Abeka's Understanding God's World (4th Grade Science) Review

 Here's the textbook: https://www.christianbook.com/understanding-gods-world-grade-4/pd/339415?event=Homeschool%7C1000800

I bought this on a whim last summer at Mardel (a store here in Texas that carries homeschool curricula), because I couldn't decide on science.

We only used the textbook, but there is a STEM Activities Book, a Test Book, a Teacher's Guide, Flashcards, etc available from Abeka to make a more "complete" science program.  

I found the science textbook and the mini-labs/demonstrations in the textbook complete enough for a fourth grader, but I'm also used to teaching science.

The textbook is broken into three major sections:

• Science Foundations - scientific method and some basic physics
• Life Science- plants, animals, ecosystems
• Earth and Space Science - rocks, energy, weather, space

The textbook has a really nice, colorful Field Guide to Trees, Flowers, Birds and Insects in the back of the book.  There is also a glossary.  

After most of the lessons, there are mini science demonstrations and activities that you can easily do at home.  There was a star constellation activity, an ecosystem shadow box activity, multiple physics demonstrations, bird-watching activities, activities about the water cycle, etc. These activities always used everyday household items, were simple to do and not very time-consuming.  It's fourth grade.  Why overcomplicate science at that level...

I am embarrassed to say that I am actually sad that we finished this textbook.  My 9 year-old and I really enjoyed this book and the activities.  He especially liked the chapters on space, the Sun, ecosystems, and birds.  I think the section on birds was his favorite.  He enjoyed making the ecosystem shadow box.  We enjoyed using the Merlin Bird App in conjunction with the bird unit.  We took some nature walks at the park and used the Merlin app to listen to the bird calls.  The app can identify which species of bird is "singing."