Paige, you've done an AWESOME job putting this curriculum together!! It's so much more than I expected! I had planned on doing the Nature Portfolio along with it, but your study is more than plenty to keep us busy all year. I love science and I'm so looking forward to it. I signed up for your Yahoo group, too, but I just haven't posted there yet. Lovetobehome - I don't know for sure if the price will go up, but I was just assuming it might with the new edition coming out, especially since they will be including the high school portion. Just a guess on my part, though. It would be great if the price stayed the same!

Well, I figured since my kids are so young (and have some learning delays on top of that) that all we'll really be doing this first time through is reading and doing fun activities. If I really love it after using it for a while then I'll get the new guide for the next time through. As much as "I" want to do the timeline and mapping and Cool History pages, I know it would be overwhelming to my kids. It's such a great price right now, that I won't feel too bad if it doesn't work for us. I've gotten really excited about other curricula only to be disappointed when I couldn't stand it (I don't do well with the "boxed" stuff).

I just downloaded and printed Biblioplan Ancients and Elemental Science, Biology and I am sooooo excited!! They both look awesome! Now I can hardly wait for next year! Who wants to teach math and phonics when all this other cool stuff is waiting:tongue_smilie:?! Just wanted to share my excitement:hurray:! I'll be reading all night after the kids go to bed!!

For hands-on I plan to use the SOTW Activity Guide and the History Portfolio Jr. We also LOVE hands on!!

Well, I don't know how helpful I'll be, but at least I'll give you a bump:). My experience with MFW was only at K level but I have looked at it extensively for possible future use. MFW is a more complete curriculum. You only have to add math and phonics. It has hands on activities and direction for the teacher. Biblioplan (which I plan on using next year) is more of just a framework. It has an extensive list of books with a schedule for reading them. It's a 3 day a week schedule and it is only history. I chose it because I want to start the 4 yr rotation beginning in 1st grade (MFW starts at 3rd or 4th grade with a 5yr cycle). I wanted biblical history tied in to secular history and I wanted the freedom to be more flexible with whatever resources I want to use. I also like that it schedules both SOTW and MOH. Hopefully, more experienced users of both will chime in. However, there are MANY threads on both curricula (I just don't have a clue how to link to them yet:blush:). Hope that helps a little! Cheryl

I agree with all the pp's that said no contact until she is an adult. I have 4 adopted children and we are in the process of adopting 2 more. All of our children have come from foster care. They were not "given up" but were "taken away". I don't know the circumstances of your dd's adoption but in our case, bio parents are not the most caring and trustworthy people. Your dd is still in a stage of "magical thinking" regarding her bio family (kind of a "grass is greener" syndrome). I think if she met them at this stage it would only magnify that and you would be in a worse situation. I would get some family counseling with someone who specializes in adoption, and all your dd to write letters to get her feelings out but not let bio mom have any influence on her yet. Praying for peace and blessings on your family!! This adoption is not an easy road!!:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Yes, I believe all this is correct. The Parent Companion for the first two guides are not out yet. The Ancients guide is being redone right now (complete with Parent Companion, Cool History Packet and High School add on) and is expected to be released in March or April. I think it is worth giving a try! And unlike TOG DE, it can be resold. I'm still planning on using TOG in a few years, but who knows?? I also love the looks of HOD's programs from Preparing on up (don't care for the lower levels). AHHHHHHH!!! Decisions, decisions!

Well, for one thing, it is inexpensive enough to take a chance! Right now you can get just the TM for 29.95 (I think the e-book version is even less). Also, they do show some of their lit selections. Did you see that? They have them listed separately from the core resources. And from what I've seen looking at other programs , a lot of the resources are the same for the grammar stage kiddos. And besides all that, I know I'll use what I want to use no matter what the TM suggests:tongue_smilie:! But I have heard from others on this board that their booklist is awesome! I also like the fact that they include both SOTW and MOH and the studies are done by culture rather than strictly chronologically.

Well, you're not gonna believe this! After all the agonizing I did over Biblioplan/TOG, and thinking I would use TOG, I changed my mind!! I just don't need it while my kids are so young. So I'm going with Biblioplan and for the cool notebooking pages I'm going to use the History Portfolio from homeschooljourney and the AG for SOTW for fun activities!!

Biblioplan actually incorporates MOH. You can use it as your spine instead of or along with SOTW.

That was very encouraging! I'm looking forward to a long time with TOG, taking it slow and easy as we grow into it. BTW, I checked out your blog - beautiful!

aquiverfull, A couple ideas for you. You could, as Monique mentioned, just get one unit of TOG to try. Or, homeschoolclassifieds has some TOG redesigned printed years for sale. You could try one of those and resell if it doesn't work for you. Or you could try a year of Biblioplan. If it's enough for you then great! If you want more depth, then you could give TOG a try the following year. I pray you find something that brings you peace in your homeschooling. I also have a hubby like yours! He TOTALLY wants us to homeschool through high school, but leaves all the decisions up to me! Blessings and peace to you! Cheryl

Thank you and I don't mind AT ALL!! I have been totally inspired and educated by all these responses (thank you Shannon and Monique!!).

:iagree:

:001_wub: You guys are so sweet! I will check in after we get started. I'm sure I'll have questions!! We will be finalizing the adoption of my sweet little angels, ds 2 and ds 1 sometime in the next couple of months. A curriculum decision and two baby boys all in the same year!!! What could be better??:001_tt1: God bless, Cheryl

I am SOOOOO glad all you TOG'ers responded. I am now so STOKED to get my hands on TOG:hurray:! I love that it will educate ME, give me guidance while allowing the flexibility that I need. While I've considered other curricula with planned daily schedules (and tried a couple) I know that drives me crazy!!! I believe that TOG will fit the wide variety of learning styles/capabilities of my kids while keeping us all together. I can't WAIT to start!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

Thank you, Angela. That is something I have considered. I still may do something like that. I would have to add something more than just SOTW, like Truthquest or MOH to get the biblical worldview that I want. Yes, my kids are young, they will be 7 and 6 in July. My thoughts on using TOG at this young age (KNOWING I won't use it ALL) is that I could get familar with it and be comfortable using it and then when my little guys are ready to start their first history rotation, my biggers will be on their second and I would be an old pro!!(well, maybe just OLD :lol:) I have a lot to think and pray about!! I'll see what dh thinks too. Bless you all for taking the time to answer!! You are AWESOME!!!

That TOTALLY makes sense!! I went back to the Biblioplan site and read through all their samples of the Parent Companion e-books and while they have interesting tidbits of info, that's all they are--random tidbits! I am now REALLY leaning toward finding a way to afford TOG. I'm finding that with every other thing I look at I think, "Yes, this is nice but it's no TOG!";) My only other concern with TOG is that although the DE edition is the most affordable and convenient way to go, my computer skills are minimal. I would hate to pay 150.00 and then get a virus or something and lose it all:w00t:!!!

That's ok. TOG'ers are welcome to respond! The reason I didn't ask them was because I could clearly see why they chose TOG. I think what I was hoping for was someone to respond and say, "Sure, I use Biblioplan, add a couple things and VOILA!- it's just like TOG only less expensive!!":lol: I've been given a lot to think about. I guess my mind is not completely made up yet. Cost is a big factor. Again, thank you so much for all the replies!!!

So, so sorry!! I am not at ALL techno-savvy!!:blushing: Thanks for the correction!!;)

This one is beautiful for bedtime reading. The CD's are great too!! Hey Dawn, I'm in Ohio too! Northeast. Where are you?

Hi Julie! If you go to www.biblioplan.net and take a look at their America and The World guides you can see what they will be like. I think this curriculum might be the answer to what we were discussing on the SCM board, four year cycle, biblically based and less intense than TOG (and much less expensive!).:hurray:

Using Truthquest w/Biblioplan is a GREAT idea!! Thanks!!!

From what I read on the Yahoo group, the update will be just like what they have for their America and the World guides. If you go to their website you can get a look at those. The parent companion will be an e-book and I believe the Cool History pages can be purcased as an e-book or hard copy. I think they are also updating the guide to replace OOP resources. It should be out in April. If anyone knows more, please chime in!

Your replies have been helpful! Shannon - thanks for the link. I don't know how I missed that in my previous search! Fay and Ali - it was your glowing reports of Biblioplan that sent me to research it in the first place! Thank you! I think I am going to go with my original gut feeling and go with Biblioplan. I can do our first history rotation with BP and reevaluate after 4 yrs. I really like the freedom to add whatever I like (and also have the funds to do so:)). I am eagerly awaiting the release of their revamped Ancients (complete with Parent Companion and Cool History pages!). Are you guys on the Yahoo group? I just signed up for it. You girls are the best!!! God Bless!!