Education experts, I need help, Abeka program??

[ilovejack02]

I have a sweet 4 yr old boy who is in pre k. He is learning quite a bit, ( cant remember the curriculum at the moment) but he is doing well. His teacher are loving and kind. They do some paper work, but not alot. Im not all excited by paperwork, I kept thinking that there are other ways to learn, but whatever its just pre k for now and he loves it and they love him and I can see he is learning. My problem lies in what to do next yr??? He can attend the school he goes to , they have a half day kindergarten that follows the public school program but is half day adn then the next yr he can go to full day kindergarten or if he is ready on to first grade He has a very late birthday (Aug 6) and a little immature, but not real bad and never causes behavior problems in school, but because of his age im thinking of holding him back. What are your thoughts on the Abeka program? There is a Baptist school near me that uses it. I know this is a vague question, but im just clueless on how it works. I read something about it teaches reading with phonics, which I like that idea. I learned to read with phonics and then when my oldest started school, they didnt use it and I had NO IDEA how to help him and it really seemed to not be the best way to learn for him. Thanks so much, I know this is kinda big question.

 

[tkd lisa]

I know a teacher at a Baptist school who uses this program. She speaks very highly of it. According to her, it gives her the flexibility to work with different levels of children, while still being sure that the basics are covered.

 

[mommytoe]

I have been using Abeka with my youngest. She loves it.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I have a sweet 4 yr old boy who is in pre k. He is learning quite a bit, ( cant remember the curriculum at the moment) but he is doing well. His teacher are loving and kind. They do some paper work, but not alot. Im not all excited by paperwork, I kept thinking that there are other ways to learn, but whatever its just pre k for now and he loves it and they love him and I can see he is learning. My problem lies in what to do next yr??? He can attend the school he goes to , they have a half day kindergarten that follows the public school program but is half day adn then the next yr he can go to full day kindergarten or if he is ready on to first grade He has a very late birthday (Aug 6) and a little immature, but not real bad and never causes behavior problems in school, but because of his age im thinking of holding him back. What are your thoughts on the Abeka program? There is a Baptist school near me that uses it. I know this is a vague question, but im just clueless on how it works. I read something about it teaches reading with phonics, which I like that idea. I learned to read with phonics and then when my oldest started school, they didnt use it and I had NO IDEA how to help him and it really seemed to not be the best way to learn for him. Thanks so much, I know this is kinda big question.

My son used Abeka when he was in the 1st and 2nd grades. They have a textbook for each subject. (lots of paper work) They also have test books for each subjects. The

You can go to their website and order a catalog or order one or books.(they are very cheap) That will give you an idea of what to expect.

I used Abeka books at home with my son as enrichment. I prefer that to having it used as a school curriculum. Most of the schools that I know of that used Abeka, tended to have a high number of uncertified teachers. The teachers didn't have to develop detailed lesson plans or make up their own test since they are included with the curriculum.

If I had it to over again, I'd avoid schools that used Abeka exclusively. I think Abeka is a great curriciulum. I just expect schools to go beyond what Abeka offers.

 

[plgrn]

I was raised on ABeka! Hated it at the time because it seemed tough, but college is a breeze for me now so I'm grateful for it.

 

[Beca]

I taught at a private school that used Abeka. The school told parents it was selected because it worked at almost a full grade level higher than our public schools. I honestly don't know whether that was true or not.

The teachers loved it because it was VERY easy to teach...they really do everything for you. As a parent, I would not be happy with it because, at least 15 yrs ago when I was teaching there, it was ALL "worksheet" based.

They're science books were also VERY anti-evolution.

However, I have thought of purchasing some Abeka books to supplement my dd's education. She's a crazy kid....she LOVES worksheets!!!

 

[ilovejack02]

My son used Abeka when he was in the 1st and 2nd grades. They have a textbook for each subject. (lots of paper work) They also have test books for each subjects. The

You can go to their website and order a catalog or order one or books.(they are very cheap) That will give you an idea of what to expect.

I used Abeka books at home with my son as enrichment. I prefer that to having it used as a school curriculum. Most of the schools that I know of that used Abeka, tended to have a high number of uncertified teachers. The teachers didn't have to develop detailed lesson plans or make up their own test since they are included with the curriculum.

If I had it to over again, I'd avoid schools that used Abeka exclusively. I think Abeka is a great curriciulum. I just expect schools to go beyond what Abeka offers.

Just to add, the school I was looking at also uses the Shurley Method along with it. I will keep what you said in mind. Thanks!

 

[twocjsmom]

My older DS's preschool used Abeka for his three year old and four year old years. I agree that it is very paperwork oriented, but I have to say that I liked that because it was easy to see day by day what he was working on. I do think that the skills introduced are about a year ahead of what is typical, which worked out quite well for my son because he was up to the challenge. When he switched schools upon entering kindergarten, his skills in reading and math were more than a year ahead of his peers. It also seemed to given him a good blend of phonics and sight word reading skills.

I work at my son's school as a school psychologist, and can say for sure that the kids I know in his class and this years kindergarten class who attended the preschools with the Abeka approach are faring much better in regard to reading skills than others.

 

[Sinderelli]

Just to add, the school I was looking at also uses the Shurley Method along with it. I will keep what you said in mind. Thanks!

I teach the Shurley method in my 1st grade classroom- I can help you with any questions you have.

 

[ilovejack02]

My older DS's preschool used Abeka for his three year old and four year old years. I agree that it is very paperwork oriented, but I have to say that I liked that because it was easy to see day by day what he was working on. I do think that the skills introduced are about a year ahead of what is typical, which worked out quite well for my son because he was up to the challenge. When he switched schools upon entering kindergarten, his skills in reading and math were more than a year ahead of his peers. It also seemed to given him a good blend of phonics and sight word reading skills.

I work at my son's school as a school psychologist, and can say for sure that the kids I know in his class and this years kindergarten class who attended the preschools with the Abeka approach are faring much better in regard to reading skills than others.

Thanks that is good to know!

 

[horseshowmom]

I was raised on ABeka! Hated it at the time because it seemed tough, but college is a breeze for me now so I'm grateful for it.

My daughter used to complain about it some too but feels exactly like you do now. She's on scholarship in an early entry pharmacy program and has friends who were in AP classes in high school come to her for help with their college classes.

I taught at a private school that used Abeka. The school told parents it was selected because it worked at almost a full grade level higher than our public schools. I honestly don't know whether that was true or not.

Besides homeschooling my daughter, I have also worked in public schools for many years (am currently an administrator). I would definitely agree that it is about a grade level ahead of what is generally taught in public schools. When people come to me to ask about A Beka, I tell them that we were very pleased with it, but it is a challenging curriculum and not all students do well with it. I really think that mostly applies to students who are further along in school and may be struggling with what they're already doing though.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I used Abeka when I homeschooled my kids..It was good... When my DS was just starting to read I purchased a book called Teach Your CHild to Read in 100 Easy Lessons...The lessons were about 15 minutes each and I did 2 a day..We started it in September and I swear to you that by November my DS read Treasure Island on his own http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Your-Ch...bbs_sr_1/002-2634312-2325638?ie=UTF8&s=bookss

...This book is excellent.

 

[Equidae]

I was raised on ABeka! Hated it at the time because it seemed tough, but college is a breeze for me now so I'm grateful for it.

I was raised using it too -- honestly I credit a lot of my grammar and reading skills to their methods. Seems to have worked for me -- I'm currently working on a Master's.

 

[Buckalew11]

Our school uses it and over the years has also added other programs as well. But Abeka was great for learning to read and spelling. I can't remember w/o looking what and when we changed programs. Abeka has definitely been good for my 7th grader.