Bible History of the Old and New Testaments

Name: Bible History of the Old and New Testaments
Brand: TAN Bookshttps://tanbooks.com/

by TAN Bookshttps://tanbooks.com/

Religious_studiesGrades 2–8

About This Curriculum

A comprehensive Catholic Bible curriculum covering Old and New Testament stories in engaging narrative form, supplemented with actual Bible quotes and closing summaries that provide context and daily life lessons.

What makes it unique: Comprehensive multimedia approach with textbooks, activity books, dramatized audio CDs with sound effects, and DVD lectures using the 'schoolhouse model' for multi-age family learning

Bible History of the Old and New Testaments: Catholic Biblical Narrative

A 388-page Catholic Bible curriculum that presents Old and New Testament stories in narrative form with biblical text, comprehension questions, and commentary. The curriculum covers Genesis through Acts with illustrations and vocabulary support, designed primarily for grades 6-8 but suitable for read-aloud with younger students.

Best for

Catholic homeschool families seeking a comprehensive Bible history curriculum for grades 6-8, or families using it as read-aloud material for elementary students who want systematic biblical narrative with doctrinal commentary

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 2 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Vocabulary BuildingStrength

The curriculum explicitly supports vocabulary development through footnote definitions of challenging words. This systematic approach helps students access complex biblical language.

Cathy Duffy specifically notes that 'challenging vocabulary words are defined in footnotes at the bottom of pages'

Theological KnowledgeStrength

The curriculum includes Catholic doctrinal commentary and theological interpretation woven throughout the biblical narratives. It builds systematic understanding of biblical themes and Catholic theology.

Commentary references Catholic doctrines, such as the example connecting Eve's unbelief to Mary's faith after the Annunciation story, and includes books like Tobit and Maccabees from the Catholic canon

Primary Text EngagementStrength

The curriculum incorporates actual biblical quotes and text rather than relying solely on summaries or paraphrases. Students encounter primary biblical material presented in biblical order from Genesis through Acts.

Cathy Duffy notes it is 'a combination of mostly Biblical text with some summarized sections' and uses language 'close to King James in style (most likely the RSV translation)'

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum provides comprehension questions throughout and includes teacher materials, though the extent of instructional guidance is not fully detailed. The DVD component offers direct lecture-style instruction.

'Every page or two there are a series of comprehension questions' and the program includes 'lecture DVDs' with presentations by Brian Kennelly that are 'accessible without being dumbed down'

Historical ContextNeutral

The curriculum presents biblical content in chronological order and frames it as 'true history,' though specific historical contextualization details are not described in the reviews. It covers the comprehensive biblical narrative systematically.

Content is 'presented in Biblical order' and Duffy recommends it 'to familiarize children with the Bible as a comprehensive story as well as a true history'

Teacher TrainingInsufficient Evidence

The curriculum includes a teacher's manual as part of the comprehensive program, though specific training content or professional development details are not described in the reviews.

Stuart Dunn mentions the program includes a 'teacher's manual' among the components, but no details about training content are provided

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com, catholicmom.com