About a month ago I had one of those homeschool mom breakdowns where I felt like my child wasn't listening to me, wasn't learning anything, was behind and we were just failing miserably.
First, I exploded to my husband, cried, then I hopped on the computer and started searching. Caleb is in first grade and we have decided to use the trivium/classical methods to teach him. I read The Well Trained Mind a bazillion times over and we implemented that this year. And at some point it stopped working. I really just needed more guidance as a relatively new homeschool mom that I was teaching/reading the right things etc.
So, I searched around and found a curriculum called 'Tapestry of Grace'. It covers a myriad of subjects (history, Bible study, fine arts, writing, literature, geography, etc) which I love. It intertwines all of the topics so they go hand in hand and I'm not teaching what feels like 30 different concepts/topics at the same time.
We decided to go ahead and order Year 1, Unit 1 and give it a go. We already taught on Ancient Egypt earlier this year but as history was one of the subjects I was really floundering in getting going I decided just to start all over again. We started on Monday so today was our third day and things are going swimmingly!
I still have to do quite a bit of planning, library trips, etc but I think it will be worth it. Also, the curriculum works on the four year history rotation that we like about the trivium and it includes all lesson plans, student pages for ALL stages of study. For example, when Layla is in first grade and Caleb is in fifth we will start over with Year 1, Unit 1, with Layla working on the Lower Grammar Stage work and Caleb in the Upper Grammar/Dialectic stuff. Very cool!
I think my favorite thing about it is that each week it gives you 'Threads' that tell you the important points your child should be learning that week. That helps me out so much in knowing what I really need to drive home and what can be glossed over if necessary.
We are still plugging away with Saxon Math, although I really feel I will switch for next year. It doesn't suit either of us very well. We are doubling up on lessons so we can be done in a few weeks and hopefully find something else that is a better fit!
I feel blessed to be able to try out this new curriculum and see if it will fit for the future. So far in the planning I really enjoy it, it has helped me simplify and not overthink things. Also, Caleb seems to be more attentive, asking a lot of interesting questions and really wanting to understand what I am talking about. Which is VERY nice for a change!
Comments
Apr. 10, 2008 - hi
Posted by flysister
I'm a new visitor to your blog. I'm so glad you found something that's working better for you. I use WTM as a guide. I definitely don't do the time frames listed - way too long for my children's attention spans. I used Saxon Math for my daughter in 1st grade and hated it. I've since switched to Math-u-See for both my kids and they're doing MUCH better. I'll have to check out Tapestry of Grace. Thanks for mentioning it.
www.homeschoolblogger.com/LivingByFaith
Apr. 24, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mountainsong
Just wondering how TOS is working for you. I looked it over at a curriculum fair last month and it was certainly a good packaged concept. Hope all is still going swimmingly!
Apr. 30, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by boysrus
Hi,
Just wondering how Tapestry is going for you? Are you still in the 4 week fog? I have used it for years and would be happy to answer any questions if you have any!
Blessings,
Dee@boysrus