Anyone ever NOT finished the whole guide/curriculum?

[mae357]

We're getting pretty close to the end but I'll be short a few units (we're using LHFHG)...has anyone else not completed the whole year? If so, will it affect the next year? I guess I'm thinking more along the lines of math, etc. I guess I'm just wondering if I should be pushing to finish or if it's really ok to end a few units shy?

thanks!

[lmercon]

Yes, I have had to "compress" a few units in the past and will have to again this year. I won't school past June. Daddy is a teacher and is home. Could you just do a quick little math lesson each morning in order to get those skills taught? Are you using Singapore? If so, Singapore always has a review-type beginning in the next level up, so you'll probably hit those skills again. I would just keep going with the math until you get finished.
Laura

[khbmom]

I wouldn't recommend just not finishing. You could either condense or use the remaining weeks as a review in the fall before beginning the next guide. (I think Carrie suggested using it as a review?) That was originally my plan, but ds has worked so hard that we won't have much to do, so I've re-evaluated.

We won't finish this year in Beyond and will be a few weeks short. This is how I have it planned so far:
History - story time for the boys during the summer
Math - wither 1-2 lessons a week, so ds doesn't get "cold" or use as a review before beginning the Bigger guide.
Science - I'll check and see what we're going to miss and work it in with maybe a zoo trip or work on it here
Emergent readers - not really behind - will probably finish this week.
Story time - should finish in the next week / 10 days

Amanda

[jenntracy]

What is the reason you will be short? Do you have to be done by a certain date.
My son is on LHFHG unit 31 this week.
Will have to go a few weeks in June.
He is actually doing half-day ARt camp the 2nd week of June so he gets a break then, and we will finish the following week..
The kids don't seem to mind they are so used to doing school.
We will start back up around Aug 3rd with the Beyond guide

PRobably to reading over the 6-7 week break in btwn and maybe math.

Jenn D.

[my3sons]

I had one year with "Bigger..." with my oldest that I had a baby and then a surgery to remove fibroids with a pretty long, difficult recovery time soon after that. That year I finished out the last few weeks of Bigger by just reading aloud the history, science, and Storytime selections until they were finished. I also doubled up on the dictation and grammar until it was done. I finished out math the first few weeks of summer. I just had my ds read the rest of his DITHOR book independently (for younger guides I would have had him finish the Emerging Readers or Phonics if he'd been doing those). That is the only year I have not finished HOD. I would never advocate not finishing HOD, but on the odd year that special concerns arise, I think it's alright to finish as best you can, and endeavor to finish the next guide completely the following year. I was very weak at the time and not physically able to complete any more than that. The summer provided a needed recovery time for me health-wise. That next year, I started school 2 weeks early and made sure to complete all of Preparing Hearts. I've not had trouble finishing since, but that's not to say it might not happen again. I do think we need to give ourselves a measure of grace when it's an exception, if we're not finishing every year, then that's a different story. That's just my take on it though - you'll know what will fit your situation best.

In Christ,
Julie

[kiloyd]

I haven't not finished before. But I would think you could look at it and skip parts of it. Like we have 4 1/2 weeks left and for the past two weeks we have not done poetry or bible at all. Well at least not the HOD, ds finished his AWANA and I got a poetry book from the library we just read for fun.

And some days I'm reading more history so other days we don't have history since we are ahead.

[mae357]

During the winter I was pg with my 5th and horribly sick. We got several weeks behind. I think we'll be able to finish it all though. I have 5 units to go. I do plan on trying to finish it out and but I guess I was just wondering if/what would be the result of not finishing. I plan to start Beyond in early august since the baby is due mid sept and we'll need some grace time with the newbie!

thanks for the responses!

[my3sons]

During the winter I was pg with my 5th and horribly sick. We got several weeks behind. I think we'll be able to finish it all though. I have 5 units to go. I do plan on trying to finish it out and but I guess I was just wondering if/what would be the result of not finishing. I plan to start Beyond in early august since the baby is due mid sept and we'll need some grace time with the newbie!

thanks for the responses!

I'm so sorry you were sick with your pregnancy. I know that is physically and emotionally draining. I'm glad you are feeling better now, and I think you've made a good decision to finish. That sends a message to our dc that this is important stuff you don't skip and that cuts down on any arguments about doing school work in the long run. They have the mindset that what is in the manual is what needs to be done to learn the skills needed that school year, and there is a sense of accomplishment in completing that. You also have made a wise decision to start earlier in preparation of having a newborn. You are so right - we need a little more grace time during baby stages. I can tell you are a person that cares deeply about giving your dc all they need in homeschooling. You are doing a good job of answering the Lord's calling to teach your dc every day in a Godly way. It is a big calling that is not one to take lightly. I try to look at homeschooling as an important job I am called to do by my boss, the Lord. I'd never tell my employer I couldn't finish a task I'd been assigned, or I just needed a ton of time off, but still expected to get "paid" (which I think of our payment as homeschool moms as being dc who hopefully know and love the Lord with all of their hearts, of having a close relationship with them, etc.) . Anyway, I think it's key to consistently homeschool our dc because it is in that consistency that we reap the fruit of the harvest. So glad you are choosing to do that even in more trying circumstances!

In Christ,
Julie

[lisaha]

I was reading this and I just wanted to say that Julie's reply is so inspiring, as I'm dealing with mornning sickness now (it's starting to get better), and looking for cirriculum for next fall when baby number 6 is due. It reminds me how important it is, plus God gives us the grace to do all He calls us to do when we ask!