Can I REALLY get all this done?

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tbarr12
Posts: 162
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 10:01 am

Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by tbarr12 » Tue Aug 17, 2010 3:04 pm

I just worked through our daily schedule using Managers of Their Homes (I use this every year to help me get the flow of the school day). I will have 2 kids in CTC, and one in LHFHG. I am adding in Latin and Spelling everyday. After putting together our schedule hour by hour, it looks like we won't finish until 3:00 everyday! Is that possible? From what I've read on these boards, one of the attractions of HOD is that it's so doable.

I did allow the maximum time for each subject, and I'm assuming that, as the year goes on, things will become more streamlined. I also assumed that, at the beginning, I'll be doing a lot of the "independent" boxes with the kids, just to get them used to it and check their work.

I just need some reassurance that HOD is really as doable as you ladies say, and that probably my schedule will flow better than I think. Thanks.
Tracey, married to Steve for 13 years
DD 12 - CTC, R&S Math, R&S Grammar 5
DS 10 - Preparing, R&S Math, R&S Grammar 4
DD 7yo - Beyond, R&S Math

my3sons
Posts: 10702
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by my3sons » Tue Aug 17, 2010 4:06 pm

It would be a huge help if you could share your schedule! :D CTC should only take about 4 to 4 1/2 hours, and LHFHG 1 1/2 hours. Of course times overlap with the two, so the most they should take would be around 5 to 5 1/2 hours. Maybe we can all give ideas if you could share the general gist of your schedule - like the start time, approximate times for things, the order of things, etc. We'll all chime in then and chat it through. And yes, you really can get CTC and LHFHG done! :D

In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

tbarr12
Posts: 162
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 10:01 am

Re: Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by tbarr12 » Tue Aug 17, 2010 5:28 pm

Okay, this is my rough schedule. I'm sure you all will tell me that I'm trying to do too much, as is my wont. it's difficult to put it down exactly, as I'm juggling 3 at a time, so that's why it's rough.

8-8:30 Bible Quiet Time w/all
8:30-9:30 Oldest 2 do Math and Math drills, I do History, rhymes, and Phonics with youngest
9:30-10:00 Spelling
10:00-10:30 Storytime and Narration w/oldest 2 while all have snack
10:30-11:00 rotating Science box w/youngest, oldest does Reading About History, middle does Ind. History study (since they're sharing books, they have to do those at different times)
11:00-11:30 Grammar or WWTB w/oldest 2, youngest plays
11:30-12:00 Latin with all
12:00-1:00 Lunch and clean-up
1:00-1:30 Science w/oldest 2
1:30-2:00 DITHOR w/oldest 2
2:00-2:30 Geography/Genesis Study w/oldest 2
2:30-3:00 Fit in last few miscellaneous things - Written Narration, Poetry, etc.

I will be fitting in those little 10-15 minute activities with my youngest while the other 2 are working independently. I really don't see where I could cut anything out. The only hope I see of finishing earlier is, as I said, if various segments don't take as long as I think, and as we get more used to the program and things run more smoothly.

I'll be interested to hear what others have to say, however. Thanks.
Tracey, married to Steve for 13 years
DD 12 - CTC, R&S Math, R&S Grammar 5
DS 10 - Preparing, R&S Math, R&S Grammar 4
DD 7yo - Beyond, R&S Math

my3sons
Posts: 10702
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by my3sons » Tue Aug 17, 2010 8:12 pm

Thanks for sharing here! That really does help us all out as we talk through this with you. :D In looking at your schedule, I see your schooling roughly from 8 AM - 3 PM (7 total hours from start to finish), but with an hour lunch, half an hour added for Latin, half an hour added for math, and 25 minutes added for spelling. Without these substitutions/additions, your total day would be 4 1/2 hours, which is the length of time HOD suggests for CTC. Here's a link for the time allotments for the resources and activities used in CTC: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3765

When homeschooling days are going longer with HOD, it is almost always due to the substitution of LA and math resources, or the addition of more resources/subjects. Substitutions and additions are fine! But, they usually add time, as Carrie has chosen resources that while being quality resources, are also chosen for their time efficiency, or planned in a manner that streamlines them. :D

I know some ladies love schooling from 8 AM - 3 PM, but other moms fall in the category of wanting to finish earlier, possibly by lunch time. In case you fall in the latter category, I tried to think of a few things to ponder in case you want to finish earlier...
*during the independent CTC Bible time, teach your LHFHG child for 30 minutes, you could finish a good portion of LHFHG here (about 1/3)
*set the timer for math for 30 minutes and get as far as you get, consider less time for drills or omitting them; or try Singapore math
*try dictation for spelling (it works!) and cut 25 minutes off your day :D
*Storytime should take only 15 minutes, consider having snack during an independent time instead
*try Latin with your major teaching on the fifth day of the week, or spread it out slowly over several years doing just 15 minutes a day, or omit it
*consider starting your day earlier

Only you can know your goals and what fits best with them. :D One of our goals is to finish school by lunch time or shortly thereafter. For us, this is important as I am always guarding against burnout on my part or their part, because I know many wonderful moms that have stretched themselves or their dc too thin, and ended up being unable to continue homeschooling because of it. HOD makes it possible to have it all for me - a great balanced education for my dc, and a good portion of our day left to enjoy doing things other than homeschooling. If you are happy with your start and end time, and with the way your day will go overall - then hooray! Just disregard my ideas. But, if you are wanting to finish earlier, maybe some of these ideas could help. :D

In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

tbarr12
Posts: 162
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 10:01 am

Re: Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by tbarr12 » Wed Aug 18, 2010 4:54 am

I'm happy with the start time, but definitely not the end time. I know realistically we won't go until 3:00, which means something won't get done. I definitely can't start any earlier. A few questions on your suggestions:

I'm not so sure switching to Singapore is a good idea. My children are a bit behind on Math because I switched so much in the early years, and I'm really reluctant to switch to anything else. However, maybe I'll do the placement test for Singapore just out of curiosity to see where they might place. I currently do MUS with my girls, and Horizons with my son.

Trying to get more done with my little one while the others do Bible study time is a great idea. I think I'll implement that.

I am VERY reluctant to give up my spelling program - All About Spelling. I use it because my 5th grade dd is a HORRIBLE speller, and I see this as having the most hope of helping her out. I guess I'm just reluctant to trust any other way of doing it. Perhaps as time goes on, I'll become more confident in HOD's way of doing it, and can drop the separate spelling program.

I will give all your suggestions serious consideration. Thanks.
Tracey, married to Steve for 13 years
DD 12 - CTC, R&S Math, R&S Grammar 5
DS 10 - Preparing, R&S Math, R&S Grammar 4
DD 7yo - Beyond, R&S Math

my3sons
Posts: 10702
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by my3sons » Thu Aug 19, 2010 11:06 am

tbarr12 wrote:I'm happy with the start time, but definitely not the end time. I know realistically we won't go until 3:00, which means something won't get done. I definitely can't start any earlier. A few questions on your suggestions:

I'm not so sure switching to Singapore is a good idea. My children are a bit behind on Math because I switched so much in the early years, and I'm really reluctant to switch to anything else. However, maybe I'll do the placement test for Singapore just out of curiosity to see where they might place. I currently do MUS with my girls, and Horizons with my son.

Trying to get more done with my little one while the others do Bible study time is a great idea. I think I'll implement that.

I am VERY reluctant to give up my spelling program - All About Spelling. I use it because my 5th grade dd is a HORRIBLE speller, and I see this as having the most hope of helping her out. I guess I'm just reluctant to trust any other way of doing it. Perhaps as time goes on, I'll become more confident in HOD's way of doing it, and can drop the separate spelling program.

I will give all your suggestions serious consideration. Thanks.
It's tough to decide, isn't it? :cry: I can empathize, as I used to add and sub myself (especially prior to my using HOD). :wink: I had to come to (for me), that more is not always better, as I became more and more "crabby mama" as my day wore on and I watched the time dwindle away. The stress level shot through the roof, and I was rushing the kiddos through all my special-specials I'd wanted to do, and no one was enjoying that. This is a character flaw of mine, that I know very well many others blessedly do not possess. But, I just wanted to share that this former "crabby mama" is a very "happy mama" now (though crabby mama can still surface at times - and then prayer is needed) :wink: . I know I'm happier because Christ is in our entire day with HOD which makes me work hard on having a more Christlike attitude. I'm also happier because I am not spending extra time planning and prepping extra things/substitutions, which means we finish on time every day too. Everyone is happier that way - dc included. :wink: I'm not trying to tell you exactly what to do, but rather trying to come up with a few things you could do to shave time off the day. :D If you love your math and don't want to do Singapore, than you can just find a way to shave down the time from an hour to 30 minutes somehow. Maybe setting the timer for 30 minutes and quitting then? Or, just doing the odds? Or doing math on the fifth day to spread it out more? Or having drill time for a shorter time each day? We do love Singapore, but I fully realize no one math program will be for everyone. :wink: Maybe something here could help your math time be shorter.

As far as spelling, my oldest ds had speech difficulties due to being premature. He had in-home speech therapy with a speech pathologist for 2+ years. Needless to say, spelling didn't come easy for him at the start. I did double duty too, thinking if I did the HOD plans and added a spelling program too, this would help him make double the progress. That didn't happen. I finally took the plunge and just did the CM things planned in the HOD guide. His spelling has grown by leaps and bounds ever since, and his standardized test scores have steadily improved, so that he's 2 grade levels above his grade level in spelling now. As you consider dictation, here are some posts that give more insight:
Carrie explains CM Dictation:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5661
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5186
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=925

In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

Kathleen
Posts: 1980
Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:23 pm
Location: NE Kansas

Re: Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by Kathleen » Thu Aug 19, 2010 10:23 pm

my3sons wrote:I had to come to (for me), that more is not always better, as I became more and more "crabby mama" as my day wore on and I watched the time dwindle away. The stress level shot through the roof, and I was rushing the kiddos through all my special-specials I'd wanted to do, and no one was enjoying that. This is a character flaw of mine, that I know very well many others blessedly do not possess. But, I just wanted to share that this former "crabby mama" is a very "happy mama" now (though crabby mama can still surface at times - and then prayer is needed) :wink: . I know I'm happier because Christ is in our entire day with HOD which makes me work hard on having a more Christlike attitude. I'm also happier because I am not spending extra time planning and prepping extra things/substitutions, which means we finish on time every day too. Everyone is happier that way - dc included. :wink:
This is ME!! 100%

Being able to use HOD as-is and have everything covered so well, has been a HUGE blessing to me for this very reason. Crabby-mama move over to make room for Happy-mama! :D And, I totally agree, Julie that having MY focus of the Lord throughout the school day and realizing that He can use me to minister to my kids has done wonders for my attitue about our days. But, I can slip so easily when I let too many good things crowd our time. I just don't do well with that. Whether that's "school" things or just other activities. I have to stop and think (either before or after... :roll: ) that if I say "yes" to this good thing...what am I saying "no" to. And, if it's my ability to be pleasant with my kids rather than stressed & snippy - it is NOT a good choice even though it's a "good thing"!!! :shock:

Praying for you as you work on your schedule, tbarr12! It is hard sometimes to make these kind of decisions. :? But, if you're anything like me, cutting something "good" is worth the peace that it can bring to your day!
:D Kathleen
Homeschooling mom to 6:
Grant - 19 Kansas State University
Allison - 15 World Geography
Garret - 13 Res2Ref
Asa - 8 Bigger
Quinn - 7 Bigger

Halle - 4 LHTH

Carrie
Site Admin
Posts: 8128
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:39 pm

Re: Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by Carrie » Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:55 pm

tbarr12,

One thing I noticed in your schedule is that you have yourself scheduled to do science with your older two and then do DITHR with your older two after that. Since science in CTC is independent, your kiddos can do that on their own. Rather than waiting for them to finish science, so you can work with them on DITHR, you could swap science and DITHR to get your teaching time for DITHR done earlier. Then, your kiddos can finish science last on their own without your help. :D

Another thing you could do (since you have it scheduled for all anyway) is to move the Storytime and narration to during lunch. We've found that when our kiddos' mouths are full, they are quiet, and their minds are open. :wink: The year this didn't work well was when we had a LOUD two or three year old. Then, you could have your kiddos narrate after the reading. The only downside to this is that you (the reader) will have to either eat earlier or later. :D I found I was alright with this in order to finish earlier in the day!

If you did move your Storytime to lunch, then you could put your Geography/Bible Study in that time slot in the morning. This would also shorten up your afternoon. :D

One last thing I didn't notice time for on your schedule is the history project. You could put that last after science (if you moved science after DITHR and moved Geography/Bible as I mentioned above). I always put science and history project later in the day if possible, because the kiddos can finish them on their own and they require almost no help from me! Gotta love that! :D

Just a few thoughts!

Blessings,
Carrie

tbarr12
Posts: 162
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 10:01 am

Re: Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by tbarr12 » Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:23 pm

Those suggestions are very helpful - thanks. Anything that would help me get done earlier in the day is appealing! I am going to look at my schedule and see about making those changes. That makes me feel like there's hope for us to not have such long days. Thanks again.
Tracey, married to Steve for 13 years
DD 12 - CTC, R&S Math, R&S Grammar 5
DS 10 - Preparing, R&S Math, R&S Grammar 4
DD 7yo - Beyond, R&S Math

Carrie
Site Admin
Posts: 8128
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:39 pm

Re: Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by Carrie » Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:36 pm

I hope my suggestions made sense! If not, just let me know, and I'll do my best to rephrase. Happy scheduling! :D

Blessings,
Carrie

Kathleen
Posts: 1980
Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:23 pm
Location: NE Kansas

Re: Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by Kathleen » Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:47 pm

I can share what we're doing, too - if that helps you at all. :D I'm using CTC, LHFHG, and LHTH this year.

My oldest plays piano & violin. (I teach the piano, and Grandma teaches violin - so we don't have to travel or pay for lessons! Only way it could get done, but it does take a lot of practice time.) He's been used to getting up and doing these 1st thing in the morning the last couple of years. This year, I decided to have him start with piano and then move on to his Bible Quiet time and put violin in the afternoon. It's going well!! :D

7:30 - Grant Quiet Time (CTC)
8:00 - Family Breakfast w/ Family Devos with Dad
8:30 - DITHOR (I start Grant with the lesson & listening to him read a little)
- Allison Math & Fine Motor Skills (LHFHG)
9:00 - Grant Dictation & Math (I do dictation and the math lesson & leave him to finish)
9:20 - LHTH with Garret
- Allison practices emerging reader
9:50 - Listen to Allison read
10:10 - Allison & Garret have a snack & watch a video for 30 min.
- Storytime with Grant (with snack)
- Geography/Genesis Study with Grant
10:50 - Grammar or WWTB with Grant
11:15 - LHFHG with Allison (left page + storytime)
- Grant works on Poetry, Independent History, or History Project/Written Narration in whatever order he chooses
12:00 - Piano & Violin with Allison
- Grant Science
Then we have lunch at about 12:45 or 1:00 - and we're DONE! :D Grant still practices his violin in the afternoon sometime when Garret (and mom! :wink: ) is taking a nap. They usually all play outside for at least an hour after lunch - before nap time.

:D Kathleen
Homeschooling mom to 6:
Grant - 19 Kansas State University
Allison - 15 World Geography
Garret - 13 Res2Ref
Asa - 8 Bigger
Quinn - 7 Bigger

Halle - 4 LHTH

Alison in KY
Posts: 181
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:00 pm

Re: Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by Alison in KY » Sat Aug 21, 2010 8:40 pm

I feel your pain :cry: , and I don't want to be a discouragement, but realistically, my first week with CTC went really long. However, my son is highly distractable and not very independent, so I had to help him along and keep him on target a lot. I am using CTC, but not giving up my MUS...I just set a timer for 30 minutes and try to stick with it. I'm guilty though of going longer, because I really expect ds to get done a page a day in MUS...and his daydreaming keeps him from being on time...so we might be closer to 40 minutes or more here (correcting missed problems, etc). I am putting our AAS on the shelf for now and trying the CTC dictation, at the easiest level in the book. Time will tell, so far he's just completed the first dictation lesson, after having made mistakes on his first two tries. FYI, I also skipped the painting and science experiment this week. I had planned on doing them on Friday, but I didn't get started until Tuesday, which left me without an extra day to get these done. I started between 08:30 and 9:00 and wrapped up on the latest day at 4:00. This included lunchtime. My only other add in's are piano, typing, and doing MUS facts online. I do not use DITHOR, but during that time frame I've inserted Reading Detective. I plan on doing catch up work on Friday's. I already believe I will hold off on painting each day and see if we can do it on Friday, but it might be too much to get done that day.

I will say that I felt like a lot was accomplished this week. I don't know if I can keep up this pace, but I also am hopeful that things will settle down some, as they usually do when I'm trying something new. I am also very comfortable with omitting some things if I see that I'm struggling with getting everything done on my time frame. I'd rather not wind up hating a program because I feel like I have to do every little thing...so instead I'll just happily omit to keep my days shorter (if need be).

As I said, I'm not trying to discourage you at all. I'm hoping that you'll feel better about your plans and know that you do have wiggle room within the program...room to cover things on Friday's....or even have permission to skip something if you're feeling behind and it's stressing you out. This program has a lot going on, and in the end, if I get my basics done (3 R's), then I'm feeling pretty successful.

Hope this helps.

Alison

tbarr12
Posts: 162
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 10:01 am

Re: Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by tbarr12 » Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:24 pm

Alison - your reply is not discouraging to me at all - only very realistic. I do expect a little longer days at the beginning of doing CTC and LHFHG together. We did 1/2 day Friday, and will do another 1/2 day Monday, then off on tuesday (due to going to a concert Mon. night which will run very late in another city), then 3 full days W-F. I have decided no play dates this week - I just want to focus on school, and a couple other extracurricular events we have. I am glad I could take the 1st couple days to get off to a gradual start - for myself and them. I think Carrie's suggestions for adjustments on my schedule were also good, and I'm going to try to implement those.

After Labor Day, we will be in a co-op Monday afternoons. I may make my school days Tues-Fri, and use my Monday mornings for catch-up from the previous week. We also just moved 13 days ago (not to a new city, just new house), but we are still going through big adjustments and settling in, so I am looking at the next couple months with a little more flexibility than I usually do.

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions - I know it will all smooth out as time goes by, but the wisdom from others is so helpful!
Tracey, married to Steve for 13 years
DD 12 - CTC, R&S Math, R&S Grammar 5
DS 10 - Preparing, R&S Math, R&S Grammar 4
DD 7yo - Beyond, R&S Math

Alison in KY
Posts: 181
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:00 pm

Re: Can I REALLY get all this done?

Post by Alison in KY » Mon Aug 23, 2010 6:10 am

Well I'm glad I didn't run you off. Your story just sounded fairly similiar because you also use MUS and AAS, and I forgot to mention it, but I also have a 9 and 7 year old I'm schooling...and juggling.

Maybe you could just take it easy and do half days for awhile until you get your house in order. If it were me, I'd still count it as a whole day of school and stick to math everyday, but just take the left side one day, then the right side the next. That along with putting your house in order and having your kids helping out, plus your out of house committments, will keep you plenty busy.

HTH,

Alison

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