How I use TOG

Hi friends,

I've been asked recently by a few fellow homeschoolers about Tapestry of Grace (AKA: ToG), which is the curriculum we use for a majority of our schooling.  I thought I would post a few thoughts here to try to explain a little about it, describe  how we use it (because those I know all use it a little differently... that's the beauty), and why it works so well for us.

1. What it is:
The way I like to describe ToG is that it is basically a big, giant History Unit Study, from a classical, Christian perspective. It is divided into 4 core stages: Lower Grammar (K-3rd) Upper Grammar (4-6ish grades), Dialectic (Middle School) and Rhetoric (High School). Once you purchase the curriculum, you have what you need for all 4 stages since it is combined and interwoven among all learning levels.

The curriculum is structured in a way that divides history into 4 main units, and each "Year Plan" is one of those units. So, in theory, if you followed ToG on-schedule, you would complete all 4 year plans in 4 years and then cycle back through, starting from Year 1 again. By then, your kids would be at a different learning level, so it would all be fresh again while building on previous knowledge.

Not only is it divided into Year Plans, but then each plan is divided into 4 Units. This was incredibly confusing to me when I first started because everyone I talked to was using acronyms like, "Im in Y2U3, where are you?" or "Im in week 34, what week are you on?" but eventually you get the hang of it. For example, right now we are in Y2U4. That's Year 2 (Medieval Times to Modern) Unit 4 (Colonial up to Revolutionary War). In week 29. These phrases act as a sort of "mental bookmark" for those using the curriculum, because when you begin in the Fall you pick right up with where you left off... hopefully at the next Unit!

This is described in much better detail, with videos and pictures and samples to download on the Tapestry website. I find this page as the best place to start.

2. How we use it:
Every mom I know uses ToG differently. For example, my amazing S-I-L in NC introduced me to ToG and has 2 kids in the upper levels. She "facilitates" ToG like a college professor and runs a tight ship, maximizing all the benefits of this academically rigorous and literature-rich program (Love ya, Andrea!) She is my hero!

We, however, use it much differently. I have 3 kids, ages 9, 7, and 3. We are in the Grammar levels. My oldest child  has high functioning Autism and we began our homeschooling journey because he could not function (literally) in a typical school setting. So, with God's leading, much grace, and a step of faith,  my husband and I decided to homeschool.

Initially, I did not plan to even teach history as part of our studies. Its not required by our state, and I was overwhelmed with trying to figure out what to do for Math, Reading & Writing for a special needs child in 2nd grade. As it turns out, he LOVED history! He was so interested, I began generating my own book lists, worksheets, activities, all following his interests. I was spending so much time researching to find good books, then researching to put them in context to a greater biblical worldview, that I was spending all my time researching instead of teaching! Then, Tapestry came to the rescue and saved me A LOT of effort, because it was already all done for me!

This being said, I do alot of editing when using Tapestry. I've heard ToG described as an "all-you-can-eat buffet" with the danger of just gorging yourself to death on all the options and delicious foods available! I learned early I cant stuff my kids full all at once. Now, I am much more careful and prayerful to choose what aspects of ToG we will use in a semester, and then basically ignore the rest. And, since I am only using the Lower and Upper Grammar levels right now, about half of my Unit notebook is not relevant to me. (but will be in a few years!)

So, I sit down with my ToG unit planner, my personal planner, and my laptop at the beginning of each unit (or summer time). I map out what resources I will use each week from the master list. I enter the books, page numbers and assignments we will do each week into my planner. I then copy all the student activity pages, maps, and coloring pages I plan to use and keep them in a file folder to use at the week I need them. (this eliminates the Sunday night 10pm shuffle at the printer when I'm out of ink...ahem....not that its ever happened)

Then, the kids look forward to the Monday bookshelf display.

And then each day I fill their workboxes with the assignments they need to do that day. This modified workbox system has been super successful for my special-needs guy. He needs a strong visual system to stay organized and on task. I use it for his younger brother, too. Now my 3 year old is asking to get in on the fun as well.

Usually 1 box is for math, about 4 are for grammar, spelling, writing, and then 1 box has his ToG literature book with his reading assignment, 1 has his history "in-depth" book to read, and more workboxes may have a map, or read-aloud time, or ToG Student Activity page, or activity depending on the day. I have to put these at the end of the schedule, because ToG is the thing that motivates him to get through the other, "less fun" work.

Fridays are our "hands on" activity day. Usually following one of the resources suggested by ToG. Right now we are doing a series of experiments from Benjamin Franklin's Easy Experiment Book. 

The other thing we do when using ToG is that we do not always move at a consistent pace. When I plan at the start of a Unit, I consider what weeks I may need to double up, or take 2 weeks to get through only 1 week of curriculum. For example, if I know its only a 3-4 day school week because Nana is coming to visit, or there is a holiday, or we have a special field trip planned, I will extend that ToG week #20 into a week #20a and a #20b. Sometimes if the topic of the week looks really interesting, or is something I KNOW my boys will love (i.e. Vikings in Y2U1) I may schedule 2 or 3 weeks so we can sample more from the buffet that week :-)

And, I am always juggling the inevitable sick child, or a neighborhood friend who needs help, or a special-needs child who is having A Really Bad Day. My family requires some flexibility, so if I actually schedule some flex in my weeks, I can usually catch up without too much trouble and still stick to the curriculum.


3. Why it works:

There are many reasons why this curriculum fits for my family. I've shared with some moms who have looked at my stuff and they have very graciously said, "thanks, not for me!" and I totally get it. Its not for everyone. And there are sooo many good things out there. So, by no means do I think this is THE way to do things. I just know that this is a great fit for my family, and for my kids at this season of life with the challenges and blessing we are currently walking through. Here is why it works for us:

•  My kids love it. History and Learning have become fun and is our main topic of interest. 
•  I love the organization of the planners and the way the lessons and options are presented. I can, at a quick glance, decide what I'm going to teach in a unit or by week.
• Although its a lot of information for the teacher (fat binder!) and there are 4 binders per year (4? Yikes!) to go through, ToG actually SAVES me time. The work is done for me, and I just need to pray, edit, choose, and occasionally even add to whats already been laid out for me.
• My kids love to read and can read independently. (or maybe they've just learned to love to read because of the good books!) The books in ToG are excellent selections that connect to what we are learning about in history. They love them. (psst... I sometimes have to hide next weeks book!)

• I never have to worry if a book will include inappropriate material (however I do preview so I am prepared or can edit  mature topics for my young, sensitive learners). 
• If I want to skip a book, there are lots of suggestions for an alternative resource.
• Most books I can find in my library (but not all). I still prefer to buy books that span many weeks of study or are just a great book I want to own for our personal library! Speaking of which....
•  Bookshelf Central provides all the resources I need for ToG. I can sort by Year, Unit, Learning Level, and Subject. Print my list or click which I need to buy and get them all together. The price is very reasonable and I dont have to search high and low to find specific books. Even if a book goes out of print, I can find the replacement easily on that site.
• The program allows for flexibility and for me to work at  the right pace for my family, without feeling guilty that I am "falling behind".
• The activity recommendations (like salt maps) are perfect for my active, kinesthetic learner boys.

• We love lapbooks!  ToG provides some resources to make that easy for me to pull together, incorporate into what we are learning, and therefore actually complete!

•  Pop Quiz Rocks! Its an easy way for my husband to be involved with what we are learning and to engage with the kids about it. 
• ToG encourages me to have some fun discussions with my kids that I probably would not otherwise take the time to do. It encourages interaction and conversations about some of the topics we are studying.

• The teachers notes are key for me. By reading them, I get a snapshot of what to teach, and how to give context to the assignments. Many times, there will be scripture or threads of biblical perspective that I would not have seen myself and how it connects to that week's readings. I find it helpful in equipping me to give a broader perspective to what we are studying, beyond that specific historical event.
• The writing assignments, worksheets, and projects (making a newspaper!) are fun while also building on basic writing skills. I've had to modify them sometimes for my kids needs, but the main thing for me is that they enjoy doing them. Writing Aids is a wonderful resource for writing topics that connect to our unit.

Here is an example following Blackthorn Winter by Doug Wilson

• Map Aids provides maps that are clearly connected by theme to our unit. My kids love Geography, and since I am focusing my efforts on teaching Math, Writing, and basics like self-control and flexibility......I don't have leftover time to spend on maps. Map Aids does that for me! All I  have to do is click "print".

• And, as a companion to our studies, we have been focused in our field trips, and able to explore places that connect clearly to what we are learning. We've been able to travel to Williamsburg, Jamestown, the Claude Moore Farm, and the MET in NYC. This has helped me prioritize when I'm eager to go on a thousand-and-one field trips. By following ToG, I can be more intentional about our outings, so we can continue to focus on what we need to accomplish at home.

There are many more reasons, but I'm realizing this is an incredibly long post! I hope someone can find this helpful as they look at making curriculum choices for the Fall. I've heard people comment that they thought Tapestry was really suited for kids once they enter middle school, but we are making the most out of it now and having lots of fun during the Grammar Stage!