Tapestry of the Desert

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

The Musical Instrument Museum!

Our last co-op activity of the year was a fabulous field trip to the Musical Instrument Museum in North Phoenix. The kids were able to see and hear instruments from all throughout history and from all over the world! The collection of instruments at the museum was amazing. The kids had a great time, heard some unique music, saw some strange instruments and learned a ton, too!

End of Unit 4/End of Year Celebration!

A great year like the one we had deserves to be celebrated! We gathered together on the night of May 12 to do just that! The kids had a chance to share all of the work they had done through out the second half of the co-op year, the classes marveled everyone with their memory work for the quarter and we celebrated two junior high school graduates . . . Daniel Keller and Cameron Roberts. What a great night. What a great year!

Co-op in Review: May 7, 2015

We did it! This week was our last co-op meeting of the year! As our year together is in decline, so is the empire of Rome. This week, the classes learned about the split of Rome, into eastern and western halves. And, they learned how the eastern empire prospered as the western empire struggled with poverty, hunger, and attacks from outside groups of barbarians. The Dialectic/Rhetoric class finished up their Roman architecture projects, and had a time where they showed off their work to the other classes. The Upper Grammar class made glittery Christian fish symbols. At a time when Christians were being persecuted for their faith, a Christian would know another Christian by revealing this simple fish shape to one another. They also played jacks, a game popular in Roman times. The Lower Grammar class made beautiful stained glass windows, like those in the orthodox churches of the Eastern Roman Empire. The Five in a Row kids read the book, "Angelo". It's about Angelo, a man who is restoring a beautiful Roman church and ends up adopting a bird he finds in the rafters. The kids made beautiful cityscapes of Rome and had a special snack of olive oil and Italian bread.

Tapestry of the Desert

We are a group of thirteen Christian families, committed to learning and growing in our Lord, Jesus Christ. First and foremost, we have chosen to homeschool our children to give our them an education that focuses on the holiness, glory and majesty of our creator. And, secondarily, to build strong families, strong character and strong communities; all for the glory of God!

Our name "Tapestry of the Desert", beautifully describes who we are! Each family in this co-op uses a multi-disciplinary curriculum called "Tapestry of Grace." Tapestry of Grace is primarily a history curriculum, but integrates literature, writing, art, humanities and worldview studies into a single curriculum that can be used for all school-aged children. And of course, the "Desert" part of our name describes where we live! We are all priveleged to call Arizona home, and love the beauty and splendor of the desert southwest! Everywhere we look we see God's handiwork: the mountains around us, saguaros standing tall and His handpainted sunsets each night.

Tapestry of the Desert does not exist to teach history to our children. Rather, this co-op is designed to enhance the lessons taught at home with supplemental activities relating to each lesson. Our children look forward to Thursday afternoons! They love the crafts and creations, sharing the work they have done and most of all they love the fellowship time with dear friends! Our families love being together and it is our prayer that God will keep us knitted together in the journey of teaching our precious children for years to come!