Why I Love Abeka

 At the start of the school year I created a daily schedule to keep us on track with our lessons.

It hangs on our fridge and has proved to be quite helpful.

I realized this morning, when I saw we are on lesson 70, that we have been booking right along but I have yet to write anything about it!

It's been a great school year so far, so I want to at least mention something about it here on the blog.

The truth is, some children are a few lessons behind, one child is a few lessons ahead, and one is right on the money.

But we are all working hard everyday, so I am pleased with that.

As you know, we do not have an actual school room. Any room has the potential to become that day's school room.

We have a school cupboard where we keep our curriculum and supplies, and Roman has a desk, since he is doing an on-line academy this year. Otherwise, the children generally take over my kitchen and dining room tables. I don't mind a bit. 

Since I mainly use my blog for record keeping these days, I want to include that our grades for the school year 2021-22, are as follows:

Roman - 7th grade

Nola - 5th grade

Soren - 4th grade

Elsa - 2nd grade

We are still using Abeka, and I am growing more and more attached to it every year.

It is a traditional Christian curriculum that is excellent at using all subjects to point students to the Lord.

Micah, who is currently helping Roman with a science exam, actually just said to me, "It's impressive the theology Abeka manages to pack into a science test! You wouldn't believe some of the questions... Explain the difference between general revelation and special revelation."

"Nope, that doesn't surprise me." I said. "Reminds me of last quarter when Roman had to write an essay comparing and contrasting Islam and Christianity for a history test. That's Abeka for you." I laughed.

Take Arithmetic, for example...

This chart is on the inside cover of all my children's Arithmetic books.

(Remember, you can click on the image to make it easier to read. Then use the arrow to go back to the post. 😊)

This may be a rumor, but I thought I read somewhere that Bill Gates wants to get rid of math as we know it, saying it's racist and somehow oppressive to demand a right answer from students.

I appreciate Charlotte Mason's firm stand on the character-building potential accurate mathematics has on a young mind...

"An inferior teacher will allow slipshod habits, allowing a sum to be nearly right. No. Pronounce a sum wrong, or right - it cannot be something between the two. That which is wrong must remain wrong. The future is before him! He may get the next sum right, and the wise teacher will see that he does, and that he starts with new hope." - Charlotte Mason, Home Education vol. 1

Children must learn, as this Abeka chart reminds us, there is absolute truth that God has built into His creation.

2 + 2 equaled 4 a thousand years ago, equals 4 today, and will equal 4 a thousand years from now because God is, "... the same yesterday, today, and forevermore." (Hebrews 13:8)

What a beautiful connection between Arithmetic and the Lord!

Earlier this year Soren and I went through a unit study on encyclopedias. Read this warning given to students...

I love that Abeka does not beat around the bush, but flat out says evolution is a "false idea" from those who "do not accept what the Bible says."

Our children were trained from the time they were little to change the TV channel if it said, "millions of years ago." I appreciate having a school curriculum that backs me up in this.

The Bible sets the foundation for all science, so to teach children to be alert to false writings is wise indeed.

There seems to be an attack on all that is good and right. We see it in modern teachings. That's why I believe children should be on Christian curriculum. 

Instead of teaching children to hate their gender, for example, teach them that they are, "fearfully and wonderfully made." This excerpt from Abeka's 4th grade health book is excellent:

I especially love the part in the middle that encourages students to, "thank God for making you just as He did."

A beautiful, uplifting thought.

Here's another -

God's people should appear, "... confident, happy, full of energy." 

These readings minister to me, as well.

I am learning, and re-learning, right alongside my kids.

I feel they are quite blessed to be receiving this Biblical foundation in the comfort of our home.

They don't think there is anything special or unusual about it, of course. It just feels like daily, mundane tasks to them.

For some reason it takes time for the mind to really open and understand certain things. So patience is required from the mother.

But I pray these truths will touch their hearts and stay with them long after my job is done and they've moved away.

"He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it." - Philippians 1:6

~ Courtney