Hi all! I'm so excited to start TOG DE. I have kids in 1st grade, Pre-K and a toddler and am preg w/ #4 due in January. That said, I'm going SLOW and somewhat superficial this year w/ TOG and our school year won't start until a few wks from now.

I plan to buy Y1 DE in the next week. Wondering, you experienced TOG'ers - what's the simplest way to dive in? I'm thinking I should buy the books that go w/ all subjects just for Unit 1 first, then when Unit 2 comes, I'll buy those books at that time, etc.

My plan is to read over the material for whatever week we're going to be on, a couple wks before so I know what I'm teaching; pick out 1-2 activities, read lots of books on the material w/ the kids, etc., but not worry too much about in-depth details at this point. I plan to continue on w/ this curric. for the long haul, so I know this first full year especially will really just be learning to read/use the curric. along w/ my young children.

Thanks for humoring another newbie who's so excited for TOG but who needs a little direction & encouragement as to how to start.

Blessings.

Hi jett,

I relate well with you! We started last year w/Y1 and I have a 1st grader, preschooler, and toddler. Your plan sounds pretty good to me. Last year was like the practice run for us. I realized that I personally overscheduled (I can sometimes be a perfectionist), and I struggled in the craft department especially. (I'm not crafty-which seems to be odd in the homeschooling community). This year you will probably figure out your own areas that need to be tweaked for next year.

The main thing I would suggest though is planning ahead a little more with baby coming. I had my little guy in June 08, and so he was about 3 mos. old when I started the new school year. I planned up through Christmas, I think, before he was even born. But I'm a big planner. I just think its hard to get through the day sometimes or catch up, especially with sickness in the winter time and all the appointments that go along with a new baby.

Just take it slow like you said, and remember they're only little yet! Don't push yourself too hard. I'm sure you know that they absorb more than we often realize. Besides, if you stick with TOG, you'll come back to it again when you have a fifth grader, a third grader, and another first grader?? and preschooler?- something like that. Your third and fifth grader will really be able to add onto that foundation quite a bit, and you'll probably be that much more prepared for your younger two then.

Good luck and don't forget to have fun with it!