Bible Reader for Learning God's Story

Combining elements of Charlotte Mason-based curriculum, classical curriculum and unit studies, My Father's World offers complete curriculum packages that include easy-to-use, Biblically-based daily lesson plans along with popular curriculum resources. Curriculum packages for ages 2-3, PK, K and 1st grade are all-inclusive, offering all materials you need to teach that grade level. Packages for upper grades are "entry-level" packages for the first program at that grade range. (If you complete one of these packages and wish to move to the next level, you will need to purchase the more customized follow-up materials directly from My Father's World.) Curriculum packages for Grades 2 and up do not include language arts, math or foreign language, so you can either add your current favorite program or follow recommendations from MFW.

Curriculum packages for ages 2-3, PK, K and Grades 2-3 encompass the "Discover" phase. This level emphasizes skills typically taught in the grammar stage and focuses on learning about God, His world, reading and writing, and an overview of world history. Lesson plans and materials for ages 2-3, PK, K, and 1 cover basic early childhood skills, beginning language and math and lots of hands-on activities. Grades 3-8, entitled "Investigate," encompass the logic stage, where students learn to think analytically. At this level the curriculum covers Bible, history (chronological), geography, science, literature, music and art. The "Investigate" level is designed as a cycle appropriate for family use with students of varying grade levels between 2nd and 8th grade. (If you have a 2nd grader with older siblings, you may opt to use Exploring Countries and Cultures with them instead of Adventures in U.S. History. If there are no older siblings, however, you may prefer to use the stand-alone curriculum). The first unit, Exploring Countries & Cultures, lays the foundation for the next four units which cover world history from Creation to modern times. At the high school level, or "Declare," students emphasize skills typically stressed at the rhetoric stage, by applying logic and defending their reasoning through writing and speaking. Worldview, Bible, history and English are incorporated. The four courses for grades 9-12 are organized sequentially, beginning with Ancient History and Literature.

The core of each package is the Teacher's Manual which holds the daily lesson plans. Lesson plans are written in a weekly format, with five days of daily plans per week. Each day's assignment in that subject has a check-box for completion. The books included in the package are scheduled in the Teacher's Manual while there is space for you to fill in your own lesson plans for the subject areas not included in the package. Please note that we no longer have Basic Packages or individual student materials for any level. Deluxe and Limited Edition packages include all basic resources for that level as well as art and music (package contents described below; please note that contents are subject to change).

Early in our nation's history, the primary reason for education was to allow each person to read the Bible for himself. In the same spirit comes this complete first grade curriculum. While it incorporates history, science, art, and math, the heart of the program is phonics-based reading instruction with Biblical emphasis. Revised in 2013, this program has a new title, changes to the teacher's manual and new resources.

Phonics instruction begins with a quick review of letter names and sounds using full-color alphabet flash cards, then follows with in-depth, step-by-step teaching of all phonics constructs. Phonics lesson plans teach new skills while reviewing previously-learned skills. By Lesson 31, students are able to read Bible stories in a special beginning Bible Reader. The reader uses a thematic approach to teach Bible history in chronological order from Genesis to Revelation. Students are expected to retell the Bible story, and then create a keepsake Bible notebook in which they summarize and illustrate Bible stories. (Linda used a similar approach years ago to teach Bible to our older children, and they enjoyed it very much.) Weekly memory verses selected from Proverbs help to develop character and handwriting at the same time. Hands-on projects are designed to help children understand the world of the Bible. These include creating timelines using the included figures, making Bible times costumes, and celebrating a Sabbath meal. Science focuses on the wonders of God's creation, and uses three Usborne books (Things Outdoors, Science with Water, and Science with Plants), which are included with the curriculum. Math incorporates hands-on activities, math manipulatives and a math workbook (Complete Book of Math Gr. 1-2). If you prefer a more serious approach to math (as we do), you can add another math program.