Mommy7 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I'm considering it for my 7th grader. I would do it as simply as possible, though. How difficult is the planning, by the way? The sample planner on the website made it look like that all it would require of the teacher is a discussion period during the week once or twice. Is that accurate? How difficult is it to do the planning? Is it just a matter of figuring out which books, and dividing it up into days? I do that now with VP, so that doesn't bother me. I'm looking for something that will challenge her thinking...but, that has the answers for me. I don't have time to read much. I'll be teaching 5 to 6 in the fall. And by the way, I LOVE scripted stuff. Then, I can elaborate if I want to, but I know I've covered it all. I also want a strong Christian viewpoint. I liked the way they warn you about things in different books on their website. Any thoughts???? I am also considering Omnibus. I just wish the books weren't so advanced. I love the way the sample of the textbook reads. I think that would be very easy to understand. But, I will not have time to read the books with her, so I need answers in front of me. I realize Omnibus has that too, but I get the feeling I need to have read them. Would you say that is so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy7 Posted April 7, 2009 Author Share Posted April 7, 2009 I'm hopeful someone will answer, so I'm trying again. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momee Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I've PM'd you. It's not soo bad :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeana Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Momee, would you mind pm me or posting on this board as I would be keen to see the answer to this question. Thanks, Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I'll find out soon since TOG Year 1 is arriving at our house this week. I'd still like to hear how others are handling it. Shannon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momee Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I'm considering it for my 7th grader. I would do it as simply as possible, though. How difficult is the planning, by the way? The sample planner on the website made it look like that all it would require of the teacher is a discussion period during the week once or twice. Is that accurate? Depends on your education and how much you want to put into it now :) It can be consuming if you let it. Trick will be to do a good job, but not let it take over your school. Math is important too, lol. The planning takes a good bit of time at the beginning of using it and the beginning of a year and for me, the beginning of each unit. Once I'm into it, it's not soo bad. The book ordering takes a good bit of time cuz I'm cheap. How difficult is it to do the planning? Is it just a matter of figuring out which books, and dividing it up into days? I do that now with VP, so that doesn't bother me. Depends again on the independence of your children. How much hand holding do they need? It's not difficult once you get your personal system down. Some folks simply order two/three weeks in advance and go with that. I am a preplanner and can't keep searching for books and school so I do it at beginning of a unit. I'm looking for something that will challenge her thinking...but, that has the answers for me. I don't have time to read much. I'll be teaching 5 to 6 in the fall. And by the way, I LOVE scripted stuff. Then, I can elaborate if I want to, but I know I've covered it all. I also want a strong Christian viewpoint. I liked the way they warn you about things in different books on their website. Here's why I felt I should reply via pm. I feel if I do a good job at it, it takes a good bit of time. If I wing it, not so much. I need to read the teacher's notes, have the work printed out for my kids when they need it, have the books here when they need them, and ensure they're working throughout the week on what they're to do otherwise it gets too big. At the dialectic level this is a huge jump from doing workbook oriented stuff. Be sure you're child's ready for that beforehand. Dialectic and rhetoric involves alot and I think unfairly I frustrated my oldest by starting both a year too soon. I'm rambling...specific questions, fire away. All that said, it's a fantastic program. As much as I'd love to put them into something boxed, there's nothing like it out there. All the kids have grown tremendously through it, spiritually and academically. I have too but have resorted to ponytails and skirts cuz they're easier and we have alot of work to do for school now, lol. It'd be nice to not put so much into it, but my goodness has my brain expanded as a result. One more thing, there's no way you'll "cover it all" with TOG. NO WAY. That's got to be ok or you'll just hate it. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siloam Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I'm considering it for my 7th grader. I would do it as simply as possible, though. How difficult is the planning, by the way? The sample planner on the website made it look like that all it would require of the teacher is a discussion period during the week once or twice. Is that accurate? To date I haven't done the discussion, but I am going to be starting them soon. You should take the time to read the Teacher Notes (roughly 30 mins) and the time suggestions for how long the discussions go are in the TN with the answers. I will probably only allow about 30 mins per topic (for us that will be Bible, History, Literature and Science-though the last isn't TOG related), simply because like you I have other priorities, so we will do as much as we can in that time, and walk away from the rest. You do need to be able to say know to perfectly good stuff that you just don't have the time to do. How difficult is it to do the planning? Is it just a matter of figuring out which books, and dividing it up into days? I do that now with VP, so that doesn't bother me. If you are used to VP then TOG planning would be similar, I think. If you are used to a program like SL where all you do is open the page and go, then you might have problems. You choose books, break them into reading portions, or work on training your child to do the second. The mapping, activities and such are on the Student Activity Pages, so you highlight what you want them to do for the week and hand them the pages to work from. I'm looking for something that will challenge her thinking...but, that has the answers for me. I don't have time to read much. I'll be teaching 5 to 6 in the fall. And by the way, I LOVE scripted stuff. Then, I can elaborate if I want to, but I know I've covered it all. I also want a strong Christian viewpoint. I liked the way they warn you about things in different books on their website. TOG isn't scripted, but it does have the answers to most of the work in the teacher's notes. If you are comfortable with winging it you might not need to read the notes. I am highly likely to do that. :001_huh: Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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