:iagree: Yes! What she said!! I've used SL and some others for high school. I make TOG work. I don't let it work me :) This is how I tweak. I have some Progeny Press lit. studies that we're using for British Lit for my senior. My freshman is reading some TOG books and doing some PP studies. We also implement IEW into writing assignments. I've used Notgrass for Econ and govt. simply b/c I wasn't using TOG at the time to be able to use it for 4 years to get the govt. credit. These are just a few examples of how I make it work for us.

I have a senior and freshman (along with a 6th and 3rd grader). I agree that you can't and shouldn't box your children in, but that said, that's why we use TOG. I feel that I have something to go by and can tweak along the way. What we've used and will use in high school: MUS TOG IEW Apologia Sciences I have several Progeny Press literature studies that I've bought through the years. If TOG schedules a book that I don't want to do and I have a PP guide for a different book in the same time period, I'll schedule it instead. Tweak as you go. Make it work. But that doesn't mean you can't have a base to start from. Tiffani

This was me! I tried TOG in the past and it didn't work for me. Used SL for many years but missed "something" about TOG. Couldn't put my finger on it. TOG's books were just different. After several more years I've switched back to TOG and am VERY happy. Now I love the flexibility of deciding when I want to read each assignment. It works. But I had to watch Marcia's video on lesson planning to give myself permission to only do what we could do. I can't give you any reasons NOT to, just pray. It's not for everyone, but I love having all 4 of my guys on the same subject!!

I have a macbook and a newer iMac and use my DE with no problems. As far as printing goes, I've been getting some great deals at OfficeMax and Staples for paper and ink. I'm printing everything, and think it's still cheaper than buying the print copy too. They offer great rewards and rebates. I like having the flexibility of printing off whatever I want whenever I want. I also print on fast draft which saves on ink. It doesn't seem as "painful" if my coffee spills on my teacher pages :)

iTouch....I use for calculator, easy grader, dictionary/thesaurus, google, youtube to name a few things. I love my iTouch! I love that it's small and easily accessible. I also have some, not many, of our books on the kindle app. I'd love an iPad, but I like the smaller, compact-ness of the iTouch, plus it's cheaper. We, like you, have a laptop and desktop. For us it was a financial decisioin. I bought touches off craigslist last year. I was able to get 4 for about what I would've paid for one iPad.

Yes! The beauty of homeschooling!! Ironically, we're switching from MOH to TOG. But I'm not skipping a beat. We'll be starting in Unit 3 right where we left off in MOH. I'm like you, I love MOH, but I'm needing more variety in books, especially for the younger ones and more challenge for my older son. Do what works for you and your family, don't worry about it and don't look back!!! I'm not getting rid of MOH completely. I'm keeping it to use as a back-up spine. It is a great resource.

Ok, I'm feeling like the person that's been under a rock for the past several years. How in the world did you find all these free books and how can I find more???? Can I put them on my iPod touch?? Please....direction!!!:D Thanks!

Thanks every one. I should've mentioned that I only need units 3 and 4 at this time. If I was needing the entire year, it would be a "no brainer":D Here's something else to throw in the mix. I read on the TOG forums where KarenC (??) was able to read her DE on her iPad via Smashtop (??). If anyone knows how that works, I'd be grateful for info. I have an iMac and I don't mind reading things on my iPod touch. Possible??? How does this work??

I've read many of the threads until my heading is spinning!:001_huh: Maybe I should've done a poll. Basically I want to know: 1-Do you print....what/how much 2-Do you not print....why? Some of my thinking is....some say they mainly do questions orally. They only print maps when they need them. Some say they don't like reading things on the computer. Don't know if I'd want to sit at my computer all the time to read (but then again, would I curl up with a gigantic book and read the teacher's notes either???) Just wanting your thoughts. I don't want to order just the DE and then find myself printing more than I thought. Yet I don't want to go to the added expense of buying the print and find that I'm printing everything I need from the DE. Make sense? Clear as mud? Good, that's how my brain feels :D

Through the years I've known people who "beefed up" various curricula to suite older children, so I began to wonder if this could work for science? I'm using God's Design for the younger boys and would love to use it for my high schooler. Any thoughts? Could it be as simple as additional reading, research, experiments? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thanks!

Agree!!! (with blessedmom)

I found mine used, that's one thought. I sit with my older boys and we watch the TWSS videos together (one at a time of course). I've bought e-books from IEW and then give the boys assignments. Watch the videos as many times as you need to until you understand. Take it slow!! I've been using TWSS for years and I'm still learning things. I'm just so thankful I have the TWSS. It teaches me and the boys!

Well, if it makes you feel better, I'm "still" switching things. I find that each year changes, my boys, me anything. So I hope you find what works. It can be a fun journey, just an expensive one:eek: Are you the type that needs a schedule to have something to go by? It sounds like you're doing a good job putting things together on your own. For me, that was too overwhelming. I've heard many people enjoy Ambleside. If you're wanting to have a good list of books to simply move through, maybe that'll be your niche.

My best advice would be "just because it costs a fortune, doesn't mean that it's the best". But on the other hand, it doesn't mean it's not. Clear as mud, right?:001_huh: I have used MUS for 11 years. My oldest is in Geometry. I also tutor public and private school kids so I can say that it is a wonderful math program. Even though math is my strong point, I love that Mr. Demme teaches each week. I toyed w/ other maths years ago and several people suggested not to skip around in math. You can change history/science even LA's, but pick a math program and stick with it. Of course right now you're trying to find what will work and that's fine. I'm talking about not changing every year. MUS teaches math, but it's different from other programs.

I guess my first questions would be what's your big picture? It always helps me to know where I'm going so I can figure out what to do now. You did SL core 3 last year, then you went to S&S. Did you plan on stopping US History in the middle? Did you think S&S would cover more US History? I would think if you wanted to continue w/ US could you pick up the Landmark book from where you left off after core 3 (or is that the Boorstein book you menitoned? If you're wanting to start a 4-year history cycle could you just pick up MOH 1 and start there? Just throwing ideas out. We did S&S last year. My 12yo (at the time) loved it. We're in SL core 3+4 now and cruising right along.