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).
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.
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!
Merey (Meredith Ludwig Curtis)
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!
Merey (Meredith Ludwig Curtis)
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