When I decided to teach DS and DD together (13 months apart), I didn't take in the account that I would someday need to buy two of every book I plan to use. When I started it was okay he have his and she have hers because they are at different levels but I am using a prgram that combines them and as I look down the road to 8th (still unsure of high school, find out what happens with the oldest) they will be using the same history/science and possibly math and English. DH has said if having two of the same book or even 3 so I have one he is okay with it. I dont need three since I sit between them and they take turns or I read so it can be done faster (some days mama just has to read). Anyone else have two at the same level and you get 2 books so each has one? Next year I am using Preparing Hearts For His Glory with them and already have one complete set wonder if a second set of the books might be needed. Time is coming to start buying used and I could get them or the whole set for cheap.
I don't really see the issue unless you plan to continue reading aloud when they're older. At this point, you can read to them, but when they're old enough to read alone, they can read the text on their own time and discuss it with you together. For now, you can read it yourself or read it to them and then teach/discuss it afterwards. I wouldn't buy two books unless they're consumables.
I have this issue with my 10 and 12 year olds. We use My Father's World and it has them reading the same things which is fine. I have mixed it up a bit so that they are doing the same thing on different days. I use a planner with a column for each child and I look at the teacher's manual for each weeks and list what each child will do each day in each time slot, thereby staggering them so they do not need the same books at the same time. We do the same work with each child but not at the same time and reading is done independently for the most part.
We have 5 kids and they are close together, so we had the same problem. Sometimes I bought 2 of the same book (looked for a bargain, used book). You can always resell it. Other times the plan was to alternate subjects in the day. You could even alternated days and one child does 2 lessons in that book on every other day. Jody
We use the same History text for the older two. I buy ONE Textbook, and they share it. period. I do buy them each workbooks if it goes with something that they're using. Sometimes we do history together, and sometimes we don't. If one is working on it, and the other wants to, oh well, they have to do another subject until the one who's using it is finished. They also read the same historical fiction, same thing goes. I do NOT buy two. It teaches them to share! LOL
I use MFW and don't have a problem at all. I actually do all the science, history, Bible, vocabulary and art together--with me teaching it. DD14 does Apologia science on her own. The oldest two do the same required reading for literature, but they just read at different times. If I can find a free Kindle version, I will download it for a second copy. For those things that each individual needs a book, I'd just schedule them at different times.
Just a couple of weeks ago, both of my boys were reading Kingdom Keepers I. The way I have our schedule set up, is math and silent reading are done during the same hour. Math is done solely on the computer and so only one child can do math at a time. So while that child is doing math, the other one is reading, and then they switch. We don't use history or science books - just the library and internet and field trips to the actual places we're learning about, if possible, so that's not a problem either. But if we did just use one textbook for two kids, I would alternate just like I do with math and silent reading. Why pay for two books if you don't have to. I am cheap. LOL
For all read-alouds I buy 3 copies of every book so that DD, DS, and I can all follow along while the designated reader reads aloud. This includes Bible, literature, and historical fiction. None of these are textbooks, but usually paperback books that I pick up very inexpensively. That's the only time I purchase multiple copies. Actually, those are the only subjects they do together!
I only buy one book of the ones they share. I usually either read the book and then discuss together, or they take turns. I had a consumable spelling book that I was having them share by writing the exercises on other paper, but it ended up being a hassle. If I ever have them doing the same workbooks again, I'll buy two, but I don't think I would ever buy two text/reading books when they can alternate.
I hate trying to juggle with one shared book. We are using Sonlight so my kids share the readers. I check one out at the library whenever I can. Otherwise they just have to read it at different times, but it's just one more issue they have that they can fight over. They shared the Apologia Science text, but each had their own notebook. That wasn't horrible, but at times it was a pain. If you have the money, I'd buy two of the same book and just sell them when you are done. To me, it would be worth it!
