Outline of how we school (TOG 3 YEAR CYCLE)

Using TOG in a 3 year cycle (and science)


YEAR 1: Ancients/Early Middle Ages....Biology/Earth Science
YEAR 2: Middle Ages/Early Modern.....Earth Science/Chemistry
YEAR 3:Early Modern/Modern....Chemistry/Physics

Children are folded into each as they become that age. So right now we are in YEAR 3 and have dsbaby ;), dd2 (both Lower Primary), dd4 (Upper Primary), ds6 (Lower Grammar), dd9 and ds11 (Upper Grammar).

PRIMARY LEVELS: Goal is EXPOSURE.
Lower Primary (0-3 yrs.) Play and add in as wanted or able. (Honestly....people can say all they want about not doing anything, but my kids feel left out. Even Colton age 6 months, joins us for activities. He even played in the Oobleck the other day :D )

Upper Primary (4-6 yrs) Start the 3 R's as able and IF interested. NO PRESSURE! Working mostly on habit training, character, Bible, phonics (using Phonics Road first 5 or so weeks), and number play (Primer MUS, MEP, CSMP, Miquin, and Early Singapore options....mix with what we have :) )

History Focus: Where? Focus mainly on location of events. Working on basic map skills and land forms. As we go through stories, they are NOT expected to remember ANYTHING! :) The goal is simply to expose them to the stories so that it is easier later to make connections. Color sheets and projects are used as well to make this fun. We "row" books for this age group...rereading as they wish and making connections to science, Bible, character, etc as we go.

Science Focus: VERY BRIEF intro as they move through cycle. Main goal is to connect the science to the things around them. Example: Mammals and animal traits/behaviors.....we will really watch our pets (cat and dog) or go play outside and take pictures or video of as many mammals as we can find.



LOWER GRAMMAR (6-9yrs) Who? Connecting with the PEOPLE of History. Goal is EXPLORATION.

History Focus: Real getting to know the people that have shaped the world we live in. Continue Geography and work on memorizing countries in each continent. This will continue through out all cycles so we take our time and enjoy the process. :)

Countries:
Yr1: Asia and Africa
Yr2: Europe and N.America
Yr3: S.America and Australia

Also United States states and capitals.

Science Focus: Exploration and playing with ideas and things to learn. Working on memorizing specifics that will make science easier in future such as: cell parts, classifications of animals, types of simple machines, types of clouds, etc.


UPPER GRAMMAR (9-12yrs) When? Connecting with the Timeline to History. Goal is EXPAND. Expand on what you already know.

History Focus: Real getting to know the the time frame and order that things occurred. Continue Geography and work on memorizing countries in each continent. This will continue through out all cycles so we take our time and enjoy the process. :)

Countries:
Yr1: Asia and Africa
Yr2: Europe and N.America
Yr3: S.America and Australia

Review United States states and capitals; learning Canadian and Mexican provinces.

Science Focus: Expand knowledge of topic areas. Continue working on memorizing specifics that will make science easier in future such as: cell parts, classifications of animals, types of simple machines, types of clouds, etc.


LOGIC/DIALECTIC (12-15yrs) Why? Start asking questions. Pull apart the details and figure out the ins and outs of how it all happened. What, where, who, why, how, and when.

History Focus: Making connections based on what they have been learning. Looking more in depth based on their interests.

Science Focus: Really exploring why ____ does what it does

RHETORIC (15-18yrs)How it is/was and What we can do about it. This is the Understanding and Application phase. Focus on social issues and what we can do about them.

History/Science Focus: USING what we have learned. Community service work/projects.

QUICK TIPS FOR 3 YEAR CYCLE:

1) You make the program, the program do NOT make you! Use it so that it WORKS. Make it your own. :)

2) Work within students level. Sometimes we get too eager or don't push them enough. I am big on leaving them in each of the TOG levels or DROPPING a level. Still with me? ;) I believe TOG is that strong!

3) Be willing to let some things go. TOG is MEATY! You don't have to do it all. For me, it means leaving the dishes and the laundry! :D

4) Do what works. Don't like a book? Sub it! Want more videos? Add them guilt free.

5) Shop at home FIRST! Look through what you already own to se if you can ave money or time.

6) Become friends with your librarians. :) If you plan on using them to do TOG, set up a tour for kids and teach them how to use the library. Staff should be supportive and helpful.

7) Use TOG to help YOU as a teacher. You don't have to use it as written for your kids. You can use it as a skeleton of your studies. I am using a few things and using some of the books as a "book basket" option. Make it your own.

8) Make purchases/substitutions/eliminations based on YOUR STUDENTS preferences. It is easy to make a plan based on what other peoples children love, but then watch your children's eyes glaze over with boredome. Hurts! lol Let your children be your guide!


Any questions??? :D Hope this helps!