I have hs'ed for 18 years. Now done. My oldest dd hs's, but also works part time. To help her out, I have begun helping her by having my 2 grandchildren here about 2 hours a day. I have always been intrigued by TOG, but just was not able to implement it before our hs'ing years were over. Now I feel like I might have a chance to use it -- with my grandchildren! I am a little concerned about the planning and guess I am just seeking some encouragement.

The grands will be 10 (girl) and 12 (boy) next year. They are only 18 months apart and I think they would both be at Upper Grammar Level. If dd kept on teaching them math and grammar, do you think I could handle TOG in about 2 hours a day? Who would do science is on the fence.

Thanks for any insight.

Sharon, NE

Oh, and just to clarify -- when they are here those 2 hours we are hs'ing. I am currently doing Bible, IEW, spelling, fine arts, a read-aloud, and some lapbooking with them during that time.

Sharon, NE

Hi Sharon,
It would depend on how much you assign. All Year-Plans include church history (Years 2-4) or Bible (Year 1), and writing. The writing could take the place of IEW if you choose to. We have vocabulary words that you *could* use for spelling words, although there are no worksheets or activities for them, nor are they arranged in phonetic groupings. Tapestry includes fine arts as well, including hands-on projects. Redesigned Years 2 and 3 include read-alouds, and the second printing of Year 1, units 3 and 4 include them as well. We have lapbooks that go along with the subject material.

So...if these subjects in TOG take the place of what you are doing now, and you add in history about three days a week, and literature two days a week, I believe it can be done. Even in that though, you'll want to always remember to pick and choose assignments so as not to overwhelm your students or yourself.

What a blessing that you help homeschool your grandchildren!

Dear Dana,

Thanks for your input. We (oldest dd and myself) talked this over last night and made it official -- we will be ordering TOG 2 and starting next year! I am really excited. I've used SL before, so do know about picking and choosing. I'm excited to see that TOG 2 and 3 schedules read-alouds. That is my favorite part of homeschool.

btw, where do you live in TN? My 2nd oldest dd and her family (dh and 2 dd's ages 2 months and 16 months) live in Pleasant View, between Clarksville and Nashville. Unfortunately, I live too far away to be involved when they start to hs.

Sharon, NE

Congrats Sharon!
I'm sure you are such a blessing to your childen and grandchildren!

We live in Kingsport, which is in the northeast corner of the state. It takes me about 6 hours to get to Nashville.

Blessings,