I'm not real big on rigid schedules, but I don't want to shortchange the kids if they really need the full allotted time and aren't getting it. My middle one has always hated writing anything...refused to do work in school many times...even just showing his work in math. This is the main reason we are homeschooling in the first place.

This is our first year homeschooling, and I am still reading TWTM first time through. I've peeked at the suggested schedule and laid it out based on my kids. If I follow their schedule, we will be doing school from 8:00 am to 3:30 or 4:00 pm. I don't think that is reasonable. Every homeschooler I've talked to says it takes less time, but this is a longer day than they ever had in public school. What is it like in reality? Do you set aside the time and, if they are done early, just move on? How does that work? If it helps, we are looking at the following for curriculum... 90-150m divided - Rod & Staff English/Spelling Workout/Wordly Wise 60m - Life of Fred 60m (MWF) - Story of the World 90m (TuTh) - Physics or Real Science 4 Kids/General Science (Apologia) 45m - Prima Latina 60m - Logic for ds11 and ds13/Music & Art (alternating MWF/TuTh for the same time slot) ??? - Civics/US Constitution for ds13 60m - Free reading time 20m - Family Devotional