Hopefully, you've read my post about what Tapestry of Grace is generally all about.
Now, let's discuss what the different learning levels mean within our family.
We have been using Tapestry of Grace for the past 4 years. You would then think, that we should be through the whole cycle and back to Year 1 this year. Well, I took the author's advice, and with little ones, we took the curriculum at half pace for the past 4 years. That means that we took 2 weeks to complete each 1 week of curriculum. It was wonderful that way, it allowed us more time for hands on projects, it allowed me to focus on math and reading, it allowed me freedom to deal with pre-schoolers that weren't interested in sitting still for much time...and now, this year, we're coming up to the regular pace. We are on Year 3 this year, the Nineteenth Century. I have a rising 4th grader, a rising 2nd grader, and a Kindergartner this year.
In Tapestry of Grace terminology, I have 1 that is in Upper Grammar, and 2 that are Lower Grammar.
If you remember from my last post, I said there were 3 levels of learning. These are the Grammar stage, the Dialectic Stage, and the Rhetoric Stage.
The Grammar stage is the early elementary level. Students are learning facts, stories, and the basic feel of how History and all of the Humanities fit together. Tapestry breaks the Grammar stage into 2, Lower and Upper. Lower Grammar students need a parent to read aloud to them, and to help them find the main point in their reading. The time that they move to Upper Grammar is when they are not only independent readers; but, can read their selections, on their own, and come back to you having comprehension of the main point of the lesson. That usually happens in the third or fourth grade. This is also usually when you start working on their writing and reporting. Before this, they are mostly verbalizing what they have read, maybe drawing a picture, or writing a main sentence.
In the Dialectic stage, they are asking all of the questions, 'arguing' view points, and tying to make things make sense. This is also called the Logic stage in other Classical curricula and roughly equates to the Middle School/Junior High years. I do not have a Dialectic student, so you can read more about this stage, or hear about it in the Foundational Videos available on the Tapestry of Grace website - http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/llc/training/foundational.php
The final stage is the Rhetoric stage, and again, I do not have one; but, this stage equates to the traditional High School years and is the time when you have Socratic discussions and opinions are being formed. This is when a child is wanting to express themselves, to persuade others about what they believe, they are cementing their ability to communicate both in the written and in the oral format. Again, one of the benefits of the chronological, classical model, is that your student has seen all of this information 2 other times, they aren't learning "new" information so much as looking at it in a new way, figuring out what they think about it, and learning to express that belief system separately from a parent or a teacher. It is hard to form an opinion, if you haven't ever learned the information before. I certainly remember learning absolutely "new" information when I was in high school, so, getting to the level of analysis and opinion forming didn't really ever happen. We were still just in 'receive and answer' mode.
Alright....now, we can get on to how I schedule our year, coming up next in Part III.
http://whateveristrueandnoble.blogspot.com/2012/08/review-tapestry-of-grace-part-iii.html
I wrote an "update" and have more pictures of how we do things now, with a Dialectic student in the mix, in this blog post - http://whateveristrueandnoble.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-bit-about-scheduling.html
An update with adding in a Rhetoric student can be found here.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Review - Tapestry of Grace, Part I
An update to this post can be found here.
This has been a post that has needed writing for quite some time. You cannot even imagine the number of times I've started and stopped it, partially written it in emails or Facebook posts, or answered questions on The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Facebook page.
First of all, what is Tapestry of Grace....?
Tapestry of Grace, or TOG, is a full humanities curriculum for K-12. What does that include? History, Geography, Literature, Bible, Worldview, Fine Arts, also Philosophy and Government at the high school level.
What is unique about Tapestry is that everyone in the family is studying the same "slice" or period of time, at the same time.
Tapestry of Grace follows the Classical Model of education. That means that all of History is studied in a four year cycle. You have 3 different learning levels, based on a child's maturity and ability. Each time you complete the 4 years, you start again, at the beginning of time. The child can move up to a higher learning level though at any time, when deemed appropriate by the parent/teacher.
Studying History this way, and tying in all of the other Humanities, allows you to recognize that at the same time as Henry VIII and Elizabeth of Tudor England fame, you have Shakespeare (Literature), Martin Luther and William Tyndale (Church History), DaVinci and Michelangelo (Fine Arts), Galileo (Science) and I could go on and on...I love the 16th Century!
Also, everyone in the family is studying the same time period, people, and ideas. Around the dinner table, we can have conversations and learn from each other. We might all be learning at a different level, based on our understanding and ability; but, we can still have a conversation where we are all sharing based on the same topics.
This is NOT the way that I learned in school. All of my subjects were taught separately and there was no tie in made what so ever. Everyone in my family was learning something different, and so we had little in common to discuss over dinner. Have you noticed though, that we do not live life in a vacuum? What is going on around us has a profound influence on what we write, what we invent, and what we believe. You cannot fully understand Henry VIII and the formation of the Church of England without also studying Martin Luther.
If you want to know more about Tapestry of Grace and how it could be used in your own home, please, check out this link where there are videos, reviews, and free samples for you to download and use. - http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/explore/
Part II will be about the learning levels, what they mean, and a bit about how we have been using Tapestry of Grace in our own homeschool. -
http://whateveristrueandnoble.blogspot.com/2012/08/review-tapestry-of-grace-part-ii.html
In Part III, I'll talk about how I do my planning and prep work for the school year. -
http://whateveristrueandnoble.blogspot.com/2012/08/review-tapestry-of-grace-part-iii.html
Finally, in Part IV, I'll talk about the big one - How I do my planning for each week.
http://whateveristrueandnoble.blogspot.com/2012/08/review-tapestry-of-grace-part-iv.html
I wrote an "update" and have more pictures of how we do things now, with a Dialectic student in the mix, in this blog post - http://whateveristrueandnoble.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-bit-about-scheduling.html
An update about how we do things with a Rhetoric student in the mix is here.
This has been a post that has needed writing for quite some time. You cannot even imagine the number of times I've started and stopped it, partially written it in emails or Facebook posts, or answered questions on The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Facebook page.
First of all, what is Tapestry of Grace....?
Tapestry of Grace, or TOG, is a full humanities curriculum for K-12. What does that include? History, Geography, Literature, Bible, Worldview, Fine Arts, also Philosophy and Government at the high school level.
What is unique about Tapestry is that everyone in the family is studying the same "slice" or period of time, at the same time.
Tapestry of Grace follows the Classical Model of education. That means that all of History is studied in a four year cycle. You have 3 different learning levels, based on a child's maturity and ability. Each time you complete the 4 years, you start again, at the beginning of time. The child can move up to a higher learning level though at any time, when deemed appropriate by the parent/teacher.
Studying History this way, and tying in all of the other Humanities, allows you to recognize that at the same time as Henry VIII and Elizabeth of Tudor England fame, you have Shakespeare (Literature), Martin Luther and William Tyndale (Church History), DaVinci and Michelangelo (Fine Arts), Galileo (Science) and I could go on and on...I love the 16th Century!
Also, everyone in the family is studying the same time period, people, and ideas. Around the dinner table, we can have conversations and learn from each other. We might all be learning at a different level, based on our understanding and ability; but, we can still have a conversation where we are all sharing based on the same topics.
This is NOT the way that I learned in school. All of my subjects were taught separately and there was no tie in made what so ever. Everyone in my family was learning something different, and so we had little in common to discuss over dinner. Have you noticed though, that we do not live life in a vacuum? What is going on around us has a profound influence on what we write, what we invent, and what we believe. You cannot fully understand Henry VIII and the formation of the Church of England without also studying Martin Luther.
If you want to know more about Tapestry of Grace and how it could be used in your own home, please, check out this link where there are videos, reviews, and free samples for you to download and use. - http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/explore/
Part II will be about the learning levels, what they mean, and a bit about how we have been using Tapestry of Grace in our own homeschool. -
http://whateveristrueandnoble.blogspot.com/2012/08/review-tapestry-of-grace-part-ii.html
In Part III, I'll talk about how I do my planning and prep work for the school year. -
http://whateveristrueandnoble.blogspot.com/2012/08/review-tapestry-of-grace-part-iii.html
Finally, in Part IV, I'll talk about the big one - How I do my planning for each week.
http://whateveristrueandnoble.blogspot.com/2012/08/review-tapestry-of-grace-part-iv.html
I wrote an "update" and have more pictures of how we do things now, with a Dialectic student in the mix, in this blog post - http://whateveristrueandnoble.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-bit-about-scheduling.html
An update about how we do things with a Rhetoric student in the mix is here.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
School Schedule for 2012-2013
I did some cleaning up yesterday. Went through old workbooks and papers, reorganized, started putting down some thoughts and ideas on paper. I think I've firmed up our schedule for the school year.
I'm excited, and a bit worried though. Am I trying to do too much this year? I've got 3 in school now. I think our years of a 'couple of hours a day' of school just may be over!!! Krypto really needs more of my time to strengthen his writing. He's been so independent in so many of his subjects, just flying through them; but, I know he's not the strongest writer, and I want him to be able to get those thoughts out on paper, not just verbally. This will take time, and I do have a plan. Gwangi is finally reading, independently too...I think he will be my easier student this year! Sissi is doing Kindergarten; but, she already knows all of her letters and their sounds, she is chomping at the bit to learn how to read this year, just like her boys....again, this takes time. I've got it planned ;)!
The Key - a (T) means we do it together, an (I) means the work is done independently, (M) means they do it with Mom.
I learned many years ago, to try to do as many things together, as you can, AND, to do 'Mom work' with the youngest to the oldest, as much as you can. SO, we do start our day with music, when they are fresh; but, then you'll notice that the older two have Independent work, while I work with the youngest, then I go to the next child, and end the morning with the oldest.
We'll plan to start our day about 8:30, stop about 11 for lunch. Back at it around noon, and be done between 2 and 3. The whole afternoon is done together...so, I'll list each child's morning first, then will list our joint afternoons just once, at the bottom.
So, here we go...on to the schedule...and don't worry, over the next few weeks, I'll take pictures, do reviews, and update you all on the different things we're doing this year.
Morning School
Krypto - 4th Grade
Violin (M)
Proverbs, Prayer, and Pledges (T)
Bible and Devotional (I)
A Reason for Handwriting C and copywork from the Bible (I)
Math U See - Epsilon (I)
Logic (I)
History Reading and Writing (I)
Book Review and Writing Review (M)
Sequential Spelling - Volume 2 (M) - found this after 2 other curriculums that didn't work well for us...you always start at the beginning, so we're only in Volume 2.
First Language Lessons - Volume 4 (M)
Writing with Ease - Volume 3 and 4 (M) - didn't start this series until he was almost in the 2nd grade...so we're halfway through volume 3.
Gwangi - 2nd Grade
Piano (M)
Proverbs, Prayer, and Pledges (T)
A Reason for Handwriting T (we're transitioning to cursive this year) (I, some M to get him started at times)
Explode the Code Phonics 4-6 (I)
Math U See - Beta (I)
Ordinary Parent's Guide to Reading, 2nd half (M)
First Language Lessons - Volume 2 (M)
Writing with Ease - Volume 1 (M)
Sequential Spelling - Volume 1 (M)
Pick 3 Fun Books, Drawing, Logic, etc or play with Sissi (I)
Sissi - Kindergarten
Proverbs, Prayer, and Pledges (T)
Explode the Code Phonics C, 1, and 2 (M)
Ordinary Parent's Guide to Reading, start from beginning (M)
A Reason for Handwriting K and A (M)
Pick 4 Fun Books, Kumon, etc. (M/I)
Pick 3 Activities from her Grab Bag (I)
LUNCH
Afternoon School - All done together
Bible - M-What's in the Bible, T-R&S Bible Book, W-F Character Lessons, Read Alouds
Science - MWF - Fall we'll do AIG's "The Human Body" and in the Spring AIG's "Inventions and Technology" OR "Machines and Motion"
Art - T&R - Artist Series and "Come Look with Me"
History, Geography, Church History, Worldview, Fine Arts, Literature - Tapestry of Grace, Year 3
QUIET TIME :)
Ahhh, a day well planned...now, let's see how it goes on Monday, shall we?!
Any thoughts from the peanut gallery? How are you all planning your days this year?
I'm excited, and a bit worried though. Am I trying to do too much this year? I've got 3 in school now. I think our years of a 'couple of hours a day' of school just may be over!!! Krypto really needs more of my time to strengthen his writing. He's been so independent in so many of his subjects, just flying through them; but, I know he's not the strongest writer, and I want him to be able to get those thoughts out on paper, not just verbally. This will take time, and I do have a plan. Gwangi is finally reading, independently too...I think he will be my easier student this year! Sissi is doing Kindergarten; but, she already knows all of her letters and their sounds, she is chomping at the bit to learn how to read this year, just like her boys....again, this takes time. I've got it planned ;)!
The Key - a (T) means we do it together, an (I) means the work is done independently, (M) means they do it with Mom.
I learned many years ago, to try to do as many things together, as you can, AND, to do 'Mom work' with the youngest to the oldest, as much as you can. SO, we do start our day with music, when they are fresh; but, then you'll notice that the older two have Independent work, while I work with the youngest, then I go to the next child, and end the morning with the oldest.
We'll plan to start our day about 8:30, stop about 11 for lunch. Back at it around noon, and be done between 2 and 3. The whole afternoon is done together...so, I'll list each child's morning first, then will list our joint afternoons just once, at the bottom.
So, here we go...on to the schedule...and don't worry, over the next few weeks, I'll take pictures, do reviews, and update you all on the different things we're doing this year.
Morning School
Krypto - 4th Grade
Violin (M)
Proverbs, Prayer, and Pledges (T)
Bible and Devotional (I)
A Reason for Handwriting C and copywork from the Bible (I)
Math U See - Epsilon (I)
Logic (I)
History Reading and Writing (I)
Book Review and Writing Review (M)
Sequential Spelling - Volume 2 (M) - found this after 2 other curriculums that didn't work well for us...you always start at the beginning, so we're only in Volume 2.
First Language Lessons - Volume 4 (M)
Writing with Ease - Volume 3 and 4 (M) - didn't start this series until he was almost in the 2nd grade...so we're halfway through volume 3.
Gwangi - 2nd Grade
Piano (M)
Proverbs, Prayer, and Pledges (T)
A Reason for Handwriting T (we're transitioning to cursive this year) (I, some M to get him started at times)
Explode the Code Phonics 4-6 (I)
Math U See - Beta (I)
Ordinary Parent's Guide to Reading, 2nd half (M)
First Language Lessons - Volume 2 (M)
Writing with Ease - Volume 1 (M)
Sequential Spelling - Volume 1 (M)
Pick 3 Fun Books, Drawing, Logic, etc or play with Sissi (I)
Sissi - Kindergarten
Proverbs, Prayer, and Pledges (T)
Explode the Code Phonics C, 1, and 2 (M)
Ordinary Parent's Guide to Reading, start from beginning (M)
A Reason for Handwriting K and A (M)
Pick 4 Fun Books, Kumon, etc. (M/I)
Pick 3 Activities from her Grab Bag (I)
LUNCH
Afternoon School - All done together
Bible - M-What's in the Bible, T-R&S Bible Book, W-F Character Lessons, Read Alouds
Science - MWF - Fall we'll do AIG's "The Human Body" and in the Spring AIG's "Inventions and Technology" OR "Machines and Motion"
Art - T&R - Artist Series and "Come Look with Me"
History, Geography, Church History, Worldview, Fine Arts, Literature - Tapestry of Grace, Year 3
QUIET TIME :)
Ahhh, a day well planned...now, let's see how it goes on Monday, shall we?!
Any thoughts from the peanut gallery? How are you all planning your days this year?
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Review - Draw, Write, Now
One of my favorite resources for when Mommy is busy, and a child needs to have something to do while they wait, is the "Draw, Write, Now" series. There are eight books in this series covering animals from all of the different regions on earth, many historical events and people, storybook characters, and many, many more things to draw.
Each drawing assignment is set up in a 2 page spread, with a step-by-step "how to" draw the figure. There is always a completed drawing for them to look at as well, for ideas, and to visualize "where they are going" in their work. Beneath the completed drawing there are 4 sentences that give information about the picture they are drawing. You can then have them copy those sentences, or maybe just one of choice, or maybe just do the drawing...it completely depends on you, the parent, and the interest/ability level of the child.
WOW, art practice, handwriting practice, history and/or science information to boot. You can't get much better than this to keep someone occupied; but, still in the mode of school, while they are waiting for Mommy to get to them. I also let them use these books as a fun activity if they are finished with their work early; but, it isn't free time yet.
We've also used a similar step-by-step approach to drawing from Usborne. Any of these are great options for you to have on hand. They are completely non-consumable, you just need some paper and colored pencils or crayons.
A look inside a few of the books. You can get them individually, or buy the boxed set, from Amazon.
Friday, August 3, 2012
A few more projects and some gifts
We finally got the package from my sister Kate...yahoo! Thank you, Lord!
Take a look at this box. Ouch!
It was mailed 9 May, and received 1 August :)
Gwangi got some long awaited Dino Legos and also an Iron Man mask.
Worked on another few projects today. A Fancy Nancy cape and a Mommy/Daughter matching set of hair scrunchies.
Look at this cuteness. A cloth flower and some buttons all stacked up.
Krypto and his new watch.
More cloth flowers, with a button center. I then sewed them onto bobby pins to use in our hair.
Wow, get that sewing machine out, and look at how we go! Got to finish up soon though...next week is Back to School Planning Week :). Enjoy!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
A Day of Sewing
I enjoyed a great, back breaking day of sewing :)
Yes, leaning over so much hurts my back...and my knees...on the tile floor!
Thought you might like to see my mess and the finished product.
Cutting out the pattern and my pile of fabric
This was the pattern I was making.
The completed top. It's in the laundry basket for tomorrow. I also made a sash/belt to go with it, in the matching pink fabric.
I couldn't get a clear close up of the neckline...do you see how the yoke is bunched or gathered up. It's really cute.
A close up of the material.
Have you made any fun, new projects lately? Do you like to sew? Please share!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Review - The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading
I am on my 2nd round through this book. I've bought it once, and it's completely non-consumable. What an excellent purchase for any mom.
I started using it with Krypto, our eldest child, when he was in the 4-5 year old range. The book starts off with lessons that teach you the vowels, and their sounds, and then moves on to the consonants. Once you know all the letter sounds, you can continue into the next section of the book, that has all of the short vowel sound words. You keep moving through, learning how to read, learning phonics rules, like "an 'e' at the end makes a vowel say it's name" and "the silent 'k' before an 'n'."
After 225 lessons, you have a child that can read on a very advanced level, understands the rules of reading, and spelling for that matter. In short, a very confident and independent reader.
One of the other wonderful things about this book is that it is fully scripted for you as the teacher. There is no prep work, just pick it up and go. The "Instructor" verbage is clearly labeled for you to read out loud to your student. What a blessing!
Krypto finished this book by the end of his 1st grade year. Gwangi began and stopped with this book a couple of times, because he just wasn't ready for the next step. We would just get to a point where we needed to take a couple of weeks off from reading. That's ok, each child is so different. If they aren't ready, for the next jump in any subject, it's always better to wait and come back to it at a later time. This way you preserve their love of learning and education, and stay in touch with their strengths and weaknesses. Isn't that one of the beauties of homeschooling?
Take a look at this wonderful resource. Teaching our children how to read well, is one of the most foundational things that we, as parents and teachers, can do to start them off on a lifetime of learning!
I started using it with Krypto, our eldest child, when he was in the 4-5 year old range. The book starts off with lessons that teach you the vowels, and their sounds, and then moves on to the consonants. Once you know all the letter sounds, you can continue into the next section of the book, that has all of the short vowel sound words. You keep moving through, learning how to read, learning phonics rules, like "an 'e' at the end makes a vowel say it's name" and "the silent 'k' before an 'n'."
After 225 lessons, you have a child that can read on a very advanced level, understands the rules of reading, and spelling for that matter. In short, a very confident and independent reader.
One of the other wonderful things about this book is that it is fully scripted for you as the teacher. There is no prep work, just pick it up and go. The "Instructor" verbage is clearly labeled for you to read out loud to your student. What a blessing!
Krypto finished this book by the end of his 1st grade year. Gwangi began and stopped with this book a couple of times, because he just wasn't ready for the next step. We would just get to a point where we needed to take a couple of weeks off from reading. That's ok, each child is so different. If they aren't ready, for the next jump in any subject, it's always better to wait and come back to it at a later time. This way you preserve their love of learning and education, and stay in touch with their strengths and weaknesses. Isn't that one of the beauties of homeschooling?
Take a look at this wonderful resource. Teaching our children how to read well, is one of the most foundational things that we, as parents and teachers, can do to start them off on a lifetime of learning!
The cover of the book. Mine is an older copy, so just put the title into the search engine on Amazon, and I'm sure you'll find it.
An example lesson. I just randomly opened the book.
One more note, once we're truly reading, I also make sure to have my new readers read a real book, or a chapter of a book, out loud to me each day. This is in addition to continuing the lessons in the "Ordinary Parent's Guide." Reading to each other each day makes for some great cuddle time together.
What have you used for reading and phonics instruction with your children?
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