I am saddened to tell you that I have fallen so behind in telling you about some absolutely wonderful products that I have received to review this year. Our newest arrival has given us good reason to drop everything, but the time has come to begin to resume normal life again as much as possible. And believe me... midnight feedings, doctors appointments, adjusting schedules, and the general chaos that comes with introducing a new little one to a house full of littles has me aching for a bit of normal!
Can I just lay aside the "pretty picture" that I'd like you to see for a minute and be totally honest and bare with you? I would love to be able to tell you that my children and I spend hours in God's Word each day, digging into the Scripture and having deep theological discussions. But the truth of the matter is that I really struggle with teaching the Bible. Whew...that was sort of hard to admit.
Partly, this because I have often approached Bible as an extra-curricular subject and this is just wrong-thinking on my behalf. It has always been our family mission to build not only our homeschool, but our lives on the foundation of God's Word. Therefore Bible should not only be just as important as Math and Spelling and all the other subjects, but the most important subject of our day.
Secondly, I have often used the excuse that "all of our curriculum are based on God's truth, so our children are learning about Him in every subject already". This is true as we are very careful to select Christian curriculum. Nevertheless, "the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword... " It deserves - no, demands daily and serious study.
And last, I have the hardest time finding a Bible curriculum that fit our family! I really wanted to have our family do Bible lessons together instead of splitting them up on different grade levels. And I wanted to move beyond simply reading a Bible story and coloring a coloring page.
Grapevine Studies New Testament Overview is the Bible curriculum I've been looking for!
Grapevine Studies offers Bible curriculum for ages 5 through adult with a very unique approach to Bible study. What is that approach? Stick figuring!
"Stick figuring is using stick figures, symbols, colors, charts, and words to illustrate each Bible passage. This method allows students to interact with the Bible passage and be as creative as they desire."
In Grapevine Studies New Testament Overview Level 1 (Ages 6-8), students begin by creating a stick figure timeline of important New Testament events. Once the timeline is finished, each lesson is focused on deeper study of each of those events.
The lessons include
A timeline review.
Scripture references to read straight from the Bible.
Drawing - Don't worry, Mom...the very-easy-to-draw stick figures are drawn right in your Teacher's Manual!
Review Questions and Application
And a memory verse!
Our children are loving combining creativity with their Bible lessons! I'm loving that they are really having to think about the stories they listen to and are "locking them" in their minds with the addition of drawing the stories. Not to mention, it's a great witnessing tool, as the kids love to show off their Bible stories to anyone who comes through the door!
Grapevine Studies offers the New Testament Overview and the Old Testament Overview in different levels depending on the age of the student. They have them in ebook and hardbook starting at $22.95 for the Teacher's Manual ebook and $25.95 for the Student Workbook ebook. You'll find multi-level studies as well.
Also, as a special offer to TOS Crew blog readers, you can receive a 30% discount on your Grapevine order until September 30th! Just use the discount code crew9 at checkout.
This is definitely a Bible curriculum that works for our family. There is really no prep time for me, but it is allowing us all the opportunity to dig a little deeper into scripture. If you can draw a stick figure, then you can study the Bible!
For more reviews of this product from homeschool moms, visit the TOS Homeschool Crew blog!
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I'm SO excited about this product that I'm ready to order....but question...in your opinion:
ReplyDeleteDo I need the Student overview AND the teacher manual?
I'm loving the discount!
Thank you for the review....
and blessings to your fam!
ooo, and one more question.....I know I can call them, so hope this doesn't add to your workload...but there is also a Level 1-2 teacher overview book ....is THAT worth it? My kids range from pre K-2
ReplyDeleteWould a 2nd grader need the next level for more challenge?
Sorry to be a pain!
thanks ahead of time!!
I think the teacher's manual is the teacher overview book and I would recommend getting it in addition to the workbook. It's really necessary to have the teacher's notes (they aren't in the workbook) and its also very helpful to see the suggested drawings. I got the teacher's book in hardcopy and the workbook in ebook so I could print out pages for all my kids.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I kept all of my kids at the same level (Level 1). It works well for my pre-K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grader and I don't have to teach different levels (big plus!)