I need advice from experienced TOGer's. I have attempted TOG twice in the past and would like to try one more time in the fall with my last batch of children ages 10y0b, 7yog, 5yob.
I have purchased TOG 1 (Redesigned).
I will be finishing SL Core 3 (1st half of AMerican History up to Civil War) at the end of this year.
My question is do I finish with American History, which would mean purchasing TOG 3 U3&4 or forget that and start with TOG 1, which I have? When I purchased it that was my intent but my older two are really enjoying and learning American History and I don't to confuse them. HELP!!!!!

I don't think your children will be confused. So I would put that one aside and focus on what you want to do next year.

I think you could go either way and it might be wise to consider both where you will be if you continue on from where you are or from Year One.

I will say coming from SL to TOG that TOG Year One was a bit thin for the lower levels (for sure the two grammar levels and even the D level some). This is because Tapestry focuses on that upper level and in truth some of the civilizations covered, which are important to both Bible history and world history, just don't have a ton of available materials for lower than high school grades. So it might be wise to start with the Year Three stuff because there are more books available for those levels so not so thin. OR find some fun books to read during the slower weeks.

Pat not Pattie,

When you say that you came from Sonlight to TOG, are you pleased with your decision? What I mean by this is, would you suggest that someone begin with Sonlight for the younger grades? I am really struggling between the two for my children (6 yog, 5 yob and 3 younger ones later). What parts of TOG are thin? Do you have any words of advice? Thank you!

quote:

Originally posted by Tracy G:
Pat not Pattie,

When you say that you came from Sonlight to TOG, are you pleased with your decision? What I mean by this is, would you suggest that someone begin with Sonlight for the younger grades? I am really struggling between the two for my children (6 yog, 5 yob and 3 younger ones later). What parts of TOG are thin? Do you have any words of advice? Thank you!

Have you used Sonlight already? The biggest thing people who have used Sonlight seem to fear is making the schedule which being a Sonlight user is an advantage because you already know what a broken down assignment looks like.

I am happy with my decision, but I have said elsewhere that I'm not sure TOG is the best thing to choose when your youngest child is under 3rd or 4th grade partly because it is so big and can be time consuming. A bit depends on the mom, but my emphasis with a mom with children as young as yours is to get out there and meet other homeschoolers and develop friends for you and your children. For some people this comes easy for others it does not. Especially if you are in the former category, then TOG may use up too much or your time and focus. Same is trued of Sonlight which also takes a chunk of time.

In your case, I'd say the positive is that both your oldest two could be combined in which ever program you choose.

Let me clarify again and say Year One (not other year plans) is light in the LG, UG, and even D levels for some topics and cultures studied. What other programs do is spend less time at this level on these cultures because there are no resources for children available. Since TOG is driven by the R level, time is spent on those cultures which leads to some empty weeks. This is not the case for following years.

I will respectfully disagree with Year 1 being too light for the younger kids. We started Tapestry with Y2 and have been all the way back through and are getting ready to do Y4 for the second time. I enjoyed Y1. It was the only year we had enough time to do so many of the hands on projects that make learning so fun for the kids. I also picked up several extra library books on the ancients. My kids really enjoy this time period. HTH Diane

mom2four is correct, I've used the wrong word "light." What would be more correct is to say there are weeks in which very little reading from resources or literature occurs for lower levels. You can of course fill in as she suggests with other projects.