The Renaissance was a rebirth of Classical Greek and Roman art, literature, and culture that took place mostly in Southern Europe.The Reformation was a spiritual rebirth that took place in hearts as they rediscovered the Truth found in Scripture: Salvation through Faith alone. The Reformation took place mostly in Northern Europe. As these earth-shaking movements were happening across Europe, men were bravely sailing to the New World. What an exciting time to study! How thrilling to see God moving through time and history to glorify Jesus and spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth!
Tapestry of Grace Year 2, Between Ancient and Modern, Unit 2, Renaissance and Reformation, from Lampstand Press was a delight for me to review! Being a history buff, I read everything they sent me and wanted more to read! For years, I have laid out my history classes in this same way, adding literature, art appreciation, philosophy, church history, music, writing, geography, government, and historical fiction. But, I have to admit, Marcia does it better! What an amazing job Marcia Somerville, wife of an HSLDA lawyer, has done! A history major in college, Marcia has taken her knowledge and love of history to create a multi-age-level curriculum that cycles through world history every four years. Each child is learning the same content at the same time, but at different levels (called threads ).
Since this is a classical curriculum, the material is presented at different levels: grammar ( facts ), dialectic ( logic ), and rhetoric ( persuasion ). Tapestry of Grace weaves adaptation into the assignments for families new to classical education. In Year two, high school discussions in Unit 1 focus on the facts, but in Unit 2, they begin to analyze what they are learning and, by the end of the unit, are honing their debating skills. What a gentle way to lead families into classical education!
There is an excellent presentation of the difference between Psalm 8 Humanism ( focus on man in relation to how great God is) and Romans 1 Humanism ( focus completely on man, leading to sin ). This enables young people to choose a biblically balanced view of mankind and his achievements. (Psalm 8), rather than following our cultural decline into Romans 1 Humanism.
Don't assume that this curriculum just teaches history. Tapestry of Grace has amazing writing assignments that will cultivate technique and content excellence. There are art skill assignments too that fit right in with art appreciation. When students learn about perspective in Renaissance art, they also do a lesson on perspective. There are map assignments, recitations,and timelines. The book list is excellent--95% of these living books are already on my bookshelf! However, if they are not on your bookshelf, you will have to check them out from the library or order them online.
Tapestry of Grace does not include Bible, math, science, spelling, grammar, or phonics. These subjects would be easy to add. This curriculum is thoroughly Christ-centered and refers to Scripture quite often as the final authority on all subjects. I appreciate that!
My very favorite thing, though, if for fathers--little Pop Quiz cards with questions for dads to ask at the family dinner table after he has listened to his Pop Quiz CD that briefly summarizes the family's weekly Tapestry of Grace studies. WOW! What a great way to include Dad! Growing up with lively, intellectual family dinner table discussions, and enjoying them with my own children, I cannot stress the importance of dinner table talk. Dad asking questions about what children are learning places high value on education, the children ( working hard to learn! ) and Mom ( working hard to teach! ). Way to go, Lampstand Press!
I could not find one thing in this jam-packed study that wasn't excellent and worthy of investing time to learn. There was so much to do in this unit that it might feel overwhelming to some parents, especially teaching different children at different levels. My family needed to adapt the curriculum so we could do more of the assignments and activities together. However, a coop situation where children could be divided into levels: early grammar, upper grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric to be taught by different moms would be perfect. Everyone could go home from coop and do the rest of the assignments together as a family. This curriculum would work best if you are partnering with other homeschooling families.
There are three ideas behind Tapestry of Grace.
- Everyone in your family can learn the same topic together.
- Use the twelve years you homeschool your children as wisely as possible by focusing on what is important.
- Study history, literature, art, and other subjects in a related way.
If these three ideas ring true in your own heart, then consider Tapestry of Grace. I am quite impressed!
Now available digitally, with online support available, the electronic version is great because you can print as many copies of the pages you need. Interested in Tapestry of Grace Digital Edition? Try a sample before you purchase the entire year! Each year has four downloadable units at $45.00 per unit ( $180.00 per
year plus printing costs and extra books, map supplements, and
literature supplements ). Printed units are available for $60.00 per unit in three-ring binders.
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hallow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." (Colossians 2:8 NIV)
Whatever you do next year, keep your curriculum Christ-centered. Jesus is not only the focal point of history, but the center of our homes!
The Renaissance was a rebirth of Classical Greek and Roman art, literature, and culture that took place mostly in Southern Europe.The Reformation was a spiritual rebirth that took place in hearts as they rediscovered the Truth found in Scripture: Salvation through Faith alone. The Reformation took place mostly in Northern Europe. As these earth-shaking movements were happening across Europe, men were bravely sailing to the New World. What an exciting time to study! How thrilling to see God moving through time and history to glorify Jesus and spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth!
Since this is a classical curriculum, the material is presented at different levels: grammar ( facts ), dialectic ( logic ), and rhetoric ( persuasion ). Tapestry of Grace weaves adaptation into the assignments for families new to classical education. In Year two, high school discussions in Unit 1 focus on the facts, but in Unit 2, they begin to analyze what they are learning and, by the end of the unit, are honing their debating skills. What a gentle way to lead families into classical education!
There is an excellent presentation of the difference between Psalm 8 Humanism ( focus on man in relation to how great God is) and Romans 1 Humanism ( focus completely on man, leading to sin ). This enables young people to choose a biblically balanced view of mankind and his achievements. (Psalm 8), rather than following our cultural decline into Romans 1 Humanism.
Don't assume that this curriculum just teaches history. Tapestry of Grace has amazing writing assignments that will cultivate technique and content excellence. There are art skill assignments too that fit right in with art appreciation. When students learn about perspective in Renaissance art, they also do a lesson on perspective. There are map assignments, recitations,and timelines. The book list is excellent--95% of these living books are already on my bookshelf! However, if they are not on your bookshelf, you will have to check them out from the library or order them online.
Tapestry of Grace does not include Bible, math, science, spelling, grammar, or phonics. These subjects would be easy to add. This curriculum is thoroughly Christ-centered and refers to Scripture quite often as the final authority on all subjects. I appreciate that!
My very favorite thing, though, if for fathers--little Pop Quiz cards with questions for dads to ask at the family dinner table after he has listened to his Pop Quiz CD that briefly summarizes the family's weekly Tapestry of Grace studies. WOW! What a great way to include Dad! Growing up with lively, intellectual family dinner table discussions, and enjoying them with my own children, I cannot stress the importance of dinner table talk. Dad asking questions about what children are learning places high value on education, the children ( working hard to learn! ) and Mom ( working hard to teach! ). Way to go, Lampstand Press!
There are three ideas behind Tapestry of Grace.
If these three ideas ring true in your own heart, then consider Tapestry of Grace. I am quite impressed!
Now available digitally, with online support available, the electronic version is great because you can print as many copies of the pages you need. Interested in Tapestry of Grace Digital Edition? Try a sample before you purchase the entire year! Each year has four downloadable units at $45.00 per unit ( $180.00 per year plus printing costs and extra books, map supplements, and literature supplements ). Printed units are available for $60.00 per unit in three-ring binders.
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hallow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." (Colossians 2:8 NIV)
Whatever you do next year, keep your curriculum Christ-centered. Jesus is not only the focal point of history, but the center of our homes!