My 15dd bogged down with TOG and wants to change. What now?

[Okie]

We've used TOG for 1 1/2 yrs and I love the programs content and books, etc. However, the sheer volume of work is just dragging us down (my 12 ds also, but I'll put that on the K-8 board). We're way behind and I've already trimmed the program down.

So, what could I move her to? We're in yr 2, at approximately the Reformation, Henry VIII era. I just need something to transfer to for the remainder of the year. She has requested a textbook such as BJUP or ABeka. Would it be awful to just jump in one of their world history texts at the Reformation?

Any opinions are welcome. THX

[jananc]

Have you sought any advice from the TOG forums? I've seen lots of posts in the past on folks looking to pare down TOG, or what items in the program to scale back on, etc., even from Marcia and Dana. They are always very helpful! I know you asked about completely changing programs, but if it were me I'd probably try to cut back and still use TOG for the remainder of the year simply because of the investment. Then next year I might look into changing completely. You've already put the money into TOG, and if the problem is too much material, can you just scale back and do part of it?

[Staci in MO]

She has requested a textbook such as BJUP or ABeka.

Could you just switch to the assigned textbook readings instead? TOG has Spielvogel"s Western Civilazation scheduled as their alternate (can't remember if you said whether she was doing R or D). If you don't want to do a college level text, you could drop down to Spielvogel's Human Odyssey. Much of Human Odyssey is word for word with Western Civ, just pared down.

Like I said on the other board, TOG is hard going at the point where you are now. There very well may be another curriculum out there that's a better fit, but the middle of Year 2 is much more overwhelming than anything I've seen in Years 1 or 3. And, if you finish Year 2, you can take the summer to decide, rather than trying to quickly find something mid-stream.

I tend to want to ditch everything and start over in February, too. And, truth be told, I have recently switch my youngest's math writing programs, so I'm not immune. But like the other poster said, you have a lot invested in TOG right now, and maybe in a couple of months you'll all feel better about the whole thing.

[brendafromtenn]

We use TOG classic. And have for years. But I have learned to use it as a TOOL, and not the RULE.

In TOG classic, they use BJU as an alternate Text. So on weeks that we are really bogged down, we do the readings in BJU text, the readings in literature, and that is it.

AND I used to do ALL of the TOG readings in lit, but now we pick and choose. (And on REALLY busy weeks, like the weeks when oldest ds was working on his Eagle project, we read the BJU text and just answered the questions out of the BJU text. Not the TOG questions.)

Remember that, YOU are the teacher. And YOU pick and choose what you are going to do. It is O.K.

Hope that helps!

Brenda:001_smile:

[jananc]

:iagree: Great advice, Brenda. We homeschool moms sometimes forget that we're the ones in charge!

[Yolanda in Mass]

Does she like history? If she doesn't then a textbook's just fine. If she does...then you might want to reconsider and using something more vibrant and engaging than a textbook. I used TOG briefly, so I know that their forums are quite helpful so, as someone suggested already, check there.

[Janice in NJ]

Perhaps you could switch to the BJU World History Text. Sample pages including table of contents here:
http://www.bjupress.com/product/244681?path=1232&samplePage=3#lookInside
You could start with chapter 12 and just complete a chapter a week to finish the book by the end of the year. You could just get the TE and have her use that book. She could write a couple of papers instead of taking the tests - or you could get the tests too.

TOG 1 could be World History I
This year could be World History II
Next Year you could do BJU American History
In her senior year you could do Government and/or Economics.

Your son could use their 7th grade book this year and their 8th grade text next year. Pretty much the same topics as the high school program - generally the same.

Sound good?

Peace,
Janice

Enjoy your little people
Enjoy your journey

[Okie]

Does she like history? If she doesn't then a textbook's just fine. If she does...then you might want to reconsider and using something more vibrant and engaging than a textbook. I used TOG briefly, so I know that their forums are quite helpful so, as someone suggested already, check there.
yes, she actually LIKES history. That said, my dh and I both know that our kids know more history now than we ever learned in school!

This morning I discussed with her the option of seriously paring down TOG (yes, she's doing R) and trying to finish what we have. Then next yr switch to a text on Am. hist with a one semester geography, and then gov't/economics for sr year (already own Notgrass for that).

So right now I'm working on a schedule to see how compact I can make it. It's sssooooo hard cutting out good books.

We really enjoy Pageant of Philosophy, and will do core history and most of in-depth history. We're totally cutting literature, and most of worldview (except where it is used as a history reading). We were never using the gov't section.

So, that's what it's come down to.

[Cafelattee]

We use do TOG and my son just didn't like it, so we switch to Beautiful Feet which fit him. Its not a rigorous curriculum, so I added a textbook and some AP flash cards. It works for him

But he did finish Streams of Civlization 1 and 2 which were the recommended spine books for that era in the TOG 2 classic.

[M&M]

So right now I'm working on a schedule to see how compact I can make it. It's sssooooo hard cutting out good books.



If you changed curriculum wouldn't you be using fewer books anyway? I am a box checker-offer as well. I had to get over the thought that I was behind, that I was leaving things off. I have to control the curriculum and not let it control me. Nothing is one size fits all, that is why TOG gives you so many choices. Isn't that why we all homeschool?

Since your dd has not done TOG Year 2 D level, is it possible to sometimes use some of the D books to cover the topic? I know that next year we will not be able to keep pace with Y2 and we will ease into R level work.

If you find value in TOG, take control, make it work for you. If you don't love it then your alternate plan could work.

Sometimes I think we try to make subjects like history become like math, you have to do a certain level of work at a certain age. If your child is learning and loves history, why (myself included) do we allow any curriculum to push them?

I think I am going to ponder this thought as I plan for next year.

Glad you asked the question.

Blessings,

[Yolanda in Mass]

Perhaps you could switch to the BJU World History Text. You could start with chapter 12 and just complete a chapter a week to finish the book by the end of the year. You could just get the TE and have her use that book. She could write a couple of papers instead of taking the tests - or you could get the tests too.

This is a good suggestion to get you through the rest of the year and that time period. You could also add some interest by supplementing with some good living books to make the history come alive for her. I don't know if you're open to a different text such as Notgrass World History. You could use the same strategy as described by Janice. If you're really open to a completely different approach for next year, you might want to check out TruthQuest History. Don't even look at it if you like structure, however, since it's nothing like TOG or textbooks. Good luck!

Yolanda

[Brindee]

I, too, was going to suggest TQ, as it's much more flexible. My dd has had an over-abundance of Ancient History, so we are going to do the two Middle Ages TQ Guides (500-1600AD) next year for 9th grade. It looks really good to me, but I haven't tried it yet (It's been ordered, we're waiting for it to get here). Just thought it'd be along the same lines as TOG but not as restrictive (not sure that's the right word) in what to do.