TOG users...do you use this with your 1st gr. non-readers?

[Alenee]

I'm waffling about whether or not to use TOG. I think it will work great for my dd who will be in 4th next year but my dd who is in K now isn't reading well at all. She's still only half way through Phonics Pathways.

I know there's still 6 mos until the next school year but I'm thinking I should only use TOG with my 4th grader while I get the 6yo up to par on reading. What I mean by that is just doing the read-alouds and literature selections and including her on projects. Your thoughts???

Another question. My 3rd grader and I are finishing Mystery of History Vol. 1 this year. If I use TOG, should I buy Y2 or start over at Y1 since I'll be incorporating my 1st grader? Basing that question on The Well Trained Mind philosophy that we should start at 1st grade with the equivalent of TOG Y1.

Maybe you can give me some suggestions as to how you've included your younger/non-readers in the program.

Thank you,
Carli

[KerriF]

Hi Carli,

I am currently using TOG Yr 2 with a 2nd grader and preschooler. Ds in 2nd grade reads well but I still read the majority of the books outloud. Next year we are going to start transitioning to some independent reading.

I think it is a great idea to include your first grader in on the read a louds, literature and hands on projects. TOG is the icing on the cake reading, math, grammer etc come first. The lower grammar level is designed for non readers / beginning readers. You could do one of two things.

1. Not buy the lower grammar books for TOG and do what you have said in having your first grader sit in on the lit., read a louds, and activites

or

2. You can buy/borrow from the library the lower grammer books and use it as the icing on top for school.

Because my oldest is in 2nd grade we have bought the lower grammar books and have enjoyed them.

Right now my preschooler listens in on all of the reading (he can come and go as he pleases) and he always chooses to do to the activities with us. He has learned quite a bit.

I hope that helps.:001_smile:

[Karenciavo]

Hi Carli,

My ds5 reads at about a 3rd grade level, but I still read aloud a lot because he doesn't have the stamina to do all the reading himself. He does do a good bit of TOG every week, I read aloud the history, sometimes he reads the literature aloud to me or we take turns, he colors in the map and I help him label it, and we do a craft. I also make writing practice worksheets for him that include some of the people to know, e.g. "The Pilgrims hired Miles Standish to help them in the New World," or "Squanto was a Native American who helped the Pilgrims in the New World." I usually only give him two of these a week.

I would continue to TOG year 2 if you believe your 3rd grader had a productive year with MOH. I think it is best to make decisions about curriculum based on the eldest student.

HTH,
Karen

[MelissaMinNC]

but I still do most of the reading aloud, especially the non-fiction stuff - it's just easier for her to understand that way. Plus, I want to hear it too, LOL.

Yes, I think the program works well with 1st graders, even better if you can incorporate a fair number of the crafts/projects. We did lots of projects our first unit, and a decent number the second unit, but hardly any the third - it really makes a difference. Before we start the fourth, I'm going to plan the unit to make sure some projects get done - even if that means reading fewer of the history books. I can teach, talk, explain, etc. while we're working on a craft - I think. I hope. ;)

HTH, :)
Melissa

[koko]

...and it truly was "the icing on the cake" for him. We did Year 4 b/c it was the best fit for my oldest two boys. I did get the history and lit books from the library for him and read to him, but not always...and he didn't "get" much of it. Some things stuck, like the Wright Brothers and some WW2 facts, but mostly we worked on learning to read/write/do math.

I would go with Year 2...I agree in gearing your decision toward your older one. Younger one can listen in as she desires. You could get the lapbooks and do them with her...that might interest her and help 'cement' some of what she's hearing.

Have fun, whatever you decide!

[siloam]

Carli,

My 4th grader and 2nd grader read the Lit books. My 1st and Prek just listen in on the history I read aloud. They have their own for fun RA's so I don't worry about the TOG Lit.

Heather

[Sarah CB]

My 2nd grader and my new-to-reading K'er are really enjoying TOG this year. I don't get them to do any independent reading - we do it all as read alouds and it really doesn't take that long. I enjoy the couch time with them, they enjoy the stories and we all like the hands-on activities.

I think TOG is a great choice for younger kids.

Sarah