
Choosing a curriculum for a homeschool is not for the faint of heart. Whether it’s a quick Google search or a trip through the exhibit hall of your local homeschool convention, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices. Let’s keep the search simple with a checklist of four things to look for.
Biblical Worldview Shaping
Biblical worldview shaping is the process of transforming a student’s beliefs, assumptions, loves, and actions to be thoroughly biblical. Every curriculum teaches a worldview. But how can you tell when a curriculum actually helps to shape a biblical worldview? Here are four key things to look for to see if a curriculum is preparing your child for God’s kingdom.
Is it truly biblical?
This may seem obvious, but it’s true. A curriculum that teaches ideas that are contrary to biblical teaching will be damaging to your children. Topics should be handled from the perspective of the Bible’s story of Creation, Fall, and Redemption.
Telltale signs that a curriculum is not faithful to Scripture would be discussions of evolution in science or cave men in history. Some curricula may not mention God at all. Not bringing God into the picture says that He is not applicable to the teaching at hand.
Is it natural and relevant?
A biblical curriculum integrates Bible verses, biblical principles, and a biblical worldview in a way that closely relates to the content being studied.
You can tell a textbook is stretching a biblical connection if it switches from teaching the subject to teaching Bible. This method may turn off kids (especially teenagers). They might start to believe that the Bible isn’t relevant to what they are studying.
Does it tackle hard topics?
Kids are drawn to hard topics. To develop a robust biblical worldview, they need opportunities to confront these topics. They also need your guidance. Kids need to think through difficult subjects appropriate for their age from a biblical worldview. Controversial or difficult issues can stimulate rich and meaningful family conversations.
Is it deep and intentional?
A biblical curriculum will dive into biblical principles rather than just presenting them. It gives students opportunities to internalize and communicate biblical ideas. These opportunities should be present in all lesson content, including projects and test questions.
Critical Thinking
For students to think biblically, they also need to be able to think! Critical thinking is the skills of analysis, evaluation, and creation that are essential to 21st century learning. Here are two key things you can ask to see if a curriculum will develop critical thinking in your child.
Does it promote learning with understanding?
A curriculum that focuses on rote memorization does not develop critical thinking. Memorization is the foundation for learning, but we can’t stop there. Students need to understand concepts, not just memorize facts.
Does it give opportunities for students to analyze, evaluate, and create?
A curriculum that teaches critical thinking should do three things. It should guide students to take ideas apart, evaluate them, and then create something new.
Active Learning
Your children don’t have to sit at a desk all day; students can be active! You want a curriculum that supports active learning. Active learning is an engaging learning experience that invites students to connect with appropriate content and apply knowledge and skills in memorable ways. Here’s how you can tell if a curriculum supports active learning.
Is it fun?
Fun in learning is important. The curriculum should be visually interesting and up to date. It should stimulate curiosity in and connect with your children.
Is it age-level appropriate?
You know your children and what is appropriate for them. Students need just enough challenge to push them to take learning to the next level—without frustrating them. If a textbook too easy, it will be boring.
Does it connect to the real world?
Good curricula connect learning to the real world. Real-world connections help students to value school and have the motivation to learn.
Is it memorable?
When your children look back on their education, they need to remember more than just completing worksheets. A good curriculum will create fun memories of their homeschool. It should provide ideas for projects, field trips, family activities, and experiences that transform students’ understanding.
Educational Technology
Technology can be a great tool in education in the 21st century. Videos, apps, laptops, or other digital devices can all enhance learning. It’s important to use the right technology for the right activity in the right way. Here are four questions to ask to see whether a curriculum is using technology in smart and safe ways.
Does it make learning easier?
Good educational technology can make your life easier. It can also make learning easier for your children by aiding the learning process.
Does it support critical thinking?
Good educational technology makes it easier for students to analyze, evaluate, and create.
Does it support active learning?
Good educational technology gives students tools for active learning. It motivates them to close learning gaps. They should be developing digital literacy and life skills to prepare them for the future.
Does it support biblical worldview shaping?
The wise and ethical use of technology enables your children to construct a biblical worldview. They can then use this same technology to communicate their worldview and influence people in their community.
Homeschooling with BJU Press
Do you see how biblical worldview shaping, critical thinking, active learning, and educational technology can all work together?
BJU Press Homeschool is committed to providing a curriculum that centers on these four elements.
We invite you to use this checklist to check out one of your current textbooks to see how it measures up. Homeschoolers around the world are using BJU Press textbooks and seeing the difference our materials make in their learning. We hope you will be one of them.
Leave a Reply