Abeka Reading

Description

Abeka® Reading materials provide distinct benefits. Sets of readers use an all-inclusive and systematic approach to gaining and strengthening reading skills. The literature choices emphasize wholesome, biblically supported content, as well as citizenship and traditional values. Students are provided developmentally appropriate depth and length of reading materials, producing strong readers--early. Skills are built and strengthened with continual practice and review of wholesome content. Using plentiful and colorful readers in the lower grades, students practice word analysis, build vocabulary, and work on developing reading and thinking skills. The program then broadens to include literature and nonfiction, while introducing and practicing literary techniques. Every reading passage comes with a handful of questions to help promote reading comprehension. At each grade level, the number of readers decreases while literature variety increases, and literary skill development strengthens (i.e., Grade 2 uses 10 readers; Grade 6 uses 3).

The Reading answer keys can be found in the Grade level, Answer Key with Literary Development and Enrichment Activities. The answers to all the readers will be included, plus teacher support, story intros, teaching tips, vocabulary enrichment, literary analysis, and more. While the reading programs are part of Abeka's complete language arts curriculum, you can potentially use this program separately to focus solely on reading skills. Materials use KJV scripture.

The K5 program assumes your child has a phonics' base. Then, the multi-sensory approach teaches long vowel, special sounds, beginning/ending blends, digraphs, a few sight words, r-controlled vowels, etc. This level also adds a Primary Bible Reader containing 150 KJV passages from the Old and New Testaments. Grade 1's goal is independent reading: first reviewing phonics, then transitioning to reading skills. The program continues with reviewing phonics instruction, but transitions toward reading skills, aiming at independent reading. A steady development progression begins at Grade 2 (as phonics foundations are mastered). Children learn to read more diverse materials (literature and nonfiction) and begin examining literary techniques such as cause/effect, sequencing, inference, and main character. At any level, assigned readings will include on-page definitions of new vocabulary questions, info about the authors, and "Time to Think" questions at the end (answers in teacher material). Levels from Grade 3 incorporate simplified versions of classic novels. At Grade 4, material steps up in difficulty and genre types. Also starting at this grade, additional optional reading selections provide student analysis and book report possibilities. When students reach Grade 6, they are reading and evaluating a variety of poetry, short stories, excerpts, and adaptations of novels from famous authors.

If you desire, Abeka provides additional tools that can be used alongside this or any reading program. Abeka believes a student's ability to comprehend is based in their ability to concentrate. These additional tools hone such skills at different levels. Grades 2-3 provide Reading Comprehension Skill Sheets, with a Parent Edition (including objectives, enrichment, answers and Bible application). In Grades 4-6, build reading speed and comprehension skills using an Adventures in … reader, along with the consumable Read and Comprehend Skill Sheets. Each separate key provides the student answers. Speed and Comprehension Readers or Skill Sheets provide multiple reading practices: each with a word count and corresponding comprehension quiz. One-page comprehension quizzes are provided for each story. These books include a place to record your student's comprehension and words-per-minute scores. These skill-focused tools are an integral part of Abeka's reading programs. If, however, you're looking for a Christian, systematic approach to consistently check and strengthen speed and comprehension, try using these as independent reading skill tools.

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.