scheduling question

[Bramble]

One thing I can't figure out about scheduling. Everyone always says to give the youngest attention first and move up from there. Problem is none of my kids have a lot they can do independently. Sure, my oldest two can work on math or poetry copywork or maybe the project in the rotating box by themselves once I explain it. But if I am working with the 3 yo and then the 5 yo, they have quite a bit of time before I get to them. suggestions?

The other thing about our family is that my husband works 3-11 pm, so he leaves at 2 pm. I plan to work with the children for 2-3 hrs in the a.m. and then let them be free at 11 a.m. because we feel it is important that they have those hours with their Papa. We will have more school hours in the afternoon, but I would prefer that much of that be for finishing up independent work as well as read-alouds. So mainly I want most of my teaching time done in the a.m. The oldest two will have a set time when they must be done in the afternoon, and if their work is not finished, they will have to finish it doing their Papa time the next day. They tend to dawdle and this is the plan that we have come up with to motivate them.

I really want the individual programs to wok out for us. I am willing to put the time and effort forth as I truly believe it is what is best for my boys. I am just struggling with how it is all going to work out. (BTW, I am doing LHFHG and BLHFHG at half-speed but full-speed for phonics and math, and then LHTH and BHFHG at full-speed.)

[lovedtodeath]

I have found that the older DD gets the more I have to stick to a schedule with her. In K and 1st grade she just soaked it up. DS 3 is generally happy in the morning and wanting more of my attention later.

I would work with the oldest first.

[Bramble]

Well, my almost 3 yo is the opposite. I will definitely have to do a bit of LHTH w/ her first thing, otherwise she keeps asking for her "school." I talked w/ my 5 yo, though, and he understood that we would do his school later in the day.

However, after a bit of a trial run today, I'm re-thinking the four guides. argh. It is what they need, but I do not see how I am going to pull it off. I did partial LHFHG, BLHFHG, and full Bigger today, and my head was spinning! I think I am bumping my 7 yo down w/ my 5 yo. I feel sad about it because I really feel he is above LHFHG in so many ways! I am only happy with the history, Bible, and storytime for him. I definitely need to add to the science for him. It is a high interest area and strength for him, and what is in LHFHG is just not going to cut it. Suggestions?

[blessedmomof4]

May I suggest, since you have both guides, doing the "left side" of plans fron LHFHG with your 7 year old, and doing the "right side" of plans from Beyond? He'll get more science that way.

[Bramble]

Thanks, blessedmomof4! but I don't understand because Beyond's science is on the left in the rotating activity box. I thought about having him do Beyond's science, but it kind of matches up with Beyond's history, doesn't it? So I don't know....I'm just feeling kind of down right now. I keep trying to work out a schedule just for Little Hearts and Bigger and it is not going real well for me. I'm not gifted in that area at all! but also I'm starting to feel like I just can't do HOD and I want to so badly!! All my kids are still so dependent on me and Bigger has so much!!!

ETA: Off to look at the scheduling thread again!! Maybe someone posted there on using Little and Bigger together. Although we do have unique circumstances w/ my husband's work hours.

[Kathleen]

Here's just an idea that popped into my head here... What if you had the child you're thinking about moving from Beyond to LHFHG join in on science from Bigger this year? Maybe just to listen or participate in the hands-on and not really noteboook or do lab sheets. Then that child could repeat the science in 2 years when they get there "for real" with Bigger?

Here a thread where Julie (my3sons) shared her schedule for Bigger and LHFHG and a toddler. Personally, I think her schedules have been VERY helpful for me in figuring out what might work for my family. I haven't copied her exactly, but have gotten a clear idea of how to move between kids and consider what everyone needs to be happy in our day. Here's the link... viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1395

I'd base your schedule on what works with your kids, too. I don't do my youngest 1st either. My younger 2 will play happily right off the bat the best. Late morning gets a little harder for them. My oldest does best if he starts out with me right off the bat to get moving & get some momentum (as he's tempted to dawdle).

Hope this helps! You can do it! It took me some trial & error over the last couple years to figure out what works for us, but it's so worth it in the long run!

Kathleen

[Bramble]

Thanks, Kathleen. I went to do some housework and think. I'm thinking my issue is not so much doing HOD and a few programs, but that I'm adding students this year. Last year my then 2 and 4 yr. olds were content to play, have storytime, etc., but now they both want "school" time with mom, and the 5 yr. old is so ready for K despite me wanting to hold him back. I think I just wasn't being realistic about how long it takes to educate this many children! I sure do wish my 9 yo was ready for Preparing because I am so ready to push him to more independence but he is not ready. I would also love to be done in the a.m., but that is just not possible with my husband's schedule and our priority of the boys having a couple hours with him each day.

Thank you so much for the encouragement!

[blessedmomof4]

Oops I've only used Bigger and Preparing, and both have science on the right side...I meant, use the science from Beyond, or if he really needs lots more science, use the from Bigger, as the previous poster suggested. Edited for spelling

[Carrie]

Bramble,

I'm so sorry, but I am confused about which programs you are planning on using? From your initial post it sounded to me like you were using LHTH, LHFHG, Beyond, and Bigger, but that can't be right. If you can clarify the age of each of your kiddos and which programs they're doing, or if it's still open to debate as to which programs they'll be using that helps too. That way we can help better with advising on placement, or advising on scheduling, or both.

Blessings,
Carie

[Bramble]

Hi Carrie,
I was wanting to do Bigger w/ 9 yo, Beyond (Half-speed left side) w/ 7 yo, Little Hearts (Half-speed left side) w/ 5 yo, and LHTH w/ 3 yo. That is where each one places on the chart. I tried Beyond with 9 and 7 yo for a week to keep them together (had 9 yo using some parts of Bigger,) but it didn't go well. There is too much competition between those two and my 9 yo already did MFW ADV which included Amer. Pioneers and Patriots. He remembers that book well and was eager to do Bigger. (He had seen Bigger because I purchased that first, thinking I could use that for 9 and 7 but Julie thought it would be too much for 7.)

Yes, this is still open to debate. I very much want the best placement possible. I already own all 4 programs!
Here are my past posts on placement:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6663

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6802

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6959

Thank you for any help!

[Carrie]

Bramble,

O.K., I reread the other threads. By the way, thank you for linking them to bring me up to speed on your pondering! While you can do 4 guides (as we will be doing that ourselves this year), I'd likely lean away from that plan since you have kiddos that are 2 years apart. I fear you'd be making more work for yourself than is needed by doing that many guides with kiddos close in age.

So, with that in mind, from what you've shared I would place your older child in Beyond or Bigger, wherever you think he fits best. I'd lean toward Bigger Hearts normally, but I just read the post on Rod and Staff English 2 and that got me to thinking (along with a few other things you shared) whether he may benefit from a trip through some of the skills in Beyond first? For your 5 and 7 year old, I would combine them in LHFHG with the possibility of adding some of Beyond to raise the level of language arts as needed. This would include possibly using the Emerging Reader's Set, the spelling lists, the gentle grammar lessons (which are only once weekly), and possibly a higher level of math (unless you have your own math you're using for him). In this way, the 5 and 7 year old could be a pair as they go through the guides. In this way, you would be doing LHFHG and either Beyond or Bigger at full-speed (or 4 days a week, whichever pace you prefer). This is very manageable and requires little tweaking. It will be straight-forward as to what you need to do each day. This will also allow you to continue LHTH. I wouldn't worry if parts of LHFHG seem "below" your 7 year old. There is an optional reading list for extending LHFHG in the Appendix that you could use if desired to raise the level. But, overall by year end, I think you'll find LHFHG is more meaty than it appears at first look.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. Hope that helps!

Blessings,
Carrie

[3boysandagirl]

I have very little to offer in the way of scheduling, but can commiserate on you husbands schedule. My husband works similar hours. We have really enjoyed on some days having him do the guide with the littles while I get the biggers going. He has quality time with the little people and then when you break he can spend some time with the olders. My husband has really enjoyed his time and it makes him feel like "the principal" that I've always called him. Just a thought.

[Bramble]

Okay, thanks, Carrie! It looks like I am on the right track now. I am giving my 9 yo a sort of trial run w/ Bigger. He knows he has to step it up if he wants it. Otherwise, it is back to Beyond. I really want him in Bigger, though, so we'll see....I think doing 4 days/week will be helpful so he can finish things up on Friday if needed.

3boysandagirl, thank you for commiserating with me on the schedule! LOL It is difficult to find someone who understands this situation and I have to be careful not to covet day shift for my husband. I like your idea but I doubt my husband would do a guide. I did, however, ask him the other day if he could supervise the first floor with 9 yo doing independent work and 3 and 1 yr. olds playing, so that I can go upstairs w/ 5 and 7 yr. old to get some of their work done without so many interruptions. I'm not sure yet if he will do this, but he does help me out in other ways and I am very thankful for him!!

[Carrie]

Hooray! It sounds like you are on the right path. I agree that it helps so much to talk through your options ahead of time, but then sometimes once we get underway it's much easier to see what is truly needed.

We pray that as you settle in, you will enjoy your year!

Blessings,
Carrie