Frequently Asked Questions

Curriculum

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.

Our curriculum takes inspiration from Charlotte Mason, so it includes some faith-based elements. The BFB founders are Christian and run the company with these 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.   

Yes, many charter schools use our curriculum. 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      

Getting started with our curriculum is easy. You can search either by grade or subject to see available options for your children. Remember, each of our courses is designed for a grade range so that you can teach multiple students together!

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. 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. Welcome 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.

Our complete curriculum packs, plus the free downloads, will give you everything you need for the 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. 

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
     

Our curriculum is flexible adjustments to fit your child's learning style and pace are encouraged. Activities are optional, and 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.

Most parents do just that—teaching all their kids together with the same curriculum. For 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, see #6 under Support and Community FAQs, "I have students in different grades."

Assessment

Beautiful Feet Books provides guidelines for assessing student progress that emphasize engagement and understanding over traditional quizzes or tests, in keeping with Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy.

For elementary students, the focus should be on their listening skills, the questions they ask, how well they can narrate what they've learned, and their overall engagement with the material and assignments. Here are some key strategies for assessing their progress:

  • Assess Understanding and Encourage Response: Ask students to explain what they've learned. If they can articulate it well, it's a positive sign. Use open-ended questions to encourage deeper thinking and connections, rather than focusing on specific facts.

  • Evaluate Effort and Interest: Pay attention to how much effort they put into their learning and whether they ask thoughtful questions. If their interest wanes, redirect their attention to topics they enjoy within the material and explore them further through research or additional resources to reignite their curiosity.

  • Check Written Work: For older elementary students, assess the quality of their written work. If they consistently produce neat, complete assignments, that's great. If not, work with them to improve. Encourage them to take pride in their work, as it will benefit them in the long term.

For junior and high school students, focus on their listening skills, reading comprehension, the depth of their questions, their ability to form evidence-based arguments, and the quality of their written work.

The curriculum provides clear guidelines and rubrics for writing and research assignments, ensuring structured evaluation of projects, research, and essays. These guides can be adjusted based on individual needs, with the main goal of fostering growth in both thinking and character.

You can find info on which courses offer high school credit, here.

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 compassion 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, while also developing their unique abilities. 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

Shipping and Returns

Shipping Times

Orders are shipped from our California warehouse within 1-2 business days of purchase. Please see note below regarding back orders.

Order Tracking

As soon as orders are packed and shipped an email with tracking information is automatically sent. If you have not received a tracking email your order has not yet been shipped.

Back Orders

With the increased demand for printed books and homeschool curriculum, many publishers are having to reprint books that are included in our studies as required reading. These items will be noted on your packing slip with a "BO." We will automatically ship these items to you when they are back in stock.

Standard Shipping - 5-8 business days

Standard shipping charges:

Orders $0 - $50: Shipping is a flat $5.00

Orders $51 to $149: Shipping is 10%

Orders $150 or more shipping is FREE!*

Please allow for extra delivery time from July through September. Orders shipped to AK or HI are shipped via USPS Media Mail and will be delivered in two to four weeks.

UPS Ground - 3-5 business days

Rush handling and fast shipping times. Actual shipping cost applies.

USPS Priority - 1-3 business days

Extra rush handling and our fastest shipping times. Actual shipping cost applies.

International

All international orders are shipped via USPS International Priority. Delivery generally takes 7-14 business days. Please allow extra time for delivery during July through September. Air shipping charges vary by country and are calculated automatically prior to purchase. 

We do not bill or collect any custom duties, fees, or taxes that might be applicable to an order. We do mark the shipment as "Educational Material" to avoid any charges that might be exempt under that classification. Duties, fees, or taxes must be paid by recipient at time of delivery.


*Free shipping not applicable on international orders, purchase orders, school and co-op orders. Digital products do not count toward the free shipping amount. For shipping cost on purchase orders please call 800.889.1978.

We want you to love our homeschooling books and curriculum. If you're not completely satisfied, we offer a 90-day, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Call us at 800.889.1978 to request a Return Authorization number and return instructions. Products must be returned in resalable condition. Please note: shipping costs incurred by BFB is deducted from all refunds.

*Download items are non-refundable.

We currently offer a 10% discount to full-time military, combat-disabled veterans, and missionary families to show our appreciation for their service. Call or email us for your discount.

We also support HSLDA grants, which help families with financial challenges cover educational expenses. For more information, click here.

Many states offer funding for homeschool curriculums. Give us a call and we can help you determine if there are funding options in your area. To see available programs by state, click here.

We have established partnerships with dozens of online retailers and bookstores across the country. If you are interested in carrying our products, complete an application. Once completed, email your application and resale license to letters@bfbooks.com.

Support and Community

Absolutely! We can be reached via the options on our Contact Us page. We love partnering with parents to help families succeed. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

The free picture and resource packets are available here.        

The helpful teacher guide weblinks pages are available here.

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.

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 here.

All of our products have been reviewed by Cathy Duffy, a go-to curriculum specialist, and are available on her Cathy Duffy Review site.

We have also 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 decades.

1. Evaluate your children's learning abilities

If you have children who are within three grade levels it's typically best to use one study and alter it if necessary.

Not only is this easier for the teacher but we find learning as a group rewarding and beneficial in creating space for multiple perspectives on a subject. Working with one study, and customizing it for your children, is often a better approach than jumping back and forth between two different studies. This can also eliminate the possible confusion of studying different time periods or subject matter.

Note! For those whose oldest is entering junior high, this is a natural transition for when your oldest can, and likely should, begin using a curriculum designed for their specific grade level. The level of reading, advanced vocabulary, and emphasis on writing are all factors that lend themselves to junior high students working independently of their younger siblings.


2. Choose a study for your oldest

This approach is a great solution for families who have multiple grade levels where the oldest is between fourth and eighth grade and younger siblings are spaced out a grade or two below, i.e. 8th, 6th, 4th, or 6th, 4th, and 2nd.

Because the oldest child is most in need of age-appropriate work (as they prepare for high school and beyond) the focus should be on their needs. Choosing a study that fits your oldest child is a way to accomplish that and also include younger children. The oldest can complete all the coursework as written while readings and assignments can be simplified for younger siblings. Because our studies are designed as read-alouds, children of many different age levels can enjoy the same books. Reading aloud is a wonderful way of sharing great stories and strengthening family bonds. As always, parents should evaluate whether this approach is a good fit.


3. Choose A Study That Fits Most, Then Supplement

Choosing a study that works for most of your children allows you to use a single curriculum and simply supplement for an older child who may fall outside the suggested grade range.

This method can work well for those who have multiple children in the K-3rd grade range and maybe an older child in sixth grade, for example. As stated above, reading aloud is a wonderful equalizer in presenting content to children. Older students can learn so much from simple picture books and younger students are better able to comprehend more advanced books than we give them credit. It's one of the many reasons why keeping all your children in one study is so rewarding! In choosing a study that may be too easy for the oldest child, you can use the book recommendations listed in each of our teacher guides to supplement while using the required books with your whole group. Depending on the needs of your oldest child, you can add age-appropriate writing assignments, copywork, or notebooking to make a simpler study more challenging.

For a personalized recommendation for your family, please reach out!

Philosophy and About BFB 

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 empowering families to create an environment where children can learn and grow. 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 Berg, one of Russ and Rea’s children, and is based in Atascadero, California.

Inspired by Charlotte Mason's philosophy, our curriculum values a rich educational environment filled with "living books", the arts, time in nature, discussion, 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 parks and markets, in car rides, during nature walks, through listening to music or watching movies, at a museum or library, touring a new city, attending church or a sporting event.

If you're looking for an engaging and well-rounded curriculum built on sourcing the best books, we have what you're looking for. Our curriculum emphasizes teaching through literature, so your kids learn through stories instead of impersonal textbooks. This method stimulates curiosity and critical thinking, making subjects come alive as a series of human stories, and learning becomes more than just memorization and the recitation of facts.

Sharing our core values—courage, optimism, open-handedness, and wisdom—is important to us because they shape how we operate. It's not just about creating and selling homeschool curriculum; 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 children and students to meet their needs.   

While the founders and the current owner of Beautiful Feet Books are Christians and we operate with Christian values, our curriculum isn’t limited to one perspective. It’s designed to be adaptable no matter your background or beliefs. Some teacher guides include things like Bible readings, but those aren’t required elements in the lesson. If you prefer a curriculum without religious content, check out our 'Charter Approved' packs here.

When it comes to complex and sensitive 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 children about what you believe and why. Including these topics in our curriculum, in an age-appropriate way, shows students different perspectives which sparks critical thinking, lively discussions, and a firm grasp on the nuances of human history. 

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 manner.

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 strive to offer historically-accurate information that is adaptable to different educational preferences.

Our curriculum is developed by a team of passionate homeschool and education veterans whose backgrounds shine through 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.

We've been incredibly honored to receive top awards from Practical Homeschooling Magazine for nearly 20 years. Throughout the years, we've consistently been awarded first place in History, Literature, Unit Studies, Geography, and Music Appreciation. These awards hold special meaning for us because they come directly from homeschool families themselves, reflecting their trust and satisfaction with our materials. We're deeply grateful for their feedback and recognition.

A growing trend in education encourages teaching history chronologically, beginning with ancient civilizations. While well-intentioned, this “start at the beginning” approach often ignores how children actually process and retain information. According to developmental psychologist Jean Piaget, children build understanding in expanding circles—first grasping what’s familiar, like family and community, before connecting with more abstract ideas.

American history offers that immediate connection. Young students are surrounded by symbols of national heritage: holidays, flags, monuments, and even coins bearing the faces of presidents. These elements aren't just decorations—they're entry points into stories that are relevant and personal. As children begin to understand their place in their community and country, the stories of American leaders, events, and struggles resonate more deeply. In contrast, the distant world of ancient civilizations is harder for children to relate to and requires a cognitive maturity most haven’t yet developed.

Historically, societies have taught their own stories first. Greek students learned the history of Greece; British schoolboys studied the British Empire. These stories gave students a sense of identity and belonging before they explored the histories of other nations. Likewise, when American students begin with their own national story, they gain a solid foundation for understanding the broader world.

There's also a practical side. High-quality, age-appropriate literature on ancient history is limited and often lacks depth. In contrast, American history is rich with classic and award-winning children’s books—vivid stories that make history come alive and spark curiosity. These books do more than educate; they foster emotional connections and a love of learning that lasts.

By starting with American history, we give young students stories they can relate to, a sense of where they belong, and the tools to appreciate the history of others.