Marcia SomervilleMarcia Somerville
Marcia Somerville has home schooled her six children “from the beginning.”She was ready to quit homeschooling when her oldest entered high school and her youngest started Kindergarten: trying to teach five subjects to six children Monday through Friday looked impossible.
What made it harder for Marcia was that she had received an excellent education herself: she attended Kent School and Dartmouth College. She knew what a good education looked like, and was not satisfied with racing from child to child and subject to subject day after day. She wanted them to grow up to be wise young men and women who understood the times and knew what they should do...
Marcia reached the end of her own ability, but God met her there. After weeks of tears and prayer, she came up with a different way to teach. She had been a History major in college, and she knew that everything one needs to learn happened or was discovered at some moment in History. By cycling through the history of the world every four years, she could cover everything her children needed to learn. By repeating that cycle as the children grew up, the whole family could be learning the same content at their individual levels. The Tapestry of Grace curriculum was born!
Today, Marcia leads the continuing development of Tapestry of Grace as she travels with her husband to speak to home schooling parents. Her life message is what she learned in her own home school – the nearness of God is her good. She would love to meet you in person at one of her upcoming seminars, but if you are unable to attend, you can purchase seminar CDs here.
Audio CD-ROMs are now available of Marcia's four seminar messages from Building Your Homeschool Together and her two-hour seminar Writing Workshop sessions from her day-long Teaching With Tapestry of Grace seminar. Click here to order these.
Biblical and Classical Education (with Scott Somerville)
Scott and Marcia draw lessons from educational history and explain how homeschoolers can take advantage of the biblical and classical models of education.
The Nearness of God is My Good
Marcia offers spiritual encouragement from her own mistakes and lessons – and shares her personal discovery that daily time with God is the foundation of our homeschools! Available on CD -
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Meeting With God: A Toolbox Approach
A variety of practical approaches to teaching children to meet with God daily and develop an intimate relationship with Him. (Best after The Nearness of God is My Good.) Available on CD -
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Tips for Teaching a Houseful
Trying to teach multiple levels with toddlers underfoot? Marcia has been there and done that, and encourages busy moms with practical pointers from years of experience. Available on CD -
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Elements of Writing Instruction I
Using Power Point slides and simple, straightforward language, Marcia will outline the process (from K-12) of teaching any child to write well. Available on CD -
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Elements of Writing Instruction II
Marcia gives general aid in knowing where to start in evaluating our children’s papers, and leads you through grading samples of student writing (provided by Marcia). Available on CD -
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Considering Co-op Options
This session overviews co-ops for people who are new to the idea, answering questions about what makes a co-op a co-op, what makes them worthwile, and much more!
Building & Managing Co-ops
Speaking from experience, Marcia speaks on pitfalls, first steps, and sound principles in building co-ops, and gives vision for the opportunities co-ops can present.
Cravings & Conflict
Marcia speaks from James 4:1, demonstrating the root of conflict, and giving practical ways in which families can use biblical truths to deal with the conflicts in their hearts.
Which Class is Most Important?
What classes are you most interested in your child passing? Marcia encourages parents to seek the “Master’s Degree” that counts: our Master’s approval of a life well-lived.
Teaching With Tapestry of Grace
Who wouldn’t want to learn how to How to teach your students using the Tapestry of Grace curriculum: instructions from the author.
Options For Schooling From Home
A thorough discussion about the benefits and possible hidden costs of schooling children in classes outside of our homes.
