AWESOME first day!

[rodandmegs]

I just wanted to pop in and say that our first day was A~M~A~Z~I~N~G. I taught Bigger..., Little Hearts..., and Little Hands, AND my oldest daughter's mix of curricula. Everything went so smoothly. I feel like we have the perfect curriculum finally!! I hope every day goes like this. Thanks, Carrie, for all the hard work you put into the guides.

[Nealewill]

That is so wonderful to hear! That is exactly how we feel as well about this curriculum

[PoppyD]

I'm so glad you have gotten off to a good start.
We are using CTC and Little Hearts. My oldest child, who is using CTC, is over the moon. We both are so thrilled with this curriculum!!
I hope you continue to have amazing days and great learning along with your kiddos!
Poppy

[shaffer96]

Awesome! Any tips on how you organized your day? I will be doing Preparing, Beyond and Litte Hearts and I am nervous it's going to take all day long! I also have a 7 month old foster baby!

[Jennymommy]

Prayers for continued peace and joy in this homeschooling adventure Schaffer96, this link may help viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16515&sid=ac31e95fb ... 39#p115927.

[rodandmegs]

shaffer96 : I will try to explain how I organized our day, but I still haven't worked out a "schedule" yet. I'm not really a schedule kinda girl, but I do like routine. Here's what we did today {and mostly the same as yesterday}

I started the big kids on their individual Bible study. I then worked with my 5 year old {Little Hearts} on math and handwriting. {10 minutes, tops} We read history next {paraphrased - very short attention span} and the 3 year old joined us for his art project.

While they worked on the art project, I got my 10 year old and 7 year old started in math {Singapore - loving it so far}. My 12 year old is independent, so she moves from subject to subject on her own. I check her work at the end of our day.

Then, I did the Rhymes in Motion with my 5 year old, and we worked on scripture memory for a few minutes. I got the two little boys situated in the living room with some trucks, and the 10 and 7 year old and I read our history, our poem, did our science notebook page, and had a painting to do. After that, they worked on Rod and Staff grammar and spelling.

I attempted Reading Made Easy with the 5 year old. He is not very interested, but that's okay! He is a young 5, and I've taught three kids to read so far. We worked Lesson 2, for about 10 minutes, maybe less.

Next, I did Little Hands with my 3 year old, and my 5 year old joined us! It didn't take long at all.

We then were almost completed for the day, so we stopped and ate lunch. It was about 11:30, and we started about 8:30. After lunch, the 5 year old and I snuggled in my bed and read Reddy Fox {which he actually listens to - I was shocked}.

We are doing our Hymn study and story-time in the evening. Last night, it was about 6 when we did it. It worked out well, and then we had our family Bible study {reading through the book of John currently}.

I am so surprised that we fit EVERYTHING in both days. I didn't skip anything, nor did I want to. I love how the guides are put together. It is just enough of each subject. It may "look" like not enough, but it is the perfect amount.

So, tips? Work with the younger ones first, while the older ones can do some {mostly} independent work. Give the younger ones plenty of breaks between subjects. It seemed like my 5 year old does better with 10-15 minute "chunks". I like to start early {8:30ish} so we are done early and can enjoy the rest of the day outside, have time for laundry and cooking supper, and not feel rushed. Maybe have story-time, hymn study, scripture memory moved to evenings or late afternoons. When it doesn't feel like "school" it's easier to enjoy! Don't save art until very last, or you won't do it!!

I am amazed at how smoothly our days went, and wonder why I haven't used HOD before!