MonkeyMom2dd
- Reviewed on Friday, February 19, 2010
- Grades Used: 1st & 3rd
- Dates used: 2010 - ?
We have just started using Tapestry of Grace, and I can't express how great it is. It is a daunting program, but nonetheless, I feel it is well worth the effort.
The overview of history is phenomenal, especially if you are looking for a view of history that shows God's plan, and how the events in history are inter-related. Most history programs provide just a snap-shot of history, but this program requires the student to consider the causes and effects of history - to look back and forward at the events so that they can learn about the impact history has long term.
I love how each period includes Church History! This is critical for Christians to know and understand their past and how the church is evolving.
The literature selections are rich and very interesting.
The Teacher's Notes are great for providing insight to the teacher of the events that are occurring during each week of study.
The Weekly Overview provides so much flexibility in accomplishing the week's assignments! You can choose to study a little history each day, break it down into just 2 or 3 days, or whatever works best for your family. This is not a regimented program. This program truly works well for the homeschooler that needs a flexible schedule.
Each week has clearly defined Teaching Objectives for each of the Threads (Core Subjects and Electives). This provides the Teacher with a clear view of what the goal is for each week's lessons. There are also great review questions and programs for each level to ensure that the teacher has a way to evaluate and document each week's learning.
This would probably not be a very good program for the individual that needs every day planned for them. Or for the individual that doesn't enjoy learning along with the children. This program requires a great deal of planning and organizing, but it's flexibility also allows for many grade levels to be taught simultaneously.
Overall, this is, thus far, the best program that I have yet discovered to cover the inter-related studies of History, Church History, Literature, Geography, Fine Arts, and Writing.
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Redbird
- Reviewed on Thursday, January 07, 2010
- Grades Used: Upper Grammar and Dialectic
- Dates used: 2008-2009,2009-2010
If you had previously looked at and didn't like or are new to Tapestry of Grace(TOG), there has never been a better time. They have updated curriculum and website-I really shouldn't say updated-they are now offering the same materials(with minor tweeking) in a different format. The confusion has come for some as the company has had several versions-Original print, Redesigned print, and now the redesigned is offered in digital. The original was in print and not as user friendly, although many had used with success. The redesigned was much more user friendly, but had limitations as it was still print. Some people prefer print , so it is still offered.Now, it is offered in digital format which is accessed from home computer. If you have no experience with homeschooling or with their curriculum, I highly recommend visiting their updated website and taking a tour of both print and digital editions. They offer a 3 week print out of a few of the years.
The program is broken down into 4 years, each year has 4 units, each unit has 9 weeks. Within each of the years is information based on the level of your child(Lower grammar/Upper Grammar/dialectic/Rhetoric). This breakdown of levels is based on thinking processes of your child. The program will help decide where to place child(not hard) and will help you reevaluate. There is flexibilty in program to switch between levels if you would place child and realize they need different level.
Seventh year of homeschooling two children.
I have experience with both Redesigned print and digital.
I am now using the digital which they have just improved again with the ability to access all the supplementary material from the same site once purchased. I can say, I don't see how they could improve anymore. I am thankful for a company that is willing to be progressive and to look at its weakness and improve upon them which has ultimately made teaching easier for its customers. The digital allows easy access to curriculum, updates to occur automatically, and people in more places to experience TOG. You do need a printer to print the parts of the curriculum you want or you can order printed material for additional fee. The only downfall about digital for some is that you can't resell. I remind myself of multiple child usage and the cost of private education compared to the cost of this program.
At first,It is an overwhelming amount of material (although they have fined tuned this and have a startup section), but the time is worth it. It is really not much time compared to the peace it will give you teaching your children. One of the benefits of this program is that it not only helps you to teach your children, but helps you become a better teacher. Many times people say unit studies are more work for parents, and some are labor intensive, but I have not found to be any more work than a boxed or textbook curriculum. If you are doing more than just handing kids books to fill in, then you would already be on same time level as TOG. There is some leg work with library, but we already go to library frequently. It can be planned ahead. I order books from library for every 9 weeks all at one time using my teachers card(you should be able to get a teachers card since you homeschool) which lets me keep books out longer. I do have to use interlibrary option for many of books. Occassionally, I do not receive book(that is why I order ahead). However, if you do not get book-there are ways around-alternate resources or notes in curriculum itself. If library is not available/close, then there is option to buy books. If library and funds are not available , this may be a dilemma. But, I would caution you to consider benefits of supplies for a quality education. Also, consider if you have several children, this cost would be reduced over the years and may even out to the same you are paying for a different program. Thankfully, I have overall been able to save money through the library and there are suggestions for alternate resources as it is not about a specific book but about the material covered in the book. Although literature questions will on a specific book, the curriculum does not revolve around those questions.
There is a time commitment, however, the payoff is that you will have independent learners and thinkers and the program is designed to foster this process.
This is a curriculum that you need to prepare for so I think it best if you get and look through material prior to starting, say summer time. If someone was having to come in midyear , say their child was coming out of public school and they were just starting HS-I would finish with another program then consider TOG for the next yr. unless you are willing to take time to prepare.
Your students will be studying the same period in history but on different levels-this may sound overwhelming but the time commitment for a younger student is, I think pretty low as there is not as much to teach and older students, once trained, will work fairly independently with meetings with parent. There are options for activities, but not an overwhelming amount, based on level of child, and worthwhile. They also could be left out if you are having a busy week or do not feel necessary.
Another part of he program is Writing Aids. This is an excellent program!The writing is based on the child's studies and then broken down by levels. There are actually 12 levels(could say grades) of writing with ability to move between levels based on abilities, needs, and previous study by child. The writing program is thorough with not only what to write(Persuasive/taking notes/book report/Speech), how to write(graphic organizers/tools),and what you are to write about(usually includes 1-3 choices for the child which is helpful but not overhelming). Writing Aids could be used independently of the TOG if that is all someone wanted to purchase. However, now, with the digital format of TOG, once purchased, you are able to access teacher's notes, student notes, and graphic organizers/tools from the same site. This goes very quickly.
Within the program itself, you can access notes on History/Geography/Literature(which actually includes complete works so that if you could not find a book-you could look here first before buying or use alternate)/field trips/arts/activities/Church History.
This literature based , Christian, unit study, multi-age curriculum covering 4 eras in history. It includes History and church history.You can buy supplements such as Writing AIDS and Mapaids to complete program(I would consider these a must).However, other supplements such as POPQuiz, Evaluations,Lapbooks/Notebooks are extras so skip if you can not afford-you will still have a thorough program.You need to add your own science and math. For older students in high, they would need to add electives to complete high school course work depending on their outside interests and plans.
They have a forum on their website for users of TOG. You can get support and help. The customer service of the company is incredible. They have their own tech support. They are friendly and efficient.
Cons-Library usage/ availability may deter some
Cost for some
Printer needed or pay more for printed material
Time learning curriculum/system/process
Preparation time( can do in summer, each unit or week)
Computer access needed or pay for printed material
Pros-Christ centered and oriented
Digital(LOVE IT) or print format
Use with multiple children at multiple ages
Cyclical 4 year history
Literature based
Instructions for parents and teaching
Goal for independent learning
Learning based on child's level
Flexibilty in program and organizing
Writing Aids
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