Teaching Methods
Home School Marketplace - Homeschool Teaching Approaches
The Principal Approach
The Principle Approach is based on the premise that our nation is a unique and vital link in the westward chain of Christianity.
The Principle Approach
is an effort to restore to American Christians three vital
concepts: the knowledge of our Christian history; an
understanding of our role in the spread of Christianity; and
the ability to live according to the Biblical principles
upon which our country was founded. The Principle
Approach is a way of living life, not just a way of
educating children.
Developers of the Principle Approach
rediscovered seven Biblical principles upon which our
country was founded and by which many of the founding
fathers were educated. The seven principles are as follows:
(1) Individuality (God has created distinct differences in
people, nations, etc.); (2) Self Government (Government
starts in the heart of man.); (3) Christian Character; (4)
“Conscience is the Most Sacred of Property;” (5) The
Christian Form of Government; (6) How the Seed of Local Self
Government is Planted; (7) The Christian Principle of
American Political Union.
Four emphases are unique to this educational approach.
First, there is a recognition of God's Hand (Providence) in
history. Second, there is the understanding that God has
ordained three governmental institutions (the home, the
church, and civil government) through which He unfolds His
purposes and manifests Christ on this earth. Third, each
Christian is responsible for extending God’s government.
Fourth, the student assumes responsibility for learning and
for applying knowledge to his own life.
The Principle Approach may be applied to
the study of any subject with the use of notebooks to record
“the 4 Rs” (Researching God's Word; Reasoning from the
researched Biblical truths/principles; Relating the truths
and principles discovered to the subject and the student's
character; and Recording the individual application of the
Biblical principles to the subject and the student).
Here are some questions to ask yourself before trying the
Principle Approach:
1. Do I have a real concern for the application of Christian
principles to my family and my nation?
2. Will my child assume responsibility for a great deal of
learning on his/her own?
3. Does my child like to express him or herself through
writing?
4. Am I willing to undertake extensive biblical research and
teaching preparation?
Strengths of the Principle
Approach:
Students learn to think “governmentally”
Students become self-learners
Students learn to apply biblical principles to the whole
of life
Students create their own “textbooks”
Weaknesses of the Principle
Approach:
Focuses mainly on American
history
May present a narrow view of life and of history
Requires a great deal of teacher preparation
Prepared curriculum available in few subjects
Extremely literal approach to Scripture
See Resources for each of the Home School teaching approaches
Other Resources:
Homeschooling Your Special Needs Child by Isabel ShawHomeschooling and Its Many Faces
Approaches to Homeschooling from HomeTaught
The
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