Who stretches programs out over more than 1 year?

[amyw33]

DD and I are currently doing LHFHG and thrilled with it. My only "issue" has been that 170 days is too many for me to want to do in a year. I don't want to do more than 4 days a week, so I decided to do 4 days for 42 weeks. I quickly realized I needed more weeks off than this. Then I thought I would combine days 4 and 5 of each unit. This was kind of stressful, and I really enjoy the program as written and don't want to miss anything. So, I finally realized I could possibly do the first 3 HOD programs over 4 years instead of 3(16 months for each program). Then we'd be in Preparing, which goes down to 4 day units, so VIOLA! I talked to my DH and he thought this was a fabulous idea.

I want to keep with the programs as written, I don't want to mess with the math or english. DD turned 5 in July and would technically going to PS K. So she'll "technically" get behind a year in math if I do things this way. I'm not sure it matters or I care, but I was wondering if anyone else did this????

[water2wine]

We are doing that with Bigger and LHFHG. We did five days a week for a while to do enough to get us to one year of four days a week plus some cushion. And I have taken my fifth day for Bible study and other things. It works great. You just don't think of the unit numbers as corresponding to days of the week. The programs are still very smooth and I really do not think you lose a thing. I know Carrie has even done this. So if she does it and it works I think it's a go. HTH

[Mommamo]

I think that's a fabulous idea. I'm thinking of stretching things myself because C has the opposite problem as she wouldn't technically be in PS K this year because she was born 3 weeks too late, and the rate we're going she'll be doing Beyond... in March. She thrives on routine though so we're not planning on taking many breaks and 5 (and sometimes 6 when Daddy works on Saturday) days per week is working for us.

But back to your question.... I don't think I'd worry about her getting "behind" in English and math because I'm pretty sure that I've read that both Singapore and R&S (when you get there) are considered ahead. So I think you're fine. You could always tweak things if it becomes an issue but I think it's fine. In fact, I'm going to talk to dh about us doing something similar. Thanks for the idea!

[amyw33]

DD was supposed to be born in September but she came in July instead. It's so silly really and shouldn't matter, but it's hard to get away from the "public school" mentality, when in the back of my mind I always know there's a chance she'll go to ps someday.

I think you're probably right that R&S and Singapore are probably a year ahead. It just seems like most homeschoolers are "ahead" instead of purposely being held back in subjects, and I want to make sure I'm not being an ogre, LOL!

I don't have to report to the state for 2 more years so I thought to myself, WHY do 170 days a year right now !

[Carrie]

Amy,

We have done this for "Little Hearts..." and "Beyond..." with my kiddos, and it worked out fine. Then, when we got to "Bigger...", we bumped up to a 5 day schedule for just that one year, because my son was on the oldest end of the program, and I could see he would be ready to move onto "Preparing...". The great thing, is that there is MUCH flexibility in how you do it. I think your plan sounds good.

Blessings,
Carrie