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."   

Mid-Year Curriculum Review (4th and 12th Grade), including Sonlight D

 Mid-Year Curriculum Review for 4th Grade

Sonlight D US History 1 with Readers 3

We are working through the new Sonlight D with some of the older books added in from the 2017 version.  We're also reading the regular readers + the advanced readers.  So, it is going to take a big chunk of time to get through this Sonlight level.  I'm expecting to be finished by the end of next summer.  I'm ok with that, because some of the books in this level are some of Sonlight's best selections.

I am not using Sonlight's Bible selections this year - I substituted 100 Bible Stories (Concordia Publishing House), My First Catechism (Lutheran) and The Apostles (Adventures in Faith).  We are almost finished with 100 Bible Stories and My First Catechism.  Both are excellent.

Some of my son's favorites from Sonlight D this year are:

• Explore Native American Cultures!
• Pocahontas and the Strangers (this is from the 2017 version)
• Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims
• The Corn Grows Ripe

Math

We switched from Wild Math to Beast Academy + IXL 4th Grade Math Workbook.  I should've stayed with Wild Math.  He enjoyed that program so much more.  We're using the online version of Beast Academy and the timers in the exercises stress him out.  He did learn a lot from the IXL workbook, but he doesn't like the repetitive exercises.  I've resorted to teaching math without a curriculum, adding in some project-based math (which he really likes) and using Beast Academy as a supplement.  In other words, I really messed up his math this year, but he is still making progress with it.

Language Arts

Early on, we dropped Masterbooks LA, because it was a terrible fit for him.  There's also no real support in their Facebook group for parents who are having difficulties with their curriculum due to dyslexia or learning issues.  I taught him the parts of speech without a curriculum.  We are also using Mad Libs for fun.  He's doing free writing, which he loves.

All About Spelling is a giant thumbs up.  Very dyslexia-friendly, also.

Handwriting without Tears = no complaints.  Super self-explanatory and simple to use.

I have stopped using Barton at level 4, because his reading has just taken off.  Barton got him reading when no other reading program could.

Science

We are using Abeka's 4th grade science textbook, Understanding God's World.  This is super simple to teach from.  I just have the textbook, which I understand there's a workbook and teacher's manual, but he is not going to want to fill out workbook pages.  I read the lesson with him and we do the short lab/demonstration at the end of each lesson.  We do the review questions out loud together.

I have really enjoyed teaching from this textbook.  My son loved the birds unit.  We took a rabbit trail from the animal unit to read a bunch of library books about animals, but we will return to the textbook afterwards.  

All of the labs/demonstrations have worked and they use simple objects from around the house.

French

We're watching the French with Mr. Innes series on Youtube and I think this is my son's favorite subject.  These videos are excellent for elementary-aged kids.  He has a more complete curriculum on his website that we intend to subscribe to when we finish the YouTube series.

Art

Artistic Pursuits Book 1 is going well.  Sometimes, he does not want to do the exercises in the book, but wants to do his own art, which is fine.  He's filled up an entire sketchbook this semester.

Mid-Year Curriculum Review for 12th Grade

My 12th grader is actually supposed to be an 11th grader (if she went to public school - she just turned 17 a couple of weeks ago).  But, she started taking college classes in August and is only doing three home made courses with me this year.  I'm graduating her in May.

Personal Finance

We use Mathusee Stewardship for this subject and it's also excellent.  No complaints.

Classical Literature

We put this list together ourselves and it's been a great list of books.  She's read almost the entire list at this point, so she will probably be finished in January.  Her list includes:

• The Epic of Gilgamesh
• Sophocles' The Three Theban Plays
• Beowulf
• Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
• Shakespeare's Poems and Sonnets
• Shakespeare's MacBeth --> she's currently here in the list
• Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream

Dual enrollment courses at the college

She's taking English 1301 (Composition 1) and Kinesiology 1164 (Intro to Health and Physical Fitness).  She has 100% in both classes.  Since it's almost time for finals, I'm assuming she will end the semester with a 4.0.  She's registered for English 1302 and US History 1 for the spring semester.

The one thing I would be wary of with dual enrollment classes is adult content in the classes.  My student is a minor, so that was a topic I was concerned with.  So far, we have not had any problems and she likes her professors.  

Revised Language Arts Plan for 4th Grade

 We spent a month on Masterbooks' Language Arts (3rd grade level) and only reached Day 10 in the workbook.  Also, that was the worst tears/frustration my dyslexic 4th grader has ever had with schoolwork.  So, we dropped Masterbooks on Monday and I spent the week coming up with a new plan.

Here's my plan for the school year.

Reading and Spelling

• Barton Reading and Spelling (we're in level 3)
• Lexile level readers from the library

Handwriting 

• Handwriting without Tears Cursive

Grammar

• Reading through the Brian Cleary grammar books + some homemade grammar exercises that I'm going to put on the dry erase board once a week (exercises based on the books we read)
• A Mink, a Fink, a Skating Rink.  What is a Noun?
• A Lime, a Mime, a Pool of Slime.  More About Nouns.
• To Root, to Toot, to Parachute.  What is a Verb?
• Slide and Slurp, Scratch and Burp.  More About Verbs.
• I and You and Don't Forget Who.  What is a Pronoun?
• Hairy, Scary, Ordinary.  What is an Adjective?
• Dearly, Nearly Insincerely.  What is an Adverb?
• Lazily, Crazily, Just a Bit Nasally.  More About Adverbs.
• But and For, Yet and Nor.  What is a Conjunction?
• I'm and Won't, They're and Don't.  What is a Contraction?
• Cool, Whoa, Ah and Oh.  What is an Interjection?
• Under, Over, By the Clover.  What is a Preposition?
• Straight and Curvy, Meek and Nervy.  More About Antonyms.
• We're going to watch the grammar songs/videos from Schoolhouse Rock.
• Schoolhouse Rock/Grammar Rock Videos (on Youtube)
• "A Noun is a Person, Place or Thing"
• "Verb, that's what's Happening"
• "Conjunction Junction"
• "Interjections"
• "Unpack Your Adjectives"
• "Lolly, Lolly, Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here"
• "Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla"
• "Busy Prepositions"
• "The Tale of Mr. Morton"

Writing

• Bravewriter (The Writer's Jungle)

One Month into our School Year Update (4th Grader)

 What's Going Well:

• Sonlight D
• He and I just really like these books!  It's a very enjoyable way to do history and literature.  My only concern is I don't see how we're going to get through level D in one school year.  I'm now planning to get through levels D and E in three years.  I feel ok about this, because that would put him around age 11-12 for level F and the books look very heavy for that level.  I think he would get more out of level F if he's older. 
• We are also adding in projects as we go from the Explore Native American Cultures! book. 
• Beast Academy
• He loves this.
• Mark Rober's Crunch Labs
• Expensive, but great quality materials and instructions. They put a lot of effort into these kits and they are excellent!
• French with Mr. Innes
• This channel is free on YouTube.  We're working through the French for Beginners playlist.  He loves this video course.  It's very understandable and not overwhelming.  I'm learning all the French words with him and it's pretty effortless.
• Lexile readers and Barton Reading Program
• Barton is very dry.  The readings are strange.  It's expensive.  It takes up a lot of space in our school room.  But, by golly, my son is reading and spelling.
• I started researching books by Lexile level and checking out books from the library for him based on where he seems to be.  This is going well, actually.
• Handwriting without Tears Cursive = super simple and he likes it
• BrainQuest Summer Workbook
• He can't do some of the exercises, because it's very public school-oriented, but he's able to manage with help.  He really likes this workbook.  We're about halfway finished.  He loves the map in the back with the stickers tracking his progress on the trails.
• Artistic Pursuits
• He was mad, because we couldn't do two lessons in one day (which is ridiculous).  Pace yourself, OK?

What We're Unsure Of/Seems Ok:

• IXL 4th Grade Math Workbook
• This is only a supplement, because I feel like he needs some extra arithmetic practice.
• He seems to be OK with this workbook, but it's not his favorite thing in the world
• Abeka 4th Grade Science
• The book is Understanding God's World
• I really like the book.  It's very easy to teach from.  We are not using the workbook, but we are going through the text and then doing the labs.  
• The labs are simple and work well.
• He seems OK with this textbook, but he was whining a bit about it.  I think it's the topic.  He doesn't seem to like physical science topics.  

What's Causing Tears:

• Masterbooks' Language Lessons for a Living Education 3
• I have removed it from his book basket for now until I figure out a plan
• He had an awful meltdown during this and I feel really bad.  I think this curriculum might be ok for students with mild dyslexia, but not severe dyslexia.

Our First Day Back: Homeschool Day 6/10

 Only the 4th Grader is working over the summer.  I asked him how he liked his 4th grade schoolwork and he said that he loved it.

Bible

• 100 Bible Stories

Math

• IXL 4th Grade Math Workbook
• Place value

Language Arts/Reading

• Independent reading
• Masterbooks' LA 3
• Handwriting without Tears Cursive

French

• French with Mr. Innes "Learn French Basics for Kids in 40 Days"
• He LOVED this - it's free on Youtube

Science

• Abeka's Understanding God's World
• Matter

Sonlight D US History 1

• Viking Adventure
• We found Norway on the map

One Week until We Start 4th Grade - Our Plans

 (The 12th grader will take a break until August)

Everything is bought, unpackaged and sitting in his book baskets.  Here's The Plan:

Bible

• 100 Bible Stories
• My First Catechism (Concordia Press)
• The Apostles (Adventures in Faith series)

Math

• IXL 4th Grade Math Workbook
• Beast Academy (this is the one item I have not bought/committed to yet)

Language Arts/Reading

• Masterbooks 3rd Grade Language Arts
• Handwriting without Tears Cursive
• Lexile-leveled readers from the library

French

• French with Mr. Innes (Youtube series)

Science

• Mark Rober's Crunch Labs
• Abeka's 4th Grade Science: Understanding God's World

History & Literature

• Sonlight D US History 1

Music

• Ukulele
• Alfred's Piano 2
• Just the Facts 2

Outsourced at an enrichment center

• Anatomy, Health and Fitness

Extracurriculars

• Ballet class
• Boy Scouts
• Wednesday night church activities
• Sports league on Saturdays over the summer
• Theater camp over the summer

Revised 4th Grade Plans 2024-2025 (Decided to stick with Sonlight)

 Hopefully my plans don't change a second time, but I have everything in the cart and ready to purchase.  I decided to stay with Sonlight and work around our dyslexia issues.  I'm not going to be able to follow the Instructor's Guide completely as written and he won't be able to read the readers - I'll have to read the readers to him.  He also won't be capable of doing the language art portion.  

He's also informing me that he actually likes workbooks, which is bizarre and counter-intuitive, but hey, if that's what he likes...

Bible

• Continue 100 Bible Stories
• My First Catechism (Concordia Publishing House)
• The Apostles (Aquinas Kids)

Math

• Beast Academy
• IXL 4th Grade Math Workbook (from Amazon)

Reading/Language Arts

• Masterbooks' Language Lessons for a Living Education
• Handwriting without Tears Cursive
• Readers based on his Lexile level

Sonlight D American History 1

• This covers history, Bible, literature and geography
• We are using the history, literature and geography

French

• Continue Ecoutez, Parlez!

Science

• I need to work on the subject more.  He wants to do some technology and engineering kits.

Art & Music

• Continue piano and ukulele
• Continue all of his comic creations and Art for Kids Hub videos that he likes

Outsourced Class: Health, Anatomy and Fitness (at a homeschool enrichment center)

February Planning for 2024-2025

 Nothing is set in stone, but I've started to do some planning for later this spring as we finish up everything.  Due to dyslexia and ADHD issues, I'm changing our homeschool method a bit for the youngest kid.  Up to this point, he has been using a lot of curriculum.  I'm going to move away from that and tailor everything to him.

My tentative plan for 4th grade:

Bible

• Finish 100 Bible Stories
• Mini classes I'm going to put together on Lutheran Catechism and the Apostles

Math

• Beast Academy

Reading/Language Arts

• Barton (reading and spelling for dyslexia)
• Readers
• Handwriting without Tears cursive

French

• continue Ecoutez, Parlez!

Literature, History and Science

• By interest and with as much hands-on, experiential learning as possible

Music and Art

• Art - he's been doing this himself using online videos
• Continue Piano, start ukulele

Electives

• He wants to try woodworking
• Unit on First Aid and Safety

My tentative plan for 12th grade:

Math

• Mathusee Stewardship
• Investopedia

English

• Continue The Elements of Style Workbook

Art and Music

• Continue classical guitar, acoustic guitar and ukulele
• We're trying to find pottery classes

Literature

• Reading through classical literature that she chooses

Dual Enrollment at the college (hopefully)