Christian Homeschool Curriculum: Build a Love for Christ and a Love for Learning
Christian homeschool curriculum should build a love for Christ, as well as a love for learning. With the variety of homeschooling materials available today, it is easy to desire a Christian education – yet end up with very few curriculum choices that are actually Christ-centered. We must choose wisely as Christian homeschool parents, if we truly want to make homeschooling our children Christ-centered.
My husband and I chose to homeschool largely because we wanted our children to have a Christian education. We researched Christian homeschool curriculum at conventions and online. The more we researched the more we found, not all homeschool curriculum labeled “Christian” was “Christian.”
The author mattered. Did the author write in such a way that showed a love for Christ? Likewise, the amount of subjects that incorporated the Bible mattered. Did the curriculum connect many subjects to the Bible, to the Lord? Or, did the curriculum only include one small “Bible” part? Did they offer a separate, secular version of their curriculum? The books themselves mattered. Did the books point to and connect to God?
Emphasizing God’s Word Throughout the Homeschooling Day
To keep Christ at the center of our homeschool day, our Heart of Dakota’s guides place special emphasis on God’s Word. So, all other learning radiates out from there. Instead of Bible being a stand-alone subject, we keep a biblical foundation at the heart of the whole day – with Godly character training woven throughout every guide.
Choosing Books and Follow-Up Activities Carefully
In line with Charlotte Mason’s philosophy, each of our guides has engaging living books at the core. Carrie chooses books that give kids a heart for literature, history, science, and God’s Word. Our guides include activities and narrations that prompt students to dig beneath the surface of what they read, and challenge them to read reflectively and with moral discernment.
Building on a Biblical Foundation and Integrating Subjects to Make Connections
Building on our biblical foundation, our guides integrate a wide array of subjects in a unit study manner with daily history readings from living books – all connected to key ideas throughout the day. A varied mix of follow-ups, projects, and discussions cater to every learning style. In this way, each day flows together in a fresh and interesting fashion with something to engage every type of learner.
Our educational philosophy is reflected in our curriculum through its distinct Charlotte Mason bent, unit study flair, and Christian worldview.  This unique combination stems from our desire to build both a love for Christ and a love for learning – without sacrificing the academics.
We pray our guides may help you have a successful, God-honoring homeschool experience you can look forward to enjoying with your children!
In Christ,
Julie
