Secular or Christian Curriculum?
First, lets just get the obvious out of the way. Secular or Christian or something else… There is something else, right? There are certainly Catholic, LDS (Mormon), Islamic and probably agnostic, atheist, satanic and a plethora of everything else. Praise God, I live in the United States of America and for the most part we have educational freedom. We can (and aught) teach our kids pretty much anything we want.
In Washington State, where I live, we are required to teach our home educated children a set of topics including language arts, maths, health, science, art appreciation, history and social studies and occupational education. If you are curious about your state or region, check out area home school organizations. Ask around on social networks (like Facebook or Instagram). Consider joining an organization like Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) or just check out their run-down of how to legally homeschool in your area.
The religious affiliation, worldview, perspective or opinion of your curriculum is usually not dictated by the state. This is good for everyone because this freedom allows us to impart our own heritage and values to our kids through their education. In fact, I believe this liberty is imperative as we see upheaval in state and public schools that have veered from teaching information, knowledge and facts into teaching opinions and attitudes. This was the way of our founders who often schooled their children at home, only sending them away for schooling after years of home instruction and for the purpose of a professional career. Back in the day, children were not institutionalized from birth.
But I digress. Let me get back to a foundational principle.
What we teach our kids should train them up in the way they should go. Does that mean our Grammar, Art and Algebra lessons must be faith-based? If our children are spelling and writing, should it be scriptural? If we are “mathing,” should our foundations include cubits and a Sabbath Days Journey?
Its possible that just questioning this strikes a nerve for some. A spectrum of answers exist. Some of my dearest friends are very passionate about their positions on this topic and bit their tongue before they state I am wrong for not approaching homeschool in a devout, religious, scripture focused fashion, especially with the youngest of students. I’ve also heard other friends mock this approach.
While I did not always teach from religious curriculum, neither would I knock someone for approaching education in their home from a very religious angle. I often taught from religious or Biblical worldview curriculum. Personally, I found that even more important in the high school years, as students wrestle with tough issues and complex worldviews.
Do you know what you believe and are you confident in teaching this to your children? We stumbled when it came to the creation story and middle school science. Our secular books rejected a Biblical worldview and I realized I was unsure and uneducated about my own beliefs, rendering me immediately powerless to teach this topic to my kids. Enter religious-based curriculum where we all learned together. I found the same true for History. Having confidence that my leader (the curriculum author(s) and publishers) guide me through history from a Biblical worldview accomplished what would have otherwise been impossible for me. The connections drawn, relationships explained, perspective measured back to scripture could not have happened on my own, despite my college education.
What are your kid’s styles? An entire industry has grown up around discovering your children’s learning styles and I have to confess that I was late to that party. While I could have read many books, executed a battery of tests and looked to the experts I simply looked at what worked. Whether it was budget or availability of resources, when I began homeschooling in the early 2000’s I didn’t do more than look at what my kids got excited about and what caused them to learn. When I found a secular resource that was working, I kept it and have never regretted sticking with it! Secular or religious – if something causes unnecessary grief and lack-of-learning it isn’t work keeping in your homeschool. Lovingly donate that (or resell it) knowing that you are free to find what works and have space on your shelf and in your life to accommodate it. Some of my friends chose to subscribe to box sets or “academies” that they felt they could trust. I always went the a-la-carte route and chose what I felt were the best, most exciting, affordable and available resources each year, switching up publishers and authors to fit my kids needs and preferences.
What is your teaching style? This is important and, like determine the kids’ styles, I was late to this idea. When I only had two students who’s ages were very close and they napped, I had loads of time to explore and research and be hands-on with every little thing. When I had three kids and their work spanned from kindergarten to middle school, and no one ever napped (though I always needed one) I was a different teacher. I needed resources that did more of the legwork and heavy thinking for me. I needed connections to be drawn and points to be made for me. When picking an elementary phonics curriculum I wasn’t so much looking at worldview and religiosity as when my youngster was headed into high school and we were analyzing literature and understanding science. My schedule, my style, my other responsibilities and exposure to ideas and viewpoints began to dictate the perspectives of curriculum I chose.
Prayerfully, this has given you some food for thought. One last encouragement is that we homeschoolers love one another. I’ve heard moms ditzin’ on other moms for choosing to lead kids astray with secular resources and other moms talk smack about the sister who makes her kids write Bible verses for spelling and handwriting practice. I’ve seen brows raised as parents attend part-time public schooling options. I’m certain I’ve made plenty of unorthodox choices that have elicited comments I’d never wish to hear. And I am certain that none of that points to the author of my salvation, the victor over evil, the One who has us and our children in the palm of His mighty hand. I’ve personally resolved to listen, learn, and encourage. If something is of concern, before I open my mouth, I shall take it to the Lord in prayer.
And… This ministry has homeschool resources – books, curriculum, stuff – for sharing with families in need. Our prayer is that we would be an encouragement to families to school their children at home and train up their kids in the way they should go. Books, curriculum and resources have been donated by families who love to share! I look forward to hearing from you with your questions and prayer requests and a resource need. Email me at wendy@jesushomeschools.com.
