Tapestry of Grace’s New Primer Curriculum
I am very thankful to Tapestry of Grace for providing a digital copy of the Primer Curriculum to review. Although I was gifted the curriculum for review purposes, all views are my own. I never recommend a product or service that I do not fully stand behind. I promise to always be open and honest with you because I want the best for your family!
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.” Deuteronomy 4:9-10 NIV
The History Behind the Primer Curriculum
I love it when companies see a need for something and do whatever they can to meet that need. That is how Tapestry of Grace’s Primer Curriculum was created. They already had a classical curriculum for multi-aged students that cycled through world and Biblical history every 4 years. They saw a need for a preschool/kindergarten curriculum that would be a gentle introduction and historical overview. So, the Primer Curriculum was created.
Who Should Use Primer?
Although this curriculum was written for Kindergarten and first grade, I learned a lot going through it. There was plenty of new information, so much so, I could also include my third grader. We loved seeing how world history fit together with Bible history. If I had been taught that way growing up, I think I would have enjoyed history a lot more!
What Makes Primer Special?
The Primer Curriculum takes you through a chronological overview integrating world and biblical history. There is plenty for adults to learn too! This year-long curriculum is divided into 12 mini-units. Each mini-unit is divided into 3 topics. It begins with Eden to Egypt and ends with the present times. Though it is designed to be done in a year, you may take longer if you wish.
Each section includes…
- The Handbook which lists the threads, objectives, and assignments that include history, literature, memory, geography, and arts and activities. There are even suggested extension activities to do with Dad! It is up to you to choose appropriate math, phonics, science and foreign language.
- The Guidebook gives an in-depth explanation of the topics. This is where I learned a lot of information. This is for the parent, not for reading word by word. The best learning comes from the heart of the parent when they aren’t reading word for word anyway!
- The Activity Book was our favorite part. It included coloring pages with a synopsis of the stories at the bottom, mazes, maps, and more. There were also pages of story images that could be numbered to help students remember where they fell in the timeline.
- Love the Journey is a homeschooling philosophy book included with the curriculum. It is divided up for easy reading. That also makes it easy to concentrate and truly meditate on the information.
Fantastic Educational Books
Lots of great living books are suggested with this curriculum, but one of my favorite books are the reference books. You can find a list of all the books at the Bookshelf Central link on the Tapestry of Grace website. You can also find discounts there! Whether or not you plan on purchasing the curriculum, you should definitely consider purchasing some of these. I do love how the Primer Curriculum ties it all together though. If you, like me, are not naturally a history buff, it always helps to have someone else tie up the loose ends and organize it for you. You can do this on your own, but it saves a lot of time when this curriculum has done the work for you in advance.
Old Testament Days: An Activity Guide (Hands-On History) was our favorite. It puts a hands-on spin on the stories in the Bible. It is not just traditional Bible crafts. It goes beyond and helps you experience the culture of the time. You might make toys that are very similar to the toys children in Pharoah’s palace probably played with. You can also play a card game based on the hospitality customs of the time. I especially recommend this book if you have a little artist. It is fantastic for any hands-on learner, which we all are to some degree!
My Thoughts on Digital Curriculum
If you have never used a digital curriculum (like me), perhaps this will be helpful for you. You really have to think about how you like to study, learn, and teach. If you like to highlight and make notes in your books, using a digital curriculum may be difficult for you. Digital curriculums are often less expensive, which is wonderful, and needs to be taken into consideration. It may, however, be worth a little more money to have something in print. (I am SUPER frugal, so for me to say that really means something!) The good thing about Tapestry of Grace’s Digital Curriculum is that it updates automatically if the company makes any changes. It is nice to be able to not take up room on your bookshelf, but for me personally, it’s worth a little more money to have a paper copy. You could consider getting a combination of digital and print media to suit your personal preferences.
Our Family Has Been Blessed by the Primer Curriculum
We are thankful to Tapestry of Grace for letting us review a copy of the Primer Curriculum. It has been a blessing to our biblical and historical understanding, as well as a lot of fun. If you think this might be a good fit for your family, try a sample of their curriculum now.
What do you look for in curriculum? Does Primer sound like a good curriculum for you?
Nicole Keener says
We are in the midst of looking at homeschooling our daughter due to some rezoning issues and unhappiness with the maybe new assigned school. So I am definitely keeping this curriculum in mind 🙂
admin says
That is part of the reason we decided to homeschool too. The Christian education was kind of an afterthought that has now become a passion! I hope you find curriculum that you love. Definitely check this out!
Carol Cassara says
The resources available to home school moms are surprising and amazing. It’s no wonder that many home schooled kids are better educated than public school or even private school students.
Carol Cassara recently posted…It’s the Afterlife calling…
andrea says
what a cute way to teach the Bible! Looks like the kids would have a LOT of fun with it! 🙂
andrea recently posted…What Are Some Of The Coupons Can You Get Next Sunday?
Jennifer DeFrates/Heaven Not Harvard says
I wish I had heard of this before ! We are just finishing kindergarten and I could have totally used this all year! It sounds like a neat way to explore history. I will have to check it out anyhow and see if I can still use it. Was Tapestry something you’ll consider using for older kids as well? I’m looking for first grade curriculum that matches my style and her interests.
Jennifer DeFrates/Heaven Not Harvard recently posted…When We are Weary
Caroline @ In Due Time says
I have never heard of this. I will have to ask my friends as a lot of them home school!
Caroline @ In Due Time recently posted…Hosea 6:3 – Downpour of Rain #122
Cathy says
What a great resource and curriculum! What an amazing way to explore history! Yay!
Cathy
Cathy recently posted…St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake + Printable Cupcake Topper
Mary Collins says
Sounds like a great resource. As a history buff, I like anything that helps introduce the next generation the rich history of those that came before them.
Mary Collins recently posted…Marvelous Mondays for Free Books–February 22, 2016
Mama Brucks says
I love classical education and am glad to see there is one for the younger ages!
Mama Brucks recently posted…A Letter To The Mama Deciding To Potty Train
Virginia says
Wow! Primer sounds wonderful! Great way to teach the little ones about the bible. Will look into it. Thanks!
admin says
Thanks. I hope you enjoy it!
Stephanie says
These are such great resources! Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie recently posted…The Law of the Harvest
Nance says
Thanks for sharing! My husband and I just sent our daughter to school. Despite that, I still keep in mind that I teach her some additional lessons so I can see the fruit of my expectations by God’s grace. Educating our children is indeed a great privilege from God.
Michelle T says
Primer sounds like a great curriculum to have when your teaching about the bible. I run a daycare but right now I just teach kindergarten readiness curriculum it’s hard enough to do. I would like to teach them about the Bible and God but their attention span is so shirt it would be hard to do both.
Michelle T recently posted…House Rules
admin says
They really do have a short attention span at that age, don’t they?! I have heard it’s about one minute for each year of their age. There are some curriculums that teach the ABCs in context with Biblical concepts and stories. ABC Jesus Loves Me and God’s Little Explorers Preschool Curriculum are a couple choices you might want to check out. Best of luck with your daycare!
Marissa says
What a wonderful tool for homeschool families – a great tool to step the youngest students into learning. Thank you for sharing
Pamela says
This curriculum sounds amazing — love that adults can learn from it, too. I like digital curriculum, yet there are some days I like to just curl up with nothing in my hand but learning pages. I guess there are pros and cons to both areas.
Pamela recently posted…Postmarks for Children
admin says
It’s really a personal choice. I just wanted to give some food for thought!
Brianna says
I am thinking about home schooling my 4 year old next year. I am going to look into this.
Brianna recently posted…A Word of Encouragement for Creatives
admin says
Great! I hope you enjoy it!
Jasmine Watts says
I have never heard of this but really a great resource and curriculum! Thanks for sharing!
Jed says
This looks like a fun curriculum, and after reading your review, I’m liking the idea of going digital. I especially like the idea of being able to get instant updates 🙂
Jed recently posted…How to Keep Love Strong All Year Long
admin says
That is definitely an added bonus. Glad this helped you!
vidya sudarsan says
Learning history is very important for children. They should be able to understand the past to appreciate the present! I will forward this info to my friend who will like it.
admin says
Thank you. I think it is really important too. I love learning history this way, even though I didn’t like it at all growing up!
Jennifer | Deliberate Homeschooling says
This sounds lovely! I’m always looking for curriculum to enhance our Bible studies. As a former early childhood educator, I have an especially soft place for hands-on learning.
Thanks for sharing (I’m visiting from Miranda’s Drops of Learning Blogger Spotlight). Your answers to her questions were a delight to read.
Wishing you a lovely evening.
xoxo
Jennifer | Deliberate Homeschooling recently posted…15 Easy and Exciting Indoor Physical Education Ideas
admin says
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. I will check out your website. I always need PE ideas! I hope to see you again!