heartofdakota.com

We started Preparing with my dc ( my older dd using the extensions) about 2 weeks ago. We are really struggling to get everything done. We start school around 8:00-8:30,have a short 20 minute or less morning break and about an hour lunch break and we still struggle to get done by 3 pm. Today we did not finish until 4:30. It was so discouraging to me and my dc. My older dd can be pretty independent with the guide, but my ds (3rd grade) needs me to explain things to him first and then he is okay to go with the assignment. I tweaked and tweaked my schedule but it seems that no matter how I try to tweak the schedule school will at the earliest get out by 3:00, leaving me without any room to add any extras. My kids grow weary if we do not end school around 3:00. School after 3 is torture to them. Any suggestions to help my schedule?

I'm dealing with the same thing, and just posted recently about it:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4918

There are some really good suggestions there. We are starting today with using a timer, and we will just stop when the timer goes off. I need to see how much work dd can do in the "suggested time" for each subject so I can pinpoint what our time eaters are. I hope that keeping it shorter will keep her from growing weary (and slowing down). After I figure out the time eaters, I'm not exactly sure what I'll do next. One day at a time.

I am also having the same problem with Preparing. I love the program but it taking us a while to complete. We usually have to use Friday to catch up where we fell behing in the week to keep us on schedule. I am also doing LHFHG with my DD and that is going good. I have no problems getting it done. I will be checking to see what suggestions you receive and mabe they can help us as well.

I have no really helpful ideas here, but I appreciate you posting about it. It helps me in my thinking...I was debating over Bigger or Preparing, and I am now inclined to stick with Bigger so I don't overdo it! I would like to use DITHR, too, and I am betting if I went with Prep, I would never get to using DITHR.

As far as helpful hints, I have found that if I allow my son to talk, he takes FOREVER to do EVERYTHING. He talks non-stop! When I make him work silently (on math or english, or a writing assignment) then he really applies himself and finishes in about 15 minutes, whereas it might take an hour plus if he is chattering on. This has been a big eye-opener for me. I always encouraged talking and curiosity, but he has to know when to turn it off...we all do. When he got reprimanded for talking to his friend in the altar repeatedly (altar boys), I took a look hard look at what I allowed during school time. I realized I never helped him to learn the discipline of maintaining quiet. We are working on it. I just found this to be one of the biggest time-eaters in our schooling!

Of course, we talk lots during the reading and stuff, but for the hard academic stuff, I tell him to think twice before chattering...

Ladies,

I agree that it would be a good idea to start by checking out the link that mariaw posted first. Then, it would be SO helpful to those of us on the board if you did just as mariaw is doing and timed each box or part of PHFHG, so you can see where the time issues are creeping in too. The link gives approximate time allotments for each part of the PHFHG plans, so you can compare your times to those and see where the issues are.

Then, if you'd be willing to share with us which areas are draining the time out of your day, we can all chime in and give you tips as to how to cut back those time eating areas. In this way, each of you will get specialized advice targeted to help you!

I will say that if you are new to HOD and are running more than one HOD program, it will take a month or so for you to hit your groove with both programs. This is just because it is a new type of curriculum for your family and likely mainly new skills to your kiddos. This always requires a period of adjustment, so don't get discouraged. As you settle in, time will fall off of your schedule. But, in the meantime, if you get a chance to do what I mentioned above, we can help you even more.

Blessings,
Carrie