is a slog to read through, but they are totally following the child’s interest and desire! It is amazing and great that their child WANTS to challenge themselves in this way because they love the stories so much! ❤

[@AN-jw2oe]

@@carleyohare6694It does not sound at all like that this what they are doing.

[@thefuturista7836]

I would be worried about the child’s future interest in mathematics. It’s very exciting for us parents when our children are ahead in a certain subject but there’s a risk it will backfire later in life. I’m an Elementary School teacher who homeschool. It’s exciting to see our kids be ahead of other children their age but there’s also negative consequences to doing too much too soon. There’s a lot of research on the negative effects of pushing children to learn too early. I think the American culture in general is very focused on more is more and the earlier the better. Starting preschool at two years old for example is way too early when you look at child development, but it’s the norm in North America. I’m Finnish and kids in Finland start first grade at 7 years old. It’s surprising to many other cultures that the Finnish school system is still ranked among the top ten in the world, despite the fact that children start school so late. Earlier isn’t always better. Cultivating a love of learning is more important than achieving as much as possible at a young age.