Principle Approach® Resources and Noah Plan® Product Guide
The Two Big Questions
Methodology and Philosophy
People often ask, so what is the Principle Approach anyway? Why is it distinctive from other methods of education? What makes The Noah Plan curriculum so different from other Christian curricula?
The answers to these questions are found in the philosophy and method of Principle Approach education.
Two Models of Education
The philosophy and methodology of the Principle Approach draws from two historic models of education to develop Christian character and Christian scholarship. One model is found in the Bible, the Hebraic method of the teacher as mentor. The other is from our distinct American Christian heritage in the early colonial period, the founding era that birthed our liberty.
The Cornerstone
The Principle Approach is a way of teaching and learning that puts the Word of God at the heart of every subject and teaches the student how to think and learn. The philosophy and method include these three distinct characteristics:
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Teaches students to reason Biblically for themselves, producing excellent Christian scholarship
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Nurtures individual self-government in each student, causing him to take responsibility for his own education and growth
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Sets all learning in the context of God’s hand moving in providential history—His Story
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Upholds the teacher and parent as a living textbook, the essential mentor, example, and mediator of learning to the student
What is the Principle Approach philosophy?
The philosophy is based on
The Seven Principles (each builds on the one before)
Remember: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
(2 Corinthians 3:17)
- God’s Principle of Individuality: unique created personhood—every person born is created in the image of God and is worthy and valued, and has purpose in Him
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- The Christian Principle of Self-Government: each individual has the authority and responsibility to govern himself—the survival of a republican form of government depends on this premise. Limited government requires self-governance in the ordinary citizen. External government and excessive governmental regulation is the consequence of a people who choose not to govern themselves.
- The Christian Principle of Christian Character: the importance of individual integrity—a requirement for citizens to sustain true liberty from the inside out
- The
- The Christian Form of Local Self-Government: “Where the law is administered, the law is made.” Electing wise leaders who understand the concept and importance of jurisdiction is essential to policy that perpetuates freedom instead of eroding it
- The Christian Principle of American Political Union: political union requires voluntary internal unity—the founding fathers pledged to each other their “lives, [their] fortunes, and [their] sacred honor . . .” In order to preserve freedom for generations, the people of the United States must recognize their brotherhood and shared governmental philosophy, values, economic policy, and history of faith and education—the method of passing liberty on to the next generation.
The Principle Approach Method: Characteristics that Set It Apart
The Principle Approach method of education is the manner of consistent and ordered teaching and learning that produces Christian character and self-government, Christian scholarship, and Biblical reasoning for lifelong learning and discipleship.
The notebook method is an essential component to the Principle Approach that governs the teacher and student in their participation in each subject. It establishes a consistent tool and standard of Christian scholarship. The learners are producers as they build their own daily record of a subject, taking ownership of the learning process. The notebook method embraces the four steps of learning: research, reason, relate, and record. It aids in the Biblical purposes of education by “enlightening the understanding, correcting the temper, and forming the habits of youth that fit him for usefulness in his future station.” (excerpted from the Webster’s 1828 Dictionary definition of education) The notebook method is the product of the student’s creativity and a permanent record of his productivity. It assists parents and teachers in overseeing progress and visually demonstrates the character development, diligence, and responsibility of the student.
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Workbook Method |
Notebook Method |
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Curriculum is structured by the pursuit of information and its regurgitation. Glorifies man and his knowledge. |
Curriculum is structured by Biblical principles and leading ideas. Glorifies God as the Author of the subject. |
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Produces no record of learning—papers are discarded, workbooks destroyed. Student has no sense of value for the effort. Parents are uncertain of what is being taught. |
Produces a permanent record of learning. Student values his labor and is able to refer back to his study. Parents see what is being taught, required, and supervise the child’s progress. |
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Produces the ability to take short answer tests with a “recognition” mentality. Students parrot back the “right” answers for the A on the test. |
Produces reflective understanding. Essay tests require an understanding of principles and concepts. Students reason for themselves and solve problems. |
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Discourages a lifelong enjoyment of learning |
Produces philomaths—people who love and pursue a lifetime of learning. |
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The burden of learning rest on the teachers! |
The burden of learning rests on the student! |
4-R’ing—in every subject at every grade level, the student is required to actively participate in his learning by:
1) Researching the subject, word, or study
2) Reasoning through identifying the leading idea and basic principles
3) Relating it to other areas of study and the world around them
4) Recording what he has learned in his notebook using his writing skills and his own ideas, conclusions, and creativity
Each child’s notebook is a reflection of his unique individuality!
Reasoning from recurring Biblical principles and leading ideas—every study draws out a leading idea that relates to one or more of the seven basic principles built on God’s Word. The seven principles (listed above) are the documented source of
Reflective learning—the student internalizes principles that shape his thinking and behavior—internal to external.
Fine arts and liberal arts emphasis—building the person from the inside out requires the teacher to encourage the student’s creativity, talent, gifts, and inherent skills—seeking each one’s unique purpose in Christ.
The classroom constitution—instills Christian character and conscience by empowering the student to take responsibility for his own learning and the learning environment where he contractually agrees to practice self-government.
Mastery learning—repetition of basic recurring principles at every grade level, continually applying age-appropriate methods to enable the student to internalize and understand his subject of study.
Resources for Understanding the Methodology
The Noah Plan Self-Directed Study book and CD
The