Finding God's Promises - A new TOS Review!

Recently as part of the TOS Homeschool Crew, we received Finding God's Promises, the 2nd grade Bible Curriculum from Positive Action for Christ.  It came with a big binder (for the teacher) and a student workbook, in FULL color! 

The Product:
I was very happy to see this arrive (and a bit shocked) because we really hadn't had a "curriculum" for Bible.  We've been working on church memory verses, devotionals, quiet Bible reading as well as weekly character studies; nothing formal.

So when this box arrived I was thrilled.  We have looked and looked for a Bible curriculum, but nothing seemed to fit and do what we were hoping it would.  But when I opened the teaching binder I was pleased to find:

• various weekly lesson plans (5, 4, or 3 days choices)
• a Scripture memory program that has a 3 year cycle and a report sheet
• corresponding music curriculum (purchased separately)
• quizzes and vocabulary 
• corresponding character trait activities and life applications.

All the things I we like to see in a Bible program!  And when I went to check on the cost I was surprised.  It was not as much as I had expected.  The teaching manual is $33.95 (but you can purchase it on CD for $19.95), student manual is $12.95, but you can get a discount when you purchase 5 or more.  The music CD is $9.95 (but that is optional.)

Our Experience:
We started the very next day.  Due to the holidays we've only gotten a few weeks into the program, but we love it.  Arianna likes having her own workbook.  Audrie would like to have one, but since she can't read well (yet) and isn't writing, she just answers the questions on her own verbally.  They both like the pictures.

I decided to try the 5 day a week program.  In the front of the teaching binder it has 'instructions' on what to do each day.  I use that as my guide (since I'm still getting the hang of this curriculum) and then I ad lib. I do make sure we go over the memory verse (or verses) each day both before we get started and after we conclude. I also have Arianna write out the verse for that week under the last verse to help memorization skills grow.

One of my favorite parts of the program has got to be the Scripture memory. In a year's time they learn bigger chunks of Scripture bit by bit.  For example, the first week's memory verse was Ephesians 6:11.  By week 13, Arianna will have memorized Ephesians 6:11-20 because they add a new verse each week and intersperse with built-in review weeks.  Week 3 was a review week where she had Ephesians 6:11-12 together.

My Thoughts:

This program seems to have it all.  I am very pleased with it and would suggest you go and check it out more for yourself here.  If you have a child in K-6 this might be just what you have been looking for.  I am planning on combining grades since I have multiple ages and grades, but I can see that that might be difficult if your grade levels are spread over the gambit.

I also noticed that the workbook pages are perforated so they could be pulled out, hole-punched and inserted into a Bible binder for ease of use.  That is uncommon in many workbooks.

Even though this is targeted as a school curriculum, I think homeschoolers could definitely be able to apply and tweak the curriculum to fit their families needs.  Don't just take my word for it, be sure to check out what my other crew members thought too.  You can also check out their scope and sequence for more information on the grade levels you may be interested in.

*** I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2010-2011 Crew and receive free products and services in exchange for a thorough and honest review. Though I am compensated with free products, I am not compensated in the form of money for any of my reviews. My reviews will always reflect my honest opinions, findings, beliefs and experiences with the products and services that I receive.***