Resource Description
BJU Press offers both curriculum for purchase and a distance learning solution. The texts cover all core subjects with a Christian worldview, critical thinking, and hands-on learning.
Website: BJU Press (may contain affiliate links)
Post Your Review »
(38 Reviews)
Before investing in any homeschooling resources, please read "How to Choose the Best Homeschool Curriculum."
Contributor Reviews
Reviews are solely the opinions of the contributor.
Grades Used: 1-6
We started using BJU handwriting when my oldest daughter was in 1st grade. She had started out with Zaner-Bloser(ball and stick) handwriting and it had become a fight to do handwriting each day. Reversals and mixups were common. I decided we needed to try something new. BJU's handwriting was a blessing. It starts with Precursive, which is built on one-stroke letters. It easily transistions into cursive in later grades. The letter formation is logical and simple, which translates into fewer headaches for child and mom!
Cons: no tests
Grades Used: English 3,5,8
parts of speech divided into chapters
(not the same old stuff each day)
interesting information in the practice sentences
clearly explained, logically laid out
Cons: not at reader level at first
Grades Used: history: 1-6
interesting and well laid out chronologically
subjects clearly separated into chapters
companion work text
tests available
Cons: not at reader level at first
Grades Used: science: 1-6
easy to complete/read book
concepts/subjects clearly separated into chapters
companion work text
tests available
Grades Used: K4-12
We have used the BJU Press materials for most subjects, for all grades, with multiple children who have different learning styles. The first few years, we used the books alone (with my first child, a visual learner). Then when my second came along, an auditory learner, we decided to start using the DVD program. Both of them loved it. Now my 3rd, a hands-on learner, enjoys the DVD program as well. The DVD program really works for all types of learning styles.
Lesson plans are carefully laid out, so that the parent just has to follow along, if that works, or modify the lessons if a child needs extra or less work in a particular area.
For a working mom, the DVD program has been a godsend. The kids can watch the lessons on their own, and I only need to get involved in the teaching if they don't understand something after watching the teacher's presentation (which doesn't happen very often).
Lastly, I appreciate that every subject is taught from a Biblical perspective. I know my kids are not being indoctrinated with secular worldviews.
Grades Used: 1, 2, and 3rd
This is our 3rd year using BJUPress on dvd's. My son absolutely loves them. Very good Christian curriculum. It puts the Bible into every subject. My son loves doing school everyday, and he is never, ever bored. The dvd's are great to use. Very easy to use for the parents. My son tested off the charts on his standardized test this year. I plan on using BJUPress for many years to come.
Cons: hard to find supplies for science experiments
Grades Used: 1st
I used BJU science for 1st grade and enjoyed it, although I did end up switching to a different science curriculum because I found it hard to find many of the supplies needed for the experiments since this curriculum was originally written for Christian schools. I loved how they laid out the teacher's manual in a very easy-to-use format. My child learned so much from this curriculum the year we used it. I just wish the experiments had been easier to do.
Grades Used: K5, 1
BJUP Math is incredibly thorough. There are three major portions to each lesson: 1) Review of previous skills 2)Introduction of new skills 3)Workbook. There is a manipulatives packet that comes with the curriculum, as well as a CD Rom with lots of reproducibles that accompany the lessons. Every part of the lesson is scripted so parents will know precisely what to say to teach the child, and things are laid out in an easy-to-use fashion.
The lessons include hands on activities which make learning fun, in addition to two pages per lesson of workbook activities. The workbook is colorful and interesting for young children, and incorporates many biblical themes (such as pictures of Jesus' disciples). There are also lessons from scripture that accompany many of the lessons (i.e. the story of Ananias and Sapphira accompanies a lesson on money). The curriculum also includes fun characters, such as Digit the clown and his pet seal. These characters are found in the manipulatives, and are used throughout the curriculum to introduce concepts.
The curriculum does an excellent job of covering Math concepts in a complete manner, so that children learn them well. If there were a con (which it is not to me), it would be that this is not a "quick" curriculum - each lesson can easily take a minimum of 30 minutes. On the pro side, this means that kids really learn their Math! The lessons review past concepts repeatedly, and children are kept engaged through the bright graphics, hands on activities, variety of learning methods, and fun characters.
All in all I have been extremely pleased with BJUP Math, and highly recommend it for young children. My daughter, who completed K5 at 4 and is working on 1st grade at 5 (therefore still has a young child's issues with attention and retention), enjoys doing her Math and looks forward to it every day. And the concepts that she learned in K5, once we review them now in 1st grade, she knows cold. If you want a complete, thorough program with a Christian worldview, which lays out exactly what the parent needs to do and say, this is it!
I bought this curriculum package when I first started homeschool. The science books have gotten the most use from our family. It's been a great boon to have science materials that actually reinforce Christianity rather than preaching secular humanism!
Grades Used: K-12
My family has used Bob Jones materials for every grade level and almost every subject available. The textbooks completely cover standard skills. Every subject area is written from a Christian perspective.