My daughter is in 8th Grade and we've used Rod and Staff from the beginning. We are currently in the 7th Grade book b/c we've both come to the point that we hate it. Well, she hates it and I hate struggling through it with her. She is very bright and has a solid foundation. I heard someone raving about the Michael Clay Thomas Program. When I went to the site, I wasn't sure what level she would be in. Any suggestions? Thanks!

We did a timeline for year one 3 years ago. I found free timeline figures online somewhere. They included historical and Biblical events. Now, I can't find the site! The computer we had then died, so I have a new one and no record of any favorites or old files. I thought it was from Hannah's Helps, but I only see printable cards and not the timeline figures I have on our original timeline. Does anyone know a site that has these??? I've seen several that have cards that can be printed, but none have the Biblical events. Thanks!! Rachel

Linders - You are my role model!!! Oh - to be a morning person!!! My husband is up at 5 a.m. every morning without fail. I'm rolling out at 8 thinking I've really done a great job! :)

We've always been relaxed about starting school. (It may be 10 a.m. before we're actually ready.) I'm not a morning person. :tongue_smilie: However, as we have more to do - the only way to get it done is to start earlier. This summer we had to be at swim practice at 8 a.m. every morning. That was great motivation. I was amazed at how much we accomplished by getting up by 7 every morning. I'm curious as to what time others actually start their day and what is your morning routine? Do you fix breakfast every morning? (I have a 13 yr old, 10 yr old and 4 yr old.) Or, do they fix their own food? Do they do morning chores or is that left for later? What subjects are your priority for the day that must be accomplished in the morning? How much time do you alot for each subject and for music practice? Thanks!!! Rachel

I have been very happy with All About Spelling. We went through alot of programs and it is the only one that has worked. With that said, he's still not a great speller. However, he is MUCH better after using this program. Best of luck!

I jut got this in the mail. My daughter will be in 8th grade next year. For those of you who have used the program, did you do one lesson a week? Did you just hand your child the book and have them work through it? Did the words "stick"? Did you incorporate any other activities using these words? Thanks! Rachel

Thanks!!! :001_smile:

I just bought Western Civilization A Brief History Volume I: To 1715 by Jackson Spielvogel. ISBN 0534587089 Is this part of the Western Civilization book everyone raves about? Have they simply taken the large book and broken it down into smaller books? Or, is this a completely different book - only covering a small amount of the information? Thanks!

Can anyone compare WVWW Yr 1 with TOG yr 1??? What are your thoughts? Our TOG co-op now has implemented WVWW and it seems most have jumped ship and gone to WV. I decided to stay with TOG b/c I want all my children on the same history cycle. However, I've heard rave reviews and it makes me second guess my choice. I would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks! Rachel

I originally posted this in the writing section, but someone suggested I post it here as well. :) We participate in a Tapestry of Grace co-op that meets on Fridays. This co-op has now addes World Views and Starting Points. That's great! However, with the addition of so many other classes, there are not very many teachers in each class. We are stretched very thin. We just received our teaching assignments for the fall. My daughter will be in 8th grade, but I decided to put her in the Rhetoric level TOG history and writing because she is a strong reader and I knew that there would be several other 9th graders in the class. It was our goal to have enough teachers to have a separate class for these students. However, these kids are now in with the 10th -12th graders. Here is where I'm having a small panic attack. I'm one of only 2 teachers in the class. I've never taught high school level. That is definitely not my strong suit. I've always worked with preschool or younger grades. I think I can pull it together to lead discussions in history and teach geography and literature. So, I'm okay with that. WRITING!!! I don't feel qualified! I'm trying to do some deep breathing and find some helpful resources online for teaching TOG writing. I'm not even sure what level we should teach. How do you combine that many levels??? I was thinking we would teach level 9; however, we will have Juniors and Seniors in there. I'm just looking for some reassurance and feedback AND resources!!! Thanks! Rachel

Oh thanks!!!

This will be my first experience teaching at the R level in a co-op. I've only taught UG before. (4th grade) I've got to say, I'm nervous!!! Any great links, resources, blogs???? Thanks! Rachel

We participate in a Tapestry of Grace co-op that meets on Fridays. This co-op has now addes World Views and Starting Points. That's great! However, with the addition of so many other classes, there are not very many teachers in each class. We are stretched very thin. We just received our teaching assignments for the fall. My daughter will be in 8th grade, but I decided to put her in the Rhetoric level TOG history and writing because she is a strong reader and I knew that there would be several other 9th graders in the class. It was our goal to have enough teachers to have a separate class for these students. However, these kids are now in with the 10th -12th graders. Here is where I'm having a small panic attack. I'm one of only 2 teachers in the class. I've never taught high school level. That is definitely not my strong suit. I've always worked with preschool or younger grades. I think I can pull it together to lead discussions in history and teach geography and literature. So, I'm okay with that. WRITING!!! I don't feel qualified! I'm trying to do some deep breathing and find some helpful resources online for teaching TOG writing. I'm not even sure what level we should teach. How do you combine that many levels??? I was thinking we would teach level 9; however, we will have Juniors and Seniors in there. I'm just looking for some reassurance and feedback AND resources!!! Thanks! Rachel

Thank you so much for all the information!!! So many things I had not even considered. Thanks! Rachel

When planning out the high school years....which classes are you planning for them to do through the college to get dual credit? Do you tend to do literature/English/History type courses or math and science. My only concern is that my daughter would not have the math or science background to take a dual credit course. I'm trying to plan out 9th-12th, but I'm not sure how to factor in dual credit courses for 11th and 12th grade. I would love feedback from the experienced moms. Thanks!

Thanks so much!! Although I own the SP curriculum, we have not done that yet. I was thinking of starting it this summer, but knew it would not be finished by the fall. One positive -if my daughter takes the WVWW class, it would be taught by another parent and I would not have to read all the books. I just couldn't do that and homeschool my other children! I'm just not sure that it's for an 8th grader - even a strong reader and writer. We are familiar with TOG. Lots to think about!! Thanks for your input!! Rachel

Hi! I need some advice. :001_smile: Our co-op offers both TOG and WVWW. Next year, our TOG history cycle will be year 1. My daughter will be in 8th grade next year; however, she is a strong reader. She has read most of the TOG Dialectic books. So, I plan to put her in the rhetoric level. However, a friend of mine raves about WVWW. I had not considered this option before because I did not want my children on different history cycles. However, my friend pointed out that if I were to put my daughter in to WVWW next year, then she would be on the same history cycle as my son. I would love some feedback from others who have done these programs. I don't want to overwhelm my daughter. I heard that WVWW is really tough. However, I have not actually looked at it myself. Thanks!

Wow - thanks! My daughter will be in 8th grade next year, so this is the first time I've really started looking at high school requirements. How do you document what you do for English? Maybe that should be another thread? :) Take care, Rachel

I just looked at our state's requirements for graduation. It only lists - completion of Enlglish I, II, III and IV. What is covered in those classes?? I went to the school's website, but I couldn't find a list of classes. Any guidance? Thanks! Rachel

We did VHSG the year before last. It was an awesome experience!!! Can't recommend it enough. (My daughter was doing TOG History, not science - but it worked out great for us!)

Thanks Lori! Great links!! :001_smile:

I would like to teach my 4th grade co-op class about Communism. I was thinking of using the Monopoly board game. The banker would be the government and would redistribute the money after every turn. Do you have any other ideas??? Or, do you know of anything that has already been made that I could print off online? I found a Polish game about Communism that sounds really neat, but I think it's all in Polish. :0( Any ideas would be greatly apperciated!! Thanks, Rachel

We're doing year 4 this year. We did year 2 last year, but we skipped to year 4 in order to join a co-op. We were NEVER on the same year as anyone else in our area. There are numerous co-ops and they were all doing different years. It was GREAT when we went to the library b/c no on else was checking those books out!:D However, there was no one to do activities with. I'm excited about the Unit celebrations and other activites we can share with others.

We have to be at co-op by 8:40 a.m. (which means leaving the house around 8:20 a.m.) and it's over at 2:00. I've already committed, so there's no backing out now - since the first one is this Friday. YIKES!!:001_smile: I have to teach during that entire time, so I think I'll be spent for the day. It's hard for me to imagine doing school on the weekend. I guess it's b/c my husband is home, the t.v. is on, etc.... It's just not our normal quiet, relaxing environment. However, we may just have to change! Maybe Sunday afternoon we start our school week? Hmm, something to think about. Thanks!

We just started back to school this week. I have a 7th grader, 4th grader and soon to be 4 year old. I'm trying to get back in the swing of things and figure out the best flow for the day. We joined a TOG co-op this year that will also cover Apologia science and either IEW or TOG writing. I've never been in a forced 4 day week. I like 4 day weeks - with a 5th day to "have fun". However, now we have to do it all in 4 days and the 5th day is a full co-op day. On top of school we have piano, violin and choir. My poor 4 year old is just along for the ride. I feel like I'm with either my son or daughter going over lessons and he gets a book here and there. Thank goodness he loves to build with Legos, play trains and put together puzzles. I would love to see how you schedule your day. We've always done alot of subjects together, but they are moving in to different sciences this year and although we are studying the same time period the focus on the books is different. I just need to hear from others and see how everyone is putting it all together. I know there are seasoned moms with alot more children than 3 who are getting it done. I need to hear from you!!!:001_smile: Thanks, Rachel