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Wow....what a thread! I have been going back and forth for a month now on whether to switch from TOG to HOD. My oldest graduated this year, and my 11th grader will be going to a private school (Lord willing). My 9th grader will be doing MFW AHL so he is all set. But then I have my 6th, 5th, 2nd, and 1st graders to think about (plus a toddler and a 4 month old to figure out what to do with :001_smile:). I love the idea of HOD, but I seriously doubt that I could pull it off. I am prone to feeling overwhelmed and can easily start to feel like I am sinking. I am desperately trying to find something to make my life easier next year so I don't feel this way 75% of the time (no fun!) I was thinking about putting the 6th grader in her own guide so she can work independently, and then putting the 5th grader in his own guide but let the little ones tag along for history, bible, and story time. This all sounded like a good idea until I started adding everything up. Seriously, how do people afford this? And am I understanding you correctly that you cannot copy the pages for another child in your own family? How does that work? Do you buy another guide each year or have the child coming up just use a guide that has been written all over by the previous child? I figure with TOG, at least I can buy unit by unit as I have the money. You know, a little at a time. Also, you can copy things from the DE so easily and as many times as you want to. The one thing I don't like about TOG is that for me, with this many kids, at different levels, I HAVE to use the library extensively. Our library system is good and has most of the books, but I get completely burnt out staying on top of the ordering/pick-up/returns etc. They REALLY should have some kind of optional book package. But that is another issue. I really like how writing is so interwoven in HOD. Writing never seems to get done here because I just do not have the time to stay on top of copywork, dictation, narration etc. One thing that caught my attention with HOD is that it seems the writing is a part of nearly everything. Every time I get settled on a decision, I get second thoughts and change my mind. I'm just not going to buy anything till I'm truly at peace. Which won't be hard because I don't have the money right now anyway. ;) I wish there was a way to make TOG a little more like HOD (with the writing woven into the subjects.) I know they(TOG) have a "writing component", but to me it always seems very separate from the reading assignments. Especially for LG and UG students. I guess I'm just getting my thoughts out of my head, hoping it will clear things up for me. If any of you have some advice, ideas, encouragement, anything you think would help.....I'm all ears. Thanks so much:001_smile:

I have.....and the PO did nothing about it! Maybe it's rare, but it does happen.

:bigear:

:bigear:

Me too!:001_smile:

Thanks Donna, That really helps. I saw some books in the bible portion that I thought I would like to substitute. I guess that would be easy enough. Now I just have to come up with $400 :001_smile:

I've done it and it works great. Actually, I do that to a lot of my books ie. Writing Tales, Classical Writing etc. It's just so much easier when you are trying to teach AND hold a baby etc. :001_smile:

Thanks Crystal, that was very helpful. I did think of posting my question on the High school board, but I know a lot of people who are in my situation (large family w/ all ages) frequent this board. I will go read the thread. Thanks!:001_smile:

Thank you for the help.:001_smile: I'm looking at the 9th grade year. How is the writing instruction? Anyone used this? Did you like it? What are the pros and cons?

Thank you! :001_smile:

LOL :001_smile: Oh I just hate to say I'm Reformed, because that can mean sooooooooooo many different things. I guess I would say that I subscribe to the Doctrines of Grace and still figuring out everything else :)

I'm "Reformedish" in my theology. Would My Father's World work for me? Also, how is the writing instruction in the high school levels? Wow, I just realized I have a lot more questions about this curr. Is there anyone who is really experienced with it that would like to help me? :confused:

There is a "sticky" with the abbreviations defined at the top of the forum. Hope that helps you........and....Welcome! :001_smile:

Can the older guides be done by the student independently? Are they written to the student?

I say "ay". Does that mean I'm developmentally challenged? :001_smile:

My plan is to do the SWIC with my 9th grader, and then have him do the High School Essay Writing Intensive. What about the research paper? Does this get taught at all in the IEW materials? If so, where? Thanks!

Thanks so much! :001_smile:

I posted this over in the HS board, but I though someone here might be able to help also. What are the "must reads" of this core? I have it (someone gave it to me), and in the interest of saving money, I was going to try to use it this year with my 9th grader. However, I would have to cut it down some. Could you help me decide what I can leave out? Also, as I was looking through the IG, I didn't see much literary analysis. Am I missing it? What would I have to add to the core to get some? Thank you so much for your help. I wish I had the $ to do what I want to next year, but I need to try and save money. The core is sitting right here in my house, so I figured, why don't I just use something I have? Oh, another question....I was thinking of having him do IEW SIC instead of the writing that went with the core. Do you think that would be a good idea? __________________

If you could only buy one of the encyclopedias listed in the AG, which one would you buy for a 5th and 6th grader? Thanks!

What are the "must reads" of this core? I have it (someone gave it to me), and in the interest of saving money, I was going to try to use it this year with my 9th grader. However, I would have to cut it down some. Could you help me decide what I can leave out? Also, as I was looking through the IG, I didn't see much literary analysis. Am I missing it? What would I have to add to the core to get some? Thank you so much for your help. I wish I had the $ to do what I want to next year, but I need to try and save money. The core is sitting right here in my house, so I figured, why don't I just use something I have? Oh, another question....I was thinking of having him do IEW SIC instead of the writing that went with the core. Do you think that would be a good idea?

Thanks! Those suggestions look great! :001_smile:

Is there a list somewhere that lines up good literature books for SOTW 4? I know she gives suggestions in the AG, but is there already a list made up. I have the activity guide, I just don't have the time to go through and pick out the books. Has anyone already done this ? :)

He likes to learn things, so I he would if it was interesting way. He's doing fine right now with VCFCR, but the samples I saw of CE looked intriguing. Should I switch, or just stick with what we're doing?

All I can say is, "Wow".........I can't believe the support and comfort you can find on this forum.....thank you so much, all of you. :o