Carrie, you were right.

[MelInKansas]

I'm not sure if you meant to say having them all do 4 day weeks rather than 5, but this is what I would suggest for your Bigger child. Bigger is just so full, I can't imagine trying to double up on anything to get the unit done in 4 days. Especially with the workload of working with the other kids. Do 4 days a week, okay you won't finish the unit in a week, but it's fine. Sometimes there is some lag or some issue with remembering the memory verse or spelling words when there's a 3 day weekend between working on them, but it's not a huge issue, or you could ask that child to review those things on the days off. Otherwise it flows pretty well and I remember where they are at with bookmarks! (because we all do 4 day weeks - my Bigger and LHFHG child are usually on the same day of their unit and the Preparing child is off - and the Preparing child often doesn't even do a unit in a week because of other days we end up having off).

Now in the summer or times when we don't have co op I do go back to 4 and 5 day weeks because it is kind of nice and clean to be doing day 1 on Monday, and finish the unit in a week's time. That gives my oldest some flex - if she ends up having things she doesn't get done she's got Friday to finish it up. That would work well for your oldest too I think, maybe take some pressure off.

A year or two ago I just had to give up the "get the guide done in a year" idea. If your child is on the lower end of the age ranges there ends up being an extra year anyway (and if they're not, they still don't need to rush as many people have successfully used JH guides for HS and as many have commented, you need to hit the child where they are at and not worry about getting through certain things - in a PS education it is also adapted for the skills and ability of the children with some doing a lot more than others.)

[Carrie]

Rice,

I appreciate your response and the obvious thought and care your children are receiving from you as you ponder the best fit for your family! From what you've shared, it sounds like your CTC child is doing well right now, and as long as that child isn't needing a ton of help from you or any down-sizing of assignments, I can see where it would be a benefit to have at least one child in a separate, more independent guide if he can handle it. It does make sense to have an advanced learner advance ahead if needed. This could potentially gain you more time to work with your other kiddos. I can also see where less book sharing would be ideal! I just don't want YOU to be too frazzled, so my thinking was working along those lines in trying to come up with a plan that had you combining where able. Time will tell what is best, and I think any needed changes will reveal themselves more fully as the months pass. We did do 4 guides at our house, and it was best for us! So, it may be that these 3 guides are the best fit for your family. It does sound like your kiddos in Bigger and Preparing are well placed, and I love the idea of you having a bit more time in your schedule to work alone with your Preparing child. I can see where having that child alone would actually be of benefit in seeing where his strengths and weaknesses truly are! So for now, think of this as a training year for your two in Bigger and Preparing especially.

As far as doubling up things in Bigger to get your daughter on a 4 day plan, I would encourage you to forego that idea. It will weight your daughter down and make her feel like she is right back to the workload she had in Preparing. Instead, I would encourage you to simply school her 4 days a week, doing 4 days of plans as written. Then, set aside Bigger until the week begins again, and pick right back up where you left off.

You will rarely be on Day 1 on Monday this way, but you will find it doesn't really matter. Just do a day in a day as much as possible and the flow of the guide will still be there to give you continuity. We are almost never on Day 1 on Monday, as we school 5 days a week (even with the 4 day guides), simply due to our busy work season running from March to September (and my kiddos needing to have a more compact school year).

Your kiddos also will not remain on the same units in this manner but that will not be a problem either. My kiddos are not on the same units as one another, because I did half-speed Bigger this year with my 8 year old (and so he is on his own schedule). If you can let go of the idea that homeschooling is a race with a finish line always looming and think of it as a 13 year journey instead, you will be amazed at how much you will still accomplish (but without the stress of trying to keep everyone together)! I want less stress for you and more joy! It is something I desire for all homeschool families (including my own)! Thanks for sharing! I appreciate the opportunity to talk through ideas, knowing in the end that you are the one in the trenches and will ultimately know things I cannot see.

Blessings,
Carrie