![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_9439.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n7 Tips for Teaching Reading and Spelling to Multiple Kids<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTake full advantage of open-and-go features.<\/h3>\r\n
All About Reading<\/a><\/cite> and All About Spelling<\/a><\/cite> were designed for busy parents and teachers, so all the planning has been done for you. When you\u2019re teaching multiple kids, this is so freeing! <\/p>\r\n\r\nBefore each lesson, take a minute or two to preview the lesson and gather the necessary activity pages, flashcards, and new letter tiles. Then simply follow the script to teach like a pro<\/a>!<\/p> <\/li>\r\n\r\nSet aside time for back-to-back lesson times.<\/h3>\r\n
When you\u2019re teaching multiple kids, teaching your children back-to-back can be a valuable time saver. As much as possible, keep transition time between children to a minimum. Here\u2019s a plan that homeschool mom Robin uses:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Stack your children\u2019s reading and spelling materials on your table and have each child come to you when it\u2019s their turn. Try to give each child a five-minute warning to help ensure they\u2019ll be ready when you are.
\r\n\r\nSpend 15-20 minutes per day on each child\u2019s reading<\/a> and spelling<\/a> lessons. If you can\u2019t finish a whole \u201clesson\u201d in the allotted time, that\u2019s fine! Just pick up where you left off the next day.<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/multiple-kids-3.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nAlternate days for reading and spelling lessons.<\/h3>\r\n
Homeschool mom Elaine teaches five children. Sounds overwhelming, right? Elaine makes it work by teaching reading and spelling lessons on different days of the week. This might not work for every family, but it makes teaching five kids doable for this busy mom.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Here's Elaine's plan:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\nFirst, we do spelling only on Fridays. Each lesson takes about 20 minutes max. I do verbally quiz them through the week, sometimes even at the dinner table, to see what rules they can remember or how to spell a particular word. Also, to save me some time, Liam and Jack do spelling lessons together.
\r\nReading is done twice a week. Again, these lessons are only about 20 minutes, including the fun activities that go with each one.
\r\nSo, between spelling and reading for five children, I spend about two and a half hours per week teaching. While that may seem like a short time for teaching reading and spelling, this program is really effective. It takes us a bit longer to get through each level, but with five kids, this is the schedule that works best for us!<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n![\"all](\"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/multiple-kids-2.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nReduce interruptions and distractions.<\/h3>\r\n
In most cases, teaching AAR<\/cite> and AAS<\/cite> requires one-on-one instruction time with limited interruptions. That means it\u2019s imperative that you keep your other children busy while you teach your lessons. Here are some productive ways to keep kids occupied:<\/p>\r\n\r\nHave an older sibling do some buddy reading<\/a> with a younger child. In addition to keeping kids busy while you teach, buddy reading also <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t- provides extra reading practice.<\/li>\r\n\t
- helps the weaker reader because the stronger reader will correct and help them.<\/li>\r\n\t
- helps the stronger reader by allowing them to be the teacher.<\/li><\/ul>\r\n\t\r\n\t
Independent reading also provides multiple benefits!<\/p>\r\n
\r\n\t- It encourages enjoyment of reading.<\/li>\r\n\t
- It provides practice in reading silently.<\/li>\r\n\t
- It increases concentration skills while others are making noise.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n
Although older children can work independently on subjects like handwriting and math, you may need to get a bit creative to keep younger children busy. Some ideas include \u201cschoolwork\u201d like reading picture books, doing puzzles, coloring, or using educational learning apps, and other activities like chores, quiet playtime, or assigning an older child to read to them. <\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/multiple-kids-4.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n
Employ older siblings as teaching assistants.<\/h3>\r\n
If you have an older child who works well with your younger children, don\u2019t be afraid to enlist their help as a \u201cteacher\u2019s helper.\u201d This can be especially beneficial if the older sibling is in need of extra review! When we teach something, we learn it more thoroughly, so with this scenario, everyone benefits!<\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/multiple-kids-5.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n
Keep reading and spelling materials well organized.<\/h3>\r\n
When you\u2019re teaching multiple kids, keeping everything well organized<\/a> will save you time and will help ensure that your lessons run smoothly. Here are a few tips:<\/p>\r\n\r\nTeacher\u2019s manuals, student workbooks, and readers:<\/span> \r\n
Take five minutes to plan where your materials will be stored for quick, easy access. And be sure to keep a good supply of bookmarks, sticky tabs, or paperclips handy so you can keep track of where your children are in their lessons.<\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"all](\"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Rolling-Cart-5-650.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nFlashcards: <\/span>\r\n
AAR<\/cite> and AAS<\/cite> come with phonogram cards<\/a> and word cards<\/a> that help ensure that concepts and skills stick in your kids\u2019 brains<\/a>! Our review boxes<\/a> provide the perfect way to keep all your children\u2019s flashcards organized. And when you\u2019re teaching multiple kids, that's really important!<\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"box](\"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/multiple-kids-7.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nLetter Tiles:<\/span>\r\n
Color-coded letter tiles<\/a> (available as either physical letter tiles<\/a> or the Letter Tiles app<\/a>) are a staple of the All About Reading<\/cite> and All About Spelling<\/cite> programs. If you opt for physical letter tiles, we recommend using a 2\u2019 x 3\u2019 magnetic white board to store the tiles that you are currently using. Some families keep their entire set of letter tiles on one big white board for all their children to use. Other families have a smaller board for each child. Some use metal baking sheets or large oil pans. <\/p>\r\n\r\nIf you prefer an option that doesn't require organization, the Letter Tiles App<\/a> might be the perfect solution for your family! The bottom line is to do whatever works best for you!<\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"child's](\"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/multiple-kids-8.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nProgress charts: <\/span>\r\n
These handy charts are great for keeping track of your children\u2019s progress, and they also provide an at-a-glance reminder of which lesson each child is on every day. So simple and yet so effective!<\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"multiple](\"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/multiple-kids-9.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nWhen possible, teach multiple kids together.<\/h3>\r\nAll About Reading<\/cite> and All About Spelling<\/cite> are based on ability rather than grade level<\/a>, so if you have children that are very close in ability you can combine them and teach them together. In fact, this can be a very effective (and economical) way to use the programs. But before you decide whether to teach two or more children together in one level, consider these important questions.\r\n\r\nAre my children at significantly different instructional levels?<\/span> If your children are not at the same starting point, be careful that you don\u2019t hold one child back in order to meet the needs of the child who is not as advanced, or attempt to push a child beyond his capabilities for the sake of keeping your kids together.<\/p><\/li>\r\nAre my children able to maintain a similar instructional pace?<\/span> Although your children may start at the same place, you may discover that one is able to advance through the material at a faster pace. If one child starts to move more quickly than the other, you\u2019ll want to consider splitting them up so each child can move at his or her own pace.<\/p><\/li>\r\nWill my children's learning differences disrupt lesson time?<\/span> Is one of your children a wiggler while the other enjoys learning in peace and quiet? Does one child love spending extra time with hands-on activities, but the other just wants to \"get it done\"? Though your children may be at the same level, if the way they learn isn't compatible, it may be difficult to meet the needs of both children at the same time.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/multiple-kids-10.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nIf you've answered these questions and have determined that your children would have difficulty learning together, we recommend that you teach reading and spelling separately to ensure the highest levels of success for each child. However, if you believe your children can<\/span> be taught together in the same level, we have a few helpful tips for you. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\nListen to each child read aloud during every reading lesson.<\/span> It is critically important that you hear each child read aloud during every lesson, either from one of the readers<\/a> or a fluency sheet<\/a>. Listening to your child read can alert you to the need for corrections or adjustments in your instruction.<\/p>\r\n\r\nMake sure each child is getting the practice he needs.<\/span> Be careful not to tailor combined lesson review times to the specific needs of one child. This may result in giving your other child too much\u2014or too little\u2014practice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Take full advantage of open-and-go features.<\/h3>\r\n
All About Reading<\/a><\/cite> and All About Spelling<\/a><\/cite> were designed for busy parents and teachers, so all the planning has been done for you. When you\u2019re teaching multiple kids, this is so freeing! <\/p>\r\n\r\n Before each lesson, take a minute or two to preview the lesson and gather the necessary activity pages, flashcards, and new letter tiles. Then simply follow the script to teach like a pro<\/a>!<\/p> <\/li>\r\n\r\n When you\u2019re teaching multiple kids, teaching your children back-to-back can be a valuable time saver. As much as possible, keep transition time between children to a minimum. Here\u2019s a plan that homeschool mom Robin uses:<\/p>\r\n\r\n Homeschool mom Elaine teaches five children. Sounds overwhelming, right? Elaine makes it work by teaching reading and spelling lessons on different days of the week. This might not work for every family, but it makes teaching five kids doable for this busy mom.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Here's Elaine's plan:<\/p>\r\n\r\n In most cases, teaching AAR<\/cite> and AAS<\/cite> requires one-on-one instruction time with limited interruptions. That means it\u2019s imperative that you keep your other children busy while you teach your lessons. Here are some productive ways to keep kids occupied:<\/p>\r\n\r\n Have an older sibling do some buddy reading<\/a> with a younger child. In addition to keeping kids busy while you teach, buddy reading also <\/p>\r\n\r\n Independent reading also provides multiple benefits!<\/p>\r\n Although older children can work independently on subjects like handwriting and math, you may need to get a bit creative to keep younger children busy. Some ideas include \u201cschoolwork\u201d like reading picture books, doing puzzles, coloring, or using educational learning apps, and other activities like chores, quiet playtime, or assigning an older child to read to them. <\/p>\r\n\r\n If you have an older child who works well with your younger children, don\u2019t be afraid to enlist their help as a \u201cteacher\u2019s helper.\u201d This can be especially beneficial if the older sibling is in need of extra review! When we teach something, we learn it more thoroughly, so with this scenario, everyone benefits!<\/p>\r\n\r\n When you\u2019re teaching multiple kids, keeping everything well organized<\/a> will save you time and will help ensure that your lessons run smoothly. Here are a few tips:<\/p>\r\n\r\n Teacher\u2019s manuals, student workbooks, and readers:<\/span> \r\n Flashcards: <\/span>\r\n Letter Tiles:<\/span>\r\n If you prefer an option that doesn't require organization, the Letter Tiles App<\/a> might be the perfect solution for your family! The bottom line is to do whatever works best for you!<\/p>\r\n\r\n Progress charts: <\/span>\r\n Are my children at significantly different instructional levels?<\/span> If your children are not at the same starting point, be careful that you don\u2019t hold one child back in order to meet the needs of the child who is not as advanced, or attempt to push a child beyond his capabilities for the sake of keeping your kids together.<\/p><\/li>\r\n Are my children able to maintain a similar instructional pace?<\/span> Although your children may start at the same place, you may discover that one is able to advance through the material at a faster pace. If one child starts to move more quickly than the other, you\u2019ll want to consider splitting them up so each child can move at his or her own pace.<\/p><\/li>\r\n Will my children's learning differences disrupt lesson time?<\/span> Is one of your children a wiggler while the other enjoys learning in peace and quiet? Does one child love spending extra time with hands-on activities, but the other just wants to \"get it done\"? Though your children may be at the same level, if the way they learn isn't compatible, it may be difficult to meet the needs of both children at the same time.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\r\n\r\n If you've answered these questions and have determined that your children would have difficulty learning together, we recommend that you teach reading and spelling separately to ensure the highest levels of success for each child. However, if you believe your children can<\/span> be taught together in the same level, we have a few helpful tips for you. <\/p>\r\n\r\n Listen to each child read aloud during every reading lesson.<\/span> It is critically important that you hear each child read aloud during every lesson, either from one of the readers<\/a> or a fluency sheet<\/a>. Listening to your child read can alert you to the need for corrections or adjustments in your instruction.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Make sure each child is getting the practice he needs.<\/span> Be careful not to tailor combined lesson review times to the specific needs of one child. This may result in giving your other child too much\u2014or too little\u2014practice.<\/p>\r\n\r\nSet aside time for back-to-back lesson times.<\/h3>\r\n
Stack your children\u2019s reading and spelling materials on your table and have each child come to you when it\u2019s their turn. Try to give each child a five-minute warning to help ensure they\u2019ll be ready when you are.
\r\n\r\nSpend 15-20 minutes per day on each child\u2019s reading<\/a> and spelling<\/a> lessons. If you can\u2019t finish a whole \u201clesson\u201d in the allotted time, that\u2019s fine! Just pick up where you left off the next day.<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAlternate days for reading and spelling lessons.<\/h3>\r\n
\r\nFirst, we do spelling only on Fridays. Each lesson takes about 20 minutes max. I do verbally quiz them through the week, sometimes even at the dinner table, to see what rules they can remember or how to spell a particular word. Also, to save me some time, Liam and Jack do spelling lessons together.
\r\nReading is done twice a week. Again, these lessons are only about 20 minutes, including the fun activities that go with each one.
\r\nSo, between spelling and reading for five children, I spend about two and a half hours per week teaching. While that may seem like a short time for teaching reading and spelling, this program is really effective. It takes us a bit longer to get through each level, but with five kids, this is the schedule that works best for us!<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nReduce interruptions and distractions.<\/h3>\r\n
\r\n\t
\r\n\t
\r\n\r\nEmploy older siblings as teaching assistants.<\/h3>\r\n
\r\n\r\nKeep reading and spelling materials well organized.<\/h3>\r\n
Take five minutes to plan where your materials will be stored for quick, easy access. And be sure to keep a good supply of bookmarks, sticky tabs, or paperclips handy so you can keep track of where your children are in their lessons.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
AAR<\/cite> and AAS<\/cite> come with phonogram cards<\/a> and word cards<\/a> that help ensure that concepts and skills stick in your kids\u2019 brains<\/a>! Our review boxes<\/a> provide the perfect way to keep all your children\u2019s flashcards organized. And when you\u2019re teaching multiple kids, that's really important!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Color-coded letter tiles<\/a> (available as either physical letter tiles<\/a> or the Letter Tiles app<\/a>) are a staple of the All About Reading<\/cite> and All About Spelling<\/cite> programs. If you opt for physical letter tiles, we recommend using a 2\u2019 x 3\u2019 magnetic white board to store the tiles that you are currently using. Some families keep their entire set of letter tiles on one big white board for all their children to use. Other families have a smaller board for each child. Some use metal baking sheets or large oil pans. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
These handy charts are great for keeping track of your children\u2019s progress, and they also provide an at-a-glance reminder of which lesson each child is on every day. So simple and yet so effective!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhen possible, teach multiple kids together.<\/h3>\r\nAll About Reading<\/cite> and All About Spelling<\/cite> are based on ability rather than grade level<\/a>, so if you have children that are very close in ability you can combine them and teach them together. In fact, this can be a very effective (and economical) way to use the programs. But before you decide whether to teach two or more children together in one level, consider these important questions.\r\n
\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/multiple-kids-11.jpg\")
\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n![\"all](\"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/multiple-kids-12.jpg\")
\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n