heartofdakota.com

Hi everybody! I've been reading and enjoying all the posts on this forum for a long time, but this is my first time posting a message. Since I've seen such friendly and helpful advice on here, I thought I'd ask for some help with my situation.
First I should start off by saying I love HOD! It has really helped me make homeschooling such a pleasure-for both me and my son! I am absolutely certain that this is the curriculum we will stick with right up through the last guide.
Now here's my question. I started homeschooling my only child this year for the first time. He is 7,will be 8 in Sept., and he went to pre-K and K. in public school. When we decided to homeschool, I ordered BLHFHG. We started that at the beginning of Sept. last year. While we both fell in love with HOD, it was obvious that he needed to be bumped up a level. So we quickly covered the basics in that guide, then started BHFHG at the end of Nov. It is a perfect fit! Now instead of him begging me to do more each day, each day as it is layed out in the guide is just right for him. We are now able to get it done in approximately 3/12 hours like we should. At the end of our school day, I feel so happy with our time together, and more importantly so does he. And he does seem to be learning so much!
But I'm not sure how I can fit it all in by the end of the school year. I know we don't have to technically, but I really feel that we'll need a break by then. Plus we are very busy in the summer with outside activities, so I just really would like to have the summer off. But we are 9 weeks behind. And I'm afraid to double up for that many weeks, afraid that might burn my son out-and me too! So what to do? Is there another way?
I know this seems like a difficult question-like the answer must be one or the other (and it may very well be) but I was hoping some of you fellow homeschoolers might have an idea on how to work in some extra weeks without us becoming overwhelmed. Thank you in advance!
Lori

I would just finish the guide up next school year. We school year-round, so for us that wouldn't mean a break. But I know there are several families here who take summer breaks and finish up the last several weeks of a guide in the next school year. They've said they actually like doing that, because they start off a new school year with a familiar routine.

I think if you try to double up to finish by a certain date, you are going to burn out!

We take our summers off as well, and have done exactly what sharonb described. It has worked out just fine! I was also thinking, the next guide - PHFHG - has a 4 day week plan. So, you could just take your summer off, then next year school 5 days a week (like you've been doing with BHFHG this year anyway), and start the year by finishing BHFHG and then just do PHFHG 5 days a week. You'd finish the end of BHFHG and all of PHFHG in a "normal" length school year with no problems!

I'm so glad you are doing such an awesome job of teaching your ds with BHFHG! We are enjoying BHFHG now too, and it's such a good program. Thanks for sharing here!

In Christ,
Julie

We have been doing Bigger with my soon-to-be 8yo (in March) 4 days a week this year and it has been great! Because of this, we will finish it about 6-8 weeks into his 3rd grade year (2010-11). I figure we will start Preparing probably in January 2011. My feeling is that Bigger is more of a 3rd grade curriculum anyway b/c of the degree of writing/copywork/comprehension and so I'm okay with not finishing it all in his 2nd grade year. I wouldn't worry about it and take your summer break!