I am homeschooling an only - my 7 year old daughter. We have been using Sonlight for the last three years, but I find myself modifying the schedule, swapping out books, and replacing parts of the curriculum.

I have been investigating other options for the next few years and ToG seems to be a great curriculum. I like that it incorporates great books, unit studies, and hands-on work into a classical style of teaching. I also like that it encourages you to swap out books, to find the ones that best work with your family (we are Catholic). Unfortunately, with Sonlight, I am purchasing all the books at once and then finding that I have to swap out (at my expense) or alter books on the go.

So, a couple of questions:

1) I know that one of the biggest selling points of ToG is that you can use it with all your family at once. Would you still choose to use it if you only had one child? That is, do the benefits outweigh the problems even if you remove this benefit from the field?

2) What, aside from Math and Science, do you have to add to the curriculum? If I bought all the products (ToG, Writing Aids, Map Aids, Evaluations, Pop Quizzes, and Lap Books) what else would I need for a Lower Grammar student?

3) We will probably be moving overseas (to Belgium) this summer. I've been checking to see what books are available (I did a power search on the bookshelf to find books) and there aren't very many (maybe 5 of the 23 the bookshelf listed for Year 2, Unit 1), if I have to purchase most of the books will I find this curriculum way too expensive?

4) I have heard that many people prefer ToG for the high school level rather than for the grammar level - have you found this to be true? Should I continue on our current path and then return later in our homeschooling life?

Thank you all for welcoming a newcomer and answering all my questions!

Hi!

Since no one else has jumped in yet, I'll give this topic a bump and say a few things.

We ourselves have been surprised at the number of moms who use TOG with Grammar kids. We have heard that it works great and that they are EXTRA glad that they found it in the early years. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Because THEY are learning so much teaching at a low and easy level through the history of the world that it helps them to prepare as teachers for older students.

2. Because they feel settled and peaceful in choosing the one curriculum that will carry them through all their homeschool journey. They feel that they can settle, gain confidence, and develop school rhythms that will build well over their homeschooling years.

3. Their kids just love the program: book choices, activities, and mode of learning.

Those are just a few reasons.

As to the single child issue, I think a good question to ask is "doesn't my child deserve the best education I can give him, even if he's a single child?" That is what I hear parents like you saying to justify the expense of Tapestry. I concur, but then, I would. I'm SOLD on the Tapestry method of developing children into biblical thinkers to effect the next generation. Actually, I think you'll find that there ARE two learners in your house using Tapestry: your child and YOU!

I sure would like to hear some other moms chime in here... Ladies?

It sounds like you are thinking about year two. Might I encourage you to also look at some of the materials found at the UG level. If I was moving to Europe I think I would want to consider using them.

If your daughter has used all the way through Core 2 in Sonlight, I think you could easily use all or some of the UG materials with her. You would probably read them to her.

The books that I really liked for European history were the Mr. Pipes book and The Awakening Europe book.

quote:

1) I know that one of the biggest selling points of ToG is that you can use it with all your family at once. Would you still choose to use it if you only had one child? That is, do the benefits outweigh the problems even if you remove this benefit from the field?

If TOG just fits your style it does, IMO. For me the bigger pull to TOG is the flexibility to make things exactly the way I see it in my head, the integration of topics, ect... The fact that there is also ways to accommodate my history love and non-history lover is also a factor, but secondary to the ones I mentioned first.

quote:

2) What, aside from Math and Science, do you have to add to the curriculum? If I bought all the products (ToG, Writing Aids, Map Aids, Evaluations, Pop Quizzes, and Lap Books) what else would I need for a Lower Grammar student?

For LG, let me think...maybe spelling and grammar (I don't start those till 2nd or 3rd grade, so that is why I say maybe). If they aren't reading at a strong 3rd grade level then readers and a reading program.

quote:

3) We will probably be moving overseas (to Belgium) this summer. I've been checking to see what books are available (I did a power search on the bookshelf to find books) and there aren't very many (maybe 5 of the 23 the bookshelf listed for Year 2, Unit 1), if I have to purchase most of the books will I find this curriculum way too expensive?

Probably expensive, way too expensive is relative. I have no idea what the market in Europe is like. I know some of the Usborne books listed should be available there because they are a British company. If you are someone who will mess with books and stuff no matter what then...well you will mess with things no matter what For me just to topic list with the ready to go mapping, timeline work, and integration of music history and such would be enough for me to find books locally that fit the topic if needed.

quote:

4) I have heard that many people prefer ToG for the high school level rather than for the grammar level - have you found this to be true? Should I continue on our current path and then return later in our homeschooling life?

I have three LG and one UG (going into D for literature) students. I hear that too a lot over on SL, but TOG works better for me.

I hope you find a answer that works for you. It sounds like with the move you have a tough decision.

Heather

This is my 2nd yr using TOG with my only child (a daughter), and I'm even happier with my choice now than I was the first year. It is completely correct to say that the quality of education my daughter receives, and the fact that we'll be using each yr plan more than once justifies using what I at first perceived as an "expensive" curriculum. She has blossomed with TOG, and I feel like I'm preparing myself to go to college! As far as puchasing all the things you listed, I'm not sure I would do all that with a 7 yo. Unless she's particularly gifted or you've been using a very rigorous curriculum already, you probably will need the first year to adjust to the work load and the rhythm of Tapestry. Also, if you're starting with YR2, be aware that that year plan is especially weighty because of the sheer span of time covered. My DD is in 4th grade(9yo), and I have yet to buy the quizzes, or evals. I feel like I can tell if she gets it or not through the conversations we have. Since she'll be studying this yr plan 2 more times, I don't feel the need to try to drill every detail into her now. I have bought Writing Aids, but we have not used it very intensively. If you're looking at having to buy a lot of the books for the first year, I would recommend using the money on them rather than writing aids, mainly due to your child's age. If you choose to buy WA later, it's a resource that can be used through high school. I definitely recommend mapaids, as that will save you a lot of time and trouble looking for the appropriate map. Other than Tapestry, I purchase materials for: Science, Math, Handwriting, Spelling, Bible, Foreign Language(good intentions...not yet realized). I hope all this detail helps, and wish you good luck in your decision making.
Robin

Oh..I forgot to list English Grammar in "other subjects I purchase books for."
Robin

Hi,

This is my third year using TOG with one lower grammar child and we're loving it.

Only you can decide what's too expensive for your situation. I will say that if I wasn't committed to using TOG every year through high school I would likely think it was too pricey because so much of it goes unused right now. I see it as a large initial investment with the cost being spread out over the years. I only use a small percentage of the curriculum right now, although I've paid for the whole thing.

I have been learning right along with my daughter and that is one of the biggest benefits I see with beginning TOG this early. I'm amazed at how much I don't know and never learned about history. I'm acquiring a good foundation and overview of history which will be invaluable when I teach my daughter at the upper levels.

In summary, I think TOG works for us with a single lower grammar child because I'm taking a long view of our educational journey. When I look at my long term education goals and keep the end goal in sight, TOG makes more sense to me and fits with my long term goals better than any other curriculum.

Please feel free to email me if you would like more information.

Kris

PS Edited to add that TOG is my daughter's favorite subject!