We've been using year 2 this whole school year. We're starting unit 4. I think TOG has so much to offer, but I don't know how anyone could even begin to do it all. All that we're doing is the lit, hist, geog and we have a hard time keeping up. It's really been a struggle all year. We also do the writing aids, but we never get those done according to the schedule. I have a R, D, & UG. Besides TOG they have math, science, spelling/vocab., and spanish when my R daughter can fit it in. We really have trouble fitting in the discussion times for hist. and lit. each week and I cannot imagine if we had to go to a coop. Also, I can't imagine trying to fit in worldview, philosophy or arts and activities on top of all this. We have a pretty set schedule from 8 am to 3pm with 45 min in there for lunch and a 15 min morning break. The rest of that time my kids are working steady. And also, my kids take the evaluations and it never seems like there's time to really prepare for them. I guess I just always feel like we're racing through all of this at an incredibly fast pace, and God forbid if someone gets sick or we have a field trip day or something, it throws the whole thing off kilter. I like a lot of what I see in TOG but I guess I'm frustrated that it's moving so fast, I don't know how much my kids are really getting. They've been real troopers and try to keep on top of everything and don't complain much, but sometimes, especially my D son says he hates it and I don't really think he's getting it. I'd like to do more activities to "bring the history alive" but there's no way we could fit them in, so I feel like all my kids have is a lot of reading about history and then take a test. Does anyone have any suggestions about how you've dealt with this? I'm still planning on doing yr. 3 next year but I'm wondering how to pare it down. First of all, if you have 36 wks packed completely full, there's absolutely no leeway whatsoever, (we're only required to complete 35 wks of school here). What if you take some days off in there or have homeschool meetings or half days or field trip or sick days? Anyway, I'm rambling, I'll appreciate any feedback.
Thanks,
Wendy

Is this your first year using TOG? If so, then I would say, give it some time so that you can have a "hind-sight-perspective". We are finishing up Y3 (Redesign), and I would have to say that for most of our first year I heard the kinds of things you mentioned. When we started Y2 (at some point in that year, not sure exactly when I started noticing this), I began hearing my kids make comments when they would come across something from the previous year, things like, "Oh! Remember when we studied that!! I remember THAT book!", or variations on that theme. I was quite surprised at first, because these were the same children that grumbled and complained because "These books are soooo hard to get into..." In addition to these events, I also began noticing that they were making connections in the real world with what they'd learned through TOG. We went to Washington D.C. for spring break of Y1. We'd planned this trip just for a fun, educational vacation, not because it had any direct tie to TOG subjects. Guess what? While we were at the Library of Congress my children got into a mild disagreement over whether the statue was Poseidon or Neptune (same god, you guys...). I know they simply would not have had the information available for a debate if not for TOG. Now that we're nearing the end of Y3, I have seen this scene play itself over many times. They notice things all the time that make them say, "I know about that!!! We studied that!", and I've always doubted (even still do somewhat) if they're getting it.

I'm glad you wrote this post. It is good for all of us to look for encouragement and motivation from the Body, to carry on. TOG is a full load, and lots of hard work goes in to our daily grind. I believe it is worth every ounce of our energy. I am learning alongside them, and they're gaining necessary life-skills that will benefit them for years to come.

One more thought. If there is any way to ease up the load with other studies, perhaps that would help make your day have a bit lighter feel to it. We had my elderly mother move in this year, which has caused our life to shift in many ways. God is the One who governs our schedule. Not TOG, and I think there is a needed balance for knowing when to push and when to back off. I have not utilized the writing component, but plan on doing so next year (my 2 R ds have taken an IEW class at a local hsing program this year). I know this will make us have less wiggle room, but they know that writing is an absolute, and we can't afford to pay out so much for classes this coming fall.

I hope this helps. And I'm anxious to hear what others have to say about this topic.

God's blessing and grace to you -

Laurie

Year 2 is pretty rigorous -- and it covers a HUGE span of history. I know I've heard other TOG moms say that they spread it out a little...maybe take 2 weeks to do one "TOG week"...or something like that.

Sorry, I'm not much help as we haven't gotten to Year 2 yet.

Blessings!

We are half way through Y2U4 and I think you will be plesantly surprised at how it now starts to slow down, as far as years covered. We I have loved this unit. I added in the tv series (now on DVD), Liberty Kids, and it has made the people and events come alive. We do a lot of reading, but I really only focus on a few things a week. I think co-op is great because it gets that good discussion time in even if we missed it at home. Getting the kids to talk about what they have read helps with their recal skills and I do think it helps them pay attention a little more to their reading. I can tell that my 2nd grade DD is getting into the history when, like last night, I see that she has looked through my bin of books for the unit and picked a book on the presidents to thumb through rather than picking up her latest Box Car Children book.

Can I just amen all of the above and highlight one of your first statements?

NO ONE is supposed to do it all. TOG *must* be approached as an educational buffet from which the mother directs the choices for her children. In some years, and seasons, those choices will vary, but in the end, no one student can possibly accomplish all that's suggested for their learning level in all disciplines. NO ONE!

Quote: "NO ONE is supposed to do it all."

Marcia: Why is this so difficult for us to believe and live out!!??? I know it to be true, I understand my limitations and those of my children, but still find myself battling the need to do every single thing listed in a week plan... I can really relate to Wendy's dilemma, and in my initial post I was speaking to my own heart, as well as Wendy's.

Thanks for all you do -
Laurie

Dear Laurie,

I think it's hard for at least five different reasons; many of us are beset by all, but for some of us, any one of these is enough to tie us in emotional knots over choosing "food" from the educational buffet that is TOG:

1) Most homeschool moms are first generation, and lack any "real life" experience with homeschooling--meaning, we didn't grow up doing it and don't have any intuitive feel for how the whole thing works, K-12. Don't you find that it's easier to pick/choose/and punt stuff for your younger children than it is for your oldest, "cutting edge" child? What we lack is a model to draw from when we start. For those of you who are starting in this way: take courage. Experience will really grow. Make it through one four-year rotation, and you'll begin to see the major themes of history and literature. The rest of the journey is largely downhill as you find your own rhythm--IF (and only if) it's YOUR rhythm! Until then, you have two great gifts: your husband and any older-woman mentors you can find to trust from the fruit in their lives. Don't try to be just like your friend: ask God to hold your hand and show you His direction for your family's unique part in the dance that is your life. From this experience, you will find your model unfold as you walk out your homeschool journey. (Hint: TOG really *is* one such older-woman mentor; my whole heart in writing TOG is to sit with you week-by-week through TOG and provide hand-holding until you find your own confidence and then to give you support in your choices. So please trust me as an older woman when I say "you must pick and choose." TOG offers a buffet, but, you need to find your own "dishes of choice" since no one curriculum fits all families as written. Think of TOG plans as an older woman offering two hours of advice, wherein the Holy Spirit quickens one or two key phrases that really give you the perfect guidance you need for that week-plan. Leave the rest by resting in Him!)

2) I think most moms who find choices in TOG difficult lack academic confidence. This stems from the above confidence issue, but add to this a sense of never being trained as TEACHERS. We don't KNOW our history; we don't KNOW what to soft-pedal or drop and what, by contrast, to emphasize and require. Again, take heart. Experience will win out here, and you'll be led of God while you learn so, again, look to Him and listen (amidst the din of self doubting thoughts) to His small still voice saying "this is the way, dear child--walk in it." No academic expert (or curriculum) can make personalized decisions for academic emphases for your children better than you can. You'll grow to be more comfortable with academic choices over time as you put more and more children through earlier grades and see the fruit if it as they grow older!

3) Consider our culture: over and over it is preached that you MUST do it all for all disciplines! Oh, the pressure! Kids *must* have gymnastics begun by the age of 4, or don't even bother. Same for violin or socialization. Etc. Don't believe it. Our culture makes idols out of our children, and lies about what they really need. Take a lesson from Mary: she has chosen the best part. Sit at the Savior's feet, walk daily in His direction, and try to plug your ears to the shrill cries that you'll ruin your children if they don't do all things well. (For more on this theme, I can recommend my "Tips for Teaching a Houseful" CD on sale now at our Lampstand Press Store.)

4) How about fear of academic failure--our in-laws, our husbands, our kids themselves, and friends--may ALL or singly blame us if we fail. We hear their mocking, accusing voices even now. We play real or imagined future conversations over and over again in our heads. We are desperate to cover ALL our bases to the fullest so that we are above reproach. Ladies: the LORD is our helper. He is our shield and our very great reward. Again, we need to quiet our hearts before Him and listen to the audience of One. We need to accept the FACT that we are human, fallible sinners who only and ever function by means of God's amazing GRACE in our lives. It will not be our perfect performance that will bring our children safe to eternity, or even give them a good job or happy family life. These things are not in our gift, much as we would like them to be. What we are called to is faithfulness: day in and day out. And we can rest in this: if we pray, ask our husbands' counsel, and then proceed, the Lord is there to carry us the rest of the way. We WILL reap if we faint not. Having done what we can in the strength God gives us, we WILL stand. Here is my reply to those who would criticize my choices for my children: "Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." Romans 14:4 (NASB)

5) Finally, fear of truant officers or college admissions boards can tempt us to overassign and not make the best choices from among a host of good ones. This is tied to #2: we don't know the academic world well enough to be confident, so we try to do it all. Again, what we have in defense is the spirit of adoption. God is our Father. He will lead us in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. He will direct our paths if we seek to walk in His ways. Our goal for our children is Heaven above Harvard, but if Harvard is God's goal for your child, all hell cannot keep him from it. Trust in the God who determines our days and is ABLE to guide you in the right choices for each child's academic welfare. Not all are meant to burn up academia. For some, TOG is simply preparation to make them good citizens, or divinely fashioned, wise spouses or mothers. One goal of a Tapestry education is simple enjoyment. Our children get to enjoy great works of literature, understand a rhyme or reason for the world in which they live, and examine the amazing works of God in HIStory. Again, seek God for each child, asking Him for direction at least twice a year, and agree with your husband on God's goals for each child that God has put into your care.

Keeping our eyes on Father's will and speaking to ourselves instead of listening to ourselves about truth, eternity, and walking wisely in this world are the crucial skills that homeschooling teaches us moms. God is faithfully using your homeschool to put you in a place where dependence on Him is the only real choice you have--and the safest place for you!

I want to say thank you to everyone for your replies to my post. I'm still not quite sure how to make it all work, but I appreciate your input.

Wendy

Dear Marcia!

Thanks SO much for taking the time to "speak the truth in love". Even finishing my 14th year of homeschooling, I STILL need to hear what you said. And for some reason the words the Lord gives you ALWAYS speak to me in a profound way. I know you are so busy during this season, but am deeply grateful that you allowed the Lord to use you to share that!

Consider yourself hugged!

Thanks, dear friend. Hug right back! (MY your children are getting all grown up!)

Dear Marcia:

I just stumbled onto this thread and read your long reply.

Just want to say "thank you!" You ministered to me in a very real way.

Blessings,
Kathy

You are most welcome. I am glad that the Lord spoke to you through my words.

Wendy,

I understand what you're saying. There IS a great deal of material in any year plan of TOG, especially Year 2. You are, in fact, covering a LOT of material each week, especially since you are actually doing each week plan in a week. There are a couple of ways you can consider paring down the time and giving your kids a little breather throughout the year.

First of all, remember that when a state requires "35 weeks," that doesn't necessarily mean "Weeks 1-35" of your TOG curriculum. There is so much information in any given week, that occasionally taking more than one week to do it doesn't mean you haven't met your state requirement. Also, you don't have to read everything, every week. Skip the occasional literature book if you wish. (I know of one private school 11th grade American Literature class in our area that only reads 4 books the entire year! I think that gives you a little leeway for leaving out a couple in TOG, if you like. )

You can combine weeks also. I know this sounds overwhelming when your problem is an already over packed week. But consider not assigning the questions to be written out for a couple of weeks, and just discuss them orally (perhaps while working on one of the projects?). Or even not do the questions at all, but listen to a recording of one of the history or literature books while you work on a project.

If you combine 2 weeks each unit, you can add in a "catch up" week at the end of each unit. You can do projects, watch movies, finish up work that's still hanging around, study for the evaluations, etc., or just have a week off of TOG!

Occasionally you may need to allow your children to read the World Book notes from the TNs (or you read them aloud to everyone), when your week is really tight (sickness, fieldtrips, etc.) The information is from World Book, and I remember when I was growing up, that was often the only reference we had. If they are unable to make certain connections during discussion, fill in the missing blanks with lecture and explanation. They do not have to come up with every answer by themselves every time!

Consider allowing a little help on the geography assignments. Sometimes I require the entire geography assignment as written; sometimes I print out only the teacher map and we study it together. The important thing is that your student know where these places actually are located, not that they label a map every week.

Incorporate movies if you can. I admit to using a good documentary in place of the occasional week's assigned reading, then having a really good discussion afterwards. This works best with younger students.

Make use of audio books as much as possible. Many libraries have books available for immediate download. For example, the enitre HISTORY OF US (by Joy Hakim) is available for audio download from our library. Check out other audio resources as well: Librivox, Audible, etc.

Of course I am not recommending you take these shortcuts every week for every subject! That would totally negate the richness of TOG! However, BECAUSE TOG is so thorough, it does give you the flexibility to make choices that make this curriculum work best for YOUR family, even each child individually.

I started my TOG journey feeling I had to do it ALL. Over the past four years, it has become easier to prioritize things, though I still fight the daily battle of feeling like I want to check every box! I do think there is a bit of a compromise between requiring as much work as your student can accomplish (because it truly does instill good academic discipline), and giving them the occasional "easier week." Everyone needs a chance to catch their breath once in a while.

Hope all this rambling helps a little.
Wendy S. in MD

Wendy,

The depth is what I love about TOG too, but I realized right off that I didn't have the time it would take to do TOG in a year the way it is designed. Instead I choose what books I want to use, how much depth we want, then I go in and decide what is a reasonable amount of time needed to cover all that.

It will probably take us 6 years to do a full TOG cycle, but I am OK with that. What we do cover will be well done and that is more important to me than doing it on time.



Heather

I, too, stumbled upon this thread and got a lot out of it. As a first year TOG user, I'm so thankful for the words of wisdom shared, especially from Marcia.

I truly LOVE this wonderful curriculum, and more so as the weeks roll by. But, it is overwhelming at times because of all the choices and deciding how to pull all the information together. I know that time and experience will make all the difference though. Plus, I now understand the benefit of slowing down when necessary to make sure my dd is caught up and that we've covered all the bases.

Ladies, these posts have helped me this morning in a great way. I am so encouraged! I also hope that by now Wendy is feeling more relaxed and less overwhelmed with TOG.

Blessings,
Lucinda