Friday, April 20, 2012

Review: God's Great Covenant


We really enjoyed reviewing Classical Academic Press's Art of Argument , so when we saw their name pop up on the vendor list again, we were excited! This time around we were given the opportunity to review one of their Bible programs, God's Great Covenant, New Testament 1: A Bible Course for Children.

About God's Great Covenant, NT 1


In God’s Great Covenant, New Testament 1: A Bible Course for Children, students will follow the story of Jesus, the Messiah and King, as He is born and fulfills all God’s promises. But Jesus does not arrive as people expected. The people were looking for a mighty warrior to deliver them from the oppressive Roman government. Instead, He came as the suffering Savior, who would die as the sacrifice for sin and death. He was building a kingdom that was not of this world—it was the kingdom of God. He is the Son of Man, God’s Servant, the Messiah, and the Son of God. Each of the four units in this text emphasizes one of these names of Jesus. God’s Great Covenant, New Testament 1 teaches the Gospels to students in fourth grade and up, using stories, worksheets, memory verses, devotional guides, quizzes, and a little boy named Simon. In the introductions to the text, students will also learn about the historical, cultural, and geographical setting of the New Testament. This book is a most comprehensive and heartfelt study of the Gospels, and many parents and teachers will find themselves learning along with their students. 

We received the student text, teacher's edition, and a MP3 audio file.  I so love the audio file to help with my "Sonlight throat."  (Those of us who use Sonlight read aloud.  A lot!  To put it mildly.)

The study includes:

  • 36 weekly chapters, divided into 4 themed units
  • Each chapter contains:
    • A memory page that includes a weekly memory verse, key facts chart, fulfillment of prophecy section
    • A thought-provoking “Think About It” question that encourages children to consider how to relate to God in their own lives
    • A worksheet and quiz
  • Unit reviews that contain a memory verse worksheet, devotional guide, and a fun short story of life in Simon’s world
The teacher's guide contains the complete student text along with answer keys and extensive notes that expand upon historical, cultural, and geographical facts that are included in the study.  We are talking TONS of background information.  


Our Experience


Once again, Classical Academic Press did not disappoint us.  The texts are bright, clean, and easy to read.  The text starts with a lengthy introduction that covers historical, political, geographical, and religious information of that time.  You then read about Simon's World.  Simon is a fictional child who shows your student what it would be like to live in Jesus's world.  Fun!

After the introductions, you dive into the lessons.  Each lesson includes memory work, key facts given in the form of an easy-to-read chart, beautiful period maps, and review sheets.  The maps really are lovely and are one of our favorite parts of the study.  And they're accurate.  (If you've ever read my blog, you know that accurate maps are a pet peeve of mine. lol)  The review sheets offer a variety of activities: fill-in-the-blank, crosswords puzzles, unscramble the words, etc.  Always a variety to keep it fresh for the student.   The end of the unit contains a devotional to help the students apply the lessons to their lives.  After all, what good is studying the Bible if you're not going to apply it?

I'm going to mention the notes in the teacher's guide again.  They are just fabulous!!  I learned so much about the Bible from them myself.  And they are improving my ability to teach the Bible to my children. They are jam packed with background information.

According to Mackenzie:

I like the simplicity of it.  I feel like I get a lot done without having to do a lot of work.  I like to highlight the verses they mention in my Bible so I can apply them to my life.  I am understanding the Bible better.

What mom wouldn't like to hear that about their child say that about their Bible Study?

F.Y.I.


Website: http://classicalacademicpress.com/

Age Range:  4th grade and up

Pricing:  Student text $26.95
   Teacher's Guide $29.95
   MP3 Audio $9.95
   Bundle $56.95


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Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this program for review purposes.  All opinions are my own or that of my daughter.

1 comment:

Kym said...

we really liked this one too! LOL about pointing out that the maps were accurate - Hooray for accurate maps!!

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