This was a short school week, a really short week. It wasn't supposed to be quite so short, but we had more sickness in our house this week. Monday and Tuesday were productive days; the big boys managed to cover all subjects and I was able to fit in some fun story and craft time with Bram.But around 11PM on Tuesday night Bram woke up (while sleeping between me and Shane) and vomited all over the bed...and the hallway...and in the shower...several times. Poor baby. This was the first time he'd ever thrown up. He didn't like it. He told me in a sad weak voice:
"Me no like that stuff come out."
(Cuddling with Daddy in the wee hours of the morning)
I didn't like it either. Thankfully there was no fever, just an upset tummy. Needless to say everyone spent Wednesday loving on Bram. Thursday and Friday we didn't have school because Fox and Billy went with my step-father-in-law to a tractor pull in Ohio.
But, three days of down time gave me time to reflect on how the school year has progressed so far. It's been going pretty well but...I'm almost afraid to type the words...but I'm considering switching our main curriculum. Would it be silly to switch after 8+ weeks in?
We've been using Sonlight for years, and I love it, I highly recommend it. But with the required/needed parental read aloud time, I'm having trouble balancing two separate curricula. I know it doesn't sound like much but two separate read aloud times is difficult for me to fit in with the additional subjects and Bram's preschool.
I'm thinking of switching to Tapestry of Grace. The reason this appeals to me is because (please correct me if I'm wrong) this curriculum is made to teach all levels together. Each year is broken into four separate grade levels so all ages will be learning the same material at their own level.
Currently Billy is learning about the Eastern Hemisphere and Fox and Tony are learning about the history of Christianity. It makes me feel like Billy is largely left out of group activities, I don't like that. Technically I could supplement Billy's curriculum, or remove some item's from Fox and Tony's to make it work for everyone...but I don't want to. Is that lazy of me?
Do you use Tapestry of Grace? Do you like it? Do you have to buy all the books or can you just use the book list? What are the pros and cons?
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I've never used Tapestry of Grace but I did like Learning Adventures VERY much! We did the first book and are looking to do the second one starting in January.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.learning-adventures.org/
Love,
Janet
We used Tapestry of Grace when my children were younger- briefly. To be honest, it was just too much at the time. I've thought of going back to it a time or two but just haven't. When we tried to use it there were quite a few homeschoolers in our area that were also using it that never failed to beat me to the library. Some of the books were also hard to find. In all fairness, TOG has been revised since we gave it a try and there is now a very active online presence of users to give you a helping hand if you need it. I am also not a stickler with the classical approach- though I think it looks great in theory- we're just more relaxed than that.
ReplyDeleteI did like the fact that it was multi-level, but my children are very close in age so I consider anything we use multi-level. We also met with part of a co-op that year as well, which was fun. We weren't included on a regular basis because my kids were young and the other kids were teens but the person in charge was a close friend of mine so we were able to participate in a very memorable Medieval Dinner.
Half way through the year we gave up because it just was too much for us.
I hope you hear from some readers that really loved TOG, it is a very impressive program- just not a good fit for my family.
I owned TOG for a few weeks and I couldn't figure it out. Apparently there is a learning curve, but it was too steep for me! Have you looked at My Father's World? It also teaches everyone together, but is quite a bit more open and go than TOG! Good luck finding something, mama. It's always a challenge to do what's best *and* what's practical!
ReplyDeleteThat is the same reason we switched from Sonlight also. Too much reading on my part. I like My Father's World. I think we'll keep with it for a while.
ReplyDeleteJust my two cents from an inexperienced homeschooling momma - take at face value. {grin} Have you looked into Five in a Row? I LOVE it. It is a literature based unit study that can be used with multiple children and multiple ages. I have never been to your blog, so i am unsure of the age span of your children. But I thought I would through it out there for you! If you go to my blog, click the home schooling button on the top for more of my thoughts on it. Hope you find the right fit for your family!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Tiffany
I have looked into Tapestry as well. It does look overwhelming but would be great if you can use it a few times. (We are using History Odyssey this year.)
ReplyDeleteAmy @ Missional Mama
I'm with Jesse. I couldn't figure it out and I even had a friend sit down with me and try to explain it! Must just not be for me. Good luck on your search. I'm still looking also. I've heard good things about The Story of the World, and think I'm going to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear Bram was sick. Hope he's better today. But, still...three years old and the first time he's ever thrown up? You are one lucky mama. I remember one night when my oldest was a baby, I finally ran out of sheets to change, she'd thrown up so many times...oh, there's more to that story, but it's probably one of those gross, TMI things. Anyway, hope Bram is feeling much better now and that everyone stays healthy this week.
ReplyDeleteHello! I've been using TOG for three years and love it. :) I've been homeschooling for 13 years (gasp!) and about to graduate D1.
ReplyDeleteWhy I like TOG:
TOG has helped me become a better teacher
It is rigorous, thorough, and systematic
Built off a "threads" which are interesting and Christian but do not ignore secular arguments
Before you buy:
There is a learning curve. I made a committment to it (by spending precious money) so that made me grit my teeth and get through it, but there is a learning curve.
It is rigorous. Each year builds upon the student's education, so Y4 (which is what we are doing now) has high Rhetoric and Dialectic expectations. Good, because it sets a high bar but MUST be taken with grace towards the student or otherwise might feel like a failure.
I love it. I feel like my family is getting an excellent education with the curriculum.
We originally were very relaxed, but over the years moved into classical.
Hope this helps!
Please consider submitting something about homeschooling to the Carnival of Homeschooling. If you are interested, here are the instructions.
ReplyDeleteIf this week is bad for you, you are always welcome to submit to future carnivals.
If a "blog carnival" is a new term, this might help.
Here is the archive of previous carnivals
Participating in a blog carnvial is a good way to get more exposure for your blog.
Thank you for your consideration.
Love, love, love TOG! For multi level years it is awesome! Do not try to do every activity or you will go crazy. Just my .02
ReplyDeleteI looked into Sonlight, but it was far beyond our minimal budget. Last year, I used My Father's World for Kindergarten. It was okay at best. I'm looking for another curriculum to use this year for first grade. My Father's World was very, very basic. I had to purchase quite a bit of additional supplementation to add to their curriculum. I did not like that at all! Love your blog by the way!
ReplyDelete