I am very interested in TOG but I'm not sure about the completeness of it. It seems like there is a big emphasis on history... Am I wrong? Is this an over-riding emphasis? Also, what would you, as a TOG user, say are the strengths and weaknesses of this curriculum? I know that you like it or you wouldn't be using it but every curriculum would probably have it's ups and downs - right? THanks for your help....

Hi Robyn,
We are into our first year of TOG and I will give you my "two cents" worth of strengths and weaknesses.

Yes, it is a history-driven curriculum. It is a re-telling of "His story", as they say. While you are studying a country/people, for example, the students are constantly being asked to compare what they learn to what the scriptures say. How did that people group affect the world at that time or the future? What was their contribution to the world. Can you tell we are studying the Ancients? It really is a learing that weaves its way through their literature, history text, and writing. The activities reinforce the learning and provide creativity and lots of fun. Ending each unit with a celebration is the cherry on top.

I have found two weaknesses. One is me. The other is having the teaching material flow from lower grammer to upper grammer to dialectic and not having each in just one area with a BIG tab showing me where it is! I am sometimes "befuddled" where to find the answers to the questions, especially for those dialectic accountability/thinking/Bible questions.

Hope this is helpful,
Tamie

There is also literature although that increase as you go up in level. At the R level the literature is heavy duty and there is lots of it.

Hi Robyn,

We are currently in our third year of homeschooling and second year with TOG. We started with Redesigned Yr1 last year and are midway through Yr2 Redesigned. I have just one dd 11yrs old at home with me. So, I do not have alot of experience with many other curriculums but I will definitely give you my "two cents" worth also !

Yes, there is alot of history that is covered. There is alot of reading. The reading assignments include history in-depth that usually includes a non fiction source, a literature assignment (my daughter has loved everyone of these !), worldview selection, arts and activities, map work (we purchased Map Aids), and then a writing topic (we purchased Writing Aids and also use IEW) for the week.So.. I think it is pretty 'meaty'.

I love that the teacher's notes are all laid out for me and that the period that we are studying is reinforced through the activities, mapwork, and writing. There is a weekly discussion period for the dilectic and rhetoric level students.

I absolutely love the forum here. I have learned SO much by just 'lurking' around through the various topics brought up. Everyone is very helpful.
Customer service is awesome !
You can see the overwhelming amount of work that has gone into this program as your peruse through it. Amazing!
I love that I can use my library for a good amount of our reading selections (we have a great library system)and that there are alternate resources if you can't get the exact book.
I love that I have learned so much along with my dd.

I would probably say that the downs might be the teacher preparation time. I don't find it overwhelming and actually look forward to preparing for the week. I spend about 1-2 hrs weekly doing this.. but have heard this brought up through the threads. It is definitely not a ready made, open the box and there it is program. It does not include science, grammar, or math so you do have to add that on your own.

HTH,

Lisa W. in Las Vegas

Robyn
This is my 2nd year using TOG. I used Yr 1 Classic version and now us Yr 2 Redesign. I have a 10th grader, two 7th graders and a 1st grader. I have homeschooled for 10 years. Before I say anything else, I will say I love TOG and wish I had started using is a few years ago!

Not sure what you mean by the completeness of TOG. I personally have never seen a more "complete" curriculum. There is an excellent scope of subjects and the TOG website tells you what subjects are covered and which are not. The fact is for every grade level in your home you will pretty much have all the basic subjects covered except foreign language, science, math and specific language areas such as formal grammar study, spelling and phonics. For my lower grammar student we use TOG, phonics, math and science. For my dialectic 7th graders we use TOG, math, science and a grammar study and vocabulary workbook for SAT in the future. For my 10th grade student is the same, TOG, math, science, foreign language, vocab. and grammar.

TOG is a somewhat typical curriculum for classical studies in that history is the vehicle through which we teach a variety of subjects and topics. I feel that TOG is very thorough and will provide you with everything you could ever wish for in a Biblically based, classical program.

As for weaknesses, I agree, TOG is not just open the book and spoon feed your student. It does require some effort on the teacher's part to prepare for each week in terms of deciding on what reading your student will do. TOG also includes a discussion time especially for students in the upper grades. This time is critical to help your student digest the material and as the teacher it is best when you are prepared for this discussion.

If you have not already done so I highly recommend you get the Go To Egpyt or Sail the New World CD. Print out the first week or all three weeks and either use it at home or go over it as if you were going to use it. This will give you the best information and sense of whether this will be a good fit for you and your family.

HTH,
Lisa in AZ