Posted in The Principle Approach: A Summary

  America's Heritage of Christian Character

¨      “This divine power of the gospel revealed itself to the heathen in the lives of Christians, which showed forth the virtues of Him who had called them out of darkness into his marvelous light, and enabled them to walk as the children of God, in the midst of a perverse generation, among whom they shone as lights in the world!…The whole life of the Christian, from the beginning to the end, is a conflict with the world and the powers of darkness, a conflict within and without…”  Neander “Memorials of a Christian Life,” 1852

The four layers of expansion {leading ideas} for grades K-12 recommended for America’s Heritage of Christian Character are as follows:

1.       Faith and Steadfastness in Plymouth Plantation

2.      Brotherly Love and Christian Care in Plymouth Plantation

3.      Diligence and Industry in Plymouth Plantation

4.      Liberty of Conscience in the Plymouth Plantation

In The Noah Plan this principle is first introduced at the primary level in Kindergarten (4^th quarter) in its first layer.

As you can see, these principles may be complicated and sometimes we don’t even readily understand them, but when they are introduced in their simplest form, not only do we begin to understand them, our children begin to understand them as well.  Also, unfamiliar terminology doesn’t need to be introduced right away.  It’s the concept that needs to get across and naturally the terminology comes out in our teaching as we begin to see them as described by The Noah Plan.  Again, we can only teach what God has revealed to us.

Once a principle is introduced in The Noah Plan, each consecutive year you expand on that principle as you go through the Chain of Christianity.  In The Noah Plan, the 10 links of the Chain of Christianity are gone through each year expanding as your child’s understanding increases.

However, this is not necessarily how you need to do it.  You can go through the 10 links in as much time as you want.  You can introduce the principles whenever you want.  Some people go through the 10 links within the 4 years as they go through history such as that which is recommended by classical curriculums.  Also, some prefer to only introduce one principle a year and work on that one all year.  Again, it’s up to how God leads you and your family.

The following is the description provided by The Noah Plan History and Geography Curriculum Guide, p. 68.

America’s Heritage of Christian Character

“The image of God engraved upon the individual within brings dominion and change to his external environment.  The model of American Christian character is the Pilgrim character, which demonstrates these qualities: faith and steadfastness, brotherly love, Christian care, diligence and industry, and liberty of conscience.  Learning good work habits begins at home and extends into the classroom.  Becoming accountable for one’s learning and productivity is the fruit of Christian character.”