Ok, all you homeschoolers, past and present, I need your input. I just pulled my kindergarten daughter out of school. I've just ordered the Abeka books for reading/phonics and math for K5. I'm thinking on the 1st grade set...they're pricey, so I hope the K5 will be challenging enough for now. Here are my questions. With the Abeka materials, do I *really* need to purchase the parents' lesson plans/curriculum? Or does it just make it a bit easier? After exchange (my Canadian bucks), it gets pricey. My daughter attends Sunday school with her friend, but we're not religious. I don't have a problem with her learning about Christianity, but I want her to think for herself when she's older. Has anyone not really religious used these books happily? Are they religiously overwhelming to those not religious? I have only read good things about Abeka, including those that thought they were more religious than they wanted. Also, any comments on how early Abeka begins teaching writing as opposed to printing? Thanks.

-- Rheba (rbeall@etown.net), March 27, 2001

Answers

Hi Rheba,

We use ABeka for science, health, & history/geography. Because of our budget, I only buy the teacher edition. It has the student reader in it, as well as questions for testing their knowledge. It is my opinion that kindergarten is a time for learning basics, so I never bought anything until 1st grade. I didn't like ABeka lang. arts because I don't think cursive writing should be taught that early. So I bought math & language arts from Elijah Company - www.elijahco.com. ABeka has some references to God, but they're not overwhelming & they don't force it. As a Christian, let me gently encourage you to get to know God! It means the difference between heaven and hell when you die (those who believe in Jesus get to go to heaven). Hope I've answered your question. Have a great day!

-- Laura (buksnort@mwt.net), March 27, 2001.

My opinion is that you definitely do not need the parents' stuff for elementary. I bought one or two of them first time out but found them unneccessary. Just get the books and go through them with your child one page at a time, and you will not find it difficult. I DO feel strongly that children should learn to print well the first few years before they begin cursive, and have been displeased with that switch over, but I think that you can still get the books in Manuscript(printing) if you ask for that. I recommend Writing with Phonics(Manuscript), and the Blue Back Speller as a must. I am religious, but my religion is different than Abeka's. I found the younger grades to be excellent because they have a solid phonics program, as well as a solid math program. I parted ways with them on some of their material as the children got older. The science texts and social studies texts are fairly God-centered.

-- mary, texas (marylgarcia@aol.com), March 27, 2001.

This is my first full year so I won't even try to give an opinion, I'm still sorting through curriculum trying to figure out what would be best for my son. I have heard from many that Abeka is the Cadillac in home schooling curriculum, & my son has done well with it. My purpose for responding was to let you know that NOW is the time that many home school conventions will be held around the country, ours is next month. I would encourage you to find out if one will be near you, that way you can talk to representatives & thumb through their materials, it's overwhelming but exciting to see all that is available.

-- Lenore (archambo@winco.net), March 27, 2001.

I wouldn't bother with all the extras until 8th grade. At that point I was a little scared of getting into the higher maths and sciences so I changed over to the video and loved it. My oldest is finishing up her first year at college studying piano performance. By the way the Universities are looking for homeschoolers. My youngest daughter will start Nursing School in Aug. We attended the Abeka Graduation in Pensacola as their graduation present. Now, what does a homeschool mom of 12 years do with her life when her babies go off into the world! I glad I did it and you will be too.

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), March 27, 2001.

A good resource is Mary Pride's Big Book of Homeschooling. You can find it in the library. She is an unashamed Christian, but don't let that stop you. The book is packed with curriculum ideas. If I had to do it all over again (three of my children are ages 17, 15, 13), I would skip the bookwork and do all hands-on learning for early grades. Make learning fun! They soon enough will have plenty of books. You can do so many things just using the resources in the library, learning books, videos, audios, project books, etc. I wouldn't begin with curriclum type books until 5th grade or so. You don't need a curriculum to teach a child to read, or write. Also, read aloud to your child every day. I have done so for 9 years and my boys all love to read and are good readers. Mary

-- Mary Fraley (kmfraley@orwell.net), March 27, 2001.

Abeka is a very sound curriculum. I find it to be too much like school at home though. There are other curriculums on the market that would do just as well for less money IMHO. We make sure to do more structured math and reading (curriculum) but pick and choose our way through items and activities of our own interests for the other subjects such as math and science. I taught them penmanship myself with just a pencil and paper. My point is not to get curriculum dependant. There are many ways to teach. The library is a wonderful resource for homeschool too!

-- Denise (jphammock@msn.com), March 27, 2001.

It seems that the issue of a strict curriculum is divided, and I guess it comes down to the individual. On one hand some of these responses seem laid back with "let the kids be kids" which sounds good, but I've heard so many people say that young children's brains are like sponges, they can take in & learn so much that you need to take advantage of it, because it's easier for them down the road. I guess I'm undecided, my instinct is to keep my child with a solid curriculum. I don't feel I can go wrong that way & he still has time to be a kid. Like I said before I'm just in my first year so... I may change my mind!

-- Lenore (archambo@winco.net), March 27, 2001.

Thank you all for your comments. Laura: Thanks for the Elijah site, it looks interesting. I just spoke with my friend, mother of 6, and she thinks it's a bit early for my daughter to stop printing. Thank you, also, for your gentle encouragement to get to know God. My mother's tried to direct me to God, and my father toward questioning everything. I'm still questioning everything...but knowledge of God is good. That's why I don't think I'll have a problem with Abeka. Thanks, Mary. I will be sure to request manuscript books until around third grade. Thanks Lenore. I just checked, and there will be an Abeka rep in my hometown in June. I'll check out grade 1 then (and probably buy more than I intended : ). Debbie: Good going! I hope I'm as successful at it as you've been. Mary and Denise, thank you. I wish I could rely on the library here, unfortunately it's sadly lacking (pop. 1000). I think my own library is better than the town's. I'm actually looking for a very structured curriculum. My daughter excels with this type of learning, as did I. Looks like Abeka should be a good fit. We'll definitely keep up the reading. My mom told me to start reading to her at about 3 mos., and I did. Since then my hubby and I each read a story at bedtime, several at naptime (3 yr old), every time a library book hits the house, and whenever we're asked. Both of my daughters consider their books better companions than any of their toys!, and can't go to bed without a few there just in case they can't sleep. Hope it stays that way!

-- Rheba (rbeall@etown.net), March 27, 2001.

Sounds like you're going to do great, Rheba!

-- mary, texas (marylgarcia@aol.com), March 27, 2001.

Rheba - our first few years of homeschooling were done on a strict budget and I found I could save money by making my own answer keys for all of our Abeka material.(this was for five levels) It took alot of time, but I certainly learned the material well. Of course, at the lower levels, the questions weren't all that challenging. As the kids got older and I was only buying one new set of books a year (the others were using hand-me-downs) I found that the keys and teacher guides were a wonderful help. I do agree with some of the above responses that younger kids really don't need quite a structured curriculum, but I know how comforting it is to have an "official" book telling you what to do. Good luck, whatever you choose.

-- glynnis in KY (gabbycab@msn.com), March 28, 2001.

I liked Abeka, though the kids thought there was too much religion in there. We are religious, but sometimes, it was not what we felt should be there. I suppose with any christian based curriculum, that could be the case. I switched to Alpha Omega though, because I could not afford Abeka. I like what I have gotten so far with Alpha Omega. This is our first year to use it. I bought the science and geology books. I think though if I get the geology again though, I will buy the whole set. I only bought one book and it basically assumes the child already knows everything. I probably bought the wrong book. The math books are great!!! I bought them for my 5th, 8th and 9th grade students, and they love them! It walks you through, step by step. That is good for me too, since math is not my strong suit. I also got the teacher's addition for the older grades, though haven't really had to use it yet. With them, you can pick and choose what books to buy, one or the whole set. Like I said, this is my first year and I love them so far. I plan to get the CDs for my girls next year. It grades them and keeps track of it. You can go in and set up a schedule of what they are to work at, then it can give messages to the student if they are getting behind. My girls will be in 9th and 10th grade next year, so I am a bit nervous about making sure they get the good education. I bought the Robinson curriculum and was very disappointed with that. It is classic novels on cd (not what it advertised) in little tiny print. That is pretty much it. I have rambled on along time, I will go for now and get back to schooling the kids.

Good luck and have fun!!

Cindy

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), March 28, 2001.

I really like, How to Teach Your Child to Read in A 100 Easy Lessons. Only takes 20 min. a day. My five year old loves it, and it really works. It is phonics based.

-- Lena(NC) (breezex4@go.com), March 28, 2001.

Let me put in a plug for "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. I have used it for my four younger boys - I think that they all read better and have a better comprehension of what they have read than my two older ones that were taught useing the ABecca curriculum. It was a whole lot easier too! Cristy in MN

-- Cristy Collins (collinscastle@aol.com), March 28, 2001.

I started homeschooling 12 yrs. ago with Abeka. My son did wonderfully with it, my daughter did not. (it's in the way that they learn) But, it was my first year and I needed the structure, lesson plans and how to. BUT, if I had it to do over again, I would still use Abeka phonics. But, I would switch to Alpha Omega as soon as they could read.

I don't use Alpha Omega now, I have 5 kids, the oldest is finished, but I have 3 younger ones, and we use the Pathway Reading Program written by the Mennonites (which only goes up to 8th grade). We are 'religious' so anything godly in it doesn't bother me, and I like the farm centered character based stories. However, I absolutely LOVE the Elijah Company and DO get their catalog if you can. It's not just a catalog, but also a teaching sort of book about the wonderful methods of teaching and learning. They also describe what you will be buying and how it works and how you can use it.

We also do a lot of Unit Studies that pertain to each child's interest. This year we're doing the garden, even bigger, the baby chicks, this is our 'business' this year. People are wanting to buy our vegetables, butchered chickens and eggs and are lining up now and we've only put in potatoes and onions....We'll be getting out house in a few months, and my oldest son is going to take computer and web design classes at the local community college here, and we're going to start in our freshwater lobster business next year....We givejobs out here according to abilities. It's a lifestyle, not just an education.

-- Louise Whitley (whitley@terraworld.net), March 29, 2001.

I am 23 and I grew up with Abeka. We started home schooling when I started the 3rd grade. Abeka is by far the best but a little pricey. For elementry you could probably make it on your own. It really depends on how well you know what your teaching. Because Abeka is so much more advanced once you start getting into the 7, 8 or 9th grades it starts to really test your memory of what you learned how ever many years back. We saved one year and tried the video school. It was great but too expensive. Just keep it organized and make it a family effort and you'll do great.

-- Travis Maddox (tmeucs@msn.com), April 01, 2001.

I just thought I would like to add something no one else has mentioned. EBAY!!!! When you get a general idea of which books you would like to use, there are literally pages of new and used Abeka books waiting for new homes..We too use the Abeka books (mostly the readers). Also picked up some Math books out of circulation from a nearby public school at a garage sale for about 50 cents each. Use the library extensively and have many learning CD's for the computer. Our kids are 10, 8, and 5. Been homeschooling about one year and will continue as long as possible (hopefully through high school). Just my two cents :-)

-- Cheri Asprion (t.asprion@att.net), April 01, 2001.

Hello Rheba: I'm not a homeschooler at this point; but am an eBayer and just had to second the motion for you to check on eBay - and even other auctions like yahoo (the less buyers there are at an auction site, the better price you may get). Another suggestion would be to check at online used book stores. I got great used gardening books that way. I would also like to tell you that your Mom directing you towards God and your Dad wanting you to question things is a great combination. God is generally not very pushy about us having a personal relationship with Him. Hence the verse, "Seek and you will find". He is the ultimate King, so He doesn't beg us. But He is also very loving so He also doesn't expect us to beg Him for His presence in our lives. If you start asking God questions, exciting and wonderful things will happen! Cynthia

-- Cynthia Speer (farmsteader@gvtel.com), April 03, 2001.

This is not really an answer except to say that everything I read was so awesome. I have decided to home school my son. He starts Kindergarten this next school year. He did great in preschool and since it was church sponsored I felt very comfortable but I am positively scared of traditional schools. We have lived in several towns where we were advised NOT to put our child in the public schools. Hence my decision to homeschool, plus my own opinions. I really enjoyed reading all the responses to Rheba. It shows that there is a wonderful support system in place with parents all over. Thanks for your encouragement even though it was not to me personally. It really helped to hear how "confident" all of you seemed. I know that most of us do not have a back ground in teaching just a deep love of our children and wanting the very best for them. Debby

-- Debby Brewer (debbybrewer@hotmail.com), May 17, 2001.

Rheba, I think that the Abeka program is a good program for all kids, religious or not. I think that if your child wants to be in the Abeka program, she is making decisions by herself. You said that's what you wanted for her. Letting your child in on what decisions your making, may help them on making there own decisions. If your daughter wants to be a Christian, and learn about Christ while receiving her education, I think that the Abeka program and most other Christian programs will help her in making decisions. The right decisions. I hope I'm making sense and that this helps you out.

-- Rebecca (rebs@harborside.com), May 30, 2001.

Thank you all for guiding me and answering some questions that I was looking for answers to. I have been thinking about homeschooling my 2 yougest children, boys, ages 4 and 21 months. I have always heard great things about the Abeka curriculum and looks like the one I will most likely use.

Currently, my 4 yo just started a lottery funded pre-k program at a local Montesori school, last Friday to be exact and has gotten sick ALREADY! he/we have not been sick in over a year! Now my hubby and 21 mo old is coming down with it! YUK! so he missed Monday and Tuesdat of school and HATES it, First time he has really been away from me ever. Though we did try Mother's Day Out 2 times per week at our church when he was 2 and he lasted 2 weeks before I withdrew him.

Today was the worst day! His 3rd time at pre-k and I heard Christopher screaming and crying all the way outside. I was bawling by the time I hit the door. It took everything I had not to turn around and go get him. But after talking with my husband and mother in law and my gut feeling. I/we have decided it would be best if he was home schooled. My main reason of sending him to pre-k is so he could interact with other children his own age, since he does not have anyone other than his baby brother and my 2 oldest girls 14 and 12. All my girlfirends have girls the same age as Chris, but no boys. I would so GREATLY appreciate any info, help and guidance. I can be reached via yahoo, aol or msn messanger as babygapmomx4 as well as email. Thank you and God Bless!

Laura

-- Laura (babygapmomx4@yahoo.com), August 16, 2001.

Interraction with other children can be had at homeschool groups. My daughter has made deep, lasting friendships through the local homeschool organisation. We moms of kids this age now get together quite often, just to allow our children to play. For instance, last get together was at the pool, where the 5 girls from age 8 to 10 played for hours. We moms sat together over in the wading pool area chatting and keeping an eye on the girls through the fence. The little ones had a great time together too. This type of interraction is so much better for the little ones (and the bigger ones too) than the competitive establishment of a pecking order that seems to be the order of the day in a school setting. I sent my gentle, docile 7 year old to second grade in a school setting last year, she was changed into a child I could hardly recognise as the same kid by the end of the school year. She had become rebellious against her teacher, whom she knew had favorites. She was feisty at home, constantly picking fights with her brother, which was not natural for her. She is slowly relearning kind behaviour patterns here at home, and I am glad our finances do not allow us putting her back into school. Hubby doesnt agree, but I am convinced that homeschooling is far better for the child socially.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), August 16, 2001.

There is a difference in being religious and having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ !!!!

-- Cheryl (slaca@aristotle.net), September 05, 2001.

My oldest daughter read your post, she is in her second year of college, studing Piano Performance at OSU. She wants to homeschool her children (when they come) so I ask how did you like Abeka. She said that the curriculum we used in earlier years Calvert was the best but Abeka not only got her large scholorships and felt quite confident going from a classroom of 2 to 30,000. She said the morals and bible is why she makes the right decisions in a large secular University. Although, she hopes to do Unit Study with her children. I thought that was interesting - she agrees Abeka was too much like school school!

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), September 05, 2001.

I have homeschooled both of my children up to this point, except for last year (I needed a break.) I would NOT recommend a regimented program of instruction for a 5 year old. All your child needs to learn you can find out by perusing the books available for that level, and then you can teach them to her in her receptive moments, in just a few minutes of close interactive time. when kids are forced too young to sit in a desk and "do school," they can and often do develop deep negative lifelong attitudes towards learning.

5 years old is a naturally inquisitive age. Children at this age will teach themselves MUCH while they play. And play is SO essential to a normal childhood. It seems that children are robbed of their childhood these days, through earlier and earlier regimented instruction. We schedule their lives so much that they dont know the challenge of filling a day with their own imagination. No wonder kids are bored these days! Their imaginations are underdeveloped because of underuse. Even homeschoolers can be overscheduled, as oportunites too good to pass up are capitalised on. Pass on them. Your child needs to play and live an unstressed life more than she needs to learn ballet and soccer.

I didnt use any curriculum at all to teach my daughter, up through 1st grade. I just knew what she needed to know, and worked toward helping her learn in very short blackboard sessions. I watched and waited for when she was ready for a concept, and taught it to her at that moment, and her retention was amazing! She always looked forward to those short sessions, as they were fun and interresting. Last year, when she enrolled in 2nd grade, she was at the head of her class. By the end of the year, however, she had begun to develop bad attitudes toward schoolwork and adults, for which reason I regret placing her in school.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), September 05, 2001.

Hi, guess I'm a little late on posting on this thread but just came across it today and thought I would add my two cents. Having been on both sides with my two girls with both beginning in public school and then taking my oldest old out in 8th grade and with no financial option except to homeschool. She went from a very happy child who loved school to coming home every day upset when she saw all of the meanness and immorality in middle school. After deciding our only option was to homeschool and researching it, because I knew I would get a lot of objections from family, I was convinced that it had a lot of advantages. She was homeschooled for a year and then I also decided to homeschool her younger sister, too. My only regrets with homeschooling were first that I had not started them from the very beginning and then that because of caring for my mom at home for some time plus my job which fortunately I did at home, I didn't have the time I wanted to spend with them. So, to Rheba, Laura and Debby, I congratulate you on your decisions to homeschool your children. It is such a wonderful thing to do for and with your children. As far as wanting your child to be able to interact with children of his own age, I would much rather have my child only interacting with his sisters or other girls his age and his yonger brothers than to be exposed to other boys his own age where he could learn things you might not necessarily want him to learn. I also think that it is much better for a family to spend their days together than to be separated for so much of their time in classrooms. I think it builds a much stronger family and gives parents more time to instill their standards. It is also more natural to socialize with a range of ages rather than being in a large group of the same age. My girls became even better conversationalists I think after they were out of school. I agree so much with Daffodyllady that kids today don't have as much imagination because their days are so filled with things that think for them. Children do need to play and be kids and I firmly believe they need much more sheltering and protection from their parents until they are mature enough to deal with things in the world. I did let my oldest return to school in 10th grade (I wasn't totally comfortable with the idea but thought she was strong in her beliefs and also because I didn't have enough time to spend with her with caring for my mom) so she wouldn't fall behind in her education. But if I would have known the outcome, I would never have done it. I had to finally take her out again, but by then the damage was done. She's an adult now and I can only hope and pray that she will someday find her way back to God.

It is so good to hear of mothers staying home with their children and homeschooling them, too. I think this country has gotten so far removed from a real supportive, nurturing family and too many are letting their children be raised by other people, government institutions, and/or other organizations.

Well, guess I gave more than my two cents here, but just wanted to say how much I support other mothers in there homeschooling endeavors and wish you the best and always take the time to enjoy your kids because they are with you for so short a time. Many Blessings. Sherry

-- Sherry S, N.Fl (natmatters@mail.istal.com), September 06, 2001.

My daughter is a teacher at a Christian school in Missouri. Shae has taught both first and second graders. She loves the Abeka program. And she loves God as I do and thinks all children are His special gift to us as I do. Which brings me to a question: Does anyone know of a good Christian home study program for early education. I would love to teach pre-k. thank you and God Bless

-- Shari Dennie (tazmit@msn.com), September 21, 2001.

Hi, Has anyone out there used the Saxon Math program? My son, who is in public school, has always been in the gifted program, but somewhere along the middle of the fifth grade started having problems with math. We worked with him from Dec through May and he finally seemed to be getting math and got a B for the year. Now we are just starting out the sixth grade and I feel like I am starting all over again with Math. Saxon math was recommended as a supplement to his regular math textbook. I have purchased a workbook for him to practice his fractions and decimals, but before spending the 55.00 for the Saxon 1/2 algebra book, thought I would get some input from the forum. He has a tutor now and she will be helping him one day a week, (I never had algebra in high school so unfortunately, I am the last person to try to teach it!). A Beka was not recommended unless he has started from the beginning in those courses. Has anyone had experience with Saxon? Thanks again, Cindy

-- Cindy (colawson@mindspring.com), September 25, 2001.

Saxon math is excellent. We used it for three years (until our girls went into the school at our church -- A-Beka, and they did fine). They had both hated math before, but after a year of Saxon math, they liked math. I highly recommend it.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), September 25, 2001.

We use Saxon math and would not use anything else. You can get the books used on Ebay and simialr sites for a lot less than the brand new cost.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), September 25, 2001.

This certainly doesn't answer your question but it has confirmed mine. i have a 2 1/2 yo and a 10month old. I just quit my job that I absolutely loved to be at home and homeschool my children. I was uncertain about many areas and after reading every post, I took notes and will do my own research. Thank you so much. Nikki

-- Nikki Rodriguez (mamanik2001@cs.com), March 01, 2002.

My daugter is is third grade and the stoies she comes home with will curl your hair. Her dad and I are seperated and I belive it will be difficult to convince him to allow mw to home school We share decision making although the kids live with me. I want her to grow up able to think for herself and not swayed by the crowd. I want her to have the tools to make the right life choices. I belive that with the life experienc I have I can teach her that now. I have some education in early childhood and was a preschool teacher for 3 years but I'm sure I can educate her with the right curriculum. The only problem is if I can convince her father to allow home schooling he certainly will not help me pay for it. so I will ned a very inexpensive program, but good quality. The Alpha Omega sounded good as did the Ebay tip. Any help will be apreciated. My New mother in law home schools and uses abecca so i will be able to use some of her books, and she is a good resource but I coud use any help I could find. Thanks

-- Heidi Thrasher (thrashertoo@yahoo.com), March 31, 2002.