Mike Smith:
Marcia, what is the "integrated" curriculum, and how does it simplify the homeschooling process?
Marcia Somerville:
Integrated curriculum is also known as unit study. "Integrated" just simply means that you take a bunch of what we called "subjects" in the olden days, like history, literature, writing. And instead of doing history, say, of America, literature of Britain, and writing about frogs, you integrate those so that you're studying, for instance, the history of America, you're reading American literature, and you're writing about the American Revolution. It keeps it in the minds of children more solidly because they see it as a whole picture instead of having to fragment their studies between very different topics.
Mike:
Now I know you believe in a historical approach. Why do you believe that's important?
Marcia:
I think it just sets, again, a context to organize in your mind and to draw back the information in your mind on how God's story has unfolded. God did choose to unfold His story in order—He's a God of order—and I believe that understanding the order allows children to place both their lives and the things that they study in a broader context that glorifies Him.
Mike:
So, starting with a historical approach helps you do that?
Marcia:
I believe so.
Mike:
What do we do if a child's not really interested in history?
Marcia:
I think that we need to interest them as it's being God's plan for the world. If it's God's plan, we as Christians, I think, should be interested in it.
Mike:
Well, that's very helpful information. And until next time, I'm Mike Smith.
