I am schooling five ranging from K through 10th grade, and have a busy toddler and a pre-schooler as well. As much as I try, a structured schedule does not work well here. I prepare checklists for everyone. They know they have to do one grammar lesson, practice piano, math, etc. every day. I line them all up around the table in the morning and work my way around helping them, teaching math, etc. If it is not their turn with me, they had better be doing something else on their list, even if it is simply reading an assigned book until it is their turn for help. We do read alouds when we need a break from seatwork. I do intensive help for the older ones while the baby naps. They always should have something they can do on their own, even if it is just drilling each other on flashcards or finishing up something we have already gone over together. We often have interuptions from the little ones. Sometimes one hard worker will get a break to go play with the babies--they love that. Many days, we finish by 3 or 4, but other days five o'clock comes and we are still not finished. If we aren't done because of me, I can call a halt. Anything they had the resources given to finish, they are still responsible for (like homework from school would be given). I try to plan four days a week or four and a half. The fifth day is usually spent wrapping up everything we didn't finish the other four days. I've learned not to stress about what doesn't get done, but we do our best. Best wishes to you! Our simple subject 180-day checklist from DonnaYoung.org has been our lifesaver at seeing who still has to do what at our house.

I love using real books for first readers. Dr. Suess's Hop on Pop, or The Cat in the Hat, and Green Eggs and Ham. You get the idea. Of course, I do use Spalding's The Writing Road to Reading to teach the phonograms first. That way, they learn all the sounds each letter makes as opposed to just short vowels, then long, etc. I believe that makes a big difference in the ability to pick up early readers and succeed with them. When they come across something they can't figure out, just explain the rule (T and H together say "th") as you go and they will catch on quickly. I'd browse the library or look for book lists included with whatever reading program you are using. As a side not, McGuffy's primer is very simple for early readers, and my children enjoyed the old-fashioned stories.

I'd also suggest Spalding.