Now What is Realistic?

If anyone else wants to share their proposed academic schedules for the next year I would love to take a look. Last night I sat down and made our list for the fall and then tried to break it down between the days and I just don't know how realistic I am being.

Call this my pre 'school' stress for the year or whatever. I know what I would like to do this next year, but am now trying to think it terms of what is realistic to try. Mary is 7 1/2, just starting to click on reading and HATES to write. Katie will be 5 in September, likes to do school (on her terms), beginning reader and writer. Emily is 2 1/2 and alternates between having to be involved and total disinterest. Robbie will be 10 mos in a couple of days and most likely will be walking in the next month to six weeks. And, once he is walking will be into twice as much as he is into now.

My focus is to still give the girls a strong foundation for later learning, while introducing them to the joy of learning. I've decided on an ecclectic-Charlotte Mason-flaired style this year. I'm thinking it will be much easier to blend Mary and Katie during the day. Although Katie being only 5, I'm going to be much more relaxed about her participation.

So here is my plan, so far:

Mary

Math - Horizons Gr. 2, finish Book 2 this fall. Re-asses in December whether to continue to Gr.3 or move to MUS Gamma (4 days/week + 1 day of math games/'facts' review)
Science - Chemistry Pre-Level 1, various Chemistry texts through library (2 days + 1 day of lab)
Reading - Ginn Reader (older ones my mom used in her 2nd grade classroom 20+ yrs ago) plus extra readers where appropriate. (5 days/week)
Phonics - HOP and various worksheets and games (2 days/week) will switch to grammer after Christmas
Writing - Story starters and other various writing activities (2 days/week)
Latin - Prima Latina (4 days/week)
Nature Study - a la CM (min 1 day/week - but always much more)
Literature - Ambleside Level 1 Reading List (5 days/week) I will be reading aloud and Mary will be giving narrations.
History - Ambleside/SOTW 1 - We are going to spend the fall concentrating on Ancient Romans and the Roman Empire (2 days/week)
Geography - We are going to 'visit' a different country every three weeks. We will do activities throughout the week(s) - food, books, crafts. This is a very relaxed 'unit' study (1 day/week for planning and map activities)
Art/Music - Monthly artist and composer study. Mary will also be taking piano lessons.
(piano - 1 day lesson, 4 day practice; Art Study 1 day/week and Music Appreciation 1 day/week)
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Katie

Math - Various Math/Number Worksheets and Kumon Numbers 1-120. When she finishes the Kumon Book will start Horizons K, book 1. (4 days/week)
Reading - "Dick & Jane" Pre-primers (5 days/week)
Phonics - HOP, worksheets and games (4 days/week)
Readiness Activities - flashcards, worksheets and games (3 days/week)
Writing - Various workbooks and activities (min 2 days/week)
Science - "Among the Forest People" and "Among the Meadow People" by Clara Dillingham Pierson (3 days/week)
Nature Study - a la CM (as a family) (1 day/week)
Literature - Along with Mary, also various nursery rhymes and fables (5 days/week)
Art & Music - with Mary (2 days/week)

It seems like so much. Yet, I have to keep reminding myself that each activity is only 10-20 minutes. Mary ends up with 8 things on her daily 'to do' list, which she says is too much. Is it too much? I don't expect much in the way of independent work - various worksheets and completing her math each day. It breaks down as such (in my mind):

Monday

Nature Study/Walk (all)

Math (M/K)

Latin (M)

Phonics (M/K)

Readiness Act (K)

Reading (M/K)

Literature (M/K)

Science (M/K)

Piano Practice (M)

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Tuesday

Literature (M/K)

Math (M/K)

Latin (M)

Writing (M/K)

Phonics (K)

Reading (M/K)

History (M)

Art Appreciation (M/K)

Piano Practice (M)

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Wednesday

Literature (M/K)

Math Games (M/K)

Latin (M)

Phonics (M/K)

Readiness (K)

Reading (M/K)

Science (M/K)

Music Appreciation (M/K)

Piano Practice (M)

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Thursday

Literature (M/K)

Math (M/K)

Reading (M/K)

Latin (M)

Phonics (K)

Writing (M/K)

History (M)

Piano Lesson (M)
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Friday

Literature (M/K)

Math (M/K)

Reading (M/K)

Geography (M/K?)

Science Lab/Activity (M/K)

I could drop Latin for another year, but Mary really wants to do Latin. It was one of the things she asked for this year. Everything else is pretty much a 'basic' for us. If anything falls by the wayside it will probably be Art/Music Appreciation. But those are only one day each during the week and I plan on having 'fun' activities for the girls (painting, cutting, gluing).

If you have any ideas or suggestions shoot away.

Peace,

Amy