New and thinking of starting with A Beka

Anna - posted on 02/16/2013

Jessica,

For the grade levels you have, I would go with SOS (Switched on Schoolhouse)!

When you go with A Beka video, its "lisensed"/rented to you for one year. I did that.

SOS is $75 a subject during their 20% off sale in spring and you keep it for _all_ your children! There is room for 5 students in the system, and you could delete one that is finished to add a new one later if necessary.

It is so flexible and you can schedule the exact school year you want and it prorates the lessons out over that time. Its not boring like a classroom could be. It has a lot of different media included. You can use the teacher software to plan, record, or assign non SOS classes or assignments as well.

One thing a video can't do is *grade* most the questions (teacher does the essay questions)! :D

SOS has a sort of unofficial yahoo group you can join for support.

HTH,

Anna

Jessica - posted on 02/16/2013

what is the free online christian academy called? also, is it accredited? would love to be able to have them on a schedule to graduate.... not confident in me setting up my own schedule, and piecing together all that they need to know. I have a third and fifth grader, but also a baby and a 2yr old to attend to, so we are looking at A Beka online dvd series. But that is a bit steep.... so looking for alternative. TIA!

Anna - posted on 08/12/2009

Maybe you could look at my post on the other Abeka question... After using it with 3 going on four children, I weed a lot of extra stuff out. Abeka was made to keep children in a school environment busy... takes a lot of unnessessary time up. After K, I go to 2nd gr. (1/2 of 1st gr is in K and 1/2 in 2nd). They are so thorough for those that are new each year.

Rosemarie - posted on 08/11/2009

It's been years since doing the Abeka preschool program, but my kids loved it! This is our 9th year homeschooling and we've used Abeka from preschool through the present. It is what I call a "structured" learning curriuculum, when compared to some of the other literature based programs. If you're concerned about the workload and are willing to adjust it to your needs, I think it's worth the investment. My kids have a solid educational foundation and consistently score extremely high above their grade on achievement tests. My oldest daughter was having a tough time with Abeka during 3rd grade, so in 4th grade we decided to switch to Sonlight. It was the biggest mistake we made! She basically lost half a year of school, and it took her another year to catch up. I know plenty of people who love it, but unfortunately, it just didn't work out for us! We also added KONOS to our curriculum one year and that added lots of fun projects and activities although I didn't feel comfortable using that as our sole teaching material. I am now in the process of migrating the kids over to Bob Jones, which we started to add this past year. It is another "heavy workload" curriculum, but the text books are amazing and my daughters loved it especially the literature. We were always very concerned about our kids having a strong educational foundation and Abeka has provided that above and beyond our expectations! We also really liked the fact that the Lord is consistently mentioned and that there are bible verses in the texts and workbooks, that was a plus for us too. I have a 2 1/2 year old son, who has been learning his alphabet and numbers, so I will be going to my boxes of Abeka preschool books to start teaching him as well. His attention span is about 5 minutes, so we'll just adjust to what he is capable of doing. Remember, you don't have to do every last problem or question just because it's in the book! You can even skip some lessons as well. My best advice is to let your child be your guide and take more time with lessons he struggles with and move along on lessons he's mastering. One last thought, if you start with Abeka and it doesn't work out, there are plenty of other options out there...don't worry about it! You'll find what fits best for your child! Hope this helps you...I know there's lots of posts here...they all have great advice!

Robin - posted on 07/27/2009

I absolutely love Abeka. I haven't had too much of a problem with it but then again I like things that are completely layed out for me. I dont like having to come up with a curriculum plan and such on my own. I have never been good at that. I was able to buy my K4 curriculum fairly cheap compared to buying it from the website. I searched online for used curriculum groups and found a k4 teacher that is no longer teaching anymore. She sent me everything I needed for only $50 bucks. You can also find the curriculum on ebay. Ppl decide that they dont want to homeschool and just post their new stuff on there. Most has never been used. Also, I was homeschooled from 7th-12th through a private school and I did the A.C.E self paced books. I really enjoyed it but didn't feel like I was getting anything from it. I like having someone talk to me, show me things, and actually teach me. Which is why I enjoy Abeka. I use the Teacher curriculum plans and such that go along with it so that I know what I am supposed to do and I'm actually showing/teaching my kids something instead of having them just do seatwork. There is alot with Abeka but you can plan your day according to the needs of your child. For instance, you could do math, and letters one day. Then art, and Bible the next. Listen to your child and find out how much they can take. You could even do a subject then do some preschool songs, dancing, get the child moving. Maybe go outside for a walk then come in and do another subject. I hope this has helped a little. I am still trying to decide how I'm going to set up my day. I want to incorporate afternoon walks into it. I am going to do one day a week at the park, one day a week for Preschool story time at library, so I have some terrific ideas. =)

Holly - posted on 07/24/2009

Don't feel like you have to do every assignment. There' s a lot of seatwork in A Beka. I use it and I love it. For instance, I did not have my son do any of the handwriting assignments during the school year because there was a lot of writing already in the curriculum. However, this summer, he's been doing those handwriting pages. He's in first grade and I used A Beka since pre K with him. When I started pre K with my son, several homeschool moms thought it was ridiculous for me to do it, but I was glad that I did. I gave me a year to get used to homeschooling. I learned the importance of patience that year. That year made the kindergarten year so much easier than it would have been if I hadn't done preK.

Stephanie - posted on 07/13/2009

I have been using A Beka since I started homeschooling. I also grew up using it in the christian school I grew up in. My husband also used it in his school. I love it. I have looked at others but I can't get away from A Beka.

Michelle - posted on 02/24/2009

We have been using the Abeka DVD program and really like it. I like the structure and challenge it gives to my kids (3rd, 2nd and Kindergarten). I do supplement with some Answers in Genesis science stuff because my kids love science and it is fun. My daughter started Kindergarten a year early and she is doing great. I think the biggest decision maker for me was what was I looking for? I wanted something that was all put together for me when I first started homeschooling, so I wouldn't have to piece things together myself. My kids did some LifePac, but found them boring and the fact that my oldest would sit down and do an entire LifePac in one sitting. It wasn't challenging enough for him. Abeka does have a lot of memorization which I think is great. Children are sponges and the things they learn now (Scripture and poetry) they won't forget. I think Abeka math and phonics are tremendous. It is expensive, but I'm getting what I pay for - a complete curriculum with lesson plans and an excellent education for my children.

Linda - posted on 02/21/2009

Abeka worked great for my four boys--especially their reading and phonics program. They all learned to read well in kindergarten. It is advanced so it may not work with some late-bloomers. However, it worked great for us. There are a lot of math problems--but there's no rule that says your child has to do every problem in the book. I usually have them do some review, but if I know they understand it I skip it. The spiraling review that both Saxon and Abeka offers in math is crucial. This ensures that they don't forget a concept the learned in September by May.

Debbie - posted on 02/11/2009

I agree with Melissa, Lifepac has worked really well for us.  Later on, if you want, at third grade you can move on to Alpha Omega Switched On Schoolhouse.  I have not used it, yet, but a friend of mine has two boys, and they really like it.  I have two first graders.  I will say this, I have a son with learning struggles, and Abeka would absolutely not work for him.  I basically pieced together his curriculum - Handwriting without tears, Math u See, Scaredy Cat Reading, Lifepac Science, and I do my own social studies from the internet and books.  The great thing about homeschooling is that it is flexible.  Granted, we'd love to pick one curriculum and stick to it until graduation, but for many kids that isn't possible.  Please remember, if you try it, and it doesn't work - you can switch, you're not locked in to any particular curriculum.  That's hard to remember, especially when we pay so much for materials! :)  You can also supplement - library books, internet resources, etc.  There is so much out there.

Melissa - posted on 01/28/2009

Hi, when my son attended a christain school he used abeka . He only attending for one yr and then I started homeschooling,  what I found with abeka is~ It is very expensive~It is about 2 yrs above what your child's grade level is.  Now with that said as a teacher myself I know children will end up in the same place in about 6th or 7th grade so why push them so hard as abeka does?  We use Lifepac Alpha Omega,  It is a great curriculum, the student learns at his own pace and he does learn alot but in a fun structured way.  I have used BJU,abeka,and lifepac and love lifepac above all.  I hope this helps.

Bobbi - posted on 01/28/2009

I think it all depends on your child and how they learn. A Beka has alot of structure and some memorization. It does have alot of seatwork, but much of it is reinforcement of previous and new concepts. The phonics program is exceptional and my daughter has very well with it (as with most I know that have used it). We enjoy A Beka and it "fits" my daughter very well.

Sue - posted on 01/23/2009

I have used Abeka with my son for years I started out with it the math I found was not good for the way my son learns. We use BJU press for math. But the reading and history is the best as far as I'm concerned. We do follow all the course work with Abeka but we don't do all the seat work. We do hands on activity's to make up for it also when my so has gotten the concept being taught we move and don't finish just to finish.

Katrina - posted on 01/23/2009

Hi there!  I have used A Beka on and off since I was in the 7th grade myself and then with my children.  They are strong in their Christian History/Social Studies and Science.  Those are the subjects that I use from them.  It has worked well for us to just use those and mix them in with the other one that we use which is Christian Light.  I really like Christian Light and it has worked well to teach my oldest to read.  I will use it for my younger ones as well.  I make my own schedule and add in alot of hands on activities.  Blessings!

Robin - posted on 01/23/2009

Thanks Suesan and Kristina.  I'll definitely keep all that in mind as we prayerfully decide how to structure our days.  I think my first child and I will prefer some structure but good to know my options as we proceed.

Kristina - posted on 01/23/2009

I believe it all depends on how structured you want to be with schooling - I have a daughter in 3rd and one in 8th grade - I used Abeka for 1st grade and 6th grade, I was afraid that I would rob my children of a basic education if I didnt have something with a plan.  A Beka became a bit rich for my pocketbook but I love the fact that the materials that my children needed to know is all there and based around God and creation. - I have since found a free homeschool academy online that gives them the assignments needed to get a basic education with the freedom of not having a class schedule - we work on assignments as we have time. - It is working well for us - again, I prefer more structure so I know my kids wont be robbed of basic knowledge that I believe kids should have at the comfort of home.  It all depends on your schooling comfort level and what you want for your children.  There is no right answer and there is no wrong answer, as long as you are giving your children what you believe they need.

Kristina

Aurora, CO

Suesan - posted on 01/22/2009

i have used abeka and others. I would say for one of my children it worked great. she loves structure aand for my son it's to boring. It is a great starting point. it helps you set up your day with out much thought. I would venture away from stuff that takes alot of work on your part until you've made a routine for you and your son. it is great to learn how to read. there phonics lessons are great. my 7 year old can read books at a 12 year old level. I'm looking for something different for him now. I'm doing My Fathers World kindergarten with my thrid son and its simple and all inclusive it does require a weekly libary trip.

Robin - posted on 01/22/2009

Thanks for the advice and encouragement Christie!

Christie - posted on 01/21/2009

hey hey...im new to COM. but been on FB a while.  i have been homeschooling going on 4 years now. LOVE it !!! its great to hear that your starting...dont take this the wrong way but i would URGE you to stay away from A Beka. simply because from the moms that i have know (which has been a lot) have been VERY VERY, (did i mention VERY) burned out by it. it is a lot of seat work and grading. and memorizing instead of learning.....which is going to drag you down and take the JOY out of HS.  i would highly recommend  Christian Liberty Press, Answers in Genesis (science) and Conssidering Gods Creation (science) also Weaver from Alpha and Omega is really good. For reading i have used 100 easy lessons and it worked great with mine. also i would suggest to make it FUN. i would also urge you to stay away from making a "school room".  we ( in HS community) have been so blessed to be able to homeschool and not make it a copy of a "traditional" school, in our home. that takes the joy and fun of learning. i have never had a schedule, more of a routine, which works out for my family. you have to be able to go with the flow and let him enjoy and take his time learning what he is interested in.  we also do the charlotte mason approch, its a delight directed learning and we are HUGE book worms in my home........thats my 2 cents. ;0)  also.....not sure if your a Christian or not, but if so. rememeber that you are honoring the Lord by teaching your son at home and being able to show him the Word of God and the Truths of HIS Word. HE will bless you for that.