Many people have been interested in the Tapestry notebooks I make for my children. Let me say right off the top that while I don't find it very time consuming to make these, it takes me about one week for three levels, it is a costly venture. I estimate the cost to be around $30 per quarter for three workbooks. For me it's worth it. My older boys are finding it easier to stay on schedule, we no longer have piles of papers, and they are enjoying TOG a lot more. The cost is definitely something to take it into consideration though.
Here's the cost break down:
I have an HP printer that prints over 2000 B&W copies per one XL cartridge and about 1/3 of that in color I think. The cost for my cartridges is $57 at Costco and I estimate we use less than 1/4 of the cartridge for all three books.
Ink: $15 Paper: $3 Binding: $12
I make a new workbook every quarter.
The LG book contains the yellow pages, SAPs (just copied, not reformatted), maps, copywork pages I make with Startwrite software, coloring pages, and misc other things such as a log to keep track of all the books Ethan reads.
The dialectic workbook includes the yellow pages, the general information page from the SAPs, all the SAP questions I choose to give him reformatted in a desktop publishing document, maps, and any supplements needed for the week such as charts or the green supplements.
A week from Ben's rhetoric workbook is pictured below. I print off the covers for all the workbooks from the TOG printables page.
The week starts with the yellow assignment pages:
I also include the red writing assignment chart
Next you will find a copy of the General Information of the week from the SAPs and the beginning of the reformatted questions. He usually does all the questions, but sometimes I leave some out depending on how heavy the other subjects are.
Maps are included each week and I typeset the book so that the geography questions are on the left and the map is on the right.
Ben is completing the Government and Philosophy credits
The SAPs are followed by the Pageant of Philosophy
and government readings. I've found the government CD that Lampstand sells to be very handy.
When appropriate you may also find various charts or pictures featured for that week
Green Supplement pages
Along with various other charts
At the back of the book is the time-line section
and an appendix that has the people glossary which I forgot to take a picture of :-) The people glossary is only available if you have purchased the Evaluations.
The rhetoric workbook is between 200 and 250 pages per unit. The dialectic workbook is about 100 pages. The lower grammar book is 60 pages or so.
I'm sure I forgot to mention something so if you have any questions feel free to ask.
wow...these are wonderful. I just bought a binder, but I'm praying about one of the more "fuel effeicient" HP printers, as I'm going through ink like water here w/ my old HP.
When you say it takes a week...how many hours a day are you talking. I have 3 times as many to get ready! :)
Where do you buy your binding supplies? What brand are they? I like the smaller wire-type binding over the plastic/thicker type comb binding you see in Office Depot.
How many hours a day - I spend the better part of my afternoons on the workbooks for about a week. I know my way around the software I use pretty well, you may need to build in some time to become more familiar with your software.
Binding - I bring my papers to Office Depot to get bound. It's $3 and change for the binding and 50¢ for the covers (clear, flexible front cover and rigid, colored back cover.)
Thanks for sharing this great idea. I'm going to give it a whirl. I think it might help us keep our precious work organized rather than fluttering around loose. Do you ever wish you could insert a page? Do you do all writing assignments in a separate place (for younger students)?
do you include blank pages for their copy work or dictation or memory work? Can you point me to Jan in NJ's blog who first got you started on the workbook idea?
thanks so much for all you are posting.
I am starting with TOG year 2 next year--yeah! the redesigned..and i am really enjoying reading about all you are doing. such great ideas!
This is such a great idea! I imagine the work up front leaves you with weekly time to plan the fun projects and extras. Do you take a week off between units to do the prep for the next unit, or do you do it all in advance? Seems like I am always frantically copying and preparing on the weekend, instead of doing fun things with my family! Thanks!
Looking at your workbooks makes me think that I now have to look at TOG in the next year. Wow! I don't know if I can organize it as you do, but you certainly make it look more tempting. Great job as always!
Karen,
Just a note to say thank you for the idea of these notebooks. We are Year 1 Unit 3 and I decided to do them for my dc, LG, UG, D and it has been WONDERFUL. Of course, I personalized them to our family and it has made our lives so much easier. Yes, a cost up front but truly priceless! Blessings, Suzie E.
This blog is a look into our homeschooling journey as we use Tapestry of Grace. You'll also find stories from various books I have collected that are now in the public domain and real life slipping in occasionally. Most posts from the public domain books have a pdf that you may download and print. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
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May. 4, 2008 - Thank you!