How independent is Preparing??

[MistyP]

We used HOD for our first two years of homeschooling (LH & BLH) unfortunately then I had to go back to work full-time. We have 6 children, ages 9 to 2 old year old twins. My oldest 2 have done Teaching Textbooks for Math which has been working great. They have done Appologia Science pretty independently on their own as well along with ACE for their other subjects. They love to read and have done great on being fairly independent in their schoolwork.

My girls are smart. I feel that ACE isn't really a challenge for them. I know it is a better education than what they would get in public school and if we sent them to a private school around here it would probably end up ACE as well. I feel that they are getting a good education but need more of a challenge. The problem is I'm only home to work with them 2 school days. I don't want them frustrated with it.....

Not sure if I should leave "well-enough" alone until I can be home again (if that ever happens...) or not....

(I also have one finishing K & one starting K next year...)

[John'smom]

Have you looked at the sample week here? There are two boxes that are always Independent, 4 that are semi-independent. Of the 4 semi-independent one is Math, another is English/Reading/Spelling. Sounds like your kiddos already do those independently. The other semi-independent one is history project and most of the time, my kiddos complete it independently with a little help here and there. The 4th one is a rotating box and the student can do that mostly independent as well. The other 4 boxes are teacher. One of those is Reading about History and I've heard that some have had their dc read this. The other 3 boxes are storytime, poetry, and Bible. The total time on those are about 40 minutes altogether. The only time this would be longer on you teaching time wise would be on the day you have the creative writing in the language arts box. This is teacher directed so maybe 50 minutes of teaching time. Not sure how helpful all that was, but praying you have peace either way. Praying you can come home soon.

[my3sons]

John'smom did an awesome job of answering here already! A 9 yo could be quite independent with PHFHG, but what is the next aged child? Would it be possible for whomever is watching the dc to be able to do some of the teaching? I work part-time and have a 22 yo gal that was homeschooled herself teach the morning she is here. That works well on that day! On the other days, I am working from my home and have some teaching blocks scheduled and some independent blocks. This has worked well for us. Do you work from your home, or out of your home? Are you home some on the days you work? I'd be glad to help with ideas!

In Christ,
Julie

[julsoliveira]

Pretty I'd say. My son does Teaching textbooks, science,grammar,Dithor, and independent history study on his own, but I check the work. Instead of me reading aloud in history and storytime, I have him read it allowed to me, just because I know it helps him retain more that way. We do the history questions, geography, and sometimes the research and history project together. Or at least go over the directions together. It get progressively more independent as the guide goes along. I'm really confident that he'll be working almost completely independent next year in ctc!

[MistyP]

Thanks for the replies.

I work full-time, 3 nights a week at the hospital. DH currently works from home and watches the kids while I sleep. We are hoping that I can cut back at work one of these days, It has been difficult on our family these past 2 years.

My oldest 2 will be 9 & 10 next year. They are the ones I am considering for Preparing. I'm haven;t convinced DH though.... I just love the living books!
I have all of LHFHG and Beyond in the basement I could use for DD #3 (7) and DD #4 (5) for 1st grade and K next year. We used them for the first two DDs

And then we have the twins.......I have TWO 2 year olds....enough said! Love them and they bring so much joy to our home but must be CONSTANTLY monitored

We'll be praying about it and considering what to do....
Here's where we first started viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4945