Why I Wrote My Own Government Course

In “Why I Wrote a Government Course,” Episode, #120, Meredith Curtis shares her homeschool journey in search a government course that would impart earnest wisdom into her children’s hearts and lives. She finally decided to design her own course, Government, God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda—a little bit textbook, a little bit unit study, and a little bit notebook. Her 1-credit high school government course has a fresh, innovative approach based on the truth revealed in God’s Word that all government derives from Him and that the Lord delegates authority and responsibility to the individual, family, church, and sovereign nations. We are in critical times, where preteens and teens need to learn about God’s heart and plan for ruling in all spheres of life!

Show Notes

Homeschooling since 1991, I have read many government textbooks! While many were excellent, they didn’t have everything I was looking for, so I wrote my own government textbook/unit study/notebook.

What I Want:

I want my children …

to understand how government, politics, and elections work in the United States and around the world. I want them to discover what the Bible has to say about authority/responsibility
to see how all authority belongs to God and He is the One who delegates it
to be interested in politics and current events; to pray powerful prayers that change history!
to discuss government and politics with others, at least in our family.
to read classics on law and government.
to have fun doing it! And remember what they learn.

I also want my teens to learn about state visits, jury trials, the military, and national revival. It would be nice to work on a campaign, to read classic law and government books, and to have some fun hands-on learning experiences.

The Problem:

I couldn’t find what I wanted. I found great government textbooks, but they didn’t talk about the family, the individual, and the church. I found many textbooks that were packed with great information, but were dry and frankly, a little boring.

The Solution:

I will write my own. It will be a little like a unit study, a little like a textbook, and a little like a notebook. So I wrote Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda!

Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda

**How Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda is Unique**

Text is written in conversational style like we were drinking coffee and talking
Course is written with a Christian worldview from a Conservative perspective
Amazing list of classic/modern living books to choose from each month
Hands-on/Fun learning: plan & host a state dinner, role-play, help with a political campaign, visit a jury trial, act out a jury trial, plan a political campaign, design promotional media for a political campaign
Current events worksheets and time to pray together about what’s going on in the world
2 leaders/month highlighted to inspire my children to greatness
Incredible list of optional videos, including a few cartoons

**How Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda is Set Up**

Class/Family time 3 or 4 times a month to discuss, watch a video, and enjoy hands-on learning

Independent work weekly

Week 1: hero, current events, notebooking, start classic book
Week 2: Government reading, Self-government (manners) reading, notebooking,
Week 3: hero, current events, notebooking, finish classic book & fill in book report sheet
Week 4: Government reading, Self-government (manners) reading, notebooking

Family Field Trips: Help with political campaign, jury trial, courthouse, etc.

Who is This Book Written For?

Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda is written for teens, preteens, families, homeschool co-ops. It’s set up so that younger siblings can join in for family time each week.

The living book suggestions contain books at different reading levels from middle school to high school. This is a 1-credit high school course, but it’s written clearly enough for a middle school student to enjoy the course and learn everything!

What are Some of the Topics Covered in Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda?

The Source of Government
Self-Government/Manners
Jesus Christ
Kinds of Government
King Alfred
Slavery
Cicero
Law is King
State Visits & State Dinners
The Story of Liberty
Abolitionists
William Wilberforce
Story of Liberty in the USA
William Bradford
The USA Constitution
The Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Justice
Judicial Branch
USA Constitution II
Diplomacy, Ambassadors, Spies
George Washington
State/Local/County Government
Calvin Coolidge
Immigration
Elections
Electoral College
Political Campaign
Ronald Reagan
Resolving Conflict
Military
Winston Churchill
How Do We Pay for Everything?
IRS
Federal Reserve Bank
Andrew Jackson
Wise Counsel
Robert Bork
The Media
Oliver Cromwell
John Bunyan
John Milton
Daniel Defoe
Leadership
Education
Noah Webster
Horace Mann
John Winthrop
Judgment and Revival
Billy Graham

**How Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda Solved My Problem**

Now, preteens and teens are not just learning about government, politics, and elections; they are being immersed in it.

How Can You Create Your Own Government Course?

List everything you want to include:

Books
Videos
Topics
Hands-On Projects
News, Current Events
Field Trips

Then sort everything out over your semester or school year. Or use my course! 

**Where Can I Purchase Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda?**

Purchase Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda in print on Amazon: amazon.com/dp/B08GFZKNXD

Purchase Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda E-book on PowerlineProd:powerlineprod.com/shop/government-gods-blueprint-mans-agenda/

Purchase Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda E-book on TeachersPayTeachers:teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Government-Gods-AgendaMans-Blueprint-5929296

Purchase Government: God’s Blueprint/Man’s Agenda E-book on PayHip: payhip.com/b/o2iZ

Sign up for our Newsletter

Resources

HIS Story of the 20th Century by Meredith Curtis

HIS Story of the 20th Century Middle School Workbook

HIS Story of the 20th Century: High School Workbook by Meredith Curtis

HIS Story of the 20th Century Cookbook by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

Finish Well Radio Show, Podcast #107, 7 Steps to Create Your Own High School Classes with Living Books with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Finish Well Radio Show, Podcast #096, How I Teach English in High School with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Learning with Little Ones Around, Podcast #051, with Meredith Curtis

Finish Well Radio Show, Podcast #025, Tips for Newbies with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Add Humanities to Your Home School

In “Add Humanities to Your Home School,” episode #119, Meredith Curtis talks about humanities—art, music, literature, economics, government, philosophy, religion, architecture, and theology. Meredith shares how her family adds humanities to their history and geography studies. You can, too! The easiest way is through unit studies. You can also add history labs and geography labs to those classes. Broaden your horizons and have fun at the same time as you enrich your home school and bless your children and teens.