Revised in
2023, Understanding God’s World (5th 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 4th 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
