We live in a diverse community. A VERY diverse community! Many of the people in our neighborhood have beliefs that are vastly different from our own! I knew that one day I would need to address this diversity with my children, but I did not feel fully ready, nor prepared to do so.
While I completely understand the importance of teaching my children Biblical doctrine, I knew that it was time for them to not only know WHAT the Bible says, but for them to be able to think biblically about the community and ultimately the world they are living in!
I am thrilled to help spread the word about Apologia’s What We Believe Biblical Worldview Series. I received one of each of the four text and journals in the series for review/giveaway purposes and I was financially compensated for my time. All opinions expressed are my own.
Homeschool Resource for Bible & Worldview
A Complete Biblical Worldview Curriculum: I knew all about the amazing science curriculum from Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc, but, did you know that Apologia sells the What We Believe Series? It is a complete curriculum with coordinating text, notebooking journals, coloring books, and audio CDs that teach biblical worldview!
There are four text in the series:
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Who Is God? (And Can I Really Know Him)
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Who Am I? (And What Am I Doing Here?)
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Who Is My Neighbor? (And Why Does He Need Me?)
Although I received one copy of each of the What We Believe text and journals, I was SO impressed that I purchased additional copies of the Who Is God? notebooking journals so that each of my older three kids could have their own!
We have officially made an addition to our curriculum that I think is very important for this day and age in the world we live in! Finding a homeschool resource that works (and works well) for my family just makes me giddy on the inside! Honestly, I am thrilled! My kids love it. I love it. And it really works great for our family!
Why I Love the What We Believe Series
Teaching Diversity Through a Biblical Lens: I absolutely love that the What We Believe series is holding my hand as I teach my children about the diverse beliefs of our community and our world through a Biblical lens! My kids will not longer simply hear and observe the diversity in oblivion. They will not only be aware of the differences, they will know what the Bible says about the differences. They will know the truth. They will be able to express and defend their own beliefs from a Biblical viewpoint in a world filled with differing ideas and beliefs about everything.
Our children are bombarded on a daily basis with competing messages. Every song, movie, book, TV show, blog, and game is full of ideas—ideas about truth, morality, beauty, identity, faith, and more. Not all of these ideas are true. Some are wrong, some are deceptive, and some are outright destructive. Young children must be equipped to discern among competing ideas and stand in the truth. ~What We Believe
Made for Multiple Learning Styles: Although I have twins (x2), they are very different. In fact, all five of my kids are very different and they each learn differently! I love that the What We Believe series utilizes interactive learning and addresses multiple learning styles! The series features exciting stories, creative notebooking assignments, fun activities, and interactive hands-on exercises.
My auditory learners love listening to me read the engaging stories from the Who Is God? text aloud to them.
My visual learners are stimulated by the colorful pictures and graphics throughout the text and the journal.
My kinesthetic learners really enjoy the hands on activities used to solidify the lessons.
FYI, my kids are waiting for the eggs, oil, water, and brownie mix to make themselves into a plate of brownies. This was a great action lesson about creation. Want to know the correlation? You’ve got to get the Who Is God? book! {grins}
Taking Ownership of Their Education: I believe one of the best parts about the Who Is God? homeschool curriculum series is the notebooking journal. I remember hearing Rachael Carman (author, speaker and Apologia owner) speak at a homeschool convention about the value of notebooking! I specifically remember her emphasizing that the notebook belongs to the child and it is a way for them to show what they have learned.
Essentially the child should be free to express themselves in the notebook. What a freeing activity for the kids and for me! The kids LOVE that the notebook is THEIR book reflecting what THEY learned! I encourage them to draw, color, have fun expressing their thoughts and feelings in their journals.
It includes THEIR prayers.
…THEIR praise reports!
There are lots of blank pages to take notes and share thoughts.
Plus, there are lots of fun activities for the kids in the journal!
Mini Books
Word Puzzles
Additionally, key words are defined…and lots more!
Benefits of the What We Believe Series
A Perfect Balance of Structure & Freedom: For those of us who appreciate having everything planned out (raising my hand high in the air), lesson plans are provided. Therefore, if structure is desired, it’s there!
For those who desire the freedom to go at your own speed, it’s there! You can definitely move through the book and journal at your own pace.
In fact, students could go through the curriculum on their own with minimal help. The text is written directly to the child in a conversational style designed to engage and help them live out the lessons taught.
However, I have found that the series works best for us if we following the lesson plan and go through it together! That way we get to talk through the lessons and how they apply to our daily lives. Plus, I can answer questions right on the spot!
Each of lessons in the Who Is God? text contain several key components including:
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The Big Idea
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What You Will Do
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Short Story
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Think About It
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Words You Need to Know
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Hide It in Your Heart
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Integrated Learning
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What Should I Do?
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Prayer
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Worldview study
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House of Truth
Just in case I didn’t make myself clear, we are LOVING Who Is God?!
More Info About What We Believe
If you would like more information, be sure to check out what others have to say about the What We Believe Biblical Worldview Series from Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. Have more questions? Take a peek at the list of Frequently Asked Questions.
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Are you missionary, ministry, or military family? Be sure to call Apologia toll-free 1-888-524-4724 for discounted orders.
Win a What We Believe Curriculum Set
Would you like to win one of the sets from Apologia’s What We Believe series? I am thrilled to be giving away one set of EACH title in the series! Each set includes the text, notebooking journal, coloring book, and audio CD. Yes, there will be four winners! (Don’t worry! If you win a set that you already own, you will receive another set in the series.)
You can enter to win using Rafflecopter below. (If you are reading this post via email or via a reader and the giveaway widget does not appear below, visit the actual blog post or click the link below to enter.) Giveaway is open to US residents, age 18 and over only. Giveaway ends on 10/28/13. The winner will be emailed and announced on the giveaway widget. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email or a new winner will be selected.
