It feels "choppy"

It sounds like you are doing enough with your K student.  

I think for the rest with it feeling choppy – I suspect a lot of that is just because you need to be pulled in a lot of directions at this stage.  I assume it is the 3rd grader and 5th grader (and maybe the preschooler?) that has special needs?

btw – I have a “4th grader”, a “1st or 2nd grader”, a K4, and a toddler – and I feel pulled in all directions / choppy too!  btw – I find it the worst at the start of a new school year (like today was for us) – we do sort of get a routine or flow going eventually…

Yes, our day feels choppy as well.  I have come to the realization that, for now, that’s just the way it is.  I do think it will be better once all my kids are of the age to wait patiently, to work independently, and to interact on the same level for group discussion.  My kids are 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11.  I am always up hopping around to the next kid, moving from subject to subject, etc.  It does sound like you are doing enough with your K’er.  As far as changing curricula, I would say don’t do it unless you HAVE TO.  That is a real trap that you can get sucked into.  Stick it out, unless you just know something’s not working for you.  I don’t think any other curriculum will make your day less choppy.

When I read about these wonderfully flowing and lovely school days that people have, I generally find that they only have one or two kids, which makes it much easier.  I homeschooled my oldest for 6 years before any other kids came along.  I know from experience that it is quite different to homeschool one than it is to homeschool several who are on different levels.

Like Suzukimom said, things do seem to develop their own flow and rhythym eventually.  

One thing I did a couple of years ago that really helped us have a smoother day was to hang a board on the wall and write all the kids assignments for the day on that every morning.  This way, they know what to go work on if they’re having to wait for me.  I know at a glance what’s coming up and who needs to do what.  I’m not exactly sure why, but having that board made a huge difference for us.

Choppy, what a great word!  Our day is very much like that, and I breathe after school is done:)  I have an 8, 7, 5.5, 4, 3, and baby on the way, so there are many minutes times jumping from one child to the other once our family subjects are done.  I agree with the post above about giving kids their schedule, it feels less choppy if they can move on to something else while waiting for me to finish math with the other one.  They have their own school totes, with a binder with their daily schedule on it (not in detail, just Mon: math, copywork, read to mom, etc).  They know to move on if they are waiting for a check, or they can always read or read to a little sibling.  I also have learned to make sure they do math at separate times otherwise I am frazzled trying to go back and forth with them.  It’s definitely a season of life, and because you have more than 1 or 2 kiddos. 

I also get a lot of reading done during meals, I eat while making theirs and then read while they are eating.  We do Bible during breakfast, then our read-alouds at lunch.  They really enjoy it and I get lots of reading in!   I think you are doing plenty for your one in kindergarden.   

That’s great advice LDImom: Breathe. Pray. Hope. Repeat.