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First Week With Three Guides

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 4:00 am
by jcmi
Our first week was fantastic! We are new to HOD and I was a bit worried about doing 3 guides plus a different curric with my son who has special needs. We are using Rev2Rev, Preparing, and Beyond.

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

Re: First Week With Three Guides

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 4:17 am
by countrymom
I am so glad you had such a good week. I am sure it will be encouraging to others. I agree with you - placement (and a little planning never hurts :D ) is the key!

Re: First Week With Three Guides

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 11:00 am
by pjdobro
Wow! Congratulations on a great first week. What a wonderful encouragement this is to those who are running multiple guides. Thanks for sharing! :D

Re: First Week With Three Guides

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 11:27 am
by water2wine
Yeah! I am so happy for you Jen! :D We also do three guides and find it is so much easier than the one size fits all placement. Congratulations! I know you are going to enjoy the rest of your year! :D

Re: First Week With Three Guides

Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:13 pm
by my3sons
HOORAY, Jen! :D :D :D I'm so glad you are off to an awesome start with 3 guides! I agree placement is key, and planning how you want your day to go is right up there next to placement. Kuddos to you for putting your time in on these 2 things - now you are reaping the benefits of that time, and the great news is - you will all year long!:D

In Christ,
Julie

Re: First Week With Three Guides

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 5:28 pm
by stawnasalas
Yay! And also a very encouraging post for me, since I was wondering how I will run 3 guides next year. I guess it can be done, and done fairly easily. Thank you and I pray your days continue to get even smoother.