When I made my schedule this summer, it looked pretty intense---every minute of the school day was accounted for. I was careful to plan based on who needed the computer when, who needed time with me, and what the others could be doing independently while that was happening. But what I have found is that the half hour time slots I made for my youngest three really don't usually take that long. So either we get ahead and finish a bit early that day, or I can use the time to help others with a question, or have time for the usualy interruptions without getting behind, etc. It is a very do-able schedule.
I think placement has been the key, too. My 12 yo dd is perfectly placed in Rev2Rev. Same for my 10 yo son in Preparing (and I love how I can see that it is "preparing" him for the transition to independent work.) Beyond is a bit too easy for my 6 yo dd and she is a little bored....but I think Bigger would have been too big of a jump, so we are sticking with Beyond and hoping it gets a bit more challenging as the year goes on.
But all in all....it's been a fantastic week. I look at the amount of work that everyone has done and how effortless it has been for me to run three guides. Way easier than the years I tried to combine all of them in the same curriculum, or when I tried to piece everything together myself. And I love that everyone is getting exactly what they need academically and developmentally. And Fridays off....that's icing on the cake
Jen
dd (12) Rev2Rev
ds (12, special needs) Abeka/CLE combo
ds (10) Preparing
dd (6) Beyond
) is the key!