Primer – Free Samples

Description

Mike and Jessica Somerville wrote this program as a gentle introduction to (and preparation for) the full Tapestry curriculum. It is written to be interactive and easy-paced. Primer offers a simple, conversational, hands-on and game-oriented approach to history. It introduces young parents and children to the joys of story-driven learning, integrated humanities studies, and full family education while taking them through a survey of the full sweep of human history.

Primer is made up of twelve mini-units, with three “topics” each. Each topic is used over the course of one week, thus constituting enough material in History, Literature, Geography, Memory Work, and Activities for one school year. Alternatively, users can spread each topic over two weeks and use Primer over a two-year time span.

The Primer has several components, most of which can be purchased separately. Here are the components:

1. Primer Handbook (starting at $19.95): The core assignments and content of the program. Weekly, parents are given detailed student assignments in history, literature, and geography, as well as suggestions for hands-on learning and memory work. (8.5 X 11; loose leaf; 3-hole punched)
2. Primer Guidebook (starting at $29.95): This volume is the equivalent of full Tapestry’s teacher’s notes for the Handbook. It is meant as supplemental reading each week for teachers who are new to the story of history. Written in a simple style that hits the high points and gives teaching parents the “big picture,” the Guidebook is a “must have” for this program. (softcover; bound. c. 404 pages)
3. Love the Journey (starting at $9.00): This book was written as a companion to the Tapestry Primer, but it also stands alone. Marcia Somerville, author of Tapestry of Grace and homeschooling mother of six wrote this book to encourage teaching moms, especially those who are just starting out. (5″ X 8″; softcover, bound, c. 260 pages)
4. Primer: Activity Book (starting at $25.00): This coloring and activity book provides follow up seatwork or activities that students can do while listening to you read aloud about history or from literature books. Many illustrations echo those in the companion Big Story Game. (8.5″ X 11″; high-quality paper, softcover, bound)
5. Primer: Big Story Game: This card game is a fun way for your student to learn his memory work! It is an optional supplement that will grow with your child because there are a variety of games that you can play. The first set of cards is called “Who?” and the illustrations match many of those found in the Activity Book Set. Future decks will include “What?” (featuring artifacts like a shofar, pyramid, and ziggurats) and “When?” (featuring key dates in history that students can memorize in sequence), and “Where?” (featuring cards that indicate places for key events in history, or for memorization of things like states and capitals).
6. Assignments from real books: We’ve selected beautiful and interesting books that introduce history and great stories to your kids, as well as provide detailed directions for hands-on learning. These are to be read aloud by parents, who may decide to prompt narrations or require related memory work of students as well.