in-depth/core and amounts of reading

[Amy in WI]

I accidentally posted this first in the year 1, so I am cutting and pasting some of it here. I saw someone else had asked a question about in-depth vs core, and I'd like to expand on it more...

My sophomore son is struggling with the history. This is our second year at the rhetoric level. This week (wk2), between the core history and in-depth history readings, he was assigned 85 pages of reading. It is not simple reading. He is a bright student, doing Calculus for math, but he dreads school now. Is it necessary to do the in-depth readings? It says on the credit descriptions that you need to read both of them (3/4) to get a history credit. But I wonder why the delineation between core and in-depth if both are necessary. Wouldn't the in-depth be for honors level? Is there a trimming chart like there is for literature? How do I know what to cut? If he is to answer the questions, he needs to read everything. Where do I draw the line between high standards and excellence, and overwhelming my child? I have been trying to read through much of it with him to help him digest it, but I have 3 other children, and not enough time to do this every day. We read with the questions in hand, but that doesn't always help. In fact, sometimes the questions add to the frustration. I would love anyone's input. Thanks for listening.

Amy in WI

[mom]

"My sophomore son is struggling with the history. This is our second year at the rhetoric level."
The topics in year 2 are tough, hang in there. It will get easier for both of you.

"Is it necessary to do the in-depth readings? It says on the credit descriptions that you need to read both of them (3/4) to get a history credit. But I wonder why the delineation between core and in-depth if both are necessary. Wouldn't the in-depth be for honors level?"

Though TOG says you must do both, I just don't see that you would. I know our local high school doesn't do this much history but I encourage you to space the first few weeks out. This type of analysis and even reading for facts is soo worth it. The more the succeed here the more skills they'll bring to college. Make one TOG week into two weeks for a while if you must. It will get better. I was able to read all the core and indepth for week 1 this afternoon in about an hour and a half, looking at all the accountability and thinking questions.

"Is there a trimming chart like there is for literature? How do I know what to cut? If he is to answer the questions, he needs to read everything. "

I was able to answer the questions for week one just by doing the core readings - well all of the questions except the one on who is Geneseric. I must have missed him...

"Where do I draw the line between high standards and excellence, and overwhelming my child? I have been trying to read through much of it with him to help him digest it, but I have 3 other children, and not enough time to do this every day. We read with the questions in hand, but that doesn't always help. In fact, sometimes the questions add to the frustration. I would love anyone's input. Thanks for listening."

I totally u/stand and felt I had to reply. My comments may not help much but I can testify the skills do come but it takes work. As far as enjoyment...well. We've left TOG because my son disliked it so much. Found out there's nothing else out there that requires as much and I'm finally happy for that. Some things we just have to push through? Really. It has been very difficult for us. If I ask my son what he's learned the most from...he says TOG.
I asked him, off the cuff, who is Constantine and what is Arianism, thinking he wouldn't remember from last May when we ended.
He was able to answer both questions. I literally danced with the boy
Hang in, it's worth it.

[bspanier]

This week (wk2), between the core history and in-depth history readings, he was assigned 85 pages of reading. It is not simple reading. He is a bright student, doing Calculus for math, but he dreads school now. Is it necessary to do the in-depth readings

I so understand where you are and what you are struggling with. My 16 year old LOVES history and is a great reader...it is the math he dreads! My 15 year old does not like history or reading.

To give a high school credit at our house we say a student needs to do 135 hours worth of work. You will hear different numbers and how they are calculated from different people. This is what we have chosen to go with. 135 hours works out to about 4 hours a week. This is all I required of my 15 year old this past year. You are the master of what your son does and what you choose to call a credit.

You have lots of options if you want to cut his history a bit...do one week in two weeks as was stated, do DI history, do DI reading but RH questions, just do core reading. I would do what is best for your son. The important thing is not that he is anwering every question but that he is thinking critically. That is the best part about TOG...teaching students to think.

About public school...They don't do near what TOG suggests. I have not followed history as much but I know for 9th grade English high school students typically read 3 books a year, some poetry, a few short stories, vocabulary, lit. terms, and writing. So....I know for English TOG is above and beyond anything they do in schools. I am assuming this is true for history as well...which would be true since in schools they only do 1 year of world history and 1 year of American history.

You need to decide what is best for you and yours. You homeschool so that you can make sure your student has the type of education that God wants him/her to have. It sounds like what is best for your math loving son is something above the typical public school education when it comes to history but maybe not a full load of Tapestry. Make it work for him.

Blessings,
Barb Spanier

[Amy in WI]

Thank you all for taking the time to help me out. I think what I have been hearing is to not focus on doing everything, but on learning. I have decided to cut things down, have him understand what he does read, and discuss with him what he doesn't cover. Like many of you said, if he's learning to think critically and read difficult passages, that is what's important. Now that I have that in mind, things are going much better. Thanks!

[Halfsmom]

http://tapestryofgrace.groupee...71049621/m/117103922

This thread makes fun of my above reply. Well, not making fun but as you can see I couldn't answer the question on Geneseric because I didn't have the Famous Men book. It's something I could have easily looked up online though.