I recently acquired Abeka 4th grade science (for FREE!). It included the text, student acitivity and quizzes/tests and answer key. I think the only thing missing was the teacher's book. I picked it up because our science wasn't going very well, and even though we are over halfway through the year, I decided to try it anyway. If we like it enough we may use it next year, too. So anyway, on to the question. I have noticed that the chapter checkups ask odd things.... such as, instead of asking what metamorphosis is, they ask what specific insects go through it. Or instead of asking what different types of eyes insect have (simple, compound) or what those specif eye types are/what they are used for, they ask what insects have compound eyes, what insects have simple eyes, etc. That kind of thing. More like being focused on specific animal/insect/plant, rather than the characteristics. They even want him to learn the names of all of these local birds and plants. Kind of strange to me. Am I making sense? So I am wondering what the easiest way would be to adjust the quizzes/tests, if there are alternative ones already made somewhere? I think I really like their text, just not sure if this is going to be worth all the extra hassle.
We use ABEKA for our 4th grader and I know exactly what you mean. It's odd and I wonder if it's really necessary? We do the comprehension checks out loud together and I modify the questions a bit if I need to. I encourage memorization of the birds, etc, but I usually only take off 1/2 points for missing them on a quiz or test because I don't think it's important. On the positive side, a bird landed on our window sill this morning and my DS said "Hey, I think that was a starling!" I was impressed to say the least. You could also just omit the questions about birds. We're getting ready to start the health segment now, which I think he'll enjoy more. I know I'll enjoy it more, since I'm an RN and I don't know the first thing about birds.
LOL I am thinking that I may just skip the testing of the bird identification and such.... it's nice for him to go over them and all, but to be tested on them? Really? Just strange. I will have to check out the tests more thoroughly, though, and see if cutting out the extras will cause him to have too narrow of a field to test. I don't want him to end up with only half a dozen questions so that when he misses one he loses a lot of points. Got to really think this over.... I am glad that your son is enjoying the lessons. Will you be using it again next year?
Christian Liberty Press has alternate tests. http://www.christianlibertypress.com/proddetail.asp?prod=CLP60242&cat=40 I don't know if they are better or worse, but they are cheap and they are 25 question multiple choice style tests.
I think we may skip the Chapter Checkups... the quizzes/tests in the separate book look a little better (like the ones you posted a link to, thanks by the way!). They still have some of the unnecessary questions, but less of them at least. Thanks!
Stephanie, I OFTEN use the Christian Liberty materials to go with the Abeka books. Usually they sort of cut to the chase, where Abeka goes into WAY too much detail for me! And Abeka starts in middle school having multiple-chapter tests (just because), first-quarter, semester and third-quarter tests and final exams. But Christian Liberty's tests are usually one per chapter or one per two chapters, period. OR, I have made my own tests, but that's usually a pain in the gabonza. I especially hate the 4th grade Abeka specifically because of the testing on all those danged flowers and birds!
We are doing the Abeka science as well. I decided not to do the plant worksheets or testing for points. I decided to do the birds since we both find that more interesting. Honestly, knowing all of Canada's wildflowers seems a bit strange for a Florida based company!? I agree I really dreaded the plant section. Hope this helps.
You'd think by now Abeka would have heard enough negativity about that area and change it up. LOL I will definitely get the Christian Liberty set and see how they do. Thank so much everyone!!
Nope. They make up their own. Like their TM isn't the Abeka TM. Although it contains all the answers to the text questions, it's really just an answer book for the text and for CLP's tests.
