Grapevine Studies (Review)

Are you looking for a new, creative, and effective bible curriculum to use with your homeschool students this year? I was so excited to learn about Grapevine Studies, a bible curriculum that uses creative drawings - stick figures - to teach bible studies to children. Through my participation in the TOS Crew, I was blessed with the Grapevine Studies unit of my choice. Grapevine Studies has many units to choose from, and will be adding more soon as well. You can find their website at http://grapevinestudies.com

I chose to use a multi-level program because I prefer to teach bible studies with all of my children at the same time. However, if you prefer, there are more specific age-based studies to choose from too.

The study I selected from Grapevine Studies is titled Old Testament Basics. It is meant to be used for students ages 7 and up. I received a Teacher’s Manual, as well as students books for each of my 3 children, ages 12, 9, and 7. The author, Dianna Wiebe (a homeschool mom herself, of 4 graduates!) was very helpful in assisting me with deciding which studies would work with the ages of my children.



I found the Teacher’s Manual to be laid out well, with clear explanations on how to use this study. Included in the Teacher’s Manual is a Statement of Faith, as well as Teacher Goals, and Student Goals. A suggested supply list is also included, suggesting inexpensive items to assist in using the Grapevine Studies, such as a bible, dry erase board, dry erase markers, and colored pencils. Most homeschoolers already have these on hand!

This series can be used at home, for school, or even at church for a children’s Sunday School class.

I appreciated how the author gave a thorough, yet brief explanation on how to use and teach from the Teacher’s Manual. That is a big plus for me as a homeschooler.

The author encourages using colors and letting your child express their own creativity while drawing the stick figures and symbols to represent what they are learning. This proved as an inventive method to engage my children in the bible studies. They enjoyed copying my drawings, as well as making them their own and using the different colors to represent different items, such as purple for God. By drawing the figures and symbols, I believe my children will be able to visualize and remember what they learned.

Old Testament Basics covers lessons from facts about the bible to who God is to Creation all the way through the New Testament to the Gospel in a question and answer format. There are 225 questions and answers in this study. I am glad that I decided to start with this study, as I believe it will give my children a good foundation for further bible studies. We are enjoying using the Old Testament Basics study and learning God's Word and bible facts through this fun and creative method! This study can be used as a stand-alone or as a companion to another study by Grapevine.

Grapevine Studies offers their studies in hardcopy format that they will ship directly to you or, if you prefer in an e-book format that you can download and print yourself. Prices vary for different levels, and also depend on whether you order a hardcopy or e-book.

Here’s the various levels explained to get an idea of which levels are offered, and how to use with your students.

Beginner Ages 5-7 Pre-K- K
These fun and engaging books are designed with small children in mind. Take a look at how you can effectively teach young children even when they have the wiggles!

Level 1 Ages 6-8 Grades 1-2
Take a step beyond the Beginner. Teachers will introduce Bible timelines and teach more in-depth lessons. Your students will never complain about being bored again!

Level 2 Ages 8-10 Grades 3-4
Level 2 students will continue to learn the Bible timeline and memorize important biblical facts that every believer would benefit from knowing. Students will love drawing the Bible!

Level 3 Ages 10-13 Grades 5-8
Bible geography sets this level apart. Not only will students learn the major characters and events of the Bible they will also know where these events take place.

Level 4 Teen-Adult Grades 9-Adult
Students will master the Bible timeline, be introduced to Bible study tools, and practice using a Bible Dictionary, Concordance, and Topical Bible.

Level 5 Teen-Adult Independent
Mature believers will enjoy these self-directed Bible studies. Students will practice inductive study skills, answer critical thinking questions, do hands-on projects, and choose research projects.

Multi-Level Ages 7 and up
Do you need to teach several age groups at one time? These studies will help you effectively teach each age while maintaining the interest of all students.

Be sure to check out Grapevine Studies and sign up for their FREE e-newsletter that includes a FREE lesson.

Prices for the products I received: The teacher's guide is available in softcover for $23.95 and each softcover student book is $13.25.

You can SAVE NOW on Grapevine studies through August 30, a 30 percent discount is available by using the code "acrew" on their website http://grapevinestudies.com

Thanks for reading, and be sure to stop by the Crew Page for Grapevine studies to read more Grapevine Reviews from my crewmates!

*The author’s review and opinion is entirely her own. This product was provided to the author for free as a member of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew. No further compensation was received.*