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~Rachel~
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| Posted: Jan 16 2008 at 12:39pm | IP Logged
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OK I searched the archives, saw it mentioned in a few posts, but saw newer ones where people were actually USING it now 
I have the sample lessons and plan to look through them, but what do you THINK about TOG?
Is it a good program?
Catholic friendly? (I saw the link to alternative resources  )
Worth getting?
DS  history, and I was just looking for something that builds on that
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Martha in VA
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| Posted: Jan 16 2008 at 3:46pm | IP Logged
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Hi Rachel,
I used TOG last year for Ancient History and am using it again for Medieval/Renaissance/Reformation.
Likes:
*the Ancient History year was great, I didn't substitute anything but added lots of saints/church history/early church fathers; it was our best year yet
*keeps me on track
*teacher notes help me to have knowledgeable discussions with my children
*everyone is studying the same time period, just at different levels
*I can substitute other titles if I don't like the ones recommended
*there's a TOG-Catholic Yahoo group with very useful book lists
*Marcia Summerville asked for input from Catholic on the Yahoo group as she was revising Year 2
Dislikes:
*it can be overwhelming if I try to do too much
*Year 2 has required lots of book switching and therefore more research on my part
*although not anti-catholic, they are very, very reformed and that definitely comes through in all of their materials, including the teacher's notes
Let me know if you have other questions.
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Anne
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| Posted: Jan 17 2008 at 8:49am | IP Logged
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I have been using TOG year 1 this year. I love how effective it is for larger families. I also love how it teaches to 4 different levels: Lower grammar, Upper grammer, Dialectic, & Rhetoric. It is an excellent curriculum for the highschool years (IMHO).
All that being said..... I am considering selling the program because I feel too stressed out trying to keep up with it. I am moving more toward a Real Learning season and even though I could still channel this into my plan, I feel that Story of the World is much better for me right now. I do have reservations about getting rid of it as I may want to use it during the high school years.
I am rambling  .
I do use a seperate Catholic cirriculum along with TOG. I like how the TOG history follows the Bible so I do use the DK Family Bible.
I have the Writing Aids program but have not used it much. I just want more time to read through it. The CD's that go along with it have great graphic organizers.
I hope this review has helped. I suggest that you go to their web site and try it for 3 weeks. They offer it free and it will give you a good idea if it is for you.
Good Luck! 
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vmalott
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| Posted: Jan 23 2008 at 8:08am | IP Logged
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Rachel,
I don't know if you hang at the Well Trained Mind forums, but you can glean more information there...though it likely won't be from a Catholic point of view.
I think the general consensus, from what I've read there, is the multi-level approach is one of its greatest strengths. Also, from those who have been using it for some time, the feeling is that once a child reaches logic stage, he benefits more from the curriculum (discussion questions, writing assignments, etc.). So, while it is completely possible to use with only younger children, or only one child, it may be a costly way to go.
That's just what I've gathered from reading at WTM. There are many positive reviews as well, don't get me wrong...I'm just pointing out some of the cons I've read. I don't have any personal experience w/the curriculum myself, other than reading through the samples oodles of times.
I go back and forth on thinking this would be great for my family, but my main issues are the cost and the possibility of having to tinker too much around the reformed theology (philosophy? approach?) that Martha mentions. I'd hate to spend a bunch of money on it only to have to re-invent the wheel. KWIM?
Valerie
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vmalott
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| Posted: Feb 09 2008 at 7:13am | IP Logged
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Well, I decided to "bite the bullet" and purchase ONE unit of TOG to try out. My main issue was the cost, but I have to admit that it seems to be well worth the cost! Boy, is this one unit jam-packed with stuff. It is so incredibly thorough. I'm really looking forward to delving deeper into history, rather than just giving them exposure (though that is just fine for the younger set).
I also went ahead and joined the TOG-Catholic group...hi Martha! There really are a lot of good ideas for substitutions from that group.
Valerie
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Martha in VA
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| Posted: Feb 09 2008 at 8:39am | IP Logged
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vmalott wrote:
I also went ahead and joined the TOG-Catholic group...hi Martha! There really are a lot of good ideas for substitutions from that group.
Valerie |
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Hi Valerie! I couldn't be doing TOG without that group. You will find it very helpful. I don't know what year you're using (we're in Year 2, Unit 3 now) but let me know if you have any questions.
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c_rob
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| Posted: Feb 11 2008 at 12:45am | IP Logged
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Hi Rachel,
I started out with SOW three years ago, but have been using TOG for the last 18 months. I am sold. I love the ability to pick and choose from lesson plans, teaching levels and resources.
Question - What is the Catholic TOG group and how do I access it?
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Martha in VA
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| Posted: Feb 11 2008 at 7:31am | IP Logged
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c_rob wrote:
Hi Rachel,
I started out with SOW three years ago, but have been using TOG for the last 18 months. I am sold. I love the ability to pick and choose from lesson plans, teaching levels and resources.
Question - What is the Catholic TOG group and how do I access it?
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Here 'ya go.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TOG-Catholic/
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vmalott
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| Posted: Feb 11 2008 at 7:50am | IP Logged
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Martha,
I have Y2U1 that we'll be heading into after we finish up with the Fall of Rome (a la RC History). I will likely purchase the rest of the Year Plan if things go well with the first unit. Thus, your input and that of others via the TOG-Catholic group will prove most helpful for Unit 2.
Valerie
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monica
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| Posted: July 21 2009 at 10:24pm | IP Logged
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valerie, i was wondering since you posted this last year how tapestry of grace worked out for you. would you recommend it to others?
monica
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vmalott
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| Posted: July 24 2009 at 6:51am | IP Logged
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Monica,
I wound up doing so much tweaking that I didn't continue with any other units. I'm a tweaker by nature, so I don't think it was a problem with the unit I purchased.
It really is an incredible program...it is so packed with information that it is intimidating at first. I realize it isn't designed for one to use EVERYTHING that is suggested...it is a smorgasbord for you to choose from.
My main issue is the cost of the program if you purchase a whole year plan. There is that pressure to want to use it to its fullest (w/multiple levels, history, geography, writing assignments, government, philosophy, religion, etc.) and then the potential for disappointment when you don't use it to get your money's worth.
Would I recommend it?  hard to say. I think it would probably be great for someone who is earlier in their homeschooling journey, for someone who needs the extras like writing assignments/literature worksheets/etc. I'm at the point where I need to make use of the wonderful resources I already have or can find for free online.
I do refer to the topics outlined in each year plan at the website to help me design my history plans each year. And, yes, I still go back and forth on whether it would be easier to take the plunge again and buy, but I'm pretty sure the same thing would happen. 
Valerie
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Maggie
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| Posted: July 07 2014 at 4:45pm | IP Logged
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I know this thread is "old"--but has anyone used TOG since? Reviews? I am thinking of using it as a history spine but am concerned about the Protestant Theology.
Also, I really am not understanding how it works. Do you purchase books from their website? Do they suggest living books to read--do you just get these from the library? I'm confused... 
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MarilynW
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| Posted: July 08 2014 at 8:38am | IP Logged
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Maggie - I looked at it a few years ago and thought the very reformed Protestant theology was very prevalent and very woven into the plans. It is also an "entire curriculum" really - most people I know who use it, see this as a benefit. Writing, theology, history, geography etc etc. I think it would be a waste to us it for just history.
I think you can buy the lesson plans and books as a package or separately - or at least you used to be able to.
I think that RC History would be better.
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4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Topic: Tapestry of Grace
