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by kellybell » Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:32 pm
We like the TLP studies, but you DO have to pick and choose. One of the assignments that we cut out from all three books was: "Write a story using all 16 of your vocabulary words, using the words in order..." Instead, I had them pick their four or five hardest words (the ones "newest" to them) and write a paragraph using those words in any order. Also, there are some "busy work" spelling activities (ie. write the words in a circle, etc.). So, we do some but not all.
As for it taking an hour, I guess it could. A lot of it depends on if you are "doing everything" and if your child is a fast/slow reader and fast/slow writer. I have my two dd's set their timers for 30 minutes (four days a week) and when the timer dings, that's all the TLP you must do for the day. They don't quite get a unit done each week.
How do I fit it in with MFW? TLP takes the place of our usual spelling, grammar, formal writing and Bible dictation. The girls still do the Bible copywork (it only takes a few minutes once a week) and the Latin root work. When they finish the TLP work, they go back to their old spelling, grammar, and writing programs and they start doing the MFW Bible dictation again.
We DO the larger projects. As we start a new TLP book, I sit down with my dd and we look over the projects and decide which one(s) to tackle. Right now, one of my dd's is writing a report on storks (for The Wheel on the School) and the other is researching horse pedigrees (King of the Wind). Since they get some say-so in the big project they usually enjoy that...
I'd recommend starting with one study (TLP or Progeny -- we've not used it yet) and see how it goes. Give your dc plenty of time and don't rush it.
TLP studies are consumable (I don't know about PP though). Since I like to respect copyright rules, we are writing in our books and I'm glad we are because it would be a lot of copying otherwise. Also, you'll need a slim 3-ring binder with some index dividers for extra stuff that doesn't go in the book.
[Editors note: PP guides may be copied for your family.]
Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 5:43 pm
I like the comments on this thread about PP vs. TLP. I don't really know why we went with TLP (recommendations, saw it at convention, etc.). I agree that grammar was nonexistent (but we did All In One book, so that was covered) and there was really no literary analysis. Never did we discuss plot, theme, climax, or all those other terms from Mrs. Houston's English class.
I don't know if my going-to-be-6th grader will be doing such studies this year (I've not yet figured her out) but if so, I'll definitely consider PP and give it a try!
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 6:12 pm
Progeny Press is nice in that you can choose from several different books and do two or three in a year. It has some wonderful vocabulary words and neat discussion questions. We've enjoyed it. Total Language Plus was good too and I liked it, but PP just "clicked" better with us (plus the price is lower and they allow copying within a family where TLP doesn't).
What I liked best about TLP and PP was that they were from a Christian perspective and also let you choose the books. What I didn't like is that they didn't really build on each other. That's just their nature; if you get to choose which books you use and when you use them, then they can't really build on each other.
Kelly, wife to Jim since 1988, mom to Jamie (a girl, 1994), Mary (1996), Brian (1998) and Stephanie (2001).