Bible History Curriculum
Bible History Curriculum helps our children recognize God’s hand in history from the very beginning and to the present day. Growing up in public school, I always pictured two different history timelines – one for Bible and one for the rest. In contrast, my three homeschooled sons picture a seamless timeline. This visualized mental timeline comes from our sons’ Christ-centered homeschooling education PreK through 12th grade within Heart of Dakota.
In the area of history, you’ll notice that Heart of Dakota’s programs begin with the Bible and then move into early American history. We believe that it is important to start with the Bible first and foremost. The Bible truly marks the beginning of all history. This is why our youngest program, Little Hands to Heaven, is based on daily stories from God’s Word and each day’s activities revolve around the Bible story for that day.
Bible History Curriculum in Children’s Younger Elementary School Years
Let’s take a look at Bible History Curriculum in the guides for our children’s younger elementary school years. Our next guide, Little Hearts for His Glory, gives a broad overview of history from Creation through present day. It emphasizes God’s plan throughout history. Overall in this guide, children learn a great deal of Bible history and U.S. history. It also includes brief introductions to a few famous people and world events.
Next, Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory and Bigger Hearts for His Glory move into American history for several reasons. After having our oldest son move through the time periods chronologically from the Ancients to the present, we found we would have preferred to wait to discuss myths, legends, other gods, and pagan cultures until he was older and more ready for these concepts. We also found the studies of the earlier time periods often contained weighty topics, barbaric behavior, and many stories of cruelty. Even in watered down fashion these don’t seem to be appropriate topics for young children.
Instead, we wanted stories of American heroes to inspire our young children. We wanted to lead them to see God’s providence in the history of our nation. Since the ancient times are so far removed from the world that we live in today, it seemed more logical to begin our study with the heritage that surrounds us daily. By reading history stories closer to the time period in which they live, students can enter the past and see it come to life.
Bible History Curriculum in Children’s Older Elementary School Years
Let’s take a look at Bible History Curriculum in the guides for our children’s middle years. In all of our guides, along with the history stories, we also incorporate hands-on activities. While kinesthetic learners especially benefit from this type of learning, all children enjoy variation in their day. Before you say that you aren’t up to hands-on activities, you should know that all of our activities are written to be quick, educational, safe, easy to clean up, and require only items you readily have on hand.
Additionally, Bible study, devotions, poetry and rhymes, music, timeline, narration, notebooking, geography activities – and in the upper programs – research, projects, audios, drawing, primary source documents, discussions, and mapping are integrated with the history stories. Studies of the signers, presidents, and states are also included in various guides. This well-balanced integration of subjects keeps learning fresh and interesting while encouraging students to make memorable connections.
Next in our guide sequence, with Preparing Hearts for His Glory, we move into a one-year overview of world history. As biblical history is integrated into the narrative, students see that the flow of history is really one continuous story. This overview also gives students some “mental pegs” on which to hang information as they take an in-depth look at the various time periods in our guides for the middle years.
Bible History Curriculum in Children’s Middle Years
Let’s take a look at Bible History Curriculum in the guides for our children’s high school years. Our 4-year guide sequence for the middle school years takes a chronological, in-depth journey through the 4-year history cycle. Creation to Christ takes a intriguing, deeper look at the ancient time period by weaving Biblical history with secular history. Resurrection to Reformation focuses on the joy of Christ’s Resurrection, along with life in the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Reformation. Revival to Revolution studies the exciting time of the Great Awakenings through the Industrial Revolutions. Finally, Missions to Modern Marvels takes a look at modern missions and modern times. As part of the 4-year cycle, Biblical and American history are integrated with world history.
Bible History Curriculum in Children’s High School Years
Our 4-year high school guide sequence begins by first exploring lands and seas from one end of the earth to the other via World Geography. Next, in year two, students expand their horizons even further by setting off on a chronological, globe-trotting cultural adventure through World History. Moving on to year three, in U.S. History I students discover how our nation’s story is full of both tragedies and triumphs along with hope for rekindled faith and patriotism. Finally, in U.S. History II, students end their high school journey by taking inspiration from those who envisioned a better country and in turn, encourage students to go forth themselves to boldly make a better tomorrow.
