Hi all!

I'm Ronda and I've been on this board for a long time, but have primarily only been a lurker in the summer since we have 6 children. This fall we will begin using Tapestry for our 8th year....it doesn't seem possible that this former "curriculum junkie" has settled down with Tapestry, but the Lord has provided our family just what we needed with Tapestry. (We have graduated 2 children from our home using Tapestry!! Praise the Lord!!) I have a couple quick questions that I didn't seem to find when searching. I just received Year 1 Redesigned 2nd printing, so this is our first experience with the Redesigned format. I was writing to ask a questions about the Loom. Of course having used Classic Tapestry for the past 7 years I am used to having the Base unit and reading it as I spend time preparing over the summer. What have you that are using the Redesigned versions done as you prepare? Do you print out all the Loom materials? I guess I'm more of a "hands-on" learner (LOL!) because usually I tote my Tapestry around with me all summer...to swim lessons, the pool, the park, etc. and spend any down time preparing for the coming school year. But I'm really not looking forward to printing all that material off the Loom disc. Any insights you all can offer on how you utilize the Loom will be greatly appreciated!

Also, on the Loom CD in the General Introduction to Year 1 PDF, it references a Resource List that is an Excel document (part of The Loom) that lists all of the core books referenced by the curriculum in the Year 1 Reading Assignment Charts. I can't seem to locate it on my Loom CD. Anyone else have this problem?? Hope that I'm not looking right at it! ha! I usually go through the resource list and look on-line at our library to mark what I will need to purchase for the year and what I can just borrow from the library.

Thanks so much for your help!

God Bless!
Ronda now in St. Louis, but soon to move back to Asheville
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ronda

Hi! It is quite a visual jump from classic to redesigned, isn't it? We've been delighted with classic and are getting ready to begin our first redesigned year, too. I have to say, the more I dive into the redesigned stuff, the more I like it.

You will find that much of the Loom introductory information will be general information repeated from year plan to year plan. There are a couple of sections within the document specific to year 1 -- you could just print those off, if you like. I doubt you will find major changes there from the classic year 1 plan -- but that's one year plan I haven't used in the classic form.

I don't like reading lots of information on the computer, so if I need to actually read something in depth, I print it. If I just need to look it over, look up something, check someting, I do it all on screen.

I can't help you with finding the Excel document. I know there was some discussion on whether it would be continued or not because of how confusing it could be regarding primary resources vs. optional or alternate sources.

I did use the book list from the Excel file, sorted by level, so I could check the library. I actually just had the file open, copied the title or ISBN and pasted it into my library search box online. I'd added a column to my Excel spreadsheet for library status so I just put an L there if the library carried it. Then, I went through the year plan and marked each week on the reading assignments page.

Another option is to print off a list from the Bookshelf. If you use the Power Search function, you can search by year plan, level, subject, or any combo thereof. I saw several people with Bookshelf printouts at the local homeschool conference.

Since you've been through this year plan twice before, I would guess that you really need to only figure out the style changes on the things you've used in the past -- where they are, how to find them, etc. The substance of the weekly plan has been enhanced, but not dramatically redone. The resources are completely up to date and everything is laid out beautifully -- much easier to navigate for new users.

Blessings,
Monica