Curriculum
- What subjects and grades does the curriculum cover, and what makes it special?
- Is the curriculum based on secular teachings or faith-based?
- Can Charter Schools use your curriculums?
Structure and Customization
- How do I get started with the curriculum?
- I'm new to homeschooling. Would your curricula be a good fit for me?
- Do the curricula include everything needed for the class?
- How much time should we spend using the curriculum each day?
- Can curricula be tailored to fit my child's learning style and pace?
- Can it be used for multiple children in different grades?
Assessment
- How can I assess my student’s progress?
- Which courses provide high school credits?
- How well does it prepare students for college or transitioning to work? Will they be ready for whatever comes next?
Support and Community
- How is customer support, and is it easy to get help when needed?
- Where can I find digital resources that go along with the curriculum?
- Are there forums or online communities for parents using this curriculum?
- Can you tell me what other families say about your curriculum?
- Are there reviews or ratings from independent sources?
Shipping and Returns
- What are the shipping and return policies?
- Are there any discounts or grants available?
Philosophy and About BFB
- Who founded the company, and where is the company based?
- What educational philosophy, core values, and principles does the curriculum follow?
- Does the curriculum reflect a specific religious or cultural worldview, and how does it approach the teaching of science?
- Who develops the curriculum and what are their qualifications?
- Has the curriculum received any awards or recognition?
Top FAQ: Question AND Answers
Curriculum
1. What subjects and grades does the curriculum cover, and what makes it special?
We cover grades K-12 with subjects including history, geography, science, electives, and Family Studies such as Music Appreciation. What makes our curriculum special is that it's all about learning through story. You know those classic books you loved as a kid? If you’ve spent time trying to track down your favorite childhood books, or enjoy nothing more than a stroll through a used bookstore, we are kindred spirits! We've brought a bunch of these classics back into print. You and your kids can now dive into those timeless stories and learn from some of the best literature available.
We've been homeschooling for over thirty years, so we get it—parents are short on time. That's why we designed our curriculum with you in mind. Our teacher's guides are super easy to use—you can just open them up and get started. We've packed them with great discussion questions that really get your kids thinking and discovering things on their own. Plus, we've thrown in some extra goodies like hands-on activities, links to family-friendly videos, and superb book recommendations. We've done all the hard work, so you and your kids can enjoy the learning adventure together.
And the best part? Our lessons are totally flexible. You can go at your own pace, breezing through assignments for a quick overview or slowing down to really dive into topics that catch your students' interest—whether it's Abigail Adams, Antarctica, or the ancient composer Ziryab. It's all about letting you and your kids savor those moments of curiosity and exploration to build a peaceful family learning culture.
2. Is the curriculum secular or faith-based?
Our curriculum takes inspiration from Charlotte Mason, so it includes some faith-based elements. The BFB founders are Christian and run the company with Christian values, but the core of our materials are designed to be inclusive–not just for Christians. It's made to be flexible and welcoming. If you ever need details about a specific curriculum, just ask our helpful customer service.
3. Can Charter Schools use the curriculums?
Yes, many Charter Schools use our curricula. We also offer “Charter Approved" versions of our packs that exclude products with religious content. Any materials omitted in these versions are clearly listed on the pack page. You can check out these packs here. Any items that cannot be purchased with charter funds can be purchased individually by a family.
Structure and Customization
1. How do I get started with the curriculum?
Getting started with our curriculum is easy. We recommend picking the subject you want to teach and then choosing the available grade level. That’s it! Our Get Started page is helpful in exploring the available subjects and grade levels for your students. If you plan to teach multiple grade levels at once, check out this article for tips.
2. I'm new to homeschooling. Would your curricula be a good fit for me?
This curriculum is designed with new homeschoolers in mind, providing open-and-go teacher guides that make getting started straightforward and stress-free. We understand the challenges that come with homeschooling. You're not alone in this journey—it's a shared experience of growth and discovery. Here are some insights and practical tips we have gained over the years:
You love your kids more than anyone and you have what it takes to teach them well.
Don’t replicate public school at home. They’re different.
Find what works for you and your kids, no matter what you see on social media.
Structure is good but don’t let it rule the day. All of life is learning so embrace spontaneity.
Lastly, follow your child’s interests and see what happens. This is where homeschooling gets fun.
Remember, the success of your homeschool is not dependent on the perfect curriculum or schedule. Embrace the adventure and find joy in the process. If you ever need to chat or have questions, feel free to reach out.
If you want to start by checking out some free curriculum samples, you can view those here.
3. Do the curricula include everything needed for the class?
Our complete curriculum packs plus the free downloads on our website will give you everything you need for a year. Our proprietary Teacher Guides (included in every pack) have your daily lessons, activities, video and web links, assignments, questions, recipes, book recommendations, and answer keys. All these resources, backed by the decades of homeschool experience of our curriculum team, will help you feel prepared and ready to focus on connecting with your kids.
4. How much time should we spend using the curriculum each day?
For each course we recommend completing a certain number of lessons per week, but it's more important to find what works best for your family. Lesson length can vary based on things like your kids' ages, if you're reading the books aloud, and how many assignments you want to complete. Here's a general idea:
- Primary (K-3): ~30-45 minutes per lesson
- Intermediate (4-8): ~1 hour per lesson
- High School (9-12): ~1.5-2 hours per lesson
To find your family’s unique rhythm, check out these two short articles:
5. Can curricula be tailored to fit my child's learning style and pace?
The curriculum is really flexible and can be easily adjusted to fit your child's learning style and pace. The creators of the Teacher Guides mention that while it can feel like a lot of reading, you don't have to read every single word of every book. You can read many of the books aloud together as a family, or older kids can read on their own. This way, you can set the pace that works best for you—skipping or skimming through parts if needed without losing the course's essence. And if something really grabs your interest, you can slow down and dive deeper.
Homeschooling kids with dyslexia? Check out this article.
6. Can it be used for multiple children in different grades?
Most parents do just that—teaching all their kids together with the same curriculum. For so many parents, the idea of using one curriculum with multiple children and condensing teaching time is a game changer. We have intentionally designed our curriculum to help you spend more time learning together as a family.
For three tips on teaching multiple grade levels, check out this article.
Assessment
1. How can I assess my student’s progress?
Because we don’t use standard assessment tools like quizzes, tests, or memorization, we've created guidelines and resources to help you assess how well students are engaging with the material, inspired by Charlotte Mason’s approach.
For Elementary Students: Focus on how well they listen, the questions they ask, how well they narrate back to you what they have heard, their overall interest in the material, and their follow-through on the assignments. Here are some pointers:
Assess Understanding and Encourage Response: Ask them to explain what they learned. If they can remember and explain it well, that's a great sign. Use questions to help them think about their own ideas and connections. Use Socratic questioning (open-ended questions) rather than asking for specific bits of information. This builds critical thinking skills.
Evaluate Effort and Interest: Consider how much effort they've put in. Did they engage with the material? Did they ask good questions? If your student is eager to learn more, things are on the right track. If interest is lagging, we suggest directing their attention toward a topic of interest found in the material. Spend time researching, checking out books, or watching videos on something they find fascinating. When a student’s interest is re-engaged, their willingness to learn increases.
Check Written Work: This applies to older elementary students. If their notebooks show clear, neat, and complete work, great! If they only completed portions of the assignments, work with them. Showing them the importance of doing their best work (and the joy of reviewing their notebooks years later) will encourage them to give that extra effort.
For Junior and High School: For older students, keep your focus on the student’s listening skills, reading comprehension and speed, if their questions show nuance and depth, their ability to form an argument backed by evidence, and also their written work.
Our curriculum gives clear guidelines and rubrics for writing and research assignments in the resource packets for all junior and high school courses. You can view and download these here. This ensures a clear and structured evaluation of student work across projects, research, and essays.
These guides can be adjusted based on many factors. Our main goal is to help your child grow in their thinking and character.
2. Which courses offer high school credit?
You can find info on which courses offer high school credit, here.
3. How well does it prepare students for college or transitioning to work? Will they be ready for whatever comes next?
This is a really important question. From our four decades of experience, we have found that teaching and learning through stories is key to preparing your kids for life. This method boosts critical thinking, improves reading and writing skills, increases empathy and moral imagination, and makes learning enjoyable—essential for any path ahead.
Kids who learn from living books (those that capture the reader's imagination) naturally want to explore subjects further. They remember more and develop strong analytical skills. They also excel at summarizing and discussing what they've learned, building excellence in communication.
In homeschooling, children benefit especially because their education is personalized. This ability to curate the education around the child helps them build a solid foundation of life skills and character. The outcome of this engagement in their education and in their family life is lifelong learning.
Remember, education isn't about grades, tests, or GPAs—it's about nourishing curiosity, building a strong mindset, and reinforcing a child’s belief in their own ability to continue to learn and grow.
Here’s the latest research showing how homeschooled students perform in college and life:
-The Truth About Homeschoolers in College - From Steppingblocks
-Latest 35 Homeschooling Statistics: Discover the Data (2024) - From Skillademia
Support and Community
1. How is customer support, and is it easy to get help when needed?
Customer support can be reached via the options on our Contact Us page. We love talking to homeschool parents so don’t hesitate to reach out.
2. Where can I find digital resources that go along with the curriculum?
We provide the free picture packets for our studies here.
The helpful teacher guide weblinks page is available here.
Did you receive an email about your download(s) but don't know what your password is? Click here and simply enter your email address and order number to access downloads.
3. Are there forums or online communities for parents using this curriculum?
Yes, there's a very active and engaged Facebook group with thousands of members called Beautiful Feet Curriculum Parent to Parent Support. It's for anyone using or curious about Beautiful Feet Books. You can ask questions, share info, and find encouragement for your homeschooling journey. It's a great place to connect.
4. Can you tell me what other families say about your curriculum?
Here are a few testimonials:
- I find using your studies brings peace to our days as I can teach everyone at once and they love it.—Shannon
- Beyond fabulous. It was so much more than what I learned in school (I graduated from Berkeley). We are learning together as a family. Your curriculum is more than books, it has become another aspect of our lives and we look forward to each next study. —Ashley
- A FEAST for the eyes, mind, and heart.—Shannon J.
- It was truly the best decision in our home education. The kids and I loved the books and the program so much!—Jennifer
- Wonderful and kind service! And such beautiful books… They have very high standards when it comes to fulfilling your orders with the best books they have! —Martha
- My husband taught it for a month when I had a baby in March and he says he wishes he had learned history this way. Me too! This has made history a joy to teach in our home.—Melinda
You can find more testimonials from other families who've used the curriculum here.
5. Are there reviews or ratings from independent sources?
All of our products have been reviewed by Cathy Duffy, the go-to curriculum specialist, and are available on her Cathy Duffy Review site. We have consistently won awards from Practical Homeschooling Magazine, the highest honor in the homeschooling world. These awards are nominated and voted on by homeschoolers themselves and have been the gold standard for 29 years.
Shipping and Returns
1. What are the shipping and return policies?
We offer various shipping options for domestic and international customers. For more information visit Shipping Info.
We want you to love our homeschool products. If not, no worries—there's a 90-day guarantee. For more info, check out our Return Policy.
2. Are there any discounts or grants available?
We currently offer a 10% discount to full-time military, combat-disabled veterans, and missionary families to show our appreciation for their service.
We also support HSLDA grants, which help families with financial challenges cover educational expenses.
For more information on these, and other discounts, click here.
Philosophy and About BFB
1. Who founded the company, and where is the company based?
Beautiful Feet Books began in 1984 thanks to Rea Berg, who wanted to make teaching and learning history more enjoyable and memorable for homeschooling families. Our family-owned business is dedicated to helping homeschoolers navigate their children's education with confidence and joy. We love to spend our days reading top-notch books, sparking lively chats between parents and kids, and curating activities that create family memories. The company is now owned by Josh, one of Russ and Rea’s children, and is based in Atascadero, California.
2. What educational philosophy, core values, and principles does the curriculum follow?
If you're looking for an engaging and well-rounded curriculum built on sourcing the best books, Beautiful Feet Books might be just what you need. It emphasizes teaching through literature, so your kids learn through stories instead of impersonal textbooks.This method stimulates curiosity and critical thinking, making history come alive as a series of human stories, and learning becomes more than just memorization and the recitation of facts.
Inspired by Charlotte Mason's philosophy, the curriculum values a rich educational environment filled with "living books", the arts, time in nature, and exploration. This creates a nurturing atmosphere that promotes lifelong learning and a love for discovery. Learning extends beyond the confines of a desk or kitchen table; it thrives when shared in daily life—at markets, during community service, through music, or at sporting events.
Sharing our core values—generosity, lifelong learning, optimism, and listening—is important to us because they shape how we operate. It's not just about selling books; these values are at the heart of everything we do. They guide us in teaching kindness, igniting curiosity, facing challenges head-on for growth, and truly connecting with our students to meet their needs.
We've written several articles that explore our values and educational approach:
3. Does the curriculum reflect a specific religious or cultural worldview, and how does it approach the teaching of science?
At Beautiful Feet Books, our founders are Christians and we operate with Christian values, but our curriculum isn’t limited to one perspective. It’s designed to be adaptable no matter your background. Some Teacher Guides include things like Bible readings, but those aren’t required elements in the lesson. If you prefer a curriculum pack without religious content, check out our 'Charter Approved' packs here.
When it comes to science and other hot topics, we don’t avoid things like evolution, climate change, slavery, or genocide. We know these can stir up some big thoughts and emotions, so we suggest regularly stopping and talking with your kids about what you both think. Including these topics in our curriculum, in an age-appropriate way, shows students different perspectives which sparks critical thinking, lively discussions, and a nuanced outlook.
You’ve chosen to homeschool because you want to share your beliefs with your children. When learning about sensitive topics, share the roots of your belief and explain how you came to your position and provide your evidence. You will not find us trying to convince you one way or another. Our role is to present facts and evidence in a balanced and calm way.
We present historical figures from various religious backgrounds and aim to honor the events without favoring any side. So, while our Christian roots are strong, we make an effort to offer balanced information that is adaptable to different educational preferences.
4. Who develops the curriculum and what are their qualifications?
Our curriculum is developed by a team of passionate homeschool and education veterans whose backgrounds shine through in their work. From homeschool grads to college professors with degrees in literature, theology, science, english, and history, each brings something unique to the table.
To learn more about our team, click here.
5. Has the curriculum received any awards or recognition?
We're incredibly honored to share that our curriculum has been receiving top honors from Practical Homeschooling Magazine for nearly 20 years. You can explore the full list of awards here. Throughout the years, we've consistently been awarded first place in History, Literature, Unit Studies, Geography, and Music Appreciation categories. These awards hold special meaning for us because they come directly from users themselves, reflecting their trust and satisfaction with our materials. We're deeply grateful for their feedback and recognition.
