Beautiful Feet Books

Charlotte Mason, literature-based, story-centered

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Available in OpenEd Marketplace

Grade level:

K-12

Educational philosophy

Charlotte Mason, literature-based, story-centered

General Summary

Literature-based, Charlotte Mason-inspired history curriculum
Print-based with open-and-go teacher's guides
Christian worldview but can be adapted for secular use
Moderate to high parent involvement required
One-time purchase with options to reduce costs

Quality Literature & Book Selection

Parents consistently praise Beautiful Feet Books' literature choices:

"LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the included books! Well written & easily understood by my children."

"My kids regularly pull the books from the shelves just to read for fun."

Flexible Implementation & Structure

Parents appreciate the program's flexibility and thorough but manageable workload:

"Excellent literature choices... not overwhelming amount of work... spans large age group."

"There are great book selections, mapping, online sites to explore, and activity suggestions. The beauty is you can do the activities when you want and skip when you need to."

Depth of Learning & Discussion

Parents value the deep conversations and understanding fostered by Beautiful Feet Books:

"It goes way beyond picture books into geography, culture and character lessons. There are Christian elements but it is not hammered in... Everything is gentle but leads to wonderful discussions... and can be adapted for multiple ages."

"My son still loves to study history. That was my favorite history study we did."

High Parent Involvement Required

Parents acknowledge that Beautiful Feet requires significant parental time and energy:

"If mom reads everything aloud, it can be a lot."

"They do not reap enough benefit this way. The study begs to be done corporately."

Content Considerations

Some parents express concerns about certain books or perspectives in older guides:

"In 'The Courage of Sarah Noble'... Native Americans are referred to as 'Indians' and stereotyped as 'savages' throughout the text."

"Books like this don't belong anywhere near my bookshelf."

Who Thrives With Beautiful Feet Books?

Well-Suited For:

Families who enjoy reading aloud and discussing books together
Parents who can dedicate regular time to teaching and conversation
Students who learn well through literature and narrative
Families seeking a gentle, relationship-centered approach to history
Those wanting a Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum with structure

Consider Alternatives If:

You have very limited time for read-alouds and discussion
Your children strongly prefer hands-on learning over books
You need a self-directed curriculum with minimal parent involvement
You prefer a strictly secular approach without adaptation
Your budget doesn't allow for purchasing multiple books

Our Bottom Line

Beautiful Feet Books offers a warm, story-centered curriculum that many families love for its depth and literary quality. The program excels at bringing history to life through carefully selected books and thoughtful discussion questions. However, it demands significant parent involvement and time commitment. Families who embrace read-alouds and discussion-based learning will likely find Beautiful Feet Books creates an enriching educational experience that fosters both knowledge and a love of learning.

Subjects covered

Core subjects covered: History (Early American, Ancient, Medieval, Modern U.S. & World History), Geography (U.S. and World Geography), Science/Nature Studies

Electives: Music Appreciation, Character Education Studies

Themed literature collections: Author-based bundles, thematic packs for holidays and special topics

Special emphasis: Literature-based, Charlotte Mason-inspired approach, multi-age learning, family-centered discussions

Teaching Format

Print-based: Primarily a print-based, “open-and-go” curriculum using physical books and a teacher’s guide

Implementation choices:
- Parent-led using printed materials (requires daily parent teaching and oversight)
- Optional digital supplements available (e.g., downloadable maps, timelines, and worksheets)

Assessment: No formal assessments; relies on discussions and notebook entries for evaluation

Lesson structure: Short lessons (20–40 minutes) with reading, discussion questions, and hands-on activities

Flexibility: Designed for multi-age use, allowing siblings to learn together; adaptable materials for different grade levels

Pricing

Pricing: One-time purchases of individual items or bundles

Complete packs: Include teacher’s guide, required literature books, and often a blank notebook

Example pack price: Early American History (K–3) Pack retails for approximately $338 but is available for around $259.95 in the bundle

Individual components: Available for separate purchase; teacher’s guide typically costs around $20–$30

Cost-saving options: Use libraries or secondhand books to reduce expenses; many titles are likely available in public libraries

Free resources: BFB provides free downloads of certain materials and occasional free sample lessons

Parent Involvement

High parent involvement required

Daily responsibilities: Parents read aloud frequently, lead discussions, and facilitate projects; significant time and energy needed, especially in elementary years

Preparation: No prep work required for lessons, but parents need to guide students through activities and discussions

Teaching requirements: Parents act as primary teachers, mentoring and co-learning with children rather than just supervising

Assessment duties: Parents evaluate students' written entries and reports, ensuring deep conversations and understanding

Overall commitment: Expect to be actively engaged; BFB is designed for parents who want to be deeply involved in the homeschool process

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