This is the third of a three part series to answer why, how, and what in regards to Principle Approach education.
We often start our search for education looking for curriculum. What will we teach? What do our children need to know? The mounds of resources quickly become overwhelming. That is why I started this series discussing philosophy. Examining the reason I homeschool gives me a filter to sift the piles of books.
This universe is an amazing place. There is no way we can teach our children everything they need to know or even want to know. So how do we decide what is most important?
Photo by Barbara L. Slavin
I propose that rather than teaching little bits here and there, we teach the whole subject by teaching its principles first. Five-year-old Sunshine can understand that letters create words and words combine into sentences and sentences become whole paragraphs. We discuss the gift of language. We look in the Bible to see how God communicates with us. We are inspired to communicate with Him and with each other.
It is simple to break down the subject to its rudiments, but it is so empowering. It gives the child a foundation with which to build upon.
Principle Approach philosophy is just beginning to have curriculum, but the idea of individualized education encourages parents and teachers to create their own using the 4R method. Rather than creating all my own lessons, I add these ideas to the books that fills our shelves.
Some curricula does a good job of systematically building upon the principles of a subject and studying the unique vocabulary of each; not every one looks at the source and origin. It requires some thought and study, but each subject has it’s source in either the nature or character of God.
- Science is the study of His creation.
- Math is the knowledge He used to create.
- Art is the expression of that creativity.
When we begin to see the Creator behind each subject opening our understanding, His purpose is revealed: the increase of His kingdom in the hearts of men. The history of science and math display advancements for safety and even liberty.
Nathaniel Bowditch’s dedication to the study of navigation gave men greater freedom to sail without fear of getting lost and perishing at sea. Johann Gutengerg’s printing press gave wings to ideas and individuals reached up to grasp them by learning to read.
According to Noah Webster, curriculum is
the course of study…a stated or orderly method of proceeding…the way of life or conduct.
Studying for life, step by step, building upon the foundation idea by idea, year by year. Growing in understanding of how individual hearts are woven into a providential metanarrative. Life inspired. Hope restored. An effect of biblical education.
Written by Renae Deckard, Biblical Principled mother of 3. Find Renae’s reflections about homeschool and family life at Life Nurturing Education.
From the time my children were preschoolers, and even now, we have enjoyed the Miller Stories by Mildred A. Martin over and over again!
Grading art projects can be tricky so I appreciate having the evaluation sheets in the back of the book to copy for each unit. It gives me a more objective way to determine if the boys have accomplished the lesson and its assignment. It assigns a certain point value to three different aspects of the lesson. The projects are not graded on ability but rather by having us look at the finished projects together and using the “Looking Back” questions at the end of the unit, the boys help me to determine if they accomplished the assignment as stated.
It is divided into four quarters: 1) The Immediacy of Christ, 2) Old Testament History, 3) Wisdom Literature and Prophecy and 4) New Testament History. At about $40 for the book and teacher CD, is affordable for most home educators.
Being a mother of five, I am often asked how I manage our homeschooling day. Some are just curious and others are hoping to see if there is anything that we do differently that might help them manage their day. Each family functions differently, and each mother desires a smooth-running home. But the consistant theme that I have seen with unhappy homeschool mothers is that they cant keep up with their work load.
We use a variety of resources during our morning Bible time, but this past year I purchased a book that has become a favorite in our home. A Child’s Book of Character Building by Ron and Rebekah Coriell is a compilation of short stories that highlight Christ-like character traits. It is designed for ages three to seven, but you could possibly use it with a slightly older child as well.