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Moms of large families, could you *please* look at my schedule?


Mommy7
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Wow. It has finally happened. All 6 of my dc are school age. Now to figure out how to juggle it all without burnout and total exhaustion. :D I love what I do with a passion, but I do have my limits. :tongue_smilie:

 

I was wondering if you moms schooling a lot of dc would mind looking at my schedule to see if you see anything that could be done differently to ease my teaching load. Now, *obviously* my day will always be full, schooling that many. But, if I could ease it a little, it would be nice.

 

I am possibly considering an online class or two for my (then) 8th grader. But, I have read some posts that make me a little concerned about whether that would really be a blessing or not. ;)

 

As far as actual curriculum used, I am very happy with everything we are using. This school year, I made a lot of changes...all for the better, so I don't want to change much, if anything. The only possible change that I could see would be spelling. AAS is a great program, but it is teacher intensive...we all know that. That is the only area I would consider changing. (but, please feel free to suggest something if it really stands out in your mind!)

 

Here is my teaching schedule for this year:

 

8:30-9:00 Phonics w/ ds 5 and ds 6

9:00-10:30 MUS for 5 different levels

10:30-11:15 FLL & WWE for dd 8 and dd 10

11:15-12:00 R&S and WWE w/ ds 11

 

12:00-12:30 Lunch Break

 

12:30-1:05 AAS w/ 3 dc

1:05-1:30 Shurley English w/ 13 yo

1:30-1:45 AAS w/ 13 yo (remedial work)

1:45-2:00 LL w/ 3 dc

2:00-2:30 IEW SWI-B w/ 13 yo

2:30-3:15 MFW History and Science (w/ 4 oldest)

3:15-3:30 Snack

3:30-4:00 Oral Reading to me (dd 8 yo and dd 10 yo)

4:00-4:45 Check independent work

4:45-5:15 Go over independent work with each child

 

All of thee above happens exactly as scheduled on a perfect day. But, we know how many of those we have in life. ;) Many times, I am running behind due to interruptions, etc, so *my* school day goes until 6:00 or 6:15 sometimes.

 

Next Year:

 

*I'll need to add time for oral reading for boys.

*I would like to have the time to do SWI-A with 3 of my dc.

*I need time to watch my dd's FF Latin DVD with her (unless we go online)

*I need time to watch TWSS also.

 

So, any ideas? Do you see anything I could do a little differently?

 

Thank you so much if you have taken the time to read this whole *long* post!!!! :001_smile:

Edited by Mommy7
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If you did what the PP said and have the older students work independently on their math that would gain you some time. I sit with my kids during the video only if they don't understand it the first time. They do their sheets independently, then I correct it when they come to work with me one on one. If there's things to be fixed we do it then, if not they are done with math. This could gain you lots of time. Even my 6 y/o does this (although he's quite mathy...)

 

Also... if you did drop AAS you could gain 45 min. there. Maybe you want to take a look at something simpler such as Spelling Workout? Or... you could take the youngers down to 15 min./day gaining you just a bit of time. You'd just move at a slower pace.

Edited by robsiew
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How remedial is your 13 yo's AAS? Is it possible for them to teach the 3 youngers their AAS lesson? This could work as a great review for your older. You could sit nearby and review any independent work that has been done at that point and intercede if need be...

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Oh, I am so grateful to have some replies!

 

Actually, with MUS, that is how we do it. I watch the video of the new lesson with them, teach a little if need be, and then watch them work on their new lesson to make sure they have it. Then, they are off to do it independently and I grade it later.

 

The hard *and* good thing about it is that they are moving through it so quickly! My oldest is going through Epsilon just to strengthen her fractions skills, so she is currently doing almost a lesson a day! (and with total understanding and mastery) One of my daughters is working through Beta to make sure she has mastered it before moving on to Gamma. She moves quickly also, for the most part. So, they aren't at what I would call a "normal" pace. Some days it has my tongue hanging out when I have *3* or more that need to watch a new lesson, etc.!!! :tongue_smilie: 3 of them are at a normal pace, though, so that is good. I do my two youngest boys together and so that saves some time. But, they're in Primer, so that is time consuming in a different way. They still trace some numbers, but that is getting better.

 

AAS is great, but it is time consuming. I can't figure out what spelling to do other than that, though. Any ideas?

 

Any other thoughts? Thanks so much! :001_smile:

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Hi Mommy7,

I've got 7 dc, but two will be in college next year. I have made a schedule before that looked as tight as yours. IMHO, you really need some more margin. Here are some thoughts. I have used most of the curriculum you've listed, so I have an idea of how your day goes. My 5 at home are ages 6-15.

 

MUS- I try to stagger my video/teaching days. If you could have 1/2 of the kids on the review (E,F,G) sheets and 1/2 on the new (A,B,C) sheets, you should not need to spend such a large chunk of time on math. They should be pretty independent by the time they are doing the review sheets.

 

FLL/ WWE - you really only have to do FLL three days a week to complete it in a school year. Could you Do FLL on Mon,Tues, Thurs? Do WWE day 1 on Tues, give them the day 2 copywork sheet on Wed. and then do days 3 &4 together on Friday? This gives you a break on Wednesday. You just give them their copywork page and catch up. I haven't used WWE 3 or 4, so this may not apply to those years.

 

AAS - one day a week let the 13 yo drill the other three on phonogram cards, rule cards, and word cards. She can even give them review quizzes. This will be reinforcement for her, review for them, and give you a break. I wouldn't change from AAS. It's such a great program, and it takes so much time to "fix " spelling problems when they don't have a thorough program. It's also so easy to combine a few kids together.

 

Oral Reading- the little boys can read aloud to the 11yo. The 8 & 10yo can read aloud to the 13yo. Everyone can read aloud to Dad in the evening. You can make it an aim to listen to everyone twice a week.

 

IEW - you shouldn't need to teach IEW every day. Assign one day to dd13 and one day for the other 3. Use that time slot the other three days to work on writing, but you should be able to sit and grade independent work during some of that time. If you do IEW, I would not do WWE also. Do one or the other.

 

FF Latin - Memoria Press online classes saved me. We were in the Beta class for Henle, but I'm sure it's only gotten better. I would encourage you to do this and get one monkey off your back.

 

Seriously, think about cutting every subject down to four days. Rotate the days you teach things. The only subjects my kids do every day are Bible and Math.

 

Another tip, I have some computer games to help me keep the little ones busy. Math drills, Sammy Science House, DK's Human Body. Jumpstart 1st grade.

 

TWSS - I think you can get the picture if you watch the videos this summer. I think IEW is much easier to teach if you use one of the subject books like American History, or All Things Fun and Fascinating.

 

I'd be happy to "talk" through this with you. It's hard trying to figure out how to juggle it all when all of your friends IRL are only juggling 2 or 3.

 

Blessings,

Leanna

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I SWEAR we live the same life! I have been struggling with my schedule as well. I gave it to dh to look at, and he was no help whatsoever.:tongue_smilie:

 

I had the same thought as the others regarding MUS. Honestly I don't actually teach it at all (don't even watch the videos:blush: ) unless there is a problem. My kids (even my 1st grader) do it completely independently.

 

I really like the idea about the 13yo teaching the AAS! How remedial is he? I am using Megawords for my older 2. It's much more independent than AAS (which I use with my 9yo), although I do have to dictate things now and then.

 

Could you have the 8 and 10 yo's alternate days of reading aloud to you?

 

You have inspired me to post my schedule.:lol:

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Hi Mommy7,

I've got 7 dc, but two will be in college next year. I have made a schedule before that looked as tight as yours. IMHO, you really need some more margin. Here are some thoughts. I have used most of the curriculum you've listed, so I have an idea of how your day goes. My 5 at home are ages 6-15.

 

MUS- I try to stagger my video/teaching days. If you could have 1/2 of the kids on the review (E,F,G) sheets and 1/2 on the new (A,B,C) sheets, you should not need to spend such a large chunk of time on math. They should be pretty independent by the time they are doing the review sheets.

 

FLL/ WWE - you really only have to do FLL three days a week to complete it in a school year. Could you Do FLL on Mon,Tues, Thurs? Do WWE day 1 on Tues, give them the day 2 copywork sheet on Wed. and then do days 3 &4 together on Friday? This gives you a break on Wednesday. You just give them their copywork page and catch up. I haven't used WWE 3 or 4, so this may not apply to those years.

 

AAS - one day a week let the 13 yo drill the other three on phonogram cards, rule cards, and word cards. She can even give them review quizzes. This will be reinforcement for her, review for them, and give you a break. I wouldn't change from AAS. It's such a great program, and it takes so much time to "fix " spelling problems when they don't have a thorough program. It's also so easy to combine a few kids together.

 

Oral Reading- the little boys can read aloud to the 11yo. The 8 & 10yo can read aloud to the 13yo. Everyone can read aloud to Dad in the evening. You can make it an aim to listen to everyone twice a week.

 

IEW - you shouldn't need to teach IEW every day. Assign one day to dd13 and one day for the other 3. Use that time slot the other three days to work on writing, but you should be able to sit and grade independent work during some of that time. If you do IEW, I would not do WWE also. Do one or the other.

 

FF Latin - Memoria Press online classes saved me. We were in the Beta class for Henle, but I'm sure it's only gotten better. I would encourage you to do this and get one monkey off your back.

 

Seriously, think about cutting every subject down to four days. Rotate the days you teach things. The only subjects my kids do every day are Bible and Math.

 

Another tip, I have some computer games to help me keep the little ones busy. Math drills, Sammy Science House, DK's Human Body. Jumpstart 1st grade.

 

TWSS - I think you can get the picture if you watch the videos this summer. I think IEW is much easier to teach if you use one of the subject books like American History, or All Things Fun and Fascinating.

 

I'd be happy to "talk" through this with you. It's hard trying to figure out how to juggle it all when all of your friends IRL are only juggling 2 or 3.

 

Blessings,

Leanna

 

 

Excellent advice!

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I am schooling six this year too. I tend to work in blocks of time that follow the same basic routine, rather than a strict time schedule. I mostly select resources/curriculum that my older children can work on independently, while I work with the younger children. They work from a printed checklist of what must be done in their day so that they don't rely on me to start the next thing all the time. This works well for us.

 

Our routine of 'time blocks' basically goes like this:

 

Breakfast/Bible/Cleanup/Morning Chores

-Together time where we all do Calculadders, and some memory work, sometimes including copywork/dictation.

-I work with ds5 on Math, Phonics, and Handwriting while everyone works independently. Then he goes to play.

-I work with dd7 on her Spelling/Dictation, and check her independent work (also help anyone who needs help in this time).

Morning Tea Break

-Continue working one-on-one with those who need me for dictations etc. Go over independent work from earlier. Read with ds5, dd7 and have them read to me.

Lunch

-Together: History, Science, French, singing, (varies according to day).

-Free Reading time (also called quiet time in our house ;) ) I try to have my own rest and read time here.

After that is music pracs, play, cooking, etc etc. If some dc haven't finished own work they can do it now.

Dinner

If I haven't had a chance to hear younger kids read, I will sometimes do that after dinner while older kids clean up and youngers are cycling through the bath. One bathes, one reads etc ;)

 

I don't know if this really helps or not, but that's pretty much how I routine my days. For me, the major keys are curriculum that older kids can use independently, and their own checklist of what subjects to be done.

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Thank you so much for all the ideas, guys!

 

Razorbackmama, you made my day...I don't know if anyone has ever told me that I *inspired* them! :lol::lol::lol:

 

Leanna, thank you for that really detailed post....that was so very helpful! While this year a 4 day school week wouldn't work, I think it could next year. (except we will always do math 5 days) One thing that is very helpful is my dh does Bible teaching during devotions in am and pm.

 

This year, when I made all those changes, I had to start under grade level with some. So, I've been going doubletime with WWE for example. My dc have never done narration or copywork. (I just read WTM this summer) So, I am starting at the beginning, but going at a quicker pace to get them to a more appropriate level.

 

I am most definitely going to look at MP for Latin for my oldest next year. I'm glad to hear it is a good course. Does it require much of you?

 

So, you think IEW is actually easier to teach with the theme based books? Do you mean easier than the SWI's? If so, could you share why it is easier? Have you used SWI's before?

 

I do quite often use the time I have slotted for IEW just correcting independent work while my oldest is working on her IEW. That way, I am available for questions, but using my time efficiently also.

 

I really like the idea of my oldest helping with AAS one day as a review for them all! What a great idea!

 

With MFW, we have "history lite" on Fridays anyway, so I think that is the day I should watch the SICC DVD with my daughter next year. I could do it during the history slot.

 

Thank you for reminding me about FLL being 3 days a week. It took me a little bit at the beginning of the year to figure out which of the new things to use with my girls. So, now I'm doing it on a daily basis to finish on time. But, honestly I *forgot* it's a 3 day a week thing. That will help a lot next year!!!

 

I'm not sure about the oral reading part. I'm not sure if the olders would know how to direct them with breaking apart new words. Has that worked in your family?

 

As for MUS, hopefully we will soon be to a place where we can have a more regular schedule. My original plan was to stagger the video & teaching days...but, this year has been catch up in that area too. So, instead of a regular schedule, we are going full steam ahead with 3 of them, anyway. Four of my dc will have completed at least 2 levels this year! It was necessary, though. We have declared ourselves a MUS family...no more switching. (we also use LOF and TT)

 

Thank you so much, everyone.

 

If anyone else has any ideas, I am all ears!!!!

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Leanna, thank you for that really detailed post....

 

This year, when I made all those changes, I had to start under grade level with some. So, I've been going doubletime with WWE for example. My dc have never done narration or copywork. (I just read WTM this summer) So, I am starting at the beginning, but going at a quicker pace to get them to a more appropriate level. I have been in catch up mode with 2 of my dc due to dyslexia, so I know how you feel. I don't know if this will apply to you, but my sister pointed out that if I adjusted my thinking, and considered their grade change to be in January, they were both on track. Since they are both April and July birthdays, adjusting the grade change to January merely made them the same age that many of the fall/winter birthday children would be at the start of the school year. Mentally, this made a big difference for me.

 

I am most definitely going to look at MP for Latin for my oldest next year. I'm glad to hear it is a good course. Does it require much of you? I had very little to do with the course. My dd is pretty motivated, and she also loved getting on there to chat with other kids.

 

So, you think IEW is actually easier to teach with the theme based books? Do you mean easier than the SWI's? If so, could you share why it is easier? Have you used SWI's before? I think once you go through TWSS and understand the concepts, the theme based books are much easier to teach IEW. Theme based books provide models, lessons are planned for you, the book reminds you when to use resources like the adjective lists. The theme based books are open and go. They also come with a CD that allows you to print off adjective lists, banned word lists, strong verbs etc. for each student. These are huge time savers for me.

 

I do quite often use the time I have slotted for IEW just correcting independent work while my oldest is working on her IEW. That way, I am available for questions, but using my time efficiently also. My husband says multitasking is controlled by estrogen...that's why men don't think of it. ;)

 

I'm not sure about the oral reading part. I'm not sure if the olders would know how to direct them with breaking apart new words. Has that worked in your family? I realize this would only help if your older kids are strong readers, but even my dyslexic 10yo can correct my 6yo's reading from basic readers, and this is actually beneficial for him because he gets to see someone else slowly sounding out the words. Fitting oral reading time in is a challenge for me too. AAS has helped so much with decoding words, though. I think it helps that the older ones know how to break apart the words from AAS. Before we used AAS, I wasn't as effective with this, which is why I didn't suggest dropping AAS in my previous post.

 

As for MUS, Four of my dc will have completed at least 2 levels this year! It was necessary, though. We have declared ourselves a MUS family...no more switching. (we also use LOF and TT)Congratulations! You've done a lot a hard work!

 

Thank you so much, everyone.

 

If anyone else has any ideas, I am all ears!!!!

 

Blessings,

Leanna

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I just want to say that I so admire all your drive and stamina! I simply couldn't work from 8:30 to 5:15 on formal school work with my kids! I would burn out like crazy. I wish I was stronger and so organized! Wow!

 

I stand in awe!

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Oh, seriously now...please do not stand in awe of *me*! I do have my burnout times and that is why I posted this thread. I know my limitations, but thankfully there are *no* limits to the strength of God! He is my strength, my refuge, and my salvation. Apart from Him, I can do *nothing*!

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I SWEAR we live the same life! I have been struggling with my schedule as well. I gave it to dh to look at, and he was no help whatsoever.:tongue_smilie:

 

 

 

I love my DH dearly, but his input is usually something similar to 'You should do more (insert least favorite subject) with (strongest willed child)

 

Yeah. Thanks

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I love my DH dearly, but his input is usually something similar to 'You should do more (insert least favorite subject) with (strongest willed child)

 

Yeah. Thanks

 

Yes, after dh said, "So who is the problem? Who is throwing you off?" (Which meant, "How badly is the 12yo behaving to stress out your day?":tongue_smilie:) then he pointed out that I should include him on there for dishes and such. I'm like, "Dude, you're not here much." (I didn't say it that way LOL.)

 

Oh well it was worth a shot, and at the very least, if he even THOUGHT of ever thinking that I'm just sitting around on my hiney all day (which I know he doesn't), then this should prove that I'm most definitely not LOL.:lol:

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thank you so much for this thread! It's nice to know that I'm not the only one struggling with school work for so many hours out of the day. It also has helped reinforce my resolve to stick with AAS, and heightened my interest in IEW. We are looking to purchase some part of IEW for this next school year and I just can't decide which to work with, SWI or the themed books.

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