Finished TOG Year 3, Unit 1

We finished up our first unit in Year 3 and with a co-op. We learned about the War of 1812, Louisiana Purchase, the beginning of the Industrial Revolution with its many inventions and South America and its fight for freedom from the Spanish led by Simon Bolivar. The girls read classics such as Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein and Swiss Family Robinson along with some poetry. Did you know Frankenstein was the name of the creator not the monster?

The on-line discussions have added to the learning and the older girls really enjoy it. Well, Eldest is not thrilled with Literature but it is more the analyzing aspect than the actual discussion. She is slowly getting better with it though. The other moms have done an excellent job and it just keeps getting better. My turn to teach will come in the next unit.

Pumpkin and Cucumber were assigned to do a report on one of the inventors they learned about. They both chose to make one of his inventions. Cucumber chose Robert Fulton and made a steamboat while Pumpkin did Eli Whitney and his cotton gin. They gave a presentation to the rest of our family one night after we had a South American type meal. Good job girls!

TOG Discussions

We joined an on-line co-op for our Tapestry discussions this year. I wanted to have my girls involved with a few more students so they could hear other viewpoints and thoughts.

Today was our first sessions. Both older girls had History at 9 a.m. I listened in and thought it went well. The teacher had put together a power point to aid in the discussion that I found really neat. I will have to keep that in mind when it is my turn to teach. The discussion was mainly the French Revolution and John Adams presidency. I didn't get to hear everything but it sounded like the students were prepared and did a good job.

After a break, Eldest had to get back on at 1 p.m. for Literature discussion. This is all new to us as she has moved up to Rhetoric (high school) level. What I heard of that seemed to go well also. It was mainly an intro to and why of Literature this week. Next week they will get into Pride and Prejudice. Eldest seems to be enjoying reading that book.

We are off and running with our full school schedule now!