GATHER ROUND vs THE GOOD AND THE BEAUTIFUL SCIENCE UNIT COMPARISON\\family style homeschool review

[@Thenewt166]

Love that TGTB has KZbin videos of the experiments when we don’t have time to actually do them but also that the experiments are simple and easy to do if you wanted to do them.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I didn’t even know that! Thanks for telling me...that is a GREAT perk!! I like all the KZbin video suggestions they have in the lessons! Are these experiments referenced in the lesson? I’ve only done Marine biology.

[@sjones9944]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan yes they are! At least in the newer ones, I have an old Arthropods that doesn't.

[@SimplyLivingIt]

I haven't used any units from TG&TB thus far but use and love Gather Round! Thank you for this comparison!!! 🤗❤

[@lillulu1848]

Thank you SO much for this review. I have been really wanting to make the switch to TGATB’s science units, but I already bought all of Year 1 from GR and I feel guilty just tossing it to the side. We have recently switched all of our subjects to TGATB and it’s the first time our homeschool has gone so smoothly and with little complaint, if any, from my children. The only subject we use GR for is science and most of the time I dread the insane amount of reading on my part. It feels so dry and it’s difficult to keep my childrens’ attention. They love learning the information, but it’s too much textbook-like reading. I finally feel the push to switch after watching this review. My kids would be much more engaged with little snippets of reading mixed with experiments and activities. This exhausted mom needs open and go! Thank you thank you for this video! You have certainly gained a new subscriber!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I understand that guilt!! I’m so sorry. I almost bought more units as well but thought, “I’d better try it first!” Exhausted mom needs open and go....AMEN!!

[@thishouseloves]

We tossed entire year one to the side! I need one on one time with my kiddos! And the dynamic in TGTB groups is much more friendly

[@missmel9605]

This is disappointing as I thought GR was little reading & very relaxed and fun . We just bought a unit in hopes to lighten our load for a bit - I bought hard copies and it was expensive too. If I do end up enjoying this as much as I hope then digital seems the way to go

[@meghanamidei5035]

I bought gather round this year and was SO disappointed. I’m glad I tried it because I was curious, but I’m sticking with TGTB.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

That’s a bummer. I know many who are really enjoying it. I think it depends on family dynamics and your style of learning. But it always stinks to buy curriculum and then realize it’s not working.

[@callsign.Noctra]

Great comparison video. I never went with GR as I was very turned off by Rebecca and MB a while back. I do absolutely love TGATB curriculum though. I’m so excited for their new Constitution unit dropping on the 30th! Also, I love your display! I’ll have to try something like that for our dining room🙂

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you!!! The whole “controversy” is unfortunate in that is seems to be so divisive. I admittedly didn’t know what to think when it had first come out bc we were using classical conversations when it all happened and weren’t on the market for any of it anyway. So, the marine biology unit was our very first exposure. I didn’t know what to expect. But like I said….we loved it!

[@LaciElements08]

I agree 100% with everything you are saying. We are also really looking forward to TGATB Constitution unit.

[@missmel9605]

Can you tell me more about what you mean about Rebecca & MB? I only ask because I just heard about GR and also bought one of the units + her MB Bible courses (still waiting to get my order)

[@teambfarm5415]

Great comparison!! We have used both, and I honestly can't decide! We lean more towards tgtb, but I see a place for both!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I can see how GR would be appealing with certain family dynamics!! We’ve only done the one TGATB science so I’m anxious to try more and see if our experience is similar.

[@homeschoolingthroughhighschool]

I appreciate this. For my middle schoolers, I'm wanting to combine these two companies for Marine Biology/Oceans and this video helped a bunch!

[@kariquick5148]

This is the BEST comparison video I've seen!! Very helpful, thank you!! 😄

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you so much!!! Have you seen others comparing GR and TGATB? I’ve never seen another.

[@kariquick5148]

Hmm...no, I don't think I've seen other comparisons for these two, especially narrowing in on the science component. Your honesty and real life application really makes your video stand out. ❤ ❤❤

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@kariquick5148 thank you so much!!! You just made my day!!!! ☺️

[@laurenlowe5795]

Very great comparison! We have used both as well. And I agree with all your points. I am excited to try one of the year two GR units, as I’ve heard they made a ton of improvements. We are currently doing Energy TGTB with 7,6,5 year olds and they love it ❤️ We use TGTB LA for one kid and LLFLE for another! I also enjoyed your video on language lessons for living education. Joy of homeschooling being able to use different things for different kids. Love your content ! 😁

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Absolutely!!! I love looking at new curriculum to try!! Let me know if you think GR year two made significant improvements. My kids LOVE science experiments though!! And I LoVE having it all planned out for me! Thank you for the encouragement!! I’m so glad my content is helpful!

[@SevenInAll]

Most of the year 2 units haven't been very science-focused--we've been doing the "Artists" unit from Gather 'Round, and I think it's that type of theme (different types of art) where Gather 'Round really shines....I prefer focusing in on one subject with science. I'm not really sure what my littlest sister will do for science next year...I'll have to ask my mom about that. For the high schoolers, it's chemistry, woohoo! The good stuff!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I’m interested to know how this works for high schoolers bc I personally, don’t see it. 😜 after having it tried it with my middle schooler.

[@SevenInAll]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan Well, see, our family is totally cool with doing school for the fun of it. lol. The high schooler is kind of nerdy (I can say this because she's so much like me)....she does a full Sonlight core on her own (history/bible/literature), Life of Fred Math, Apologia Science, Abeka Grammar, Mandarin Chinese...AND then we do the Gather Round unit together, and we play with photography or paint or mold stuff out of clay or do that 'extra' kind of stuff. I'm in charge of her writing assignments and I mainly pull those from Gather 'Round and extend things that are suggested. So that's how it "works" for high school in our family--it's a fun elective that has spurred some creativity during this very, very long lockdown that makes apartment life feel very small.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@SevenInAll you guys are super nerdy!! 😜😜😜😜

[@SevenInAll]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan bahahaha...hey, I'm honest with myself. I'm not the cool kid in school. ha! If you see my "ask a homeschool grad" interview series...it's pretty obvious which siblings love school....and which ones were the troublemakers in homeschool days. haha!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@SevenInAll nothing wrong with being nerdy! My husband is tired of me telling him about all the KZbin analytics!! Lol! We all have our nerdy tendencies! 😜

[@faithfullyinfertile]

Great job on this video!!! Very informative. I totally agree that when you are basically using GR for history or science ONLY, it can seem a bit pricy unless you are stretching out the unit over a few months instead of the 4-5 weeks it is designed to be completed in. It is key to have a good printer especially if you choose to do GR full time. I forget the name of the printer we have but I think my husband told me it's like 1 penny/page to print when I got upset that I had reprint something when I was first learning how to do everything. :) Anyway- I totally agree that TG&TB is a better deal all the way around (content, structure, style) when you are wanting it for just science! And then for people that are using GR in full (all subjects) $50 a unit for all subjects for all your kids isn't bad either. I thought the pictures for TG&TB that you showed were beautiful! I love how that is included with TG&TB! I screen mirror the GR lesson to the tv and it keeps my kids' attention as we stop for the activity breaks and/or we hop over to KZbin to watch a short video (my goal is always 5ish mins, no more than 10) to help whatever we are learning come to life for them (especially if it is a history/cultural unit). I really enjoyed this video and I think it is going to be very helpful to the homeschool community!!!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you so much!! You’re always so encouraging to me! 1 penny a print?!!! You need to tell us what you have!!! 😉

[@katiejorea]

We are just now finishing up the TG&TB free Marine Biology Unit. I agree with everything you said about it!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you!!! Are you going to do another unit?

[@katiejorea]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan yes, I'm actually planning on doing the Sexual Maturation unit with my 10 year old daughter. That's a unit that you can look at the entire thing before purchasing. I am also waiting on the new Human Body Unit to come out. All of the units look beautiful and very affordable especially since I print them out myself.

[@laceyb81]

@@katiejorea we just finish the Maturation and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed it 👍🏼 😀

[@gwynethlester1421]

We are just switching now from GR to TGTB but my teens and I agree with what you said about GR. I was hoping this curriculum would work for us, I love the unit study approach so much, but it was so dry, like reading from a textbook. It would have been nice if it were more hands on than just look up a picture or KZbin video/documentary, but that is not enough for us especially because one of my teens is very much a kinesthetic learner, and it is stressful for me to find all the extra activities. Plus, at least the first year is definitely not all inclusive, we had to add in handwriting, grammar, LA, and spelling. The last straw for us was my teens growing to hate the lessons and my hands on teen having actual panic attacks over the amount of bookwork they had to do everyday. We have yet to try TGTB, we hope to start a science unit next week, but just looking at the teachers guide I am so excited! I am seeing lots of hands on activities, less bookwork, shorter lessons, experiments are spelled out for me, and most of the bookwork can be done family style.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

My sentiments, exactly!! TGATB is so very different with LOTS of hands on activities! And hey, it’s only $30 (or less if you get digital) so it’s worth a try!

[@PursuingPeace]

This is a great overview of both curriculums. I agree with all of that! 👍

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you for watching ....and agreeing! 😜

[@psherman1579]

New subscriber here. 👋🏻 Mom of 3 and my oldest is 7 so I am so glad that I found your channel for inspiration.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I’m so glad you’re here!!

[@MrsMomsHomeschool]

First of all I think you did a wonderful job in this video 👏 and I’m so glad you made it because I have been wondering about the differences between these two curricula myself

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you! And I’m glad this was helpful!!

[@fruitpunch4890]

That was a pretty thorough review and comparison, it helped me out as well. I am homeschooling for the first time and doing some curriculum searching. I'm gonna need an easy step by step guide to show me how to do things, TGATB sounds like it would be a great beginner guide and curriculum to start with.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Good for you for investing in your child’s education!!! I think I would agree with you. If you want step by step instruction, TGATB is very helpful and easy to follow!

[@laurenreichow5427]

The best part is, they now have all the experiments on their website as well as personal work books! We ❤the Good and the Beautiful!

[@mamabear_the3]

I had a HP subscription and I changed to Epson eco tank 2760. I have been able to print TM & 3 student books for 6 of the GR units before I had to purchase ink on amazon for about $55 for HP brand. just a fyi. great comparison of both sciences

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you!! I wondered how much per sheet an eco tank was!! That is a great savings!! My husband looked at the ecotank and was scared away by the cost of the printer. Our HP was only $100. I wonder how long the printers last. Too many things to compare. LOL! :)

[@mamabear_the3]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I was scared too but I do a lot of pdfs for school HP plan was costing me over $30 a month plus paper. the math made sense so I got it on sell for $299 and sold my HP to get some money back.. lol.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@mamabear_the3 that makes sense!!! We’ve definitely paid extra some months. And then the months where you don’t print much....just throwing money away. But I try to avoid that. I wonder if there is an eco tank vs HP subscription KZbin video out there. 🤔 😜

[@jeniferteodoro4513]

I love the idea of how you hung your vocabulary words.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you!!! It works for other things also! At the end of our school year, I hung artwork on it and invited the grandparents over for my sons 8th grade graduation party! So they had a little gallery wall!

[@jeniferteodoro4513]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan love that!

[@mystoryHisgloryhomeschool]

I prerecord myself the parts of the teachers manual from GRH. It's helpful that way. We also use gather round as an extra but do master books for ela and math and that science once a week

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

What do you mean prerecord? I’m confused. 🤪

[@jessisblessed6689]

Oh that's genius! I know this comment is old, but THANK YOU! Lol!! I'm totally going to do that!!! You just made my life so much easier!!

[@jessisblessed6689]

@Our HOMEschool Plan I guess I could have explained what she meant as well :-) In regards to "prerecording" herself she meant she will read and prerecord portions of the teachers guide and then play it later for her kids. I have a very rambunctious 2.5 year old in addition to my older children so prerecording would be very helpful for times when I need to distract my 2 year old, but also need my kids to get their Gather 'Round done. Especially because we're using a mixture of Abeka, Gather Round & Good & The Beautiful. So I have a lot going on! :-) Thank you for your videos, they've been helpful on my homeschooling journey. ❤️

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Great idea!! I’m not sure I would’ve ever thought of that!

[@RockSimmer-gal4God]

We’ve used both but I can’t see which one is better personally. I’m yet to see as many experiments in gather round but we love that the app helps us there and we can add on but we would do that for TGTB. We don’t do language arts wen we are doing gather round unless my kids need extra help wiv gather round. We use it for science and geography depending on the unit.

[@cloverspringskids7574]

Thanks for this. We have been using TGTB units for a couple years but feel like they aren't easy enough with my kids ages. We ordered 1 GR unit here to try this spring (Inventions). I wonder if I will draw the same conclusions as you!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You never know!! I think after trying 1 GR unit, you’ll get an idea of it will work for your family. What ages are your kids?

[@cloverspringskids7574]

4th grade, 2nd grade, 1st grade and pre-k. The appeal is that the pre-k kid can participate because she thibks she needs school too.

[@cloverspringskids7574]

We love TGTB science- it just isnt working at the moment with my younger 2 included now.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@cloverspringskids7574 my youngest always wanted to do school at pre k also! 😉 That’s a blessing!!

[@tess04231211]

My children must agree....I soooo wanted gather round to be the ultimate...which it is a great curric...just my boys think otherwise...I paired GR oceans with TGTB marine biology (NO, not both daily!!!) Tgtb was the win for us

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

So did you rotate daily between GR and TGATB? How many weeks did it take you to get through both, I’m curious?

[@tess04231211]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan we are doing TGTB twice a week and GR about 2-maybe 3x wk (GR is not our core, we supplement, but are also doing the underground unit study on history days) Pairing the 2 units went well (or is going well) tgtb is more on ocean zones/tides/characteristics/etc and GR is heavy on different animals We haven't completed either yet

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@tess04231211 interesting!! I was tempted to try the Asia unit for GR bc I heard a lot of people did enjoy that. Pairing TGATB science with anGR geography or history unit, I could see being a nice compromise. For me, though...that would be pricey. GR for just history or geography is a pricey history curriculum all said and done. But being able to choose units is also nice. Sooo many things to consider. :)

[@tess04231211]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan girrl...tell me about it (pricey for allll the things) My situation is a bit different--new homeschooler, so clueless tbh...we purchased full year one...this is it, it's the answer!!!!!!...and then -- mmmm no, it's not... FOR US!!!!! so...I have all the units but it's not enough which brought me to digging into other curriculum....from brave writer to apologia, masterbooks, TT, MUS, Abeka, TGTB, BJU....INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!! Hoping this year mmmaaaayyybbe have a clue on what I'm doing 😂😂😂 probably NOT but one can hope 🤷‍♀️😂

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@tess04231211 oh boy!!! I understand feeling that your head is swirling with all the options. I was lucky to know a lot of homeschool moms my first year and get some advice. Have you ever attended a homeschool convention??? At those, the exhibit hall as all of these curriculum there so you can speak with people and look through the curriculum, maybe attend a workshop where they lead you in a direction. Those can be useful for helping you figure out your style!! But oh boy....buying a full year of GR and then realizing it’s not going to work the way you wanted....that’s a bummer. I hope you have better luck this year!! Let me know if you have questions about anything. Maybe I’ve heard things. ;) even if I haven’t tried the curriculum....😉

[@tracy8591]

GR is so visually appealing and maybe, when my kids are older, it will work someday. For now, it’s too much reading for me to tackle. I want to be able to read other literature too and I’m too exhausted after one of these lessons. I personally don’t feel it’s enough Language Arts either……just my experience anyways. I’m really enjoying TGTB now and utilizing the program to its full extent instead of trying to add too much more into our day.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Exhausted is how I felt also! TGTB has tapped into something unique for sure! And if your kids are still young…..YES! Stick to reading literature! Don’t sacrifice that for textbook reading! That’s one of my regrets with my own!

[@cristinapena6303]

Great comparison ! Thanks

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you for watching!!

[@simplyjen334]

I absolutely love your humor!!! Great video!!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you so much!!

[@happycampers7889]

I’ve used both. I think the difference is that when I used TGTB it was JUST SCIENCE...add JUST HISTORY....and then add language arts and math on top of that. Loved TGTB but with 5 kids and littles it was soooo hard to fit it all in even looping it. GR is everything but but math. I don’t read the entire teachers guide aloud. I pass it to my 6th grader for her independent work. Then I add 10 minutes for fix it grammar and 30 minutes of reading time. DONE ✅ Unless we feel like experimenting 😁

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

5 kids! I can’t imagine trying to squeeze everything in!! You definitely benefit from the family style! 😉 Thank you for your perspective! And Fix It is so wonderfully simple!! Good choice!

[@avaplaisance5941]

Love both, can we use gather round and then also tgtb for the math and language arts :)

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You can do whatever you want!!!! 😃❤️💕you’re the boss!!

[@kelleholloway5488]

I love your channel! Question, are you sponsored by tgtb? Thanks 😊

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you!!! No I am not sponsored by them. 😉

[@taradudley9408]

So helpful, thank you.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You’re welcome!

[@EverydayBlessings]

Yes!! Use your tv

[@momofmany6619]

Did you buy the book pack to go with TGTB? Do you have any concerns about the Mormon roots of the curriculum? I ask this in sincerity because I have not used this curriculum.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

No I didn’t buy the book pack. No concerns. The curriculum is not Mormon. It’s barely Christian. I’ve never run across anything that was wrong in it. (The company hires people from a variety of Chrsitian denominations to keep it ecumenical so that it can be accepted by Christians.) it references God as creator. There are Bible verses about creation but there is no theology in any of its curriculum. (If there was, I definitely wouldn’t be using it). So basically if you believe in God and that he created the world, those are the Bible verses that TGTB sticks to. For me, I don’t buy it for the “Christian” aspect. I’m fine that it’s there bc obviously I can elaborate even more. But I’m buying it for the facts and the experiments. I have other Christian resources that I may reference for science that were created by Answers in Genesis or other publishers. If there was a Christian curriculum that functioned in the same way as TGATB in terms of the family style, creativity, and simplicity…..I’d be all over it. But I haven’t found one.

[@momofmany6619]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan ok, thank you so very much! I really appreciate you answering!! I’ve always shied away from trying their curriculum for this reason.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@momofmany6619 do you know who Heidi St John is? She’s a regular speaker at homeschooling conferences. She’s speaking at the Ark homeschool experience in May and also Teach them diligently. Anyway, her oldest daughter uses TGATB with her kids and has said the same thing. There’s nothing in it that Christian’s would disagree with. And Heidi is one of those who does take a stand on curriculum and even she’s looked at it and seen nothing we’d disagree with. (She’s said it several times on her podcast) I look at it the same way I look at getting books from the library for our learning. I don’t know the theology of those authors either. But is what they’re saying true? But at the end of the day, you absolutely should not defile your conscience. 😉 so I would never fault anybody for using it or not using it. And I certainly do not tout it as Christian. It has a Christian “flavor.” For me, I see curriculum as a tool, it’s not the teacher. I’m the teacher. 😉 if you’re choosing curriculum that you’re children will be doing independently apart from your constant oversight, then I see more of a need for scrutiny. But in this case, it’s family style. Nothing will get past you in case there’s something you might disagree with and then you could use it as an opportunity to teach discernment. (Mama Bear Apologetics…..how do you spot counterfeits? 😉 you study both sides)

[@momofmany6619]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan yes, I know who Heidi is. She is great!! Like you, I am not looking at this for the Christian aspect, but for the ocean aspect. I went ahead and downloaded this unit and am looking forward to using it because of your response. Thank you for your help! I’m excited to try this out when we start our next school year! 🐠🐟

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@momofmany6619 honestly, of all the science units we’ve done, the marine biology unit still tops the list for me!! It’s so much fun!!! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

[@milenkautah]

Thank you!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

You’re welcome! 😉

[@kidsonly9805]

Amazing video!

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thanks!

[@Michelle-xk9gl]

I didn't care for Gather Around at all. I haven't tried The Good and the Beautiful. Gather Around was so boring and I had to add LA to it. It also took way to long to do.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I think it takes longer because it’s intended to be all-inclusive. But like you said....you, me, and so many others were feeling the need to add language arts, making it NOT all-inclusive....and therefore taking too long for just history and science. Even the Bible portion in there, for me...is not enough.

[@Michelle-xk9gl]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I added more Bible to it also.

[@ReiverGrad14]

I'm sticking with TGATB. It's more budget friendly for an only child family.

[@samanthagraveswalters8443]

Year 2 isn’t any better. I did one unit and it’s more reading. It wore me out. My kids love it but I can’t do it. Too much reading at once for me.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I’m sorry!!

[@samanthagraveswalters8443]

I meant to ask. When will you do a comparison of MB and TGTB LA?

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

@@samanthagraveswalters8443 I have it recorded. I just need to edit it. :) it’s coming very soon!

[@samanthagraveswalters8443]

@@OurHOMEschoolPlan I can’t wait ! :)

[@kb8990]

Just catching this. Nice comparison. Always interesting seeing these two companies up against each other given their history/drama. I wish I liked Gather Round. Unfortunately I just don’t need allllll of what GR includes. I also resent how you’re supposed to purchase different pieces for different ages. We have used several TGATB science units and I’m happy enough with it when I pair it with Mystery Science. (Mystery Science is now my elementary core. It’s so engaging for multiple kids in the elementary age range. We will supplement it with one or two TGATB units a year.)

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

Thank you! I’ve never heard of mystery science! Will have to check it out!

[@monicacastellon9175]

I wouldn't use the GA curriculum. I like the Good and the Beautiful and I use their LA.

[@kailynolson2281]

This feels a little unfair. I think you should have added TGATB history as well into the cost and time to give a more fair comparison.

[@lillulu1848]

We recently switched to TGATB history from just using GR for science and history and my kids are so much more interested in history now. It honestly doesn’t take that much time for us to do a lesson either. We rotate science (GR) and history (TGATB) days and our history days are so fun and science days feel like a drag. TGATB history is so engaging and fun to learn. We love it! I can’t wait to switch our science over as well. I wanted to love GR, but it just was too much.

[@OurHOMEschoolPlan]

I talk more about the history portion in an upcoming video about why we are no longer pursuing gather round. The truth is....in this unit...the history was barely there. We did so the government mini unit which is my next review.

[@mystoryHisgloryhomeschool]

Tgatb ^*