History in HOD

[leighanne811]

I am seriously considering using HOD this year for my 5 yr old K'er and my 7 yr old 2nd grader. However I do have one concern. While I want a Christian curriculum that has Bible verses I wonder about how God is tied into the History section. Because we do not have mainstream Christian beliefs, I worry that the way History is explained and then God's 'will' is placed on everything that has happened throughout History. So I guess my question is Does HOD tie it in where God was in everything that happened throughout History and if so how complicated would it be to leave that part out of each lesson.

Leigh Anne

[dale1088]

Hi Leigh Ann,

I am not sure how you'd do this because honestly, HoD was chosen by most of us here for the very reason that you are concerned about. We wanted God's hand in all things to be shown to our children, and HoD does that brilliantly. Mostly I see it in the Bible portion where you study your verse which emphasizes a character quality (thinking of Bigger) and relates that back to what is being studied in history. But it's also in Science, poetry, geography, and storytime too. Not sure how you'd leave that out without losing the beauty of the program to begin with.

[simplepamom]

I haven't yet started, but I ordered used teacher's manuals when I could find them, and have paroused them extensively to decided where to place my children.

Each teaching block on a given day gives you a 'key idea' and the key ideas normally tie together with the Bible verse/character trait. While you could leave off the 'key idea' and not tie them together, I think it takes away from the character trait teaching (depending on what level you are looking to use)-- like if the character/Bible trait is patience, then the history story shows someone who exhibited this trait- now you don't have to point it out, but that is what makes it really solid, real life.

THe other consideration, while I don't see most of the texts making a big deal of it, the chosen texts- are often from Christian sources- so the history texts themselves may at time mention God. I know that GOd's WOnderful works the science text in Beyond definately mentions GOd made the rocks, God made the animals.... I know Hero tales that is used in preparing is focussed very much on Christian character, and how that influenced their decisions and life. History for little pilgrims which is used in Little hearts, says it is designed to show God's hand etc- So I think it would be hard to use that text without getting that perspecitve.

Perhaps we could get you a more thorough answer if you told us which levels you are looking to use?

Oh and the English books used are Rod and Staff English, which is a Christian Curriculum as well- so it uses sentences that often reference God in a variety of ways.

Brenda

[leighanne811]

I'm looking to use Little Hearts.....I didn't want to get too specific into my 'religion' or why I don't like God or God's will being tied into everything but I think to be clear I have to a little. My family and I do not believe God's hand is or has been in everything throughout history. We know there have been people/events where things happened based on the fact that God was certainly NOT in the picture. I guess my concern is that the curriculum may manipulate it to where everything that has happened happened for a reason, thus being God's will. Does that make sense? So if I just took the "key idea" out of the history section that related back to God, would this work? For example: In one lesson they are talking about the pioneers and then the key idea under bible study is that "when the pioneers were afraid they prayed for the Lord to keep them safe". Instead of saying that couldn't I just make it about our life by saying when we are afraid we have to trust the Lord to keep us safe" rather than teaching something I don't feel comfortable with?

I really do like HoD, the way it is set up and thought out. I just don't like History being attributed to God when a lot of times it was carried out by Godless people, or rather I don't want to teach it to my children that way.

Again I didn't want to be this specific bc I didn't want to start a controversial conversation or a theological conversation. Any input is welcome!

[Mom2Monkeys]

I honestly don't see how you could HOD and take God out of it, or out of history. I'll keep this part short, but even bad things happen under God's control as a way to teach us and strengthen our faith.
HOD is perfectly beautiful in the way it teaches this and intertwines it within the entire lesson. I think to skip that part would leave you with math and...well, not much more. Even the storytimes are related back to God. I have never steered anyone away from HOD, but you would have to strip it bare to take the "God parts" out. I'm afraid you'd have almost nothing left.
You might enjoy just reading the books, some of them anyway, and only using the page numbers provided in the manual, but none of the actual lesson except perhaps some of the activities in the lower left box on the left page...you might have to leave out the book or lesson portion provided and just do the activity. All of the lessons, from history to science to everything else, tie back in to the Bible. The strongest point of HOD is the part you want left off, so in general, it would be a stretch for you to use it to your liking, but I'm sure you could make it work somehow.

Sorry if I sound defensive or possibly offensive, but HOD is near and dear to my heart and the thought of it being used opposite of how it is intended kinda gets me!

[Daisy]

I think I understand what you are trying to say. I honestly think you are going to run into issues with Little Hearts (but maybe not all the guides??). The two main history books used with that package are providential in their approach. They are going to hit hard the idea that God is Sovereign over everything including the bad things of history. However, I don't think those two books take it as far as some providential history does. They aren't going to say that the mistreatment of Native Americans was a divine appointment or anything, just that God can use anything for His glory. Just as he hardened Pharaoh's heart against the Israelites in Egypt in order to demonstrate His glory to His people.

I think it's impossible to make HOD a secular curriculum but I don't think you are aiming for that (if I understand you).

History for Little Pilgrims is a very much a world history with a providential approach. It interweaves the Bible, world history, and protestant church history all into one. History Stories for Children would probably need less tweaking but you'll still find yourself needing to pre-read and rephrase things if you wish to take out the idea that God is Sovereign over all of History. HTH.

[leighanne811]

Thanks Daisy, you pretty much hit it on the head, you totally understand! Thanks for taking the time to respond. I think we will not be going with HoD even though I like every other aspect of the curriculum. This past year I wound up with a curriculum that I was extremely dissatisfied with and I just do not want that to happen again this year. Again thanks for understanding and responding, you really helped me!

Now off to trudge through more info....