happyjuggler
- Reviewed on Friday, July 31, 2009
- Grades Used: 1st and 3rd
- Dates used: 2008-2009
A Beka Math might be great for some students, but I am sure it's not for my students. We choose this curriculum just to be on the safe side, since many Christian schools are using A Beka.
My 1st grader is a body-kinetic type of learner. A Beka Math just does not make sense for him. We struggled for months and he still could only add single digits with his fingers.
Our solution was to try another math curriculum with manipulatives (we tried Math-U-See). Surprisingly, my 1st grader learned addition from single digit to three digits with regrouping in two weeks! This is how we realized that the "right" type of curriculum really makes a difference!
A Beka Math worked OK for my 3rd grader, who is very strong in mental math and logical thinking. However, it was very boring for him. It's just worksheet after worksheet.
What I observed in both 1st and 3rd grade A Beka math is that it sometimes moves too fast. I had to generate my own work sheets or math problems to help my students get familiar with one idea before we moved on.
I am writing the above review hoping to help some parents who have kids like my first grader (Not because I "hate" A Beka or anyone in that company). Hands-on experience is really critical to kids who need to see and touch real things. This way they are able to understand abstract concepts like math.
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homeschoolfor3
- Reviewed on Saturday, April 25, 2009
- Grades Used: k, 1, 2, 3 supplemented 6 & 8
- Dates used: 2008-2009
Abeka is an excellent curriculum in the beginning grades. I really teaches children Arithmetic, using the spiral method. Concepts are introduced and they are constantly reviewed. My four year old did the Kindergarten math book and he loved it! He is now 5 yrs, 3 months and he's more than halfway through the second grade math book. He has become very good at math, he can add, subtract, multiply, divide and measure things much better than his older brother did when he attended public school (in second grade). My other son, who is now 7, completed Arithmetic 2 and 3 by Abeka, and he was able to breeze through Singapore 4. I had to switch him from Abeka because though the curriculum is advanced in the lower grades, it is too easy as the grades advance (there is too much time spent on calculation- well into the eight grade).
Pros: Abeka is an excellent curriculum for beginning Arithmetic. I highly recommend it for grades k-3 or maximum, 4. The Material is taught in a fun way, and the child who completes these grades really KNOWS math.
Cons: Amount of material. from 1st grade on, there is a work text and a separate drills and tests workbook. This is OK until 2nd grade, but by third grade there is A Lot of work on the work text, supplementary pages (about 100), plus drills, plus weekly tests. It is too much work for children. I would recommend not to buy the tests and drills and just complete the work text with the supplementary pages. It will still take a good 45+ minutes to get through each lesson. Another option is to use only the work text and have the child complete only part of the exercises.
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bejoyful65
- Reviewed on Monday, January 26, 2009
- Grades Used: K
- Dates used: 2008-2009
My daughter LOVES this book! It is fun for her and very colorful. There is a lot packed on each page. She would sit down and do a dozen pages easy in one sitting. She is 5. I think I should have gotten her the 1st grade book to be more challenging. I think it is wonderful and recommend it fully.
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Calming Tea
- Reviewed on Tuesday, November 18, 2008
- Grades Used: 1
- Dates used: 5 MONTHS
Fantastic. This is the best math program so far for my son. He is getting 100 on every test, and we are never, ever frustrated.
We started out the year with MCP and it was a disaster. It had both of us in tears every day and my son was getting D's on his tests, though I kept stopping and taking off whole weeks for review.
We tried Abeka and, along with Horizons which we used for K, it is the best elementary math program we have tried. It is interesting, engaging, affordable, fast-paced, challenging, with constant review, so your student never forgets.
It seems just when my son starts to get rusty the TM has him reviewing that thing. It's perfect. FYI I do use the TM and the Speed Drill/Test booklet. I think both of those are key to the program. I tweak the TM a little, but not too much. I believe kids this age need to practice, practice, practice so they can retain and have that feeling of confidence.
And that is what Abeka has restored in my son. Confidence that he can do math and he is great at it. I love Abeka math.
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