I just purchased TOG Year 2 Bundle and will be teaching 2 children, daughter 14/son 13-dialectic (grade 9 & 8). We have always done SL in previous years and just ended SL Core 6 (my son also mentioned that he is tired of reading about ancient Greece, and we did a lot of Egypt this year, hence why I purchased Y2). My son is a very tactile learner, needs a lot of support, completely dislikes writing, and has stuttering issues. He reads indpendently at a 7th grade level but prefers to listen to someone else read. My daughter likes to be independent, is a little weak in writing, and doesn't mind reading, in fact she reads quite a bit and is starting to like to discuss what she reads. I felt this was my year of decision, would I continue with SL cores (which I have several for HS years) or switch to TOG, which has always seemed to draw my attention. I was afraid if I didn't go with TOG this year my children would not have the benefit of going through each Y unit if I found it was a good fit for our family. So, I decided to give it a one-year trial. Currently, I am finishing my Masters Degree in Educational Technology which I graduate from in June. My oldest daughter (21) is married, my second daughter is graduating this June and going into college to be a librarian. I tutor English online in the mornings to China and am avidly seeking a full-time college teaching position- online- to supplement my husband's salary so that I may continue to HS through high school. Additionally, my mother has just recently been diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimers, and we've just moved into a new home so she could live with us. Although it has been a stressful and difficult transition, we are beginning to fall into a daily routine that suits my mother/family. My father passed away when I was 16 so I just couldn't put my mother in a nursing home. My husband is an R.N. and is very supportive. My children are involved in outside activities, Monday night Girl Scouts (daughter), Tuesday night Church Youth Group (both), Wednesday night (son: karate). I don't belong to a formal co-op but would like to get involved with a virtual one. I also teach the JR. High Sunday school class at our church. That said, I have several questions about TOG.

First, am I in way over my head with TOG, if so what is the best way to pare it down?

Second, should I start with TOG over the summer to lighten the load? How many weeks is each Year program? Typically, we've done formal schooling from September-end of June and fun learning activities over the summer, but this year we were behind because we lost a month in the move to our new home so I already feel "behind".

Third, do I have to buy myself binders and tabs or does the Y2bundle come with it?

Fourth, how much photocopying do I need to plan for?

Fifth, I noticed that some books do not seem available for purchase, yet they seem to be scheduled into the Y2. Where do I get the missing titles from? I'm a person that needs all the books/materials right there because I don't have time to run around and find them myself. Our local library has closed for renovations due to storm damage so taking a trip to the next nearest library is really too difficult at this time (over 1 hour away).

Sixth, I appreciate all of your input- bless you all.

Welcome--
First take a deep breath and realize that you are in control of how much you do or don't do. TOG supplies way too much to do it all- it does that so different learners are able to use the parts that best fits their families. I have used TOG for over 7 years now (graduated one!) and each time I use it I change depending on the children I am teaching.
Year 2 covers the most information.... so you'll be a pro after this year Each Year plan has 36 weeks.

I tell the people new to TOG to start with just the History Block and Literature Block then add in the rest slowly as you progress. So perhaps you might want to start with reading and discussing Lit and History- if you truly feel behind. But I know my kids don't do well if they don't get a "summer break" and I also need one.
My 14yod is also a listener- I try to get some books on tape for her. Or another thing I do is to have her read the UG or Dialectic book first and then go on to the R level- example from Year 1 is the simple summary of Aneid and then read the Anthology of Aneid. Or with Shakespeare read Lamb's tales and then the play.
Our co op this year has decided to slow down the pace and do Year 2 over two years.... that's another thing you could do this summer- spread the reading out over two weeks and do the fun art/craft activities as well.

I don't do much photocopying- I let the my R daughter read the questions from my book - but if you want to copy their questions- it might be just a few pages a month. Also I fill out her chart as to what she's supposed to read in a week and she then breaks it down day by day.

Your loom disc will have the substitute books for you to buy if they are now out of print.

Hope this isn't too many different suggestions in one posting. I'm sure others might have other ideas too
Blessings on your many endeavors!

Hi there,
To add to what Sharie said...

The Year-Plan does not come with binders or tabs. Lampstand sells the tabs (I think they are getting low on stock, so you might want to double check this.).

Like Shari, I rarely photocopied, but I did print up the questions as I personally preferred it that way. So, for me, it was 2-3 pages a week per child.

All of the primary books are available through Bookshelf Central. That's all you *need,* although some people like to add in the alternates. The alternates are not sold through Bookshelf Central, aren't guaranteed to be in print, and aren't guaranteed to answer the questions *exactly.*

Hope this helps...

Thank you.

I purchased the Y2bundle and it shows a picture of the tabs in the advertisement on the webpage with the statement "while supplies last". I couldn't find tabs listed anywhere else for purchase on the website, I used the search feature and nothing came up.

Thank you for explaining about "alternates", that made it a little clearer.

I will start my search for some good binders.

We're out of tabs for some units (hence the "while supplies last" phrase, and we do plan to reorder them later this month. We have been waiting for the Year 2 pre-order to become complete before we can restock our tab sets. While we can't accept back orders for tabs, we do plan to have them available as the buying season progresses. So, check back periodically and you should see them.