The short answer is that we don’t use a curriculum! 🙂
*Each morning, to start our “school” day we sit on the couch, talk about prayer requests and pray, work on Bible memory. Scripture memory has become a very important part of our day. The Lord has just blessed me with the huge desire to get scripture in and on my kids hearts. I figure I mess up alot through the day, say the wrong things…but if they have God’s word in their hearts they have the best possible thing!
*We try to work on 1 “longer” passage per month. We’ve done this for along while, and right now we are taking a break from a “longer” passage and working on a few verses on character – like Prov. 15:1, Phil. 2:14, etc. Longer passages we have done before are: Psalm 8, Psalm 23, Psalm 100, the Beatitudes, 1 Cor. 13:4-8, the Lord’s prayer.
*We incorporate Bible into whatever unit we are currently working on. If we are learning about birds, we look up verses in our Bible about birds. If we are learning about butterflies we read verses about God making us a new creation. If we are learning about a historical figure/time period, I will look to see if that famous person had a devotional life and we might read some of the things they said from the Bible.
*I think it is important to have a good Children’s Bible in your home. Read through it, one story a day. This will introduce your kids to the entire Bible on a level that they can understand. Here are a few that we have enjoyed. The Kid’s Study Bible is what we got Hannah for her birthday last year when she was reading pretty well, this is a “real” Bible with pages like mommy and daddy’s Bibles, so she was excited to get this!
*I would like to get more of a Bible “study” going at some point. I’m not sure what that will look like. I have started working with Hannah on her own daily devotions and Bible reading plan. We haven’t been 100% consistent in this area, but we are working on it. She has been asking questions about baptism and is now a Christian, plus she is reading on maybe a 4th grade level or so, so I felt she was ready for more.
*I personally like incorporating Bible into whatever we happen to be doing. If we have a problem with complaining, memorizing a verse like Phil. 2:14 and talking about learning to be content with what God has given us. If we are learning about something in school that applies to a certain scripture, discuss it and read it. I love this for now…we will see how it goes in a few years. I also wanted to mention that there are “full” curriculums that are centered around Scripture. As you know, I have been reviewing the curriculum from Tapestry of Grace. This unit we have been doing is built around the books of Moses, his life, the 10 commandments, etc. So, that is another option as well!
I hope this helps! And always feel free to ask questions, I love “talking homeschooling!”
Candace, I would love to hear more about how you’re helping Hannah with her devotions. I have a second grader and am trying to encourage him to start his own personal devotions. Any suggestions?
Thank you.
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Thanks so much for posting this. You have given me lots of great ideas. I have a 2nd grader, but he is reading on a 8th grade level. I have started the Kay Arthur inductive studies for kids with him, but wanted something to do with my daughter as well, who is 4. I love reading your blog. Fould it on the homeschool board at Babycenter before it all changed. You have wonderful ideas, and do a great job. Thanks again!