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We will begin Bigger in August. I had planned to go half-speed, at least for a while. However, I have come up with another plan that may be better for us. I did not want to take 2 years to do Bigger, but I know we cannot complete the guide in one year. A relaxed schedule will be better for dd's sake, and for mine. Sometimes I feel like we are rushing to get the guide done, and I don't have time to significantly work with dd on areas of struggle, like reading and math. I really feel like her math is suffering and I need to take extra time to try to cement the skills into her. So, I want to take time to play more learning games with her and not just feel like we are doing the work, just because it needs to get done. She loves the storytime, history and science, esp. the hands-on stuff, so I'm really looking forward to doing Bigger with her. She will still be in the ERs and will be doing spelling list 2. She's not ready for dictation yet. I know some do 4 days a week, and have the 5th for co-op, etc. My plan is to do 3 days a week. Then I have a day for co-op or other extra-curricular activities. I will also have another day to do math, reading, and catch up on any HOD stuff that may not be done from the 3 days. We can also take time for more life skills training that is very much needed in certain areas. We also run into weeks where we need a day to take my older dd for dr. appts. 3 hours away, which takes a whole day. I can't take school work along, because she cannot concentrate in waiting rooms. Doing 3 days a week would put us through unit 20 or 21. Then the following school year, she should be able to finish Bigger full speed, so we'd be ready to start Preparing in November sometime. I know things can change, but if I have a plan, I won't feel so pressured on days that unexpected things arise. Does it sound like a good plan for a remedial child?

With my severely dyslexic ds, I've had to do that also now that we are in the upper programs and adding in little sister. I don't even do a full day every day. We just do what we can each day. I put a check mark in the box when we are finished. I have found it to be a wonderful way to school. No stress. No rushing and cramming to get it done. I do have to stay disciplined myself and make sure I don't get too relaxed! This is the first year that we didn't complete a program. We got to through unit 22 in CTC. We'll finish up about mid-way next year and start up with RTR. I'm thinking that will also take about 1 1/2 years to complete. That will probably be our pattern with this child as I have to read so much of the program to him. HOD is a fabulous program to use with kids who need adjustments.

Your plan sounds great!

Laura

I think your idea sounds great!

I'm going to start my 5 1/2 year old in LHFHG soon. I don't want to finish it in a year, but not necessarily take a whole 2 years. So my goal is also going to be getting three days done per week. We plan on doing school for four days per week, so sometimes we might get the three days done in three days, and other times we might stretch the three days out for the four. (Does that make sense? )

Oh ... and we will still do Math, Phonics, and Handwriting at least 4 days per week.

I hope it goes well for you (and me too!).

Heart_Mom,
Your plan sounds pretty much like mine. Yes, we will also do math, reading, and writing on the fourth day, and maybe the 5th, if there is nothing significant going on. I really did not want to go half-speed, but full-speed seemed a little overwhelming, considering dd's struggles. I know there will be less stress with this plan. We need to do some catching up in math, and I need to make room for some other responsibilities. I only hs one, but she basically requires full attention, and I don't look for her to be independent as soon as most, even in reading. Because of eye tracking problems, I even have to sit with her to practice piano. I'm at peace with this plan. Hope it goes well for you, too.

I think your plan sounds great. We are currently in Beyond, and won't be finished until the beginning of November. I'm giving myself until the end of December just in case other things come up. My son has dyslexia, so I plan to take a year and a half to do Bigger, so that ds will be closer to the skills needed in Preparing.


Tracy