Transitioning siblings from private to shared lessons
Found in: Scheduling
Ian B., California
For those of you who have transitioned from private to group lessons: I have several families with multiple children enrolled. I figure this is pretty typical. In private lessons I was able to arrange their lessons consecutively quite easily. But as I make the transition to groups, the age differences of sibling makes it more difficult to guarantee consecutive lessons for families. As such I can understand why some of my families are hesitant to make the jump. Can any of you offer insight or advice?
Unmani U., Australia
I’ve got two families of three. They have individual time with me plus shared as relevant to the curriculum, e.g. reviewing strategies. The family has an hour booked and I rotate the kids so that the first student get more one on one time. The third will often be the recipient of ‘teaching’ at home from the others. I check the effectiveness of this at the next lesson. So it’s a family private/shared lesson. Too much time for mum waiting for me to conceive of this with other students in other classes.
Laurie Richards, Nebraska
I have always told my families in this situation that I would try to arrange things so that their kids’ classes were consecutive, but that I wouldn’t be able to guarantee it. Sometimes it works out, but when it hasn’t, most families have been okay coming on different days. I’m sure it depends on the driving distance and family’s schedule.
Maureen K., California
Same as Laurie. Usually I succeed in keeping siblings back-to-back, but once in a while families have to come on two days. It is one big logic problem. Plan lessons with long-range goals in mind, working towards getting siblings of siblings in back-to-back groups. Also I have started offering “family classes” where siblings of various ages are in a group together. Challenging to teach but home school families especially like it.