Rod and Staff Curriculum

Name: Rod and Staff Curriculum
Brand: Rod and Staff PublishersPO Box

by Rod and Staff PublishersPO Box

Multi_subjectGrades 1–10

Rod and Staff Curriculum: Traditional Mennonite Multi-Subject Program

Rod and Staff is a Mennonite publishing company offering a traditional, Bible-integrated curriculum for grades 1-10. The program emphasizes Biblical content across all subjects, follows traditional pedagogical approaches with reading and memorization, and reflects Mennonite values of hard work and separation from secular worldviews.

Best for

Homeschool families seeking traditional, Bible-based education with strong emphasis on character development and Mennonite values, particularly those not focused on college preparation

Evaluation Criteria

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

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum strongly emphasizes direct instruction through traditional methods. Learning occurs through structured approaches rather than discovery-based methods.

Review explicitly states 'Learning occurs via reading, lectures, and memorization rather than through experimentation and discovery' and science experiments 'illustrate what has been taught rather than as a means of discovery learning'

Individual Subject RigorStrength

Individual subjects maintain traditional rigor with some areas being particularly strong. English and spelling programs are noted as solid and popular, though designed primarily for vocational rather than college preparation.

Building Christian English texts are 'solid, traditional courses' with 'accelerated scope and sequence,' Spelling by Sound and Structure is 'very popular among homeschoolers,' and science books have 'excellent content'

Knowledge CoherenceConcern

The curriculum builds knowledge around Biblical principles and character development but may lack coherent knowledge-building across secular academic subjects. Some content appears outdated, potentially undermining knowledge coherence.

Bible and Nurture Readers feature 'retold Bible stories and character-building stories based on Biblical principles' but history texts include 'outdated information' like pre-Soviet collapse content in a 1982 second-grade text

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum includes substantial material and guidance, though much appears designed for classroom use requiring adaptation. Some guidance is provided for informal kindergarten preparation.

Review notes 'much busywork and extra material' because books 'were designed for classroom use' and mentions 'informal preparation (described in Rod and Staff's catalog)' for first grade readiness

Cross Curricular IntegrationNeutral

The curriculum integrates Biblical material and Mennonite philosophy across all subject areas in a coherent manner. However, this integration is primarily values-based rather than knowledge-building across academic disciplines.

Review states curriculum 'relies heavily upon Biblical material in all subject areas' and 'Mennonite philosophy also emphasizes hard work and diligence, and this is very evident throughout the material'

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

The curriculum includes memorization as a key component, which supports retrieval practice. However, specific systematic review structures across subjects are not detailed in the review.

Review mentions 'memorization' as one of the primary learning methods alongside reading and lectures

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com