Catching-up in Bigger...how to do it..Carrie help too please

[inHistiming]

Okay ladies, I'm looking for some advice here. We have had quite the year with my pregnancy, the move, and the birth of the baby along with her extended time in the hospital! So, I am thinking we need to try to speed things up a bit in order to finish the Bigger...manual by mid-June. We will be gone during the month of July, so I can't extend it into the summer months...and we'll be getting started at least by the beginning of September with Preparing...

We are only in the middle of Unit 14 ...I planned to get through at least unit 28 this year but I would like to get through the entire manual if possible. So, what are some recommendations for doing this? I want to start back up by next Monday, because that will mean we've taken 3 weeks off when I only intended to take 2 at the most. The kids are ahead in Math and English, so we can go slowly with that if needed. We have been using the extensions, and though I love them we can drop these if necessary. Suggestions are so appreciated!

What is the best way to get the most from the program but finish the manual in a timely manner?

[water2wine]

We had one of those years too and got off track of our plan. We just add an extra day when that works or prat of the extra day to catch up. If you are using the extension pack you might read some of it aloud to speed that up. It has not been a huge deal to just do a little bit more each day. We just figured out how much extra we needed and then divided that by our school days left and that let us know what to do each day or each week. Half days are easy to add or just reading ahead in the extension so that you finish early and that gives you the time to combine two days. I have a feeling this is not what Carrie would say, hehehe, but it works for us.

[Patience]

I understand the desire to start with a new program in the fall, but I wonder if you will be able to enjoy the program as well if you rush to finish? It might be a blessing in disguise as you adjust to life with your new baby, to keep going with Bigger, and not worry about when you finish. You could drop the extensions if that would help you. We are always wanting to get to the next thing, but sometimes I need someone to tell me to just enjoy the moment I'm in. So, even though it may not be what you want to hear, I'm going to be that voice for you

[deltagal]

Sounds like your living a normal life You do have lots of options, including those that have been suggested. My first question would be why is it necessary to begin Preparing in the fall? My second question would be how far ahead are your buckaroos in math and english - years or a few weeks? Finally, revisit the placement chart and post back if you think they still place in Bigger or have their skills advanced enough that it looks as if they are on the cusp of being ready for Preparing? I have some thoughts for you, but it really depends on your thoughts on these questions. I'll check back later.

[inHistiming]

1) We live in a highly regulated state, so I have to 'finish' what I reported we'd do on our IHIP. We also have quarterly reports we have to send in stating what we've covered.
2) DH (and me to a lesser degree) really wants them (esp. oldest) to be moving on into things at their own level....my dd is 3rd but ds is 5th and DH feels it is important for him to keep progressing, not be 'held back' by dd or me and my scheduling issues...he's not being hard-nosed about it, but I know it's important to him that we start the new manual in the fall, not still be finishing this year's work.
3) My ds would have been able to start with Preparing...this year, but we decided to put our dc together in Bigger...for ease of use. So, his skill level is actually above Bigger... DD's level is great for Bigger...and both are enjoying it a lot, we just adjust the L.A. and Math, spelling for ds.
4) They are only weeks ahead in English and Math...each will complete a third workbook this year instead of just the two they normally would do.

[8arrows]

You only have about 14 more weeks (starting next week) without taking off ANY time. If you are ahead in a couple of subjects, I would really back off on those if finishing Bigger is your priority. I would also drop the extensions, possibly with the exception of the history text, and try doubling up. Your oldest might be able to read them during the rest of the summer. Do 2 days each day instead of one. That would get you finished in about 10 weeks. However, life will continue, and you won't be able to do 2 days every day, so that gives you a four week window for "unexpected happenings" (life). I am sure there will be days when 2 days is just not practical. It will certainly take dedication, and you may lose some of the benefits of savoring content over time (shorter lessons), but you would be following your husband's wishes (very important). I am assuming your baby is better now. That is so wonderful. Our baby will be here in a little less than 5 weeks. I hope you find the perfect solution to ending your school year. Let us know what ends up working.

[Mom2Monkeys]

I've had to do the same thing, but not for so many reasons.
This is what I did...

I let dd who is a very strong reader do many of the history and science readings on her own. I let her read 2-4 days of reading at a time and picked some of the most important activities to do from the rotating box and always did the Bible Study. We've skipped several activites but usually at least discuss them and try to do at least 2 per unit for now. We backed off poetry discussion and copywork and just let her read them for pure enjoyment. She was ahead in Spelling by far, so I've just done a "test" at the start of each list and if she got them all right (or about 90% right) I moved on to the next list. She's a grade ahead in Singapore (I think...2B as a 7yo 2nd grader) so I've taken that a little slower. Because she is only 2nd grade, I didn't feel DITHOR was a priority so I've let her read a couple DITHOR books without doing the lessons that go with it. I've cheated a bit on storytime and we trade off. I let her read some, and I read some...that way we get through the books since we're going quickly through each unit. (Like I said, she's a strong reader!). She has still learned SO much and I've realized just how doable HOD is with multiple kids/levels.

[deltagal]

You're getting some great ideas and I have several, BUT let me share with you the simplest one first and see what you think! In light of your needs with a new family member and a sweet husband who's got his eye on the oldest, why not just continue on just as you are with Bigger. You obviously have a routine that is working with the boys. Continue to work at a steady pace til mid-June, (even if it is a unit every 2 weeks), then take your break. Enjoy your break! Play a lot and know you have a plan in place for the fall. Then, when the fall comes go ahead and start your oldest on the right side of Preparing, but continue with both boys on the left side of Bigger where you left off. Then when your younger son finishes Bigger, he can roll right into Preparing and you'll then pick up the left side of Preparing with both boys. This "plan" would put your oldest boy "on track" in your husband's eyes and yet, allow you to continue the gentle journey with your other son. More importantly it would not require you to do any major revamping right now, when you need to be enjoying your baby!

Let me know what you think. I can always send more "ideas"

[Carrie]

Ooh, inHistiming you are getting all sorts of great ideas to ponder. We all have years like you are describing, often even more than one year like this and sometimes in a row! I respect your husband's wishes (knowing that I try hard to respect my own husband's wishes) and so while I'd love you to just continue on with your steady pace of Bigger and then pick it up in the fall, I'll give you one more piece of advice with your family goals in mind.

In all honesty, one year my hubby and I had a new baby and so much on our plate medical issue-wise that I also got behind. I could see that we were not going to finish or come nearly as close as I wanted. I could also see that my sons were going to be ready to move on skill-wise to next program at the beginning of the next school year AND I was in desperate need of my summer break. So, this is what we did...

We just taught the manual as written and enjoyed our regular day with it's normal pacing as set up in the guide. I did my math and english with an eye for finishing what was needed by year end. Then, when we got to the end of our school year, I (gasp) had the kiddos read the rest of the pages in the history and science books that were left for summer reading (and any extension package books that were left). I did not discuss them or go over the books at that point, I just had them read them for the content. Then, in the fall we picked up the new program and never missed a beat.

By doing it that way, my already hectic year did not become more hectic. My days were still enjoyable and nobody was truly behind. We finished the needed 3 R's, and we covered the content in history and science. And.. we took the more CM route of fewer books done better with no rushing just to complete something. That was several years ago now, and my kiddo's are functioning just fine. So that is one more option to consider.

Blessings,
Carrie

[inHistiming]

Thanks so much for the tips, ladies. I will have to give these ideas some thought. I will come back and let you know what I decide...and of course more suggestions are welcome if you have them.

[water2wine]

I wanted to just mention to take my idea with a grain of salt. I am the type that sort of thrives under the gun and because of that my kids also do well if we crunch and just get it done. To them they love school so they do not see it as a hardship. But you would never want to for the sake of a goal take their joy or yours for that matter. I just want to really encourage you to try to match whatever you do to your personality and your kids. I think Carrie gave a great idea of having them do a lot of the reading on their own. Whatever you decide make sure it does not take along with it the joy of doing HOD because this would have happened no matter what you were using and I would hate for you to lose the great part of HOD in the process. For us doing more is just more great HOD and I feel like literally I can't ruin it, that is one of the things I love about HOD. But if that were not the case I would not do it. The peace that HOD brings is worth too much to me. And if we do not meet our goals I am more than willing to let things spill over or find an alternate way even though my oldest will be going into 7th next year and we are on Bigger because I know she needs the information in Bigger.

I will be praying for you that God shows you the perfect plan for your family to meet your specific needs and still bring you joy!

[anointedhsmom]

inHisTiming,

I was watching this thread of yours because we are in the same boat. I didn't have alot of interruptions but we didn't get very far into Bigger before things went south as they say I really wanted to take summer off from doing a full load and I wanted to do a 4 day schedule starting in fall anyway so I was really thinking of putting my son into Preparing come fall BUT he really does need some time in Bigger. I still don't know what I'm going to do for sure. I might try to double up some of the days activities and readings just to cover more days in a shorter time. I just don't know right now I feel like we will never get done with Bigger right now and I know that's not true but gosh I just wanted to move on KWIM? Ok I'm done throwing my virtual temper tantrum now He's turning 10 at the end of May so I think he could handle Preparing but finishing Bigger would only make him stronger in every way.

All that to say I can understand where you are coming from. I'll be praying for you guys.

[inHistiming]

This is what I think I'm going to do:

First, I will reduce the amount of time spent on English and Math since we're a bit ahead...maybe just doing these 3 days per week instead of 5. I am also going to drop the extension readings. I've been reading these out loud and we love them, but it will reduce the amount of time spent on school if I drop them for now. That leaves us with Bible, Science, History, Story time, Poetry, Music, and the rotating box on the left-hand side to do each day. We will continue to do handwriting daily, along with spelling 3 days per week as scheduled. My next report to the school district is due April 11, so I think I will try to double up on units until then, just so we have a decent amount of work to report on. That should allow us to complete 6 weeks in Bigger within that time frame..and after that I may go back to just 1 unit per week and add in the English and Math daily again. Also, with spelling, we will double up on that for the 3 weeks until the next report. This plan will allow us to at least get through the 28 units that I reported we would do...and we can always double up more if I find it's not too difficult.

I am thinking of going through the manual and preparing a notebook for my dc to use for assignments...listing weekly work like spelling words, vocabulary, science, etc...anything that could be done independently. This would be very helpful to me, as we spend a good deal of time with me giving instructions and then one child waiting on the other to finish so he/she can use the book needed to complete the assignment. Then, once the work is completed they can just move on to the next thing without having to waste time waiting for me or their sibling.

I still have to get this 'plan' down in my head to see if it's gonna work, but it's what I'm thinking for now.

Thanks again for all the help!

[netpea]

I am thinking of going through the manual and preparing a notebook for my dc to use for assignments...listing weekly work like spelling words, vocabulary, science, etc...anything that could be done independently. This would be very helpful to me, as we spend a good deal of time with me giving instructions and then one child waiting on the other to finish so he/she can use the book needed to complete the assignment. Then, once the work is completed they can just move on to the next thing without having to waste time waiting for me or their sibling.

We've started putting seat work stuff in a pile on my son's desk with a sticky note on it listing the pages numbers to complete for each book, or how many lines of the poem to copy. This is helping, in that he can just work through it and check it off. I do it each night before I go to bed. Maybe this would help you in the meantime before you get your notebook done.

[inHistiming]

Last year I would write down assignments for each child on our white board and they just went down the list and checked it off as they completed it. It worked well. This year has just been so crazy that we have not gotten back into doing that. Maybe I'll try it again and see how it works.

Florence-

I would be interested in 'hearing' some of your other ideas..so feel free to post here or pm me.