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Beautiful Feet Books provides study guides and literature packs for learning history through literature. They also offer unit studies on a variety of topics outside of history. Most resources are guides for purchase, but a few topics include printable curriculum.
Website: Beautiful Feet Books Unit Studies
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(6 Reviews)
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Contributor Reviews
Reviews are solely the opinions of the contributor.
Cons: Progressive ideology, hatred of white people
Grades Used: 3-6
We purchased Beautiful Feet Books' Texas History package after researching the package as well as Beautiful Feet Books' commitments in detail. I'd purchased through them before so I wasn't very concerned. Unfortunately the literature choices for the Texas History package are extremely critical of "the white man" as one refers to them. One book begins with a heavy handed generalization of the evils of Columbus. It goes on to describe how the Spanish soldiers had heard stories of human sacrifice by South American natives but then says that they were just being judgmental and bigoted by being terrified of other natives even though those natives treated them well in their first meeting. Those are just a couple places from one book in the package. The picture books chosen are almost entirely to tell the story of identity groups rather than depicting the -history- of Texas. I actually like the Juneteenth book, but combined with a Mexican culture book (that says synctretic "healers" are very knowledgeable and good), a heavy-handed book about a family being repatriated to Mexico, a woman who was a hero in the Alamo (while including no picture books about anything else from the Alamo!!!), another book on the native tribes in Texas that portrays native cultures as completely peaceful and being decimated by the evil white man, this is a completely unacceptable package for our family. I would expect that from the progressive companies out there but I did not expect it from BFB, especially after reading solely positive and glowing reviews. There are so many other amazing and balanced books out there that show the complicated history of the many cultures and the conflicts and growth that created our state. These just show a picture of the evil white people who came and "decimated" the other completely peaceful and wonderful and beautiful cultures for no reason at all.
Cons: If mom reads everything aloud, it can be a lot.
Grades Used: 4,5,7
We used BFB's History of Science for 3 of my children in 4th, 5th and 7th grade. It was a fun, full year. I would break up the lessons sometimes over several days. We would just do about an hour of work together every day. We used it for both history and science that particular year, as we were also doing a year of latin and a writing program together that year. I have fond memories of learning about ancient scientists, watching a film about Gutenberg and his printing press, and snuggled up reading Edison's biography. We still have the timeline up on the wall. We started the BFB Geography through Literature, but have not finished it. I hope to continue that with my children this summer. The maps are gorgeous, and the books are just beautiful. My upcoming 6th grader will be using the History of the Horse next year.
Cons: see review
Grades Used: PK, 1,
LOVE!
We used their Around the World with Picture books part 1 with our children aged 2, 6, and 8. All the kids had a great time learning at their levels. This study guide goes way beyond picture books and kids learn a lot about the world around them. Books like Ming Lo Moves the Mountain and Me Jane were so inspirational and character building. I could not have come up with the list or insights alone. Thanks to Rhea Berg the kids world view really expanded. It helps to teach such wonderful principles. There are Christian elements but it is not hammered in. Everything is gentle but leads to wonderful discussions, enhances reasoning and relating skills, and can be adapted for multiple ages. For example, my third grade son wrote a pretty lengthy letter to his Grandfather all about Thailand. There are almost no cons. The only con would be the DVD recommendation in the Australia unit. That movie, in my opinion, was not kid appropriate-- there was profanity, romance, and some violence. I would actually not choose to watch this movie myself and thought that it took away from, rather than added to, the poetry. Other than that very minor detail, I thought that all the poetry, historical and modern histories, and the folklore and countries studied was very very interesting. The kids really did learn values like empathy, compassion, and inclusiveness. For example, after watching Emmanuel's Gift, we had a wonderful discussion about reframing disability. We also talked a lot about the amenities we are privileged to enjoy and how life is different for people living without things like running water and electricity. It was so eye opening but in a gentle way. All the documentaries suggested were very interesting and well done. From a geographical and scientific standpoint, the kids really learned a lot. We added in some things like the national geographic "are we there yet" clips. But even just the study guide is enough. One thing that the kids were amazed to find out was that Egypt, a place they've read about in their bibles, is in Africa and that people are STILL living there today. That really shocked them. I guess they thought it was all just pyramids and mummies. The Day of Ahmed's secret was a brilliant picture book that the kids really connected with. I could go on and on. To sum it up, we highly recommend this study!! It is well worth the money!! If you can only afford the teacher's guide that's fine, you should be able to find most of the titles at the library. 🙂
Cons: not good for independent learning
Grades Used: all grades, mainly high school
We used Primary America History and the Geography study with our youngers (k-6). We loved the notebooks they made and the kids liked doing the coloring, maps, and drawings. We have used Medieval Literature for a freshman course 3 times. The first time, we read everything aloud to everyone. That seemed to work best for discussion, but for the next 2 students, I needed them to work more independently, so I assigned the work and we met to discuss. It does not seem to me that they reap enough benefit this way, but there is not enough time for our family to do this course corporately.
Cons: absolutely none.
Grades Used: primary grades
We used part of the geograpgy package while living in MI, & my kids loved it when Paddle to The Sea got to the city where we live. Now that we live in NM, they are looking forward to using the Tree In The Trail portion. The early American History package for primaries is fabulous, my kids regularly pull the books from the shelves just to read for fun! My eldest child has developed an interest in classical music, so we appreciate the work that went into putting together The History of Classical Music.
Cons: None!
Grades Used: 5, 3, K and preschool
I loved Beautiful Feet's Character Curriculum. The kids loved it too! I felt like they really "got" the message. It was nice being able to discuss the topics after reading the books. It never took too long and the stories were all well written. I would highly recommend this program!