Teaching the Pentateuch in an elementary homeschool can be an intimidating task. The Pentateuch – the first five books of the Bible – contains massive amounts of detail and text that can be difficult for younger students to comprehend. Fortunately, there are many curricula available for staff to choose from.
To provide staff with a comprehensive overview of what curricula to teach the Pentateuch to elementary homeschools, this article will answer the following questions:
What is the Pentateuch?
The Pentateuch is the name given to the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books, written by successive authors, tell the story of the Jewish nation and their journey to the promised land of Canaan.
Each book in the Pentateuch contains its own narrative: Genesis details the creation of the world and its inhabitants, while Exodus records the Jews’ escape from Egypt and journey across the desert. Leviticus presents a body of laws given by God, detailing how the Jews should live in the promised land. Numbers details the journey to the promised land, and Deuteronomy provides a final set of instructions given to the Jewish people as they prepared to enter Canaan.
What Does the Pentateuch Teach?
The Pentateuch teaches many important concepts and values, including faith in God, allegiance to His commandments, and respect for the law. In addition, the Pentateuch contains numerous stories that highlight many themes, such as justice, kindness, and hospitality.
These stories can be used as teaching tools for young students, as they illustrate fundamental values and ideals, and can be used to provide students with an understanding of the importance of obeying God’s laws and commandments.
What Are Some Popular Pentateuch Curricula for Elementary Homeschools?
One popular Pentateuch curriculum for elementary homeschools is the Dig Deeper Bible Curriculum. This Bible-based curriculum covers the first five books of the Bible, including Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It includes activities, video lessons, a detailed project guide, and discussion questions – all of which are designed to help students understand and appreciate the lessons taught throughout the Pentateuch.
Another popular Pentateuch curriculum is the Pentateuch Curriculum from YESHIVAH: An to the Bible and Jewish Studies Program. This curriculum is designed to introduce young students to the first five books of the Bible, providing them with a full understanding of Jewish history, laws, and culture.
The curriculum includes lessons on the original words of the Pentateuch, a timeline of Bible stories, and other interactive activities. Lastly, the Christian philosopher Augustine’s Pentateuch curriculum is also very popular among elementary homeschools. This curriculum is specifically designed for younger students, and it focuses on introducing Biblical stories and values in a simple, straightforward manner.
The curriculum includes lesson plans, engaging activities, stories, and discussion questions that are designed to help students learn and appreciate the Bible.
What Age Group Does the Curriculum Aim to Serve?
Most of the curricula discussed above are designed to serve elementary school-aged students, typically ranging from age 5 to 1 However, the Dig Deeper Bible curriculum is more comprehensive and can be used with students up to age 14, while the YESHIVAH: An to the Bible and Jewish Studies Program is geared towards students up to age 1
What Is the Format of the Curriculum?
The format of the curriculum will vary depending on the specific curriculum chosen. The Dig Deeper curriculum is mostly digital-based, featuring activities, videos lessons, and digital projects, while the YESHIVAH curriculum and Augustine’s Pentateuch curriculum are both print-based, featuring lesson plans, activity books, and suggested readings.
How Is the Curriculum Structured?
The structure of the curriculum will depend on the specific curriculum chosen. However, most Pentateuch curricula follow the same five-book structure as the Bible itself, with each book having its own lessons, activities, and projects. Additionally, many curricula also include supplemental materials, such as maps, timelines, and discussion questions, which can help bring the material to life and make it easier for students to engage with the curriculum.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Curriculum?
Each Pentateuch curriculum has its own advantages and disadvantages. The Dig Deeper curriculum is particularly useful for homeschoolers, as it is entirely digital-based and can be easily accessed from any device. However, this curriculum may not be ideal for students who need more personalized instruction, as it provides minimal face-to-face interaction.
The YESHIVAH curriculum also provides a comprehensive overview of the first five books of the Bible, as well as a thorough look at Jewish history and culture. However, because this curriculum is print-based, students may not always be able to follow the lessons as easily.
Lastly, Augustine’s Pentateuch curriculum is both easy to follow and easy to customize – making it an ideal choice for those who want to tailor their curriculum to the specific needs of their students. However, this curriculum is designed for younger students and may not be suitable for older students who need more challenging material.
Are These Curricula Appropriate for Elementary Homeschools?
All of the curricula discussed above are appropriate for elementary homeschools. Each curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of the first five books of the Bible, as well as supplemental activities and materials that can help bring the material to life.
While some curricula may be more suitable for certain age groups, all of these curricula are appropriate for elementary homeschools.
What Are the Different Teaching Methods Used in Each Curriculum?
The teaching methods used in each curriculum will vary depending on the curriculum chosen. However, all of the curricula discussed above tend to emphasize activities and projects, as they provide a more engaging way for students to learn the material. Other teaching methods that are used in each curriculum include videos, discussions, and other interactive activities.
Does Each Curriculum Include Assessment Tools?
Most of the curricula discussed above do not include assessment tools. However, the YESHIVAH curriculum does include assessment tools, such as quizzes, tests, and written assignments that can be used to measure a student’s understanding of the material.
Additionally, Augustine’s Pentateuch curriculum also utilizes assessments tools, such as journals and end-of-chapter questions, to keep track of a student’s progress.
Are the Materials Included with Each Curriculum Accessible?
Most of the curricula discussed above are designed for accessible environments. The Dig Deeper curriculum includes a range of video lessons, activities, and projects that can be accessed from any device, while the YESHIVAH curriculum is print-based, meaning that it can be easily printed and used in any environment.
Augustine’s Pentateuch curriculum is also designed to be accessible, as the activities and materials included can be adapted to any environment.
Conclusion
Teaching the Pentateuch in an elementary homeschool can be an intimidating task. Fortunately, there are many curricula available for staff to choose from. This article has answered 15 questions that provide staff with a comprehensive overview of what curricula to teach the Pentateuch to elementary homeschools.
From popular curricula and age groups served, to teaching methods and assessment tools, this article will help staff determine which curriculum is the best fit for their homeschool.