We're thinking of using A Beka this coming year, but I'm wondering if it's really necessary to purchase the parent kit on top of the child kit? Is it just a lesson plan to make the curriculum organization easier on the teacher? I see that it's also the answer key, but I don't think I will need an answer key for second grade. :lol: Anyway, if anyone has used them please advise me on how important it is. Oh, I'm also wondering if it's possible to combine 2nd and 3rd grade with A Beka? I'd like to purchase the complete child kit for third grade, and just the individual math and language for second grade. Thank you so much!
I used A Beka from K - 8th grade. I always got the answer keys because it was easier to look at the answer and grade the work. I must be lazy I love A Beka - there is a lot of work and some of it is repetition, which is a good thing, sometimes. There were times that I would only tell ds to do the odd problems or even problems. If you do all that A Beka wants you to do, you will be schooling for about 5 hours. Should you get teacher kit. I got everything, in fact, I even used their DVD's, which are excellent. Can you school 2nd and 3rd? I only had 1 child, so I'm not sure. There are numerous people on here that used A Beka and can answer these questions, too. I have a child that hates school, so this coming up year we are using K12, only because I am tired of the complaining and he can complain to someone other than me
I never bought any of the teacher manuals for those grades. I don't think that they are necessary. I'm just getting all of my school books ready to sell - I've never gotten rid of anything. Okay just a few small things to friends. But looking at my list I did not buy any of the teacher manuals. I did buy the language arts curriculum though. If you are interested in buying any of it used pm me and I can give you a list of what I have. I have used mainly abeka all my years homeschooling. I'm not sure about combining the two grades. I guess that it would depend on your children. I can combine my two in some subjects, but not all.
I do not think you need the teachers kit in those grades. I bought the kits and rarely used them. But remember, each parent is different and you might find that you need them. With that said, the teachers kits come with some really neat extras; games found in the guide, colorful posters and punch out games and so on.
We used Abeka for K-12. I really recommend getting the parent kit. It gives you all the info you need to teach your child. It tells you what to do, what to say, how to prepare for it. I know someone who thought they would try and get off cheap and not order the parent part. She could not understand why her ds could not read and was cry every time they would do reading class. Instead of getting the parent kit she decided she was much smarter and tried to introduce the ENTIRE stack of phonics to her ds daily. Well, had she purchased the teacher part she would have known she would only introduce around three new phonics cards per day. I say get the entire parent kit, it will give you lots of info you would otherwise not have.
I went ahead and ordered a few individual teachers manuals. I ordered the science, history, and language arts manuals. I don't need the test answers (not for a few years at least ) and I don't need the math manuals. We are currently using Calvert and I have been able to see where it would be beneficial to have a guide, and where I truly don't need one. Anyway, ordering only the ones I need saved me a decent amount! Thanks for all the replies!
I have only ordered the curric guides for phonics, reading, writing, spelling, math, but never for the readers science history health, and like katie said, there are a ton of helpful things in there, to guide you and let you know what to do, and in what order. I never ordered the answer guides, we are only in 2nd this year, so we dont need them yet either, i would also order the concept cards for math, we find them very beneficial. we have all the flash cards for add sub multi and div, but you could get them cheaper elsewhere. we also have th basic phonics flashcards and the blend cards, which are very helpful. i have found to cut costs, which i do every chance i can, is to look for some used curr guides, bc those are the most expensive part. we are going in 3rd this fall, so i did go ahead and order the curr guide for the history science bc i thought it would be very helpful. all my curr guides i found used online for less than half price, lol, so that would be my vote.
Experienced advise with regard to Abeka reading program: I suggest getting the entire curriculum because you will be more effective in administering the curr if you follow the teachers guide. The curr. works and is easy to follow. Spend the extra bucks and you will see results!
Some people need the guides and some do not. We used A Beka's reading and loved it. It is a strong program. Still, I didn't really use the guides and Ems reads very well. When she tested in K-4th grade, all her test results showed she was reading and comprehending at least four years ahead. As homeschoolers we do not need to conform to a publishers idea of how our children should learn but rather taper a program around our childs' learning style. I found it benefited Ems much more. But then again, a completely traditional method doesn't suit us and A Beka is traditional as a whole.
