What Your Child Needs to Know When: According to the Bible/According to the State

Robin did an excellent job turning us back the the Hebrew traditions and shared her concerns abuot the tendency to model our learning from the Greeks. Our Christian heritage is founded in the Hebrew truths and there is so much richness there. The pages providing detailed information of what the child should know at grade-level is invaluable and the character traits with definitions and verse support are awesome. I love the charts with spaces to "grade" each child on their character development as that is so much more important than anything else. Once we can help our children develop godly character, the learning is a wonderful by-product.

I haven't had a chance to read this in depth, but that's not why I ordered it. I wanted a good comprehensive list of what my children should know per grade and this is it. Best of all, it's very easy to use! User friendly always rates very high for me!

I bought this book because it was suggested by a friend to check for any learning gaps. HOWEVER, I got much more. I came away in awe! I learned how badly I needed to renew my mind regarding education. Mrs. Sampson explains in easy to understand language how many homeschoolers begin on the right path-wanting to teach their children how to be godly- but leave this path due to fear. This book begins with an explaination of our assumptions about education (with a great parable) and then gives examples and suggestions on how to put education in the right perspective by teaching our children what TRUE wisdom is. Mrs. Sampson gives excellent teaching ideas to make the Bible the focus of your school day. The last part of the book is full of the checklist by grade level (for up to five children). Reading this book motivated me to get back on the right path and back on my knees making God the Lord of my homeschool NOT the state. Two chapters of this book describe Mrs. Sampson's unique approach she calls "The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach." It's a great combination of many poplar practical approaches including Ruth Beechick, Charlotte Mason philosophy, and Bible methods. I also found more details in several free download files on the Heart of Wisdom site. I have used this book over and over and have even bough copies for friends (I won't give mine up!). If you have a small voice questioning if you are on the right path you need this book. This author also wrote a GREAT unit study on Wisdom.

I bought this book after hearing several homeschoolers tell me how it drastically changed their teaching for the better. The focus is academic standards should not be separated from spiritual standards! It explains how we need to teach the whole child according to the child's individual God-given gifts. True wisdom progresses beyond intellectual pursuit; it is practical. The goals outlined in this book will help you prepare, teach, and evaluate your children from a Biblical world view. It will also advise you in helping them become self-motivated, lifelong learners. This book has four intriguing sections: The first section explains how we have been conditioned to believe the state is competent to access our children's intelligence! You'll learn how different a Christian world view is and how to RENEW your mind to get rid of this "public education mentality." It includes a look at the Greek history of state education compared to history of Biblical education. The Hebrews focused on the home. Worship, family and academics were taught in the home, not separated subjects in individual locations. The home was more important then the synagogue. The center of all life-- religious, education, and training--was the home. The second section explains what achievement tests are, test terms, test scores, testing limitations, avoiding testing anxiety, possible benefits from testing, states that require testing, alternative methods of evaluation, and much more. Section III explains a new teaching approach (based on a combination of several effective approaches including Charlotte Mason, chronological history, Ruth Beechick, etc.) called The Heart of Wisdom. The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach is centered around reading the Bible through in one year and the creation of a Bible portfolio. The Bible is the main focus and the core of the curriculum, with the secondary focus dedicated developing writing skills using the "writing to learn" method. The H.O.W. approach leads progressively to a renewed mind and to a self-chosen commitment to a life of intellectual and moral integrity. You can use this approach as explained, or adapt it to the methods and curriculum you are using. (Explained in detail on the Heart of Wisdom web site). Section IV includes check lists are divided according to grade level K-8: Math, Science, Language Arts, and Social Science. Studies show "Evaluation Check Lists" are far superior to Achievement Tests. You can evaluate and make notes for up to five children with these lists. Bible Reading checklist and a Character Traits list are also included as well as extensive glossaries and reproducible forms. I agree with those that recommended this book- it has changed my view of education drastically!

I purchased this book after discovering another book by the same author, titled: "A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays." This book was such an inspiration to me and helped me to re-evaluate my curriculum choices. For fans of Charlotte Mason and Ruth Beechick, this is a must read! For everyone else considering homeschooling, this book will introduce you to a God-centered method of educating your children, while ensuring you have guidelines to meet state educational standards at the same time.