We were given the opportunity to review Positive Action For Christ's 4th Grade Bible Study Curriculum, called "Building Life Castles". Positive Action for Christ is a company devoted to publishing teaching helps for Church and Christian Schools, which can also be used easily in a Homeschool setting. Their mission statement is "Positive Action exists to equip Bible teachers to magnify the majesty of God".
"Building Life Castles" is a very thorough and in-depth year-long Bible Study program focused mainly on the New Testament - the Life of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, as well as the life and writings of Paul. We received a Teacher's Manual and a Student Book to review.The Teacher's Manual comes in a sturdy 3-ring binder, is 260 pages, and includes:
- 35 Lessons
- Target truths/objectives
- Teaching strategy
- Weekly character traits
- Practical applications
- Interesting stories
- Ideas for puzzles, skits, artwork and discussions
- Plans for 3, 4 or 5 day Bible class schedules
- Student Manual answer key
- Reproducible weekly quizzes and answer keys
- Scripture memory program
- See a sample here
- Vocabulary sections
- Words for songs in music curriculum (the music curriculum is sold separately)
- Puzzles, artwork, and maps
- Life application sections
- Attractive full-color format
- Various levels and thinking skills
- Material usable with any Bible translation
- Scripture memorization sheet
- See a sample here
I found Building Life Castles very easy to fit into our homeschooling day. However, I did not do all of the recommended curriculum - we tweaked the program a bit to better fit our current schedule. Instead of using it as our main Bible Study program, I gave it to Isaac (10) to use in an independent devotion time. Each day, I'd go over the pages he had done, and discuss with him any questions he had or points I wanted to make about the lesson. It was very, very, easy to "tweak" the curriculum in this way, which is something I really, really love - a curriculum that is flexible!
If our situation had been different and I had chosen to use Building Life Castles as the full program suggests, I know it would have been a meaty, in-depth Bible study for all ages in the house. Scripture memorization, a new hymn or song to learn each month, Biblical character traits and vocabulary, along with the workbook activities all round out the program to be what I'd consider an excellent homeschool Bible curriculum.
Even though the Workbooks are broken down by grade, for a family like ours who has several grade and ability levels spanning our homeschool, I do not think it would be difficult to combine them all into one Bible Study. I would recommend going over the Elementary Scope and Sequence, finding what topics you'd like your family to focus on, and picking a level that way. Children who can read and write on their own will find the Student Manuals easy to complete, with questions that provide encouragement for deeper scripture study as well as personal examination, and for children who are not old enough to read or write independently, it would be easy for a parent to read aloud the discussion questions and have the child answer orally. Scripture memorization and learning hymns can be done with all age levels, as well!
Two features I especially liked about Building Life Castles were the map work and the life application sections, called "Building Your Life Castle". Map work offers a great visual for Bible scholars of all ages to get a better idea of the life and times of the people in the Bible. The life application sections are awesome - they really challenge the student to think about the lesson being taught in each section, and how to apply those lessons to their own lives. I loved reading Isaac's more introspective thoughts about the Biblical truths he learned, and seeing him really strive to apply the lessons, as well.
For 4th Grade, a Building Life Castles Teacher's Manual is $33.95, and you will only need one. If you'd prefer, it is also available on CD-ROM for only $19.95. (I'm the kind of person that prefers a hard copy, but I think I'm rare in today's technological age!) Because the Student Manuals are consumable, it is recommended to get one for each student that will be recording their answers, and they are $12.95 each, but discounted to $10.95 each if you order more than 5. There is also a Music CD to help introduce the hymns and songs taught, for $9.95.
All in all, I think Positive Action for Christ offers excellent Bible Study Curricula. It is flexible, easy to implement, but very thorough in its teachings, and not too pricey. I was pleased to have the chance to review it, and am happy to recommend it!
See what others members of the Crew thought by checking out their reviews at the TOS Homeschool Crew Blog!
Disclaimer: I was given this product specifically for the purpose of reviewing here on my blog as a member of TOS Homeschool Crew. I received no other compensation in regards to this review.
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