Who is Marcia Somerville

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 1 person | Log in to rate

Ranked #6,156 in People, #102,100 overall

Meet Marcia Somerville, Author of Tapestry of Grace Curriculum

The Tapestry of Grace curriculum users know and appreciate Marcia Somerville. Some homeschool convention attendees have heard her speak on homeschooling in general or heard her CD on Homeschooling a Houseful

If you home school or are thinking about homeschooling in the future.  Marcia Somerville is someone you should know!

Learn about what motivated Marcia to write the Tapestry of Grace Curriculum. Listen to her describe her frustrations when trying to homeschool multiple ages at multiple levels. 

Marcia Somerville is the Vice President of Development of Lampstand Press, Founder and Author of the award-winning Tapestry of Grace Homescool Curriculum, Speaker and Exhorter extraordinaire.

Four reasons to appreciate Marcia Somerville 

(from the homeschool perspective...Her family surely has more to say!)


  • Marcia Somerville is transparent about the challenges of homeschooling multiple ages. She speaks at homeschool conventions around the country sharing her experiences with successful tips on how it can be accomplished.

  • Marcia Somerville has produced an incredible homeschool curriculum, Tapestry of Grace so that others can benefit from her experience.

  • Marcia Somerville continues to exhort and encourage home school parents through the Tapestry of Grace Forum, speaking engagements, her blog and CDs.

  • Marcia Somerville holds the conviction that Homeschooling can be GREAT and this passion comes through on every page of the Tapestry of Grace Curriculum.

More about Marcia Somerville 

and why she wrote the Tapestry of Grace curriculum.

Marcia Somerville successfully home schooled her six children "from the beginning."

She admits that 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 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 Somerville has finished homeschooling her six children. She continues to lead the development of the award-winning, Tapestry of Grace homeschool curriculum 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.

Moms Vote Marcia Somerville's Curriculum a Winner! 

Tapestry of Grace Wins Homeschool Excellence Awards

Tapestry Of Grace Homeschool Excellence AwardsAs parents and students discover the excellent Tapestry of Grace Homeschool Curriculum, the Program went from relative obscurity in last year's homeschool Excellence Awards to category sweeps in 2008.

The Old Schoolhouse magazine has released its 2008 Educational Excellence Awards. Here's how they rated Tapestry of Grace, based on a poll for active homeschooling moms:

First Place

  • Best Unit Study Products

  • Best Classical Resources


Second Place

  • Best Overall Homeschool Company

  • Friendliest Homeschool Company

  • Best History Products

  • Best Geography Products

  • Best Literature Products

  • Best Writing Composition Products


Third Place

  • Best Bible Curriculum

  • Best Resource Book


Congratulations, Marcia on this recognition of all your hard work (and of course, the labors of the team behind you!)

Think you owe it to your family to check Marcia Somerville's award winning classical homeschool curriculum?

Marcia Somerville CDs for Homeschoolers 

just the thing when you need some homeschool encouragement

Along with the books, manuals and workbooks, put these audio CDs on your list of homeschool resources. Ordering these audios is infinitely better than a live presentation. You will want to listen to the gems presented here over and over again.
Tips for Teaching a Houseful CD
Marcia Somerville argues that, counter to modern ideas and pressures, a quiet home is essential to the great and real business of disciple-making. The greater "yes" of the gospel enables us to say "no" to the countless distractions and misplaced priorities that threaten our homes.
Writing Workshop 1 & 2
Successfully teaching writing skills seems to be a universal challenge for the homeschool parent. Marcia Somerville's clear and concise approach takes the mystery out of teaching and grading writing.

Marcia Somerville Speaking about Tapestry of Grace 

Learn what Tapestry of Grace is all about

And how it just might help make your homeschool great!
Teaching with Tapestry of Grace
"Teaching with Tapestry of Grace" is the opening session of Marcia's all-day seminar. Marcia explains in this hour-long session the history behind the program's development, the essence of its educational philosophy (a read-think-write approach to Classical Education) and the organizational structure of the program (integrated unit study for all learners under your roof--including YOU!).

This hour-long CD is divided into ten user-friendly tracks:

1. Here's Where We Quit Homeschooling
2. Begin with the End in Mind
3. Training in Liberty (listen to sample audio)
4. Read Think Write
5. Classical Education
6. Learning Levels
7. Unit Study
8. The Socratic Method
9. The Structure of Tapestry
10. Tapestry Redesigned

Listen to a sample track from the "Teaching with Tapestry of Grace" CD entitled Training in Liberty.

Here's a Shout Out For Marcia Somerville! 

Tapestry of Grace users ~ Don't be shy!

Share your stories, sightings, thoughts, rants, raves about how Marcia Somerville and the Tapestry of Grace curriculum has enhanced your homeschool.

Lensmaster

hbh wrote

Thanks for all you do and who you are. It is sweet and wonderful to see, watch and understand better your heart for us all. May it be very pleasing your Father in Heaven. I would have quit Homeschooling a few years ago if it wear not for TOG.

Reply Posted March 02, 2008

Lensmaster

Scott W. Somerville wrote

What do you say to the woman who has given you everything? I've always been your number one fan, darling--but I've got some serious competition!

Reply Posted December 06, 2007

Lensmaster

Loretta wrote

Thank you, Marcia, for giving of your time and talents to make TOG a reality. As far back as 1998, I envisioned homeschooling the "TOG way". Thanks to you, I did not have to put it all together myself.

Reply Posted November 28, 2007

Lensmaster

Amy A wrote

I am so thankful that God led me to Tapestry. God is using Marcia and all of Tapestry Staff. I have grown in the Lord and learned more these past 2 years! Oh yeah, my kids have too :) We have had alot of fun walking through HIStory together. Thanks Marcia and Tapestry!!!!

Reply Posted November 27, 2007

Lensmaster

Lisa W wrote

What a blessing TOG has been to our family! We are in our second year and love it more and more each and every day. Marcia and her staff are a true example for us all to see in their gracious replies and Godly advice. I look forward to the years ahead with you and hope to see you speak sometime !

Reply Posted November 26, 2007

Lensmaster

Melanie wrote

Ever since I found TOG years ago, I knew I was going to use it- I just needed a hschooler old enough to do so! I so appreciate the Godward focus of everything associated with TOG, and the helpfulness of all the staff. Great leadership is so evident with all my interactions with TOG-thank you,Marcia!

Reply Posted November 24, 2007

Lensmaster

Ginger wrote

Marcia, you and all the wonderful fellow laborers at TOG are so deserving of praise! The Lord has blessed so many through your efforts. This is the FIRST year of our 17 years of teaching our daughters that I have been *invigorated* to continue the school year with joy and confidence! Thank you!!!!!

Reply Posted November 21, 2007

Lensmaster

Lynn wrote

The year my oldest child reached high school I knew what I wanted in a curriculum and was overwhelmed with the thought of putting it together myself. Then the Lord answered my prayer with Tapestry. Praise God. Blessings to you for your obedience and faithfulness.

Reply Posted November 20, 2007

Lensmaster

Liz wrote

God in His mercy and grace provides for our needs and TOG has met a need. Thank you Marcia for being a useable vessel. Your walk with the Lord, trust, and faith is what has led to a successful curriculum. Thank you also Scott, for loving Marcia as you do.

Reply Posted November 20, 2007

Lensmaster

Christy wrote

This is our 8th year hsing. TOG is exactly what I tried to do on my own and could not put together. The blessings of the lord on you and your family.

Reply Posted November 20, 2007

Lensmaster

Shelbelle7 aka Shellie wrote

Marcia, I am thankful beyond words that God orchestrated so many connections for me to find you and TOG. Thank you for such a godly example. Thank you for your lovingkindness to me and my family. We are so blessed by all the Somervilles! I'd love to have you and Scott over for dinner one night!

Reply Posted November 20, 2007

Lensmaster

c.j.somerville wrote

Mom, as one who gets to see behind the scenes, I'm so grateful that you live what you preach, and that the late nights and long hours have only added to your sweetness, your wisdom, your humility, and your eagerness to love. You and Dad always sat "live to serve." You've made that motto beautiful!

Reply Posted November 20, 2007

Lensmaster

Sharie in Maine wrote

Our family too has been greatly blessed by Marcia's love for the Lord and her servant's heart. She has taught me much more than just how to educate my children. I am so thankful the Lord has brought her and Scott into my family's life. We do praise the Lord for all at Lampstand.

Reply Posted November 20, 2007

Lensmaster

siloam wrote

TOG gives me the the tools I need to educate myself and my children without a huge time investment. It is a blessing to my family and me. Once more Marcia is always encouraging, in the curriculum and on the forums. She sets the tone of the group, and we all lift each other up.

Heather

Reply Posted November 19, 2007

Lensmaster

Beth wrote

Our family is so thankful for all the thought, diligence, and hard work that has gone into TOG. I personally am grateful that Marcia continues to be an encouragement and help to us TOGers on a daiy basis through the forum. Thank you for sharing your head and your heart with us!!

Reply Posted November 19, 2007

HappyTOGer wrote...

Sighting
Did Marcia Somerville say: "I am not an educational expert, but one beggar telling other beggars where I found bread for my own family."

I love it

ReplyPosted November 15, 2007

Quick, what do you think of Marcia Somerville? 

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Marcia Somerville's Tapestry of Grace Curriculum 

Take a closer look look at this classical, K-12 homeschool plan.

As Marcia is fond of saying "drop by drop the bucket is full",
so here are a few more places for learning about the Tapestry of Grace Curriculum.