I have been homeschooling for about 15 years now. I have used A Beka, Bob Jones, Rod & Staff, Alpha Omega, KONOS and others in my attempt to teach my children the Truth of Scripture. All of these are now in boxes. Although they did contain some truth, the perspective and mindset that this truth was set in is not the mindset I want for my kids.
I *used to* be very deliberate to make sure I was covering all the subject areas listed in the state’s scope and sequence requirements. I no longer worry about this either. The end game that I am preparing my kids for is radically different from the end game that the state has in mind for my neighbors’ kids.
I agree with others who have defined reading, writing and math as the next-to-the bottom line. I add in one suggestion that I am now incorporating with my younger ones: teach them Hebrew as well. My 4 year old knows the Alef-Bet as well as he knows the Alphabet.
And yes, the real bottom line is to teach them Torah. Its truths are pure and simple enough for a child to understand. Teach them who they are, who you as a family are. Teach them about covenant, how important it is. It is the Why for everything else we do. This also is a simple thing for a child to understand (can you say “pinkie promise?”) When you teach history, teach them your family history first – how you came together as a family, how you came into Covenant with God. Then teach them the rest of the history of God’s Covenant people. Then add in the history of the rest of the world as it relates to God’s Covenants.