Thanks for your help. I just ordered MC 8 last week but then I saw some samples of Jump In and started to doubt my decision. I'll know better when I can actually look through the book. Any other input would be great. Renee

Which is better for an eighth grader? Thanks, Renee

anyone?

Which would be better and why? Thanks so much :) Renee

The history books can easily be substituted, and yes, they do offer suggestions. If there is a question your child cannot answer in his weekly activity page, just deal with it in your discussion time. The literature books cannot be substituted because they go with the literature worksheet. However, you could just have them read a different lit. book and not have them do the lit. worksheet. They could just do a book report or something. TOG is very flexible. For me, that is what makes it more doable than something like Sonlight. Others love Sonlight and hate all the options of TOG. You really have to figure out what works for you. Hope that helps :001_smile:

I don't use the writing portion of TOG right now, but I do know that they expect you to find your own dictation. Most of the other assignments are explained somewhere in the Writing Aids manual. Maybe you are looking under the wrong heading. It would be helpful if they made that more clear.

It's really up to you how much time you want to put into planning it. My planning consists of ordering books from the library and printing off the weekly reading list. Sometimes I print off the literature worksheet too if I think it looks good. That's about all I do, but I still think it is worth the money. With eight children and all the things I have to do and remember each day, it is nice to have a list of books for each level. I just don't have the time to put that all together myself. I usually read one of the books to the younger children and that way I am learning right along with them. I spent a lot of time planning and printing with my first year of TOG. I found that I didn't use half the stuff I printed and I wasted a lot of time. For now, this is what works for us. I'm sure there will be a season (when baby is older etc.) when we can do more. That is the nice thing about TOG, you can always do more in-depth study when it suits you. My advice, don't get caught up in all that there is to do. Just start with reading the books and talking about them. That in itself is great for their education. You can always add more later as you see fit. Just my two cents :)

That's interesting....it's exactly what I have found. They do fine with the assignments but don't remember anything! Very frustrating! This year we have done Writing Tales I for my 3rd annd 4th grader without any extra grammar, and their retention is much much better. It was a good switch. My daughter will be in fifth grade next year and I'm not sure Writing Tales II will have enough grammar in it, so that is why I am looking at R & S. Also, I have an eighth grader who is very independent and wants a workbook type program for English. I cringe at the thought of A Beka. So much work and not much to show for it in the end. This year we are doing Classical Writing for Older Beginners. It is going very slowly. He has to wait for me to do it and I have found it a bit difficult at times with all the others. However, it has been good and is accomplishing my goal for him this year, that is, to learn how to write. Not just the correct formats. I have looked at the next book in the series though and I just don't think I could hack it :( As much as I would like to.....I've got to be realistic. Well, thank you for your help; I really appreciate it! Renee

Thanks Tina, Could you elaborate a little on why you liked R & S better?

Thank you very much! I am seriously considering it instead of A beka. I'm glad others have been happy with it. Do you think the 8th grade book would have adequate writing instruction?

Thank you for your answers :) How is it different from A Beka and Fll? Would you use WWE with it or just use their (R & S's ) writing assignments?

Do you like it? How does it compare with FLL and WWE? Thanks for your help.....:001_smile:

"Starting a Spelling Notebook" by Mari MaAllister, has been a huge help! Here is a link if you'd like to read about it. Messagehttp://www.acbooks.net/Merchant2/mer...duct_Code=VAx1

It seems like there should be something out there.

Heather, You are too funny. :lol: I know what you mean about laminating. I can't get it out of my head that I have to put all of my TOG in page protectors! What can I say, I love the way it feels. Thanks for the ideas. I think the bingo would be fun. Where do I get the cards to print?

Thank you so much....I'll look into these. :001_smile:

I am using WRTR with my kids. It's going great and my older ones really like it. My Kindergartner is doing pretty good too, but she would really like some fun worksheets to do to enforce what she is learning. I have an A Beka language book, but it doesn't go along with what I am teaching her. It does blends etc. Does anything like this exist? I would really love some suggestions. Thanks, Renee

I finally gave it up this year. I so wanted to keep using it. It is a GREAT program, has fabulous technical support, and very is homeschool friendly. But I had to admit to myself that It just didn't save me any time. It was a constant frustration because I was always behind in checking off assignments etc. Just what I need...one more think to feel "behind" in. It was really hard for me to admit that It wasn't working, but I am so glad I did. I can't tell you how glad I am to be using a paper schedule. I designed one that I can fit all 4 children's assignments on for a whole week and it's all on one page. I'm very happy doing it this way and have cut down on my stress level immensely. I think HST is great for high school students though. It prints off a nice transcript and keeps track of all their credits etc. That is when the extra time and effort would be worth it.

I just wanted to say that I am using the WRTR manual with "Starting a Spelling Notebook" by Mari MaAllister. It has been a huge help! Here is a link if you'd like to read about it. Messagehttp://www.acbooks.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ACB&Product_Code=VAx1

I agree. People will give up all kinds of freedom when they are full of fear. It greatly benefits those in power don't you think.

Angelina, What made you switch from CW?

I had all my CW books spiral bound and my Writing Tales teacher guide. It makes all the difference in the world when you are trying to teach while holding your 2 month old. :001_smile: Now, I can open them and they lay so nicely on my desk. I wonder why they don't just sell them like this!

Thank you very much Kareni. Anyone else?

for a seventh grader who has never had any Latin instruction (or a mom either :) Also, it cannot be expensive...... Any suggestions? Thank You:)

I love TOG but found WA a little frustrating. It is a GREAT reference book and tells you exactly what you are supposed to end up with. However, it did not help me to teach my kids how to write, if that makes any sense. What I mean is, it will say something like, "You need to write good clear thesis statement about your paper." But how do you get from point a to point b? I guess if you have a child who is a good writer then it would be fine. Mine just need more help I guess. I was really disappointed because I wanted to use it. It would work well with a child who doesn't struggle with content. It's great for instructing on the different forms of writing. I feel like I didn't communicate my point very well, but I hope it gives you a little different view point. This year I am using Writing Tales with my younger ones and a CW with my older one. I will still have him do some of the TOG writing assignments throughout the year.