We purchased the Letters & Numbers for my son, and so far we love it. He loves the stories, and the worksheets. I loved your comparison of the two. They are both great curriculums for different reasons. 😊
I have done both as well. I'll just add my experience for anyone browsing comments. GR is more crafty, in terms of more to color, cut and paste, ect. However, I agree the Bible stories don't seem to go at all I ended up using something else for Bible which disappointed me as I had hoped it would be an all in one. The Bible stories seemed like a blurb at the end. After L&N 1 &2 my 5 year old still had no clue what any letters were. But she loved the workbooks and begged to do them. She wasn't thrilled with the "stories" they read like a textbook to me. She rather me read her a good picture book. I did love where the kids draw a picture then dictate a story to you. That teaches early writting skills having them get their thoughts into complete sentences. We went to TGTB instead of L&N 3&4 mainly because TGTB was $14 PDF and GR would of been just under $100 PDF for both. Like I said after L&N 1 &2 she couldn't say any letter name or sound we started TGTB she picked them up amazingly fast. I think that's is because TGTB reviews the letters constantly to the point it may be a con for some. I think letter drill and kill. 😆 But it works for her ( GR really just focuses on one letter a week then you don't go over it again at all it seem in 1&2) We LOVE TGTB videos and the pencil grip video is gold. My 5th child now has perfect grip. I wish I knew this sooner! Overall both are great but I'd end with TGTB really focus on letters and does amazing with it! While GR seems to try to encompasses a wide range of skills I.E. the crafts, dictation, story comprehension ect..
We’ve using curriculum causily for our youngest!!! We wasn’t planning on using curriculum for our 4 year old but she seems to like it so we are using!!! Games and videos help learning!!! We love that TGTB isn’t preachy but love gather round as well!!! We are Christian tho and I want a Christian education for my kids!!! I hear what my daughter is learning in her play but she’s very verbal!!! We haven’t done the younger gather round units just the family units!!!
We have been using TGTB LA for all my kids and love them! The revamping of all their things has been a game changer. I have been hearing some not so good things about GR lately, like people paying ahead for units and nothing being released. 🤷♀️. Also we are secular and TGTB is so easy to work with. They really are just advocating for goodness and good character in children.
I started my kindergartener with TGTB primer last fall and he loved it and it was great. I moved him to the level k and I didn’t care for how they jumped around. I have changed to master books now but looking for something else for 1st grade (and my 3 yo for prek) I think with the updates I may give their prek a try again. I’m leaning toward GR for 1st grade but adding in more LA and math. So hard to pick lol. Thanks for the review!!
This was very timely!! My littles did GR prek units 1 & 2 and we LOVED them. I bought the 3rd unit and the jump in skills/ability was too much for them, so I have been trying to figure out what to do with them next. They are not quite ready for Kindergarten. I literally just purchased TGTB Prek for both of them this morning and then I saw this video and couldn't wait to watch it! Thank you so much for this review. Having used GR, I agree with you on your thoughts about this program. I don't regret it as my boys did love it so much and it taught one of my boys his letters and numbers, but it is expensive! I do wish GR prices weren't so high. I do think the pdfs are a little more reasonable,. I have always bought pdfs as the hard copies coming from Canada are just too expensive! GR is trying to have a warehouse in the USA too to bring down the prices for Americans. I am very excited to hear your thoughts on TGTB Prek and can't wait for it to arrive so I can start it with my boys! It does look SO well done. I know they are going to love the games!
Thanks for reviewing these! I find myself less and less enchanted by Gather Round. I’m always a little underwhelmed. I’m definitely considering TG&TB for next year!
I keep seeing mixed reviews of gather round. But even with the very good reviews, I see it as really over priced especially for such a young age as preschool. I think similar curriculum or ones with more features are available cheaper.
I’m looking at Preschool curriculum for this year. I seem to like both of these based on samples and reviews. I’m having trouble deciding, and was leaning toward buying both. Basically working through them simultaneously. Doing each letter in both programs before moving on. Having used both of them do you feel like this seems like a good plan? Or is there something that would make you think that’s not the best idea?
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We purchased the Letters & Numbers for my son, and so far we love it. He loves the stories, and the worksheets. I loved your comparison of the two. They are both great curriculums for different reasons. 😊
Yes, I totally agree!
Thank you for the honest review/comparison. This was very helpful.
You're welcome!
We are really enjoying the preschool curriculum from TG&TB. It's really sweet!
It really is!
Got the old one and love it ! So pimple and to the point ! Easy for us parents! Going get the new one for k
I agree. :)
I have done both as well. I'll just add my experience for anyone browsing comments. GR is more crafty, in terms of more to color, cut and paste, ect. However, I agree the Bible stories don't seem to go at all I ended up using something else for Bible which disappointed me as I had hoped it would be an all in one. The Bible stories seemed like a blurb at the end. After L&N 1 &2 my 5 year old still had no clue what any letters were. But she loved the workbooks and begged to do them. She wasn't thrilled with the "stories" they read like a textbook to me. She rather me read her a good picture book. I did love where the kids draw a picture then dictate a story to you. That teaches early writting skills having them get their thoughts into complete sentences. We went to TGTB instead of L&N 3&4 mainly because TGTB was $14 PDF and GR would of been just under $100 PDF for both. Like I said after L&N 1 &2 she couldn't say any letter name or sound we started TGTB she picked them up amazingly fast. I think that's is because TGTB reviews the letters constantly to the point it may be a con for some. I think letter drill and kill. 😆 But it works for her ( GR really just focuses on one letter a week then you don't go over it again at all it seem in 1&2) We LOVE TGTB videos and the pencil grip video is gold. My 5th child now has perfect grip. I wish I knew this sooner! Overall both are great but I'd end with TGTB really focus on letters and does amazing with it! While GR seems to try to encompasses a wide range of skills I.E. the crafts, dictation, story comprehension ect..
OH and of course TGTB has wonderful picture studies!
Thanks so much for chiming in! :)
We’ve using curriculum causily for our youngest!!! We wasn’t planning on using curriculum for our 4 year old but she seems to like it so we are using!!! Games and videos help learning!!! We love that TGTB isn’t preachy but love gather round as well!!! We are Christian tho and I want a Christian education for my kids!!! I hear what my daughter is learning in her play but she’s very verbal!!! We haven’t done the younger gather round units just the family units!!!
The games are fun for sure. :)
We're currently using TGTB Preschool with my son, and we love it! He especially loves the games 😊
That's awesome!
What age did you start this with your preschoolers?
This was very helpful! we have been doing L and N with my son and he is so not into the stories and wants more activities! Thank you
That was my daughter!
We have been using TGTB LA for all my kids and love them! The revamping of all their things has been a game changer. I have been hearing some not so good things about GR lately, like people paying ahead for units and nothing being released. 🤷♀️. Also we are secular and TGTB is so easy to work with. They really are just advocating for goodness and good character in children.
I've seen chatter about issues as well. Hopefully they can get it sorted.
I started my kindergartener with TGTB primer last fall and he loved it and it was great. I moved him to the level k and I didn’t care for how they jumped around. I have changed to master books now but looking for something else for 1st grade (and my 3 yo for prek) I think with the updates I may give their prek a try again. I’m leaning toward GR for 1st grade but adding in more LA and math. So hard to pick lol. Thanks for the review!!
TGTB is also bringing out new versions of levels K-2 so that might be of interest.
This was very timely!! My littles did GR prek units 1 & 2 and we LOVED them. I bought the 3rd unit and the jump in skills/ability was too much for them, so I have been trying to figure out what to do with them next. They are not quite ready for Kindergarten. I literally just purchased TGTB Prek for both of them this morning and then I saw this video and couldn't wait to watch it! Thank you so much for this review. Having used GR, I agree with you on your thoughts about this program. I don't regret it as my boys did love it so much and it taught one of my boys his letters and numbers, but it is expensive! I do wish GR prices weren't so high. I do think the pdfs are a little more reasonable,. I have always bought pdfs as the hard copies coming from Canada are just too expensive! GR is trying to have a warehouse in the USA too to bring down the prices for Americans. I am very excited to hear your thoughts on TGTB Prek and can't wait for it to arrive so I can start it with my boys! It does look SO well done. I know they are going to love the games!
Yay! I hope they love it. :)
Thanks for reviewing these! I find myself less and less enchanted by Gather Round. I’m always a little underwhelmed. I’m definitely considering TG&TB for next year!
Can I ask why you are underwhelmed with GR?
Mm, I can relate. In principle it should work well but it's not always quite what I would like.
I keep seeing mixed reviews of gather round. But even with the very good reviews, I see it as really over priced especially for such a young age as preschool. I think similar curriculum or ones with more features are available cheaper.
I do agree. It is definitely pricey!
Great review ☺️
Thank you! 🤗
Can you get the practice sheets by itself? It seems like it will be a great addition to any curriculum.
Pretty sure you can :)
I’m looking at Preschool curriculum for this year. I seem to like both of these based on samples and reviews. I’m having trouble deciding, and was leaning toward buying both. Basically working through them simultaneously. Doing each letter in both programs before moving on. Having used both of them do you feel like this seems like a good plan? Or is there something that would make you think that’s not the best idea?
Depending on your child, my only drawback would be that it's a lot of work. One is plenty enough. :)
Hi, do you think its necessary to buy the practice sheets?
It really depends on your kid. You could try just the book and then if they really need the practice sheets you could just buy that as a PDF. :)
How do you bind your lessons?
I have a binding machine that I use at home. :)
What binding machine do you have? Im hoping to buy one but overwhelmed by the all the options.
For the price your getting social studies, science, bible, and math though right? But TGTB you would only get phonics and numbers?
TGTB does have math but you're correct in that Letters & Numbers is more broad.