I've been using Bible Study Guide for All Ages and have been very happy with this bible curriculum for a couple of years. I've begun to wonder lately though if I should shop around for something with a little more depth. My daughter's grown bored with the elementary level lessons, but the next level in the series is far too advanced. Lindina, I saw you recommended Christian Light Education's curriculum in an alternate thread. Would you recommend their bible curriculum vs. one from Rod and Staff? Any other suggestions? My daughter is learning verses in Awana, which is excellent, but I'd like to find something that explores bible stories in more detail. She is in third grade. Thank you for any pointers ladies!
CLE and R&S are very different. CLE 3rd grade begins with the NT, and continues through 4th, then Bible Elective I which is mostly about Acts, and then about one unit introduces the rest of the NT. Grade 5 begins the OT, up to Moses, then 6 continues with Joshua. 7 is the Gospels, and 8 is the rest of the NT. 9 is NY survey, and 10 is OT survey. That's as far as I've gotten and we'll be doing 4th this year. I like the way it's set up, with the story/lesson in the student workbook, with two quizzes and a test; I like the layout of the pages, which is so not intimidating at all. (Grade 3 has no test in the first unit, just two quizzes, but the rest of the units have tests.) R&S covers Bible as the focus of the reading in grades 1-4. All the reading is Bible stories. In grade 5, they begin a serious study of the OT which my then 7th grader found challenging. OT continues in 6th, then 7 and 8 cover the NT. In these, the Bible is the textbook, and the workbook is the study guide. I have used the Reading AS Bible class for 1-4, while using either CLE or Pathways for reading class. It's been awhile since I used these, but I remember it being challenging, including the lines of the kings of Israel through the divided kingdoms in (I think) 3rd grade. You can see samples at www.clp.org and at www.milestonebooks.com. Both of them include culture and geography in the lessons. I hope you find what you want.
Lindina, Thanks so much for your insight (I've absorbed it on multiple posts as a lurker... : ) I think I'm leaning toward CLE bible, simply because it may be easier to dive in that way. Both look like quality programs. Thanks again!
I don't know what level your daughter is in. But when we needed more indepth (doctrinal vs Bible stories/history, etc) we went with Won By One. We still use CLE's Bible as supplimental. Plus, our kids are getting a ton of verses, stories, etc in church. My husband does Won By One with her once a week in the evening--kind of like a discipleship type of course. CLE is definitely very good, though--just depends on what you're looking for.
