TOG users, can you pretty please try to explain to me what TOG is?

[gandpsmommy]

I feel rather dumb having to keep asking, but I just don't get it. Is it a history curriculum? Is it a bunch of books and lesson plans you get? Is it a guide for learning history with book suggestions? Is there a way to purchase all of the books you would need from the publisher, or would it cost a fortune to do that? Thanks for any answers.

[5wolfcubs]

Yes, it is a history curriculum.
Yes, it is a bunch of books (separate that you buy) and lesson plans.
Yes, guide for learning history with book suggestions.
Yes, you can buy all the books from the publisher (but not the supplemental ones).
Yes, it would cost a fortune.
:)
You've looked at the Explore Tapestry (http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/tog_fast/) page that has links to Go to Egypt and Sail to the New World samples, right?

The pdf documents that you can see there, like this Reading Assignment (http://www.lampstandpress.com/egypt/pdf/1-01%20RAC.pdf) page are exactly what you'll get as a two-page spread. The week's reading assignments for your Lower Grammar-aged children are on the left of each page -- the left page is the primary, the right the supplemental.

If I only had Lower Grammar children, I'd just use SOTW & the AG. In fact, I might do that next year when I have a 1st & 3rd grader. And have my 6th & 8th grader use something completely different.

[gandpsmommy]

Thanks for the answers. Yes, I did look at the Explore Tapestry page and the Go To Egypt sample. We are use SOTW with AG right now, so I think we'll just stick with it. Thanks.

[Lizzie in Ma]

TOG provides:
-multi-level (1st-12th) learning on a weekly theme with clear objectives for each level and multiple subjects (history, literature, writing, geography, Fine Arts and Activities, Church history/worldview, Government, Philosophy) when you buy 1 year plan you are getting multiple years use, not just a smaller scope of age-appropriate learning

- Reading assignments based on the weekly theme for each level. Each grade level has history core, history in-depth, suggested read-alouds, literature, arts and activities, worldview/church history, government, philosophy and enrichment books and resources laid out for you. You have choices but they are fewer than the myriad of choices SOTW gives you, plus every book was chosen for a specific reason- each one ties perfectly into the week's theme

- Weekly Overview:Student assignments for your older children to take charge of their lesson, objectives for the week for them to meet, including a list of People for biography profiles for each week, in lower grammar and upper grammar there are vocabulary words for the week and dialectic and rhetoric are timeline dates to add to their timelines.
There are activities laid out for each grade level to do either singly or as a group. Geography objectives are also listed for the students.

Writing Assignments with 12 levels, the student works from level 1 and up it is not grade level oriented. This includes writing assignment for the week's theme, including narrations, dictations and various types of modern writing. This works with their product Writing Aids but could be used alone and it is provided for each week.

General Information for All Grades- Student Activity Pages
This is an overview provided for the student to read or to be read to them if you choose.

Student Activity Pages
Lower Grammar- arts and activities, geography with specific locations, literature worksheet that correlates to the lower grammar literature book for the week

Upper Grammar- arts and activities, geography with specific locations, literature worksheet that correlates to the upper grammar literature book for the week

Dialectic Level- History accountability questions, thinking questions, arts and activities, geography with specific locations, literature worksheet that correlates to the dialectic literature book for the week, more than one book may have an assignment

Rhetoric level- History accountability questions, thinking questions, arts and activities, geography with specific locations, literature worksheet that correlates to the Rhetoric literature book for the week, which has beginning level and continuing level selections. Church history, government and philosophy questions.

The Pageant of Philosophy: for Rhetoric students that has a character within a play/skit exploring the philosophical focus of the week's theme with the people of the week.

Then the Teacher's Notes:
Pulled from World Book Encyclopedia but only what you need to know for the week's theme.

History Dialectic Discussion Outline
History Rhetoric Discussion Outline
Literature Questions and Answers (these are answers for the literature pages mentioned before)
Literature Rhetoric Discussion Outline
Government Rhetoric Discussion Outline
Philosophy Rhetoric Discussion Outline
Geography: Background Information
Fine Arts and Activities: Background Information
CHurch History/Worldview: Background Information

Then a glance into the next week's objectives and budget tips

With TOG they have components that can be purchased to use with the Year Plan
- Writing Aids
- Map Aids
- Evaluations- tests/quizzes for each week for each grade level
- Pop Quiz- short audio for supporting spouses to listen and be prepared to discuss the week's lesson with the kids
- optional Lapbooks

: ) Jessica

· Trivium Academy