Thanks again. I appreciate your input on jumping in mid-cycle. Like you said, now the big hurdle is figuring out if TOG is for us. Thanks!

Yep, I got that and I really appreciate you helping me figure out what it is that does "fit" us. Also, thanks for describing the Loom a little more to me and how you use it in your hs. I wonder if I can bother you with one more question. I notice you are doing TOG y2. Did you start here or did you do y1 last year? If so, has it been a problem jumping in mid-cycle? Thanks!

I can definitely see how this could become the case, especially with our library:rolleyes:

Pam, thanks for your thoughts. I am going through the samples and seeing that it really could be do-able with a young one. However, I can see how one could feel a need to do it all and I'm not sure how I would handle that. Normally, I'm pretty good at weeding out the excess, but in this case, the excess still looks good so it might be harder to weed out:D. I'm going to continue working my way through the sample weeks and maybe even give it a try like you suggested. Thanks!

Thanks for this advice, it really makes a lot of sense. I could definitely see how if I didn't buy the books now I could regret it later. Also, thanks for your thoughts on TOG for lg. I'm still working my way through the samples but I can see how it is possible. Thanks!

Melissa, Thanks for your thoughts. I am still trying to figure this all out but I'll take a closer look at WP as well. Thanks!

Jessica, This is awesome! I have been working my way through the sample after reading your suggestions and it is making sense. I am only through the first week but I can see that it really isn't that confusing. Also, would you mind telling me a little about the Loom and how it fits in? Thanks!

Elizabeth, We must have been posting at the same time. I would say my son's passion is in science and literature but he does really seem to enjoy history. However, as I mentioned before, we don't desire history to become the focus of our studies. It doesn't seem to fit my son and it doesn't fit the goals dh and I have. I think that is the reason I never even considered TOG in the first place. In fact, I always figured I would just do a textbook type history, short and sweet and over with quickly. However, my eyes have been opened to the value of making history come alive with good books. That is why I have started searching. TOG sparked my interest because I thought it might be a way to combine Bible, Lit, Writing, and History and streamline our day. I haven't ever given VP a real look. I'm going to head over there and see what it is all about. Thanks! Edited to add: I've taken a little bit of a look at the VP website and I'm wondering what exactly it is that you are doing. Is it the scholars program? You mention that there is history, lit guides (which I see separate) and writing assignments. For history I see the Homeschool kits that have the cards and the CD, is this what you are doing? Thanks again!

So, can I blame it on the planning bug too???:D It seems like the overwhelming advice here is that I need to relax a little and have some fun. (My dh would totally agree!) I just need to figure out how to do this. I'm glad I'm not alone in this battle and I have everyone's help in this. Thanks!

Thanks Jen! Your comment about what you tried to cram down your young one's throats really hit home. I need to figure out a way relax a little and have some fun!:party: I also appreciate your opinion that TOG could be used like this if I let it. Thanks!

Thanks Elizabeth. We keep seeming to run into each other these days. Maybe I should start paying you for all of the curriculum consulting you have been doing for me:D. I really appreciate your help and opinions. And yes, I wanted brutal honesty (we are talking big money here and I don't want to get sucked into something just 'cause). I completely agree that the need for the a cohesive study isn't necessary for this age. I guess my post was a little misleading, I meant that I need that for me. I need something that I can follow so I know what the plan is and where we are going. I doesn't necessarily have to be chronological, I just need to see the bigger picture. You are completely right. Some of my sons favorite books to read this year have been the Heroes in History biographies published by YWAM. We even read one as a co-read aloud and I learned a ton. So if I can learn from reading one simple biography, I know he can. You have given some really good ideas of how I might be able to relax a little and have a little more fun with this. I don't know if you have noticed in my latest thread that you have helped answer, but I think I am going through some type of panic episode :laugh:. I am trying to plan things out for ds's 2nd grade year next year and I'm really stressing that I'm not challenging his advanced mind. I am really struggling with this and balancing it with the fact that he will only be 7 next year and needs to have a chance to have some fun! When will I ever learn?:confused: Thanks!

Jessica, Thanks for your thoughts. I really appreciate your feedback since I know you are using TOG with younger ones as well. I don't mind having to "fill my plate" so to say (nice analogy by the way:001_smile:), I just don't like having to spend hours trying to figure out which things to choose. I'm pretty good at deciding which things I think are necessary or can be skipped but I don't want to have to wade through a bunch of info trying to figure out where we are going before I can decide what to cut KWIM? As I mentioned to Heather, I'm still trying to work my way through the sample. There is a lot there and it is a bit overwhelming (maybe a hint that this may not be right for us;)???). Thanks!

Thanks Heather. I have downloaded the sample but am still trying to work my way through it, it is kind of overwhelming. I like the idea that I can go as little or as much as I like and that is why, even thought I know TOG can be way too much, I was still thinking it might be a possibility. I'll have to look over the sample some more. Thanks!

I can't believe I'm even considering this, but would TOG work for me? This year I've been doing American History with my ds (6yo, 1st grade) using Beyond Little Hearts For His Glory. I'm considering going on to the Bigger Hearts program next year but I'm not quite sold yet and still exploring my history options. I'll be honest, history is not really my thing :eek:. I had awful history teachers growing up and was never too interested in the subject. I will say that as I have aged and have gained a better understanding of history, I have actually started to enjoy it somewhat. However, it still isn't a major focus of our hs nor do we desire it to be (we are by far more math and science oriented here). However, I do want my kids to enjoy it more than I did and I can tell that they already do. My ds loves to read and has read quite a bit of historical fiction and has learned a lot (and so have I). So I'm really thinking I want to incorporate these types of good books because I see how much can be learned from them. However, I am a serious check the box, linear thinking, kind of gal. So I need structure and a spine to feel like it is cohesive. Plus, without the benefit of someone else's structure, my serious lack of historical knowledge would bury us all. I would also like discussion questions, mapping/geography, and maybe a FEW hands on projects, or even research type projects would be good. My other big concern for next year is trying to streamline things. My other two kiddos are still young (4 and 2) but I know that it won't be long before I have to make time to fully school them (my 4yo is learning to read right now but that is a very light day:D). As I mentioned, I am a very linear thinker and am trying to map things out for the future and how that will all work. I know that at some point I'm going to need to combine my dc as much as possible. I'm also thinking if I can combine/streamline subjects withing each child life will be easier. In other words, why not combine lit studies and writing assignments with our history studies? From what I am gathering about TOG, it seems like it might fit in with what I'm looking for. Except, I'm afraid it will be history overload for our family since that isn't really our focus. I also have to admit, it looks so confusing and I don't do well with keeping up with weekly planning. I'm kind of more of an, open the book and wing it type, and I know TOG wouldn't work well this way. And my final big concern is.... the money. Again, since history isn't our focus, it also isn't where the majority of the budget typically goes. However, I realize that TOG can be used over and over for many years to come so I may be able to justify to myself (and dh). So, what are your thoughts for me? Could TOG work? Could I use it as kind of a school in a box type of program, adding in Math, Science, and Grammar only? Thanks!

Thanks Heather for you thoughts on the difficulty of the two programs. I had the same initial reaction that Rhondabee had, that the Colors samples almost looked harder and wordier than the Rainbow sample. I had been toying with the idea of doing Rainbow this next year with my science advanced ds but decided it would be better just to go with the Colors program since it is closer to his level. When you posted about the samples I rushed over to look at them and felt a little disappointed that they weren't quite at the level I was expecting. However, I also haven't used the Rainbow program so all of my impressions are based solely on the samples. So I appreciate hearing feedback from someone who has used the program and can give better insight. I have printed off the samples and I am going to have ds read through them and see what he thinks. Thanks!

Elizabeth, I keep going back to the website, looking through the sample pages over and over, but can't quite come to a conclusion on what I'm feeling and thinking. Your posts are really helping me work through my thoughts on this program and I really appreciate the time you are taking to update us as your dd works through it! However, don't stress yourself too much trying to update me, I know you have lots of other things going on (don't we all:D). I think the lit guides are still high on my list of possibilities for next year. I am considering these as well as the ones from William and Mary, which also look very good. However, the choice of books that MBP offers looks a little better for us. Some of the WM books that I think would work well for us have a higher suggested level then I probably want. While my ds could handle the actual reading, I'm not sure he could handle the output required by the unit. I know that love2read posted in another thread saying that the WM units are rated pretty correctly, so a book listed as a 3-5 would actually be appropriate for a gifted 3-5 grader. Unlike so many other things, where a level 3-5 would be no problem, I'm thinking for the WM units I should probably stick closer to those rated 2-3 since he will be a 2nd grader this fall. WM doesn't have many that fall in this category but I may try the few that they do have. I never thought trying to hs an accelerated child would be so tough. I thought it would make my job easier because then I wouldn't have to worry about the dreaded "being behind" scenario. Instead, trying to challenge my ds and help him live up to his potential is challenging me!:willy_nilly: Thanks again!

Ahhh, don't feel stupid. I just checked their website after you posted, hoping to save you from having to e-mail me. I had checked last night and they weren't there so your post was definitely appreciated! Thanks!

Yeah! :party: I have been waiting, literally, for years for this. I just checked their website and saw that samples are up there. Are these the same samples that you have or do you have something else? Thanks for posting!

Wildiris, Thank you very much for your feedback. It is helpful to know that it is really geared towards classrooms but can be effective for home use. Thanks!

Shannon, That sounds great. I would love to hear your input in a few weeks once you have gotten a taste of the program. Thanks!:thumbup:

love2read, Thanks for your input, I look forward to any other comments you have to offer and I am going to check out the link you posted to get a better idea of the program. I think the lit units and the science are of most interest but I'd also be very eager to hear any thoughts you have on any of the units. Thanks! Oh, and I think I will send you a pm to ask you a bit about the issues you raised.

Elizabeth, Thanks for the update. It sounds like so far so good. I'll be interested to hear how the rest of it goes. Renai, Yes, please do share with us how it goes once you get into the unit. I would definitely love to hear your experience. Thanks!

I haven't used these but have researched for something similar. The closest thing I have come to is The Arrow by Bravewriter. The other thing that might be close is Sonlight's LA. Hopefully someone else will have more suggestions. HTH!