What is Tapestry of Grace

[Ohio12]

People keep mentioning this and I have never heard of it. Would anyone tell me a little about it. I am about to purchase SOTW and want to make sure this is not a better alternative.

[ConnieB]

website: http://www.tapestryofgrace.com

[kortney in AL]

I wouldn't even consider TOG at this point with your children as young as they are. SOTW would probably be a much better choice. I've used both and prefer SOTW for younger kids. While I liked TOG for my older ones, it had a vast amount of material to wade through. It was almost overwhelming. (My humble opinion, anyway) If you're still interested just search for TOG and you'll easily find their web site.

[PeterPan]

If you're wanting some alternatives to TOG, look at VP or SL which uses CHOW. You could even add SOTW onto SL/CHOW or use the SOTW readings with VP. VP I would wait on till 2nd grade, btw, so they can do the writing. I too think TOG is just more than you need for this age.

[ArwenA]

I agree with those that say TOG is a lot for such a young age. I recently purchased Year 1 and am so overwhelmed I'm not sure we'll use it. SOTW is really good.

[Holly IN]

The author of TOG actually says she doesn't recommend using this program for a (your oldest child)young child younger than 5th grade. Meaning....

 

Do not use it until your oldest is in 5th grade then yes it is ok to use for younger children then. You can use it when they are young but she says there are other materials out there for children younger than 5th grade that is wonderful to use.

 

Holly

[Karenciavo]

The author of TOG actually says she doesn't recommend using this program for a (your oldest child)young child younger than 5th grade.

 

I'm not sure if she said this Holly. She has said, "The design of Tapestry is to repeat the program at higher levels of understanding. Therefore, I urge moms to be careful to use Tapestry as the "ice cream" in the academic diet of "littles," not the meat and potatoes. Otherwise, you and your child may become discouraged. I would rather see you use another program in Grades K-3 than use Tapestry too early, become overwhelmed, and never use it again."

I probably wouldn't get it if my oldest was 5, but by 2nd or 3rd grade I think it's a great choice. I do see many people with younger students falling away from the program, but I think part of it is that people give up too soon. They often try to implement everything at once, aren't consistent, and then give up in frustration.

 

[8filltheheart]

For the benefit of others reading this that also want an understanding......Janice posted an enthusiastic post about TOG on the hs board. It might be helpful for people trying to understand the scope and sequence.

 

http://67.202.21.157/forums/showthread.php?t=12584

[Trivium Academy]

TOG has improved our lessons in many ways:

 

1. Providing age-appropriate books that engage us, with SOTW's AG the book lists are hit/miss. I was checking out 4-5 books a week through interlibrary loan for SOTW only to find that the books recommended covered the same topics, with TOG each book is chosen for a particular reason so we haven't overlapped as much plus I'm not wasting time/energy trying to track down the recommended titles.

 

Another difference for me is that I was reading books that were above dd's level with SOTW, this was more *my* problem but with TOG, I find it easier to stay on dd's level instead of wandering into higher level books that really are just a waste of time. I can read the more difficult books to dd but she won't retain anything, and we were spinning our wheels with SOTW in this regard.

 

2. SOTW is a good book all by itself, it doesn't need additional books and really just using it as a your literary source is a good way to keep history in it's place in the younger years but we wanted to read the stories in SOTW from the original books instead of the excerpts in SOTW. I realized that I would have to make a choice between SOTW and whole books because trying to do both was taking too much time when the focus really needed to be in language arts and math at this age.

 

3. TOG and SOTW both provide activities, maps (if you buy TOG's MapAids), but TOG provides more teacher helps. You can learn deeper with TOG on your own at the early stages while keeping it lighter for younger students, SOTW doesn't provide this.

 

4. TOG is 4 cycles of history all in one with all the bells and whistles, whereas each SOTW book is just one year of one cycle (4 books total to be used 1st-4th). I ultimately chose TOG because we want to use it 1st-12th grade, it provides the meat of the type of education in literature, history, worldview, etc. that I want for my children.

 

5. With TOG, we can use any approach we like and use TOG how we like. We're doing history light right now, we're reading, identifying geography areas with maps and mapwork and doing the literature assignments. We are enjoying the books very much with TOG lower grammar and reading a few of the upper grammar books as read alouds.

 

6. SOTW is more for the parent who wants someone to tell them what to do and when, TOG is for the parent who likes to tweak and plan. It is easy to allow TOG to be overwhelming, there's 4 cycles of instruction in 1 year plan! The 4 cycles will be a major help to those homeschooling multiple children at once but it can be overwhelming at first to see it all in one place. I've learned to put blinders on to the levels we're not using at this time.

 

7. TOG is an amazing product with tons of helps and extras, with the add-ons like Writing Aids, MapAids, Evaluations, etc. It allows you to thoroughly cover the subjects it provides.

 

If you want to check out Tapestry of Grace more, there are two sets of 3 weeks that you can download for FREE (or request a CD with the lessons on them), one from the Ancients time period and another from Early America.

 

Getting the seminar Teaching With Tapestry really helped me decide as well as the 3 week sample. I also decided to get the Multimedia Pack since it had more information. For about $9.00, I was able to determine if TOG would be right for us.

 

I'm not trying to sell you on TOG but just give you our experience. If you have any questions, I'd be glad to answer them. Remember, as you can see from the other responses in this thread, 1 curriculum does not work for everyone.

[MelissaMinNC]

I use it with my first grader, and we love it. It would be overwhelming if we were trying to do everything, but we don't. I intentionally started this with just a young one for many reasons, but a couple of them are: to educate myself - the teacher's notes, the rhetoric level assignments, and the discussion outlines are all helping me to come to new heights of understanding and knowledge - it's a whole new education for me, which I think is important. Also, it's not an inexpensive curriculum - if I didn't live in a place with such a good library system, I don't think I'd be able to use it right now, because we are on a limited budget. But that was one reason I wanted to use it now - so I can buy all the year plans, and on our next trip through the history cycle I can worry only about buying books.

 

Just my .02, but I think it's worth looking at, at least.

 

:)

Melissa

[Susie in MS]

My experience with TOG is very short lived. I downloaded the sample and thought I would like it. I ordered it and poured over it for about a week before returning it.

 

What overwhelmed me, an adult, was:

~the HUGE amount of reading I would have to do with the teacher notes.

~the flip flopping all over the place. I really like to have all the days work in one place, but there are sections everywhere in this one. However; I can see the benifit of it if a person wanted to use one component and not the other.

~the teachers notes read like an encyclopedia-infact IF I remember correctly they are taken from World Book.

 

There is a reason that the "fog" is mentioned when you read about TOG. For me the fog was not even beginning to lift. Although I know that this works well for some (and it is very thorough) I needed something that wouldn't take me months to figure out, and get the hang of. But that is just me.

[PeterPan]

Well at the convention last year, Marcia S. (author of TOG) was more than willing to sell me TOG for my rising 3rd grader, so I don't know if she's said to wait till 5th with an only. She definitely didn't seem to feel that way with me. She did make a comment that caught my ears to "trust much to the reading of good books." I realized that if my main goal in the early years was to read good books, I could do that without more structure than I already had. (with VP, TQ, etc.) I like what I see in TOG, but it seems to me most logical to switch to it when you need more than what you can find in simpler structures, as the needs of the early years are so light. Just my two cents.

[Janice in NJ]

I've blabbered on about this so much, but for me TOG wasn't useful until *I* knew that *I* needed it.

 

Until I grew into these boots (TOG), they just seemed too big for me to clomp around in. I tried. I banged around in them when my oldest was in 5th grade, but I just couldn't see the "why" behind these big, big boots and I felt like SUCH a klutz! (I've posted about that in a really, really long post... (can you say rambled on and on and on....:ohmy:.....) over on the TOG board. Won't repeat that here!)

 

At the time it was better for ME to use other programs when my kids were younger. Of course hind-sight is 20/20 or BETTER. "Do-over" thoughts are valuable to ME, but not very useful to others unless they can see the value in those big boots for themselves.

 

Learning to see TOG as a spine instead of a to-do list was the answer for me. But that was the result of teaching experience. Time produced that understanding - not determination. :001_smile:

 

And I certainly realize that my path is NOT the only good path. By ANY means!

For some folks the TOG boots will fit GREAT early on.

For some folks the boots will be too small.

And for plenty of folks those style of boots are not even close to what they will ever want to wear.

 

And that's the value of this community - And THAT has been discussed at length recently over on the HS board.

 

Isn't life grand! And wonderful!

 

Peace,

Janice in NJ

 

Enjoy your little people

Enjoy your journey

[Susie in MS]

For some folks the TOG boots will fit GREAT early on.

For some folks the boots will be too small.

And for plenty of folks those style of boots are not even close to what they will ever want to wear.

 

 

I really like what you just said! Although I think that this fits TOG on a grander scale because of the large vol of info, I think that on some level it could also be said of all curriculum. :001_smile:

[Trivium Academy]

What overwhelmed me, an adult, was:

~the HUGE amount of reading I would have to do with the teacher notes.

~the flip flopping all over the place. I really like to have all the days work in one place, but there are sections everywhere in this one. However; I can see the benifit of it if a person wanted to use one component and not the other.

~the teachers notes read like an encyclopedia-infact IF I remember correctly they are taken from World Book.

 

There is a reason that the "fog" is mentioned when you read about TOP. For me the fog was not even beginning to lift. Although I know that this works well for some (and it is very thorough) I needed something that wouldn't take me months to figure out, and get the hang of. But that is just me.

 

Just to add another point of view, not to say anything against what Susie has said:

 

1. You don't have to read the teacher's notes for the younger level which is lower grammar (k-3), it really is up to you and what your goals are for your own education. The teacher's notes are for ALL levels, you can identify what information that will be the most helpful by reading the individual threads (objectives) for the levels you're teaching. I stopped reading the teacher's notes unless there is something in the objectives I want more information on.

 

2. Flip-flopping. Hmmm, I guess this is reading the different objectives for each level? There is a summary and then more information in each thread/objective for the week divided by the 4 levels, an overview reading page with all 4 levels. If you get familiar with the product, it will become easier to identify what you need for each week. At first it took me a while to figure it out but now I can flip directly to the sections I need without thought.

 

3. Yes, World Book is used but there are also thoughts and points made by the person who developed the Teacher's Notes section. I like the World Book excerpts b/c they eliminate so much useless time reading other sources, I can learn exactly what the week focuses on without having to do the research myself (which takes time). For example, this week we're learning about the Reformation, the World Book information is:

- German Protestant Reformation

- Growth of the Reformation

- Mother Goose

 

Just by reading these myself, I can learn so much and be prepared to teach my child myself instead of reading something for them to learn. It's the Teacher's notes, it's to equip a parent to teach. Your teaching style will determine how much you use this tool and at what degree.

 

This curricula will not fit everyone but it does so much work for the parent/teacher. There is a fog that occurs and TOG users joke about it often, anything worthwhile is worth time and effort depending on your goals.

 

I just wanted to add a little more information.

[Shelbelle7]

I probably wouldn't get it if my oldest was 5, but by 2nd or 3rd grade I think it's a great choice. I do see many people with younger students falling away from the program, but I think part of it is that people give up too soon. They often try to implement everything at once, aren't consistent, and then give up in frustration.

I can't tell you how much I *WISH* I had had TOG when my oldest was 5!! TOG is fantastic for little ones. Honestly, I just don't see that there is an extensive amount of work for the littles with TOG, but what is there is fun. My little girls have learned so much. I'm excited to see in a couple of years when we return for a second rotation, what they remember from their studies as littles. I also think TOG is great to start with littles because you as the mom have a bit more time to get the hang of the program rather than trying to learn it on such a steep learning curve by jumping in when your kids are older.

[Janice in NJ]

I really like what you just said! Although I think that this fits TOG on a grander scale because of the large vol of info, I think that on some level it could also be said of all curriculum. :001_smile:

 

Yes! And that's why some of us end up with more than one pair of boots in our closet even though we end up wearing the same pair all the time - because it's the more comfy pair! For ME!

 

The temptation is to think that everyone should wear them too. Despite my enthusiasm, I don't want to convey that thought!

 

Some folks like sandals or high-heels better. I have those in my closet too even though I don't wear them very often.

 

...I actually LIVE in a pair of chef's clogs. But that's reality - not a metaphor.

 

Rambling...

Peace!

Janice :001_smile:

[Trivium Academy]

It all comes down to perspective, goals and personalities. I can use ANY product/curricula and tweak it to make it what I want it to be, I can use any product/curricula and apply my teaching style/my kids' learning style to it. I identified what we want/need and looked for a tool to help me accomplish that. It could be Veritas Press, Sonlight, WTM, TruthQuest, Tapestry, or any of the curricula options out there that are great programs on their own. What makes the difference is the parent/teacher & children using the products. In the end I decided to stop tweaking SOTW and just use something that fit our goals better. There is not a "golden" curriculum that will be everything for everyone and I'm glad there isn't, b/c more than likely- I wouldn't like it just on principle! Lol.

 

It's so easy to get wrapped up in what others are using, I'm guilty of spreading excitement - I really can't help it, when I love something, I love it and it oozes out of me. The best thing anyone can do is figure out what makes them excited, find your passion- your kids will benefit the most from a passionate teacher than a teacher trying to fit other's molds just because they sound good.

[Susie in MS]

 

Just by reading these myself, I can learn so much and be prepared to teach my child myself instead of reading something for them to learn. It's the Teacher's notes, it's to equip a parent to teach. Your teaching style will determine how much you use this tool and at what degree.

 

This curricula will not fit everyone but it does so much work for the parent/teacher. There is a fog that occurs and TOG users joke about it often, anything worthwhile is worth time and effort depending on your goals.

 

I just wanted to add a little more information.

 

I agree with you 100%!

And it is this statement : "Your teaching style will determine how much you use this tool and at what degree." that really rings true with my feelings. I need something that directs me to sit and cozy up with my child and learn together, or for high school directed to the student. I felt that with TOG *I* would have to learn it all first and then teach (I felt like I would be in a school setting giving a lecture) it to my kids (who were in highschool at the time and ended up with Notgrass that was open and go, directed to the student). This is how *I* saw it. I guess this is one (only one) reason that I like HOD so much (I now have a toddler). It is a simple 2 page spread that directs me to the readings and simple lessons of the day. We learn together. I don't have to prepare a myself by learning before I present a lecture like I would if I were to use the teachers notes in TOG. The words in HOD are large compared to the tiny words that fill the TOG pages (I have a problem with small print and the absence of white on the page. I get overwhelmed.) So what you said is very, very true. It depends on your goals and your teaching style. And in the case of someone like me if you are overwhelmed by busy pages that would be a factor too. But please let me re-emphasize: this is just me and how *I* saw TOG. I am sure others can take this same curriculum and make it work for them the way they feel best. I just couldn't do it. I need simple, open and go, no prep, easy to follow, no fog curriculum. :001_smile: I am so pleased that the hs community has much to offer that no one should be left without what works for them.

[Trivium Academy]

I'm sorry Susie, I didn't know how to address the issues you raised about your experience without making it seem like I was addressing your experience, I failed with my response in just answering the problems you experienced with TOG. Thank you for sharing your experience and please forgive any missteps I took in my intentions.

[Susie in MS]

I'm sorry Susie, I didn't know how to address the issues you raised about your experience without making it seem like I was addressing your experience, I failed with my response in just answering the problems you experienced with TOG. Thank you for sharing your experience and please forgive any missteps I took in my intentions.

 

Oh no! No offense taken!!! Please!! You did a great job!! :001_smile: