time commitment for older children and combining

[brandie]

I am considering CW. I would love to do this program, but don't want to overload our schedule.

First, how flexible is the Primer? I have three boys, 3rd, 2nd and 1st, and two preschoolers. I would like to take writing and grammar seriously, but not at the expense of my littler ones.

So, my question is: How flexible it the primer? Could I put all three boys together? (They all read at grade level.) And would my oldest boy have a chance to catch himself up to his own grade level later?

Second question: Are the older grades just as teacher intensive as the younger grades? I still have two girls to eventually fold in, and I'm hoping at that point my older kids will be at least somewhat self-sufficient.

Thank you to anyone willing to help me out with this.

Brandie

[greengables]

Brandie,

I'm not 100% sure what you mean by flexible, but I assume you mean time-wise. There are only four days per week of work. You could pick and choose which parts of each lesson you do - if you were pressed for time, you might put off nature and art study until Friday of each week, for example.

And yes, you could work with your students together. Bear in mind that Primer is meant to be used after students have received basic phonics instruction, and alongside an ongoing phonics/spelling program as needed. So, you will need to decide whether your youngest son is ready for that.

As to having your 3rd grader "catch up", you might find after 12 weeks of Primer that he is ready to go on to Aesop A, or if he does all three Primers and you feel he is ready, you might put him directly into Aesop B.

Yes, they do get more independent! I am teaching Herodotus, Maxim, Aesop, and Primer to my kids, and we are doing fine with it all. So, be encouraged!

in grace,
Kathy