I plan to buy the bonus bundle for year 1. Does anyone have any opinion on which Bonus item I should choose. I will be teaching the LG level to my two 6 year olds.
Thanks, Kathy

Which other item did you choose in your bundle? You'll receive the year plan, MapAids, tabs (I think), and then get to choose between Writing Aids, a year of PopQuiz, a set of lapbook kits, or all 4 levels of Evaluations. So, any advice we give you on the bonus item would depend on which of the 4 above items you chose!

Blessings,
Monica

Sorry, my question is confusing. It is the bundle option and/or bonus item that I would like advice on. The bundle option is either Writing Aids, a complete year of Lapbook Kits, a complete year of Evaluations, or a complete year of pop quiz. The bonus items for LG would be Unit 1 Lapbook Kits, Pop Quiz (Unit 1), or Evaluations.
Thanks for your help, Kathy

Hi Kathy,
If it were me, I would probably choose a complete year of Pop Quiz so Dad can be/feel involved. I personally think Writing Aids could wait another year or two. I also feel that UG level(or older LG level)is a nice age to do the lap books. They do not need as much directing in the how to of it, or in what to write.
You really can't lose any way you go. If you find you can't use it this year, maybe you will next time around!
Blessings,
Mindy

I used year 1 this school year with a 6 year old and a 7 year old, both girls. They loved the lapbook kits. I didn't think that we would get enough use out of writing aids. Wrong. I ended up buying it in January. I don't think that you will use it right away, but writing aids has been a great tool for me.

When I first started with Tapestry four year plans ago back in the Dark Ages when only Classic was available, I bought just the year plan. I quickly realized that my time was worth something so I bought Map Aids a few weeks later. We were fine with just those two products for our first year. The second year, we added the lapbook CDs. (I have 3 children so wanted to be able to print off what I needed.) I also bought Writing Aids that year when it first came out. The third year we added PopQuiz and Evaluations. I say all of this simply to let you know that unless you have a specific need for the bonus bundle items offered, it's OK to start with just the year plan (and I'd add Map Aids right away, too). You can always buy a Bonus Bundle for your second year plan and then add in Writing Aids plus try one of the other products.

With two very young children, you could focus on lots and lots of hands on projects and maybe some notebook pages. We love lapbooks once they are 2nd or 3rd grade (my opinion) but found that they are too small for my youngest ones to draw or write comfortably. However, if I give them a piece of notebook paper, ask them to draw a picture of something from the week and then narrate a caption to me, it works well.

Writing Aids ranks up there as essential for us to do the Tapestry writing assignments -- BUT if I had only level 1 writers, I would wait a year.

We love, love, love PopQuiz! My hubbie travels a lot so he loads the tracks on his mp3 player and listens at 40,000 feet. He likes being up-to-date on what we're doing and being able to understand what the kids are talking about when he calls every evening. I listen to PopQuiz, too, when I can, so I get it both visually from the teacher notes and aurally.

We really only use Evaluations for D and up in our house.

Hope some of my rambling helps. Many blessings on the start of your adventure with Tapestry!

Monica

Thank you all for your replies. Every families' experience helps me decide what may be right for our family.

Monica, I think you have planners for planning the year during the summer that you were willing to share. I would love to have them as I also want to try to plan this summer. Thank you! My e-mail is kss2305@gmail.com.

Blessings to you all, Kathy