The Weaver Curriculum is a unit-based, Bible-centered homeschool curriculum for grades PreK-12th. The curriculum uses the same daily Bible theme as a foundation and then creates lessons for each student. Students are then studying the same main subject at the same time with individual lesson assignment geared to each student's grade level. For example if you were teaching about the plagues of Egypt, your student would learn about frogs in science, Egyptian topography in geography, pharaohs in history, and so forth.
This hands-on, activity-based curriculum, includes experiments, maps, murals, timelines, models, field trips, and more. The Weaver Curriculum is flexible as Parents decide what topics to teach and what activities to do. Divided into volumes and supplemental volumes, this curriculum uses binders to organize student lessons by grade level. Multiple subjects are included within each volume and woven into lessons. Subjects covered are Bible, Social Studies, Science, Geography and History, Language Arts, Health, and Art.
Website: Weaver Curriculum
(5 Reviews)
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Contributor Reviews
Reviews are solely the opinions of the contributor.
Cons: Does not cover math, penmanship, spelling and grammar
Grades Used: 3rd & 5th
When I began to look at what I wanted to accomplish with our homeschooling adventure several goals became very clear. But my all-consuming desire was that my children become lovers of Jesus and his servants. We are a missionary family and see the crying need for people wholly dedicated to serving and loving Him. His presence is so needed in our world. With that in mind I realized that the basis of our studies would have to begin in the Word. When I came across the Weaver studies I was immediately attracted by this Bible-based curriculum.
The Weaver uses the Bible as the spring-board for history, science, creative writing and many other projects. As we began to systematically work through the Bible I realized that my goal was being accomplished. My children were exposed to the profound truths of the Bible and loving it. Our Bible times do not focus on facts but on the application of the Word. In Ruth 3 we discussed the importance of choosing a mate who was not only a Christian but one who displayed the character of Christ as Boaz and Ruth both did. The Weaver moves us beyond the text to real-life application.
But it does not stop there. As we delve deeply into the in the Word we look at the ramifications in science, history etc... One such example was during the study of Joshua. When the sun stood still during the decisive battle for the southern part of the Canaan we began a study of the solar system. What would it mean for all of the universe if the sun stood still? In the book of Ruth we studied plants, families and the human body. There are intense sections on history where we have looked at explorers and the American presidents, or the early pioneers of this country.
For a brief segment of our schooling I tried to do my own thing. I found it to very exhausting and stress-producing. I was so glad to return to the Weaver because all that difficult framework was already laid out. I could choose how to make the curriculum work for me. What I do like about the Weaver is that it is not so heavy that so much time is taken up with preparations and time-consuming projects. I find that there is a nice balance between projects, looking at resource books together, putting information into memorable notebooks, and researching. The objectives are very clearly laid out for each grade. This helps me to know when I need to go deeper with my 5th grader or just need the basic information for my 3rd grader. In a few years I will add another student (she is now 3 years old) so I can do all three at the same time.
What is not included is a math program, penmanship, spelling and grammar. (They do have Weaver spelling, penmanship and grammar, but those are sold separately) I find that I can teach this easily in a morning, as I have a 5th grader and a 3rd grader. We are able to do the Bible, the Weaver objectives (social studies/science/creative writing) together. Than we break into individual subjects. This is our fifth year using the Weaver. I have had to remind myself again and again of my goal of developing "lovers of Jesus" because there are so many good curriculums out there to choose from. I knew that I did not want just a "Christian Education" I wanted a "Biblical Education", and there is a huge difference. The Weaver bases itself on the Hebrew form of education, where you train the heart. And that is why it works so well for us.
Cons: So much religion/outdated books... My advice- go get your own books that are more child friendly
Grades Used: k-4
love this curriculum!! Not a big fan of the religious portion, however, but loved how everyone could learn at one time. I ditched the Bible portion, and we got books at the library, stuff my kids would enjoy more, pics, etc. We really enjoyed it! By the time you get through Volume 3, lets face it, you have already forgotten what was learned in volume 1, so since you're learning it at such a higher level, it doesn't hurt to review. Plus, when you find a topic you like, why continue? Have fun!! Plagues were mentioned... study other plagues, where did they take place? What caused these plagues? When you get bored, go back to the curriculum and move ahead. Weaver is great for a guide, but there is no reason to think you have follow it to a "T", that will only wear you out!! And if you're worn out, your kids won't enjoy it.
Cons: Some lesson planning, feel free to adapt what they offer in direction. Teacher verbal introduces lesson, each day. I liked that, didn't mind.
Grades Used: 2nd - 8th
We loved the Weaver for 2nd through 8th grade. I would highly recommend it, especially 2nd through 6th grades. Students with some difficulty learning may to use it up 8th grade.
We did not use the Weaver for K or 1st grades . I think it was much better to use Distar Phonics method for reading. We used a Charlotte Mason approach for K-1, then moved into the Weaver in 2nd grade. We mostly used Usborne's - Cat and Mouse (workbooks) for Pre-K.
Cons: too much prep, repetative
Grades Used: K, 2nd in vol 1
We did Weaver Vol 1 for the 2010-2011 school year when they were in 2nd and K. I was due with baby #4 that fall so I spent some time in the summer preparing the school year. I got crates and folders with page protectors. I pulled apart the Weaver binders to only get the info and grades I needed. I copied and prepared materials for crafts and science projects. I noted which of their recommended books were available at my library, not very many. I collected books we already had and noted with pages would fit when. I prepared my English lessons based on their Wisdom Grammar program (can't remember the name exactly). Math, hymns to fit with each unit, field trips, etc. LOL I could have died and Dad or Grandma could have taken over without blinking!! It took hours, days, WEEKS!!
It started off great but somewhere around Abram going to Egypt because of a famine it stalled. The Bible lesson wasn't progressing- we were rehashing the same Gen. verses and chapters over and over, supposed to be looking at it from a different aspect but to a K and 2nd grader, it was boring. I tried tweaking but I was bored too! LOL We pressed on simply because I didn't have the time or energy to switch with the baby. I started getting to the point where I was sick of it and hit the Feb/March burnout season, I was miserable!! We started condensing and skimming through which was amusing to me because many Weaver moms say it takes them about 18 months to do each Volume. We neared the end of Gen. when Joseph is in Egypt and I bailed out.
I felt like with Weaver I was writing my own TM!! I can't do that every year!! Many of their recommended books were too advanced for my kids and I ended up like I was only using Weaver as a topical guide, it was a very weak skeleton to invest in and call my curriculum. While it may work awesome for older ages, many of the moms on the yahoo group and FB group LOVE it, it just did not work for our family.
Grades Used: K-4
This was the very first curriculum we used when we started home schooling 20 years ago. I liked the fact that all of my children were learning the same things in each grade level. The requirements were just more intensive for the upper grade levels as compared to the lower grade levels. I was able to adjust the difficulty of each grade as well as go deeper in any area that sparked an interest in my children just by doing the projects listed under the different grade levels. I really like the fact that all you need to add to Weaver is some language arts and math. I highly recommend Weaver if you are interested in trying a unit study.