I have been starting slowly with The Good and the Beautiful curriculum, supplementing it with Brave Writer’s Jot It Down and the 100 Lessons for my youngest daughters. Also, My oldest has already used Alpha Phonics. We don’t strictly follow the TGATB program; sometimes we skip lessons, and other times we dive in, depending on my children’s needs and levels of understanding.
Inspired by a Review of The Good and the Beautiful Curriculum
This reflection on The Good and the Beautiful curriculum resonates deeply with my own experiences as a homeschooling mother. The original review, penned by Lauren from thesimplehomeschooler.com highlights several key aspects that I find valuable, along with some challenges I have encountered. Below are my thoughts on what I appreciate about the curriculum and the obstacles I face, enriched with Islamic integration.
What I Value About the Curriculum
- Integrated Learning
The curriculum effectively combines reading, spelling, grammar, and writing into a single lesson, making our homeschooling both time-efficient and cost-effective. This comprehensive approach allows me to impart essential skills while ensuring that the learning process is streamlined, aligning with the Islamic principle of seeking knowledge efficiently. - Flexible Scheduling
With 120 lessons available, I have the flexibility to adapt our schedule, allowing us to adopt a four-day week if necessary. This accommodation enables us to participate in co-op activities, run errands, and attend to other obligations, fostering a balanced lifestyle that aligns with the Islamic value of moderation. - Diverse Learning Activities
The curriculum includes a variety of activities such as picture studies, character stories, spelling dictation, and poetry memorization. This diverse approach keeps my daughters engaged and excited about learning, particularly as we infuse Islamic values and lessons into these activities, making the learning experience richer and more meaningful. - Creative Approaches to Reading
Engaging methods for practicing reading, such as placing a snack on each word read correctly or following a word path to a “zoo,” make the process fun and interactive. Incorporating Islamic stories or teachings into these reading practices can enhance their understanding of moral lessons while keeping them engaged. - User-Friendly Format
The course is designed to be easy to navigate, with everything included in one course book. This user-friendly format allows me to work alongside my child without needing a separate teacher’s manual, echoing the Islamic teaching of being a guiding presence in our children’s education.
While I appreciate these aspects, the way this course is designed can feel overwhelming at times, but it can also be quite engaging. It touches only the surface of Christianity, which has posed a challenge for us. I first discovered this curriculum through some Ummahat in a Telegram channel member only group after joining “Homeschooling with Confidence.” We’ve made adjustments, like replacing references to God with Allah, aligning it more closely with our beliefs. After all, we view Prophet Isa (Jesus) PBUH as a prophet, not the son of God (nauzubillah). Filtering the material has allowed us to adapt it to our needs. Filtering is something we regularly do—it’s become second nature for me. Some days, I even lose track of time as I filter through various resources, whether it’s this curriculum or local free printables.
The Challenges I Encountered with the Curriculum
- High Expectations for Young Learners
The curriculum sets ambitious standards, even for kindergarteners, introducing challenging concepts such as silent e words and dictating sentences. While aiming for excellence is an Islamic ideal, it is essential to balance expectations with the individual needs and abilities of my children to prevent discouragement. - Spelling Methodology
The reliance on dictation for spelling can be frustrating, particularly due to the inclusion of tricky sight words. As I seek to nurture a love for learning in my daughters, I aim to integrate Islamic principles of patience and perseverance, helping them navigate challenges in their education. - Lengthy Lessons
Some lessons extend beyond an hour, which can be excessive for young children. This duration often makes it difficult for my daughters to maintain focus, especially since their attention spans vary. It is important to remember the Islamic concept of balance, ensuring that learning is engaging without overwhelming them. - Lack of Engaging Storylines
The mini books provided in the curriculum do not offer engaging plots, making it harder for my children to connect with the material. By integrating Islamic stories and themes, we can create more relatable narratives that resonate with their lives and beliefs. - Overwhelming New Concepts
Certain lessons introduce multiple new concepts at once, which can be overwhelming for younger students. I strive to instill the Islamic practice of gradual learning and comprehension, emphasizing that understanding takes time and effort.
Filtering Educational Resources
When you become accustomed to filtering, in shaa Allah, it becomes clear that any curriculum can be filtered, and your filtering mode activates right away, alhamdulillah. However, it’s important to approach educational resources thoughtfully, especially when considering our students of knowledge. If there are ustadh nearby, it’s best to consult them to ensure that the materials we use align with our values and beliefs. Many ustadh are busy, so when that’s not an option, it falls upon us as mothers to take on the responsibility of filtering the resources we choose.
Preparing Children for the Future
We also need to consider that we don’t know what era our children will grow up in. Thus, it’s crucial to teach them how to filter information rather than having an extreme sensitive reaction to content that might not align with our beliefs. For instance, some might immediately dismiss a curriculum simply because it includes Bible verses. Instead, we should guide our children in understanding the importance of our aqeedah while navigating free resources. In this era of the internet and AI, it’s essential to recognize that we won’t be with our children forever; they will eventually grow up and live their own lives. Teaching them to discern and critically engage with diverse materials not only strengthens their faith but also equips them with the critical thinking skills necessary for their future, in shaa Allah.
The Role of Critical Thinking
Teaching our children critical thinking skills is essential, especially in a world filled with diverse perspectives and information sources. By encouraging them to question, analyze, and evaluate what they encounter, we prepare them for the complexities of adulthood. This skill set empowers them to uphold their beliefs while engaging thoughtfully with differing viewpoints.
Controversy Surrounding the Curriculum
This curriculum has faced significant criticism from some Christian homeschoolers for not being “Christian enough,” with some claiming it reflects a Mormon influence. This surface-level engagement with Christian teachings can actually be advantageous for Muslims, as it allows us to filter the material through an Islamic lens. By critically examining the curriculum, we can utilize its resources while ensuring they align with our values. This filtering process not only helps us adapt the content to reinforce our beliefs but also provides our children with a well-rounded education, in shaa Allah.
The Challenges of Homeschooling
Homeschooling is already a tough journey, and without a Salafi community to rely on, both offline and online, I’ve had to seek knowledge from those who are rightful and combine it with my own understanding. Although I recognize the importance of guidance from those more knowledgeable, I face challenges like language barriers between asatidzah from Indonesia and the West, as well as the distance and unfamiliarity. These obstacles sometimes lead me to take on this responsibility myself. Despite these challenges, I am determined to do what’s necessary to educate my children.
Accessing Curriculum Materials
The author of this curriculum, Jenny, has made it freely available online. The only hassle is that the materials are full of color, so you either need to print them at home or take them to a printing shop. I print them at home, but if you prefer, you can opt for physical products. We haven’t purchased any of the supplementary readings, like her nature readers, since we are satisfied with what Brave Writer offers.
My Daughters’ Preferences
As for my daughters, they haven’t expressed any complaints about The Good and the Beautiful, but they don’t seem to love it either. They definitely prefer the Brave Writer program, likely because they enjoy reading and engaging in projects. The flexibility and creativity of Brave Writer resonate more with them.
Reflection on Curriculum Choices
While I’m uncertain if I will fully switch to Brave Writer after this experience, I appreciate that The Good and the Beautiful has some lessons that can be adjusted to fit our unique needs. I can’t complain much about this curriculum since it’s free, giving me the option to not use it if it doesn’t suit my family’s requirements. After all, it’s not like I lost any money on it. This flexibility allows me to take advantage of the resources available while ensuring they align with our educational goals and values. I will continue to assess its effectiveness as we progress, and I plan to provide a more detailed review after we finish the curriculum, in shaa Allah.
