Developing Good Health Student - Revised

Instilling an academically solid, God-centered understanding of all branches of science from the early elementary years through high school is the mission of this traditional curriculum. Uniquely, Abeka focuses on mastery of the sciences from a young age through two pathways. First, the science curriculum follows a spiral approach to learning, which means students review previously learned concepts each year, expanding on known concepts and learning new material. The second path, if you chose to use Abeka curriculum in other subjects, is the integration of the grade level scope and sequence, which takes the material taught in science and reinforces it in other subjects like language arts and reading comprehension. While this approach is helpful for mastery, it is not necessary to use other Abeka courses to gain a thorough understanding of the sciences. Scripture references are KJV.

Following a traditional philosophy of education, the basic components include a student text and a teacher edition and/or answer key. Student textbooks are full color and written at a level that each learner can read and understand. Teacher edition content will vary depending on the grade. At all grade levels, Abeka science is teacher led and not designed for independent student work, although at the higher levels, students may be able to do some reading and related activities independently. The K-2 teacher guides include all the information needed to teach science successfully from the scope and sequence and lesson plans with teaching notes, to the activity suggestions and answers (except kindergarten). Beginning in Grade 3 through the high school courses, teacher resources have been divided into separate categories. While this may seem overwhelming, targeted teacher resources help parents and teachers find what they need quickly. Additional supplemental resources may be available. Student and teacher books are not reproducible. See individual descriptions for more information. ~Deanne

At the kindergarten level, Abeka prioritizes the 3 Rs: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. Families wishing to introduce science in kindergarten have the option to do so using the God's World course. Designed as an interactive course, children read aloud (or co-read with a parent) the lessons from the consumable softcover textbook, which also includes coloring or activity pages. At this level, early learners will focus on familiar topics to inspire their curiosity. Topics include health and the human body, weather, seasons, seeds and plants, animals, and the seashore. The teacher edition includes smaller formatted student pages, discussion questions, simple demonstrations, and hands-on activities to reinforce the lesson. Parents will also find teaching notes, a scope and sequence and brief lesson plans. It is recommended that science begins after the (also optional) social studies material at this level. There are 29 lessons, with a recommended 3 lessons per week, 20 minutes per lesson schedule. Under this plan, students would finish the curriculum in roughly 10 weeks. I appreciate the instinctive flexibility the number of lessons provides which allows parents to prioritize their child's learning needs and family schedule. Student and teacher material is not reproducible.

Beginning in first grade, science and health are separate, complementary courses. Families may choose to do one or both courses. Science in Grades 1-3 introduces children to God the Master Designer and guides them into understanding God's plan for creation. At this level, student textbooks are consumable. Building upon the foundation of God the Master Designer, the upper elementary levels, grades 4-6, teach foundational scientific principles as well as the process. Glorifying God for His magnificent creation is a central theme, as children learn more about God's orderly, law-abiding creation and refute the man-made idea of evolution. Textbooks are no longer consumable at this level, and families will want to purchase the separate activity books and/or test and quiz books. Worth mentioning, Abeka streamlined the 1st and 2nd grade curriculum lesson plans to help homeschool parents of little ones. At this level, lesson plans cover health, science and history, with single subject teacher guides sold separately. Grades 3-6 curriculum lessons plans (sold separately) combine health and science with history. Teacher guides for Grades 1-6 contain reduced-size student pages with the correct answers, margin teaching notes with reading assignments, discussion/explanatory notes, comprehension questions, activities, exercises, and more. Grade K-2 materials are sold individually. Grade 3-6 materials are sold individually or in the Student Kit and Parent Kit at a kit discount. Both the student and parent kits are necessary to teach one student.

Revised in 2023, Understanding God’s World (5^th Edition) guides children to understand the world around them. Beginning with the scientific process and methodology, students study matter and energy, force and motion, plants, animals, earth science, weather, and space. If you are familiar with the previous edition, the chapters have been updated and rearranged, making the revised edition incompatible with the previous editions. In a manner similar to the lower elementary grades, previously learned concepts are reviewed as new material is introduced. Serving as a helpful refresher, this enables former and new-to Abeka students to have a foundational understanding before moving onto advanced topics. Textbook chapters include the student readings, full-color photographs, detailed illustrations, chapter reviews, and chapter comprehension checks. It also includes instructions for demonstrations and activities. Most chapters include more than one hands-on activity which is straightforward to complete at home. You will need to provide additional resources for the activities which are listed in the homeschool curriculum lesson plans. For example, you will need to provide a magnifying glass, peat moss, various types of seeds, cheesecloth, medicine dropper, etc. Unlike the younger levels, the softcover textbook does not include a place to write answers, so students will need to use a separate notebook. Answers to the chapter and review questions are sold separately in the Understanding God’s Word Answer Key. You will need to provide additional resources for the activities which are listed in the homeschool curriculum lesson plans book. Unlike the younger levels, the softcover textbook does not include a place to write answers, so students will need to use a separate notebook. Answers to the textbook comprehension and chapter check questions are found in the Understanding God’s World Answer Key.

Additional resources include the non-reproducible Quiz/Test Book, the separate Quiz/Test Book Answer Key, the STEM Activities Book and its Answer Key, and the Homeschool Science Grade 4 Teaching Charts. The STEM Activities Book provides over 50 enrichment activities that give students the opportunity to practice the scientific method through varied activities and related worksheets. Recommended (not required) Grade 4 science flashcards are available in the Parent Kit. These are not sold separately. If you would like to purchase this item al-a-cart, it is available directly from Abeka.

The Science Homeschool Curriculum Lesson Plans provide daily lesson plans for 27 weeks. It also includes teaching tips, homework assignments, and enrichment ideas. It also includes lessons for Grade 4 Art and Music. (Books sold separately). Parents are encouraged to pair Abeka Science with Abeka’s 4^th grade Health course (8 weeks) for a full year of Science/Health education. See the Abeka Health description for more information.

Also available are the Science and Health Grade 4 Parent Kit and Child Kit. Both are recommended for success. The Parent Kit includes the Homeschool Science Curriculum Lesson Plans, Understanding God's World Answer Key, Quiz and Test Key, and the STEM Activity Book Key, as well as the Homeschool Health Curriculum Plans, Developing Good Health Answer Key, the Quiz and Test Key, and the Activity Key. It also includes the Science 4 Flashcards, the Homeschool Science 4 Teaching Charts, and the Homeschool Health Teaching Charts. The Child Kit includes the Exploring God's World text, the STEM Activity Book, Quiz and Test Book, and the Developing Good Health Text, Activity Book, and the Quiz/Test Book. ~Deanne