History and Geography of the Bible Story on CD

Name: History and Geography of the Bible Story on CD
Brand: Richard Thetfordrichiethetford@gmail.comhttp://www.thetfordcountry.com

by Richard Thetfordrichiethetford@gmail.comhttp://www.thetfordcountry.com

Religious_studiesGrades 6–12

History and Geography of the Bible Story on CD: PowerPoint-Based Biblical Context

This digital religious studies curriculum presents 52 PowerPoint lessons covering biblical history and geography from Genesis through the early Church. Designed for grades 6-12, it includes coordinating worksheets, maps, and activities to help students understand the historical and geographical context of biblical events.

Best for

Homeschool families and Christian schools seeking a structured supplement to Bible study that emphasizes historical and geographical context, particularly effective when used with active parent or teacher facilitation

Evaluation Criteria

2 strengths · 1 concern · 2 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Historical ContextStrength

Historical context is the curriculum's primary strength, with explicit focus on dating, chronology, and historical settings. The course emphasizes understanding biblical events within their historical framework.

Dating issues are discussed, focus is on 'order of events,' and the goal is to help students 'better understand the settings of biblical events'

Theological KnowledgeStrength

The curriculum builds systematic chronological knowledge from Genesis through early Church history. It includes coverage of the intertestamental period, which many curricula omit, showing attention to comprehensive biblical timeline understanding.

Lessons cover 'from Genesis through the first century of the Church' and 'include coverage of historical events during the intertestamental period'

Primary Text EngagementConcern

The curriculum focuses on historical and geographical context rather than direct biblical text study. Students are expected to go back to actual Scriptures for deeper engagement, but this appears to be supplementary rather than central to the lessons.

Review notes that lessons might take longer 'if you take time to go back into the actual Scriptures' and describes the goal as helping students understand 'settings of biblical events'

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum includes answer keys and appears designed for easy implementation, but lacks comprehensive teacher training materials. Parent or teacher guidance is assumed rather than explicitly supported.

CD contains 'answer keys' and is described as 'very practical for use in a classroom setting,' but review suggests need for 'a presenter who will walk through the lessons'

Direct InstructionNeutral

The PowerPoint format with coordinating worksheets supports structured learning, but lacks audio narration. The curriculum requires active teacher or parent facilitation to be most effective.

Lessons use 'colorful and interesting PowerPoint slides' with worksheets to be completed during viewing, but 'there is no soundtrack' and presentation 'begs for a presenter'

Vocabulary BuildingInsufficient Evidence

Limited evidence of systematic vocabulary instruction. The curriculum appears to focus more on historical and geographical concepts than theological terminology.

Review mentions 'bullet point information' and background information but does not specifically reference vocabulary development

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com