We as a family are trying to decide between doing TOG or Classical Conversations (CC). I have several friends who do CC and they love it. I like TOG, what I know about it! Anyway, does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on these two homeschooling options? Thanks for your input!

I don't know what ages your children are, so it may be different for you (mine are 8,5,3,1)...but we actually do BOTH. This is my first year doing TOG (Yr 1), but my third year doing CC. TOG goes much more in depth into history (cultures, beliefs, etc) than CC. Mostly because CC has 24 weeks to cover their material and the cycles are not always completely focused on a time period. For example, this year, CC is doing Cycle 1 and you study some ancient, but mostly world religions and governments. The history sentences even go through some of recent history. So, the cycles are not the strict four year cycle that you get through TOG. I enjoy CC for the ages of my children because it provides great accountability in memory work, it provides an opportunity to get together with other families, and they do science and fine art too (although you only get a half hour devoted to fine art and half hour devoted to science each week...so again, it isn't too in depth). I like TOG for the depth, the hands on ideas, and the focus on God's hand in history. I know some people use CC as their sole history curriculum, but I like being able to add more depth for the kids and point things back to God (without having to come up with it on my own).

If I had to choose? Hmmmm...I would choose TOG but try to do it with others (TOG has such great co-op suggestions) and incorporate memory work. That would probably be my ideal at this point. Perhaps there are veteran TOG users that could give better insight.

For what it is worth- I am new to homeschooling and am using TOG for the first year for my 2nd grader. I signed up for CC as well and after 2 weeks withdrew. I joined it for a variety of reasons and did not find that it fit our needs. TOG does and then some!
1) group support- there but I didn't have the energy to invest with everything else going on.
2) Re-enforce TOG information. While it certainly overlaps the cost/ benefit ratio for us didn't make it worth it.
3) Something for my four-year-old boy to absorb with TOG stuff- ummmm... ya, four-year-old boy--need I say more?

Blessings- the Lord will guide you.