I have used both. TOG for 7th and younger, and MFW CTG for 6th and younger.. TOG is super FULL. I had trouble picking and choosing. I overwhelmed my 7th grader. Just too much reading (which he loves) but we ended up not having as much time for math and science as we wanted. History and literature are wonderful, and writing, and worksheets were great, but just too much. This was probably my own fault looking back. MFW if used to its potential (including book basket and I pick my own lit selections) was much better fit. We had more time to enjoy math and science. I just have to stay on top of the olders getting there notebooking pages done to there potential. But we have time for it so that's what works for us. I like getting an overview of history with a timeline rather than in depth. TOG can be so in depth at times I felt we were loosing the flow of history. I think high school is a much better place for more in depth. But even then we keep the big picture and pick and choose depth. I also have a large family and it's much easier for me to include littles with MFW without so much extra work for me. I teach to the olders and let youngers tag along. They feel much more included. Just my perspective. Hope it helps :) Kristen

We use "How Great Thou Art I and II" with my 12-15 yr olds. They have liked it and done well. Lots of actual drawing instruction. After those two books they can pick up any drawing/art guide and learn from it on their own. I was not impressed with the nature journal. Not much drawing instruction, so I sold it. Glad you found something that will work. We have Right Side of Brain too, but couldn't get the boys into it. Sometimes it comes down to personal preference. 😉 Kristen

Thanks JG. That does help actually. I ordered Econ in a box and like what I see so far. I think my DSs will like it. Been on vaca so just now seeing this. Thanks! Kristen

I would like to bump this as I had a similar question. Thanks merylvdm for comments on Thinkwell. Very Helpful Anyone have experience with Econ in a box? Kristen

APUSH for my ds. He self studied, and has been very diligent. First AP test in our home. (Don't think he's as excited as I am ðŸ˜). Hope he does well with the whole testing process. This prep has been very good for him :) Kristen

I love MFW 1st. It gets my kids reading much faster than the other phonics programs I tried with my older dc. However I agree with the above. The Bible and phonics can't be separated. You could add a phonics program if you wanted to. We have loved the Bible, phonics, spelling, writing (Proverbs copywork), Bible notebook, reader, drawing instruction, art cards, music, math (supplement with SM), and science. Took me years to try it. Wished I had tried it with my first. The phonics is a different approach and isn't for everyone. :) Kristen

Here's ours: Geometry: A Guided Inquiry MFW world history and Lit and Bible Apologia Biology *update: Chemistry (doing modified Bio over summer per his request) Breaking the Spanish Barrier finish level 1&2 Piano The visual instructor for art. He is working through the videos that interest him. Kristen

I am interested in this also. Excellent questions Cosmos. The price tag of PAH has me looking elsewhere. So giving this a bump :) Kristen

Just wanted to say thanks for posting. My ds decided to go with the soft pastel videos. We just bought the single to try it out. He is really liking it. This is great timing as we needed something "more". Kristen

Arliemaria, look under the DITHOR section on the website. There is a list of books to read by age and genre. It also lists HOD recommendations of books (available for purchase) to be used with DITHOR. Basically a list of "readers" for literature.

Well I'll be honest, I have used mine so much that the pages are falling apart. We don't even use DITHOR, but I love the book lists. I have four different levels going right now and I can never remember the list of books I have ðŸ˜. I always just tell the kids to look at the list to see which book is next for their lit reading. So if you like the list of books on the website that are listed by grades you might like it. But like PP said you can find those books free on your own. I just like having the list handy. I also already own many of the other titles on the list that are not on the website. I've marked them so I know what extras I have for extra reading and such. Hope that helps. Kristen

I called a few schools and the one that allows for homeschoolers said they open signup for their students first in the beginning of April!! and then allow homeschool students to signup mid April. Does this seem ridiculous? The test we want is on May 6th. Should I just keep calling starting in like December?

Thanks FriedClams! Yes this is helpful. I'm going to go look at the biology kit again.

The BJU physics lab kit from home science tools is $345. Wow! Older wants to complete all labs. Do we need the kit? How hard is this to put together DIY? Also, younger wants to do BJU biology. Same questions. (Already have a nice microscope) What have yall done? Any help/hints? Thanks! Kristen

I'll have to agree with what the others have said. RTR actually seemed more monotonous than CTC. Every week there is the same thing. Over and over... My ds at about week 6 asked if he could try something different. I am happy with dropping it and moving on. I feel like his skills are growing faster using some different things. I will say that two of my other sons finished Rev T Rev, enjoyed it, and learned a lot. I think that's our favorite year :) Kristen

sorry double post

I second math mammoth (at least deserves a look). We are using it then heading to foersters. Older ds in Foerster now and wish we had had MM for pre algebra. Kristen

How fun! My ds would love to do something like this. I'll throw out an idea. What about each member write a chapter of a group book. Then everyone could discuss it after reading? May be too envolved, but sure sounds fun. Kristen

We used it 2 years ago when it first came out. (My son was in 8th). Some of the books we felt were a little below grade level, but my son did enjoy them. We also felt many of the assignments "busy work" that made the day too long so we ended up cutting some of that. The English was good. We enjoyed all of it. However we had read most of the lit books already and did rod and staff 7th in one year. My son especially liked the writing. Spanish was fun and will use again. My current eighth grader is using the science this year and it is a great fit. (He is not using the geography program just the science) We personally were disappointed in the world religions and cultures study. My son said he really wanted more information and facts that applied to the places he was studying, and felt it was kind of random. The DVD component was neat. Hope to help! Kristen Jennifer, I feel my current 8th grader could have done this program. He chose to start MFW AHL instead though and is really enjoying it (he is a strong writer and has done several HOD years). But do check the placement guide on the HOD website.

We discussed it and he feels confidant he can finish. We would like to move on to biology for 10th. That's our goal anyway ;) Hope yall enjoy! Kristen

My current (2015/2016) 8th grader started this tail end of 7th (we school year round). He has done it on his own and really likes it. I can tell he is enjoying it as he tells me neat little tidbits he's learning throughout the week. He also scores well on the quizzes/tests. Once a week he does a lab from MicroPhySci Kit (2nd edition). Some of those labs have been a bit of a challenge (in a good way). So, overall well liked and planning to use it again with my next ds in two years. Hope that helps somewhat, Kristen ETA: Have not needed to adjust anything so far. This has been one of his favorite science years. Last year he did Exploration Education advanced and of course enjoyed it as well.

I have not. You might have to start a new thread with the program in the title. Might get more responses. Just out of curiosity how many years between your youngest dd and the next to last? Happy curriculum hunting :) Kristen

I am doing MFW 1st with my ker this year (we did MFW K last year and started 1st beginning of summer.) We went slow and did the first three weeks in six. Read bob books and I made up practice sentences. We are now going a little quicker. I just add in review days when I see the need. She loves MFW first and asks for it daily. I know this is probably not what others do/have done, but it's working well for us. I went into it keeping in mind I might have to slow down. I also have not started the memory verse copy work yet. It's a bit much writing at this point. I'm just going to save them for later. Just our experience. HTH Kristen

These are my issues that ultimately drove me to drop MCT. I absolutely love grammar island and use it as a fun supplement between FLL 2 and 3. All my kids have enjoyed that one. But honestly I had no grammar background until I went through FLL and then rod and staff with my kids after a failed MCT attempt. It is just too hard to use. I need a schedule or some sort of parent helps. I know not everyone is as needy as me. Maybe many of you who use MCT and like it have the background to use it? My kids and I enjoy FLL and R&S, and it gets the job done. Now of course I would love more levels of FLL. Maybe written to the student? (shameless request 😆) I also have had issues with costumer service. This of course is just my experience. I think MCT is out there for those who are comfortable branching out in this area, and easy to find for those looking for something different. But honestly I would have been disappointed in the cost, time and effort I put into this program had WTM suggested it. Just MHO. Hopefully helpful? Kristen ETA: those of you who use R&S or FLL please do not feel like you are "spoon feeding" your students. These are solid programs that teach the same info as other programs just in a different way. Sometimes it's more time efficient to present the info, learn it and move on. The discovery method can be wonderful (some of my dc use AoPS), but it's ok to pick curriculum that just states the facts. 😉. For us it gives more instrument practice and book writing time!

HOD has an inventors study they schedule along with EE. I don't use the schedule anymore, but the books have been enjoyed by several of my kids. I would be interested in a list too though.