What’s the Difference??

20 Jun, 2009 Catholic Homeschool, Compare Curriculum, Grade Level, New to Homeschool

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Comparing Catholic, Non-Catholic Christian, and Secular Cirricula.

If you’re new to homeschooling you may not understand that there is a difference in curriculum. When deciding to choose Catholic or non-Catholic Christian based educational materials you may wonder what’s the difference their learning about God. After all, it’s pretty obvious to tell the differences between secular and Christian based educational materials. It’s really not as cut and dried as all that.

Yes, Secular material publishers are trying very hard to keep the “religion element” out of the picture. However, you still run into your occasional wizard, troll, witch, evolution theory etc.. you can expect and work around them if you choose this type of curriculum for your homeschool class.

Using Non-Catholic Christian curriculum such as ABEKA, Bob Jones, and a few others; this material is what I call a slippery slope! There is subtle and sometimes not so subtle anti Catholic material splattered throughout their curriculum. Unless you are very aware of your Catholic faith, history, and education, these misconceptions can easily slip past your child and yourself. In the end, your child may be confused and left with a weak Catholic formation.

Using Catholic Curriculum, nearly every part of the curriculum incorporates a Catholic teaching, saints, background of the church, a prayer something that actively involves the Catholic faith and it’s teachings.

For some people using all Catholic materials is just too much. For example, I just want to teach them math or read my child a funny story. That is when you should judge between the secular and non-catholic educational material. There are several good resources available you just need to review the material, read reviews on the materials to find what is right for your family and raising strong faith filled Catholic kids.