I began using
Tapestry of Grace in February of 2006. We began with
Year 4. I kept strictly to the curriculum until about June, when we began doubling most of the weeks through the summer so that we could finish before the new "school year," which we began the second week of September. There was quite a bit of reading to pack in by doubling weeks, but we were able to complete it by only doing TOG during the summer. I did not follow the writing track; other than that we covered all of the subjects included in TOG. I was able to find most of the recommended books for Year 4 at the library.
A friend lent me her TOG Year 4 for a weekend before I ordered it, and I spent several hours going through it and learning the "ins and outs" of the program. I think that helped me avoid the "4-week fog" because I didn't have a problem at all. Now that TOG offers their mini-unit on ancient Egypt as a sample, it would be really easy to try the curriculum out. This is also available on CD if your Internet is slow. Not only do they offer the main curriculum, but they have included ALL of the supplements for those 3 weeks (MapAids, Writing Aids, Lap Books, Evaluations and Pop Quiz)!
MapAids for Year 4 wasn't available at the time, and I bought Knowledge Quest's Blackline Maps of the Modern World after frustrating myself trying to find "just the right map." I even tried making some of my own! I also purchased Story of the World Volume 4 and its Activity Book partway through the year. I used Story of the World as a read-aloud spine to cut down on some of the reading. The Activity Book has some really awesome maps besides the activities. (Can you tell that I'm a map freak?)
We began Year 1 Redesigned in September. I purchased the MapAids CD, which is a great time-saver. I again followed the curriculum as written, adding in the writing track. I found some used Write Source books for great prices at Amazon. I really like them, but I did decide to purchase the Writing Aids because it was available in digital format at a cost that I thought was worth the investment. I was so happy that I purchased it! One advantage of the Write Source books, however, is that students can more easily teach themselves than with Writing Aids. That might be because I haven't done a formal writing program before this though. Of course, Writing Aids covers K-12, while you have to purchase several levels of the Write Source books. I had to purchase more books for Year 1 than Year 4, but I was still able to find most of them at the library.
The first year we used TOG (year 4), we did two Unit Celebrations, which the kids really loved. I have really slacked off on those, unfortunately. The only one who really enjoys doing a lot of projects is Allyson, and I felt like we were "cramming" in projects right before the Unit Celebration to prepare for it. I am going to try to have a year-end celebration this time and see how it goes. We do have a nice variety of projects that the kids have completed. These celebrations are definitely worth the effort if your family is more on top of projects than we are. It is so much fun for the kids to show off their accomplishments and explain some of the things they have learned during the unit! TOG gives you lots of unit celebration ideas for each unit.
Right now we are finishing up Year 1. I am now comfortable enough with the program to adapt it to fit my family. (I guess I really am eclectic; I can't seem to use any program "as is," no matter how great it is!)
I am using the Dialectic level "spine" as a read-aloud for everyone (Story of the Romans); we are all really enjoying it. I am using narration instead of the Socratic discussions that TOG recommends for the Dialectic level.
I let my children choose to narrate or do a literature page. If they really hate a literature selection (I think it only happened once), then I let them choose from an alternate literature list that I made (it doesn't necessarily have to be related to the history unit).
I am using the TOG writing assignments, but I am not using them as scheduled. I am having the kids do more notebooking assignments for writing right now as a change of pace and because it is so beautiful outside that I want to give them something they can accomplish more quickly so they can enjoy the weather! They also seem to enjoy the more immediate results of a completed notebook page. We'll focus on the writing track on the rainy days.
Here are some "extras" that I have used this year, along with some comments:
Year 1 MapAids CD
(I LOVE this - it's a big time-saver for me)
Story of the World Volume 1
(my upper grammar children didn't like the Usborne spine, so I decided to get Story of the World for them after the first half of the year - I didn't purchase the activity book)
History of Ancient Times Notebooking Pages
(these are great if you want to break into notebooking and don't know how to start)
Writing Aids
(I didn't use it as much as I thought I would this year, but I really like it and will definitely make worthwhile use of this investment)
What in the World's Going on Here?
(not necessary, but I am a big Diana Waring fan and already had it - I like to use this as an overview before, during, or after a unit, whenever we can fit it in)
So, now you know how we are using Tapestry of Grace. I am going to try to write posts for individual TOG subjects so that you can see how I am using them to fit our family, as well as areas that I need to improve. I will include teacher preparation and organization.
I hope this has been helpful. Feel free to ask me specific questions in the comments.
~Andrea
Update: I have a couple of newer posts with TOG info included:
Please note that many Tapestry of Grace links on my blog go through my Share & $ave account with Tapestry of Grace. I get credit at the Tapestry Bookshelf for any purchases referred through my links. My Share & $ave code is TOG4jp6
(case sensitive). Anyone who has ordered $300 worth of products from Tapestry of Grace is eligible to sign up for their Share & $ave program, so be sure to remember that if you ever decide to purchase from them!
Hi Andrea thanks so much for the update! It helps me to get a big picture for how it works for someone else. I have the whole summer to get my 'year' figured out, which is NICE. My Year One sits in four 2" binders, and I'm slowly going through the entire thing. When you do subject posts, please indicate one or two must-do's or must-have's as far as resources go! I'm in the book-buying stage right now, with curriculum sales coming up, so it's perfect timing.
You sound like me!! You get a great program and then try to find what all you can put with it! :) I am never satified with a program as, I have to do my own thing.
The thoughts of a book-loving, home schooling wife and mother who wants to be available to serve her Savior in her family, home, church, and wherever He chooses to send her.
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