Enjoying God's World Science Reader (5th Edition)

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.

In Enjoying God's World, students review a few first-grade topics about human biology, plants, and animals, while learning more about body systems and plants. Additional topics include animals and their habitats, energy, force and movement and the states of matter, water cycle, weather, and earth and space. A sampling of activities includes mapping your teeth, observing water move a stem, measuring solids and liquids, and more. There are no grades assigned at this level, the focus is on instilling a love for these subjects by introducing topics of interest and emphasizing God's love and care for His creation. This level offers the consumable, softcover student textbook, the teacher's edition with answers, and a combined homeschool curriculum lesson plans for history, science and health. Lesson plans include expanded daily lessons for history, science and health, along with a schedule for art and music (sold separately). Divided into 39 lessons, with a 3 day per week schedule. Lessons will take approximately 25 minutes. Thursday and Friday are dedicated art or music days. If you elect not to add in art or music, these days become flexible to meet your homeschool schedule or use them to read aloud living books on the week's topic! Additional resources include the combined History, Science and Health Activity Book (available bound or unbound), the History, Science & Health Book Answer Key, and the History, Science, & Health Homeschool Teaching Charts. Designed to reinforce the lessons, the consumable activity book offers a variety of worksheets. Coloring and labeling activities, word puzzles and mazes, and fill in the blanks are a sampling of what is included. The activity book answer key contains the student activity pages with answers filled in. Optional, but scheduled in the lesson plans are colorful, sturdy cardstock teaching charts to help children visualize the geography, science and health concepts studied. Charts are double sided with a total of 20 visual aids, ranging from landforms and US/World maps to life cycles, anatomy and the solar system, as well as nutrition and meal planning resources. Also included are perforated cut outs. The Homeschool Teaching Charts measure 8 ½" x 11".