Abeka lesson plans are user-friendly daily lesson plans specifically designed for parents and a homeschooling environment. These plans provide “just-enough" introductory and overview information to set the stage for a solid learning environment. This overview information includes a synopsis of each lesson component (phonics, reading, handwriting, numbers, and seatwork). An overall scope and sequence as well as sample schedules round out the introduction. K5 Phonics reviews short vowels and their sounds; consonants and their sounds, vowel/consonant blending, one vowel words, long vowel combinations, and makes good headway through the 132 special phonics sounds.
Daily lessons incorporate the Letters and Sounds K5 Workbook, the Kindergarten Readers, My Blend and Word Book, and Writing with Phonics as well as Word Cards and Charts and Games. Enrichment activities are suggested and sashay through the lesson plans for a variety of areas – poetry, character development, health/safety, social studies, science, art, Bible activities, and story time. These incorporate other Abeka resources such as the God's World K5 or Poetry Favorites for Kindergarten. Skills Development (visual perception, listening/thinking skills, motor coordination) lessons are also included regularly. Occasionally, these will reference additional printed materials, but typically are games and activities.
From the very beginning lesson, there is a whole child approach. Time in the beginning lessons is spent on habits and routines before settling into the systematic content presentation that earmarks the later lessons. For each of the subject areas, there are preparation notes (what materials are needed) and procedure notes (review – instruction – application). These are brief and to the point. They reference the material being used and give suggestions for how to coordinate the instruction through the various components.
The primary focus of the daily lessons is the reading (phonics), writing, and arithmetic instruction. Each of these lessons start with a warm-up/review before covering the instructional material. Application (practice exercises) complete the lesson. Reading lessons are practice from the readers followed by comprehension questions. Many lessons (but not all) include seatwork from these basic instructional areas providing additional practice.
There are 170 total lessons. Usually, each covers 1-2 pages of the Curriculum/Lesson Plans. The lessons are easy to follow and designed to be covered in a comfortable 40-45 minutes without the more involved Skills Development and/or Enrichment Activities. Those can be added in as desired. The biggest challenge will be to give yourself permission to be flexible. A normal tendency when faced with detailed lesson plans and a series of instructional points is to become so focused on checking things off that you lose sight of the educational opportunities to connect with your children in a meaningful way.
The appendices are packed with helpful lists, collections, and resources. Included: phonics word lists, suggested writing comments, cursive formation guide, sample graded papers, addition families, songs/poems, game suggestions/rules, blend ladders, planning calendars, and progress reports.