How long does this take?:
Formatting one unit generally takes me about 1 week working every afternoon for about four hours or so a day. This is for 3 levels of workbooks, but does not include extras I add in especially for my LG son (coloring pages, copy work etc.)
How much does it cost?:
It depends on your printer and whether you choose to print in color like I do. 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
Where do you get them bound?:
I go to Office Depot, but all office supply stores offer this service. Some people purchase their own comb binders which definitely will save money, but my children and I prefer spiral.
Any disadvantages to binding? Do you ever wish you could insert a page?: Every so often I'll miss a chart or something that needs to be inserted. My boys have multi-subject binders and there is a TOG section for any misc. pages. The advantages of having these books far outweigh the disadvantages.
What are the advantages?: Some advantages are:
We stay on schedule more consistently. I, unfortunately, am often a stumbling block in our schooling. I can't tell you how many times our weeks have stalled because of me. The workbooks take me out of the equation just enough to help our weeks run smoother.
Our papers are neat and orderly.
Because I am surveying the unit as I make the workbooks I am able to choose ahead of time extras and projects I want to include and I have a better idea of what the boys will be covering before I read the teacher's notes.
The workbooks help my boys focus on what they need to accomplish in a week.
What about their writing assignments?: Although I include the red writing assignment sheet in the workbook, we still follow the instructions about setting up writing notebooks that you will find in your Tapestry year plan. All their assignments and outlines for writing projects are filed in those binders.
Do you include blank pages for their copy work or dictation or memory work?
For my lower grammar son I do. If TOG assigns copy/dictation/memory work in the SAP for my D & R sons that assignment is in the workbook, but they write in their commonplace book. These books include copy work from various subjects. I have one too.
Do you take a week off between units to do the prep for the next unit, or do you do it all in advance?
I make these in advance, not much in advance though, first because I am unfortunately a notorious procrastinator and secondly because I am on the cycle that depends on the TOG production calendar.
I will add other questions people have as they arise so if you ask me a question on a particular post about the workbooks I will probably answer it here to keep them all together.
I love your idea for making individual notebooks for the TOG assignments. I know this would work for us on the 4 levels that we will be using next year - and help mom to not go insane. Could you describe how you set up your "commonplace" notebooks, please? Are they just catch-alls for other work and assignments? I'm curious.
This is nothing short of genius!! I had been thinking about putting all the kids daily work in a notebook but this is above and beyond what I was thinking! I think it is amazing and I want to thank you for the detailed explanations! I am very excited to implement this idea! Thank you!
Karen T. ~ fellow TOG-er
So are you scanning your reading assignment pages and then printing? Was just trying to figure it all out. I really like the idea, I am just trying to figure out how it will work for me.
Thanks
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. 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment