Homeschooling parents, it’s time to spill the tea! Let’s talk about how the Abeka Academy K4 curriculum worked out for us. Spoiler alert: It was a totally amazing for our family!
When we started homeschooling, we knew we needed a curriculum that checked some key boxes: it had to be flexible, efficient, and ready-to-go because, let’s be real, we’re a busy family. I work full-time as a teacher, and my husband has a flexible (but still demanding) job. We needed something that could fit into our unique schedules without feeling overwhelming.
What’s Included in the Abeka Academy K4 Homeschool Curriculum
The K4 curriculum is incredibly comprehensive for what many consider a “preschool” grade. It’s not just a collection of worksheets. It includes:
- Readers: Perfect for building early literacy skills and fostering a love of books.
- Alphabet flashcards: To reinforce letter recognition and sounds.
- Cursive formation cards: Yes, we started cursive in K4! At first, I wasn’t sure how my daughter would take to it, but she loved the challenge.
- A video manual: Packed with step-by-step guidance for parents.
One of our favorite features was how seamlessly Abeka weaves biblical principles into every subject. Faith is central to our family, so we loved how scripture and Christian values were prioritized throughout the curriculum. Whether it was math, reading, or even art, each subject pointed back to God’s truths, making every lesson meaningful.
Adjusting to Our Pace
We began the K4 program as a test run before the official school year started. I’m a planner, so I wanted to be prepared and ease my daughter (and myself!) into homeschooling. Initially, I thought she’d sit through a full day of lessons like a champ. Yeah… that didn’t happen. 😅
Her attention span wasn’t quite ready for marathon lessons, so we adjusted. Instead of trying to power through everything at once, we broke lessons into smaller, more manageable chunks. We began by completing one lesson a day with me sitting right next to her through the whole lessons. Over time, we gradually built up to longer sessions as she grew more comfortable and confident.
Eventually, we transitioned to using a laptop for her lessons, and that was a game-changer. She became more focused and engaged because the laptop made the lessons feel “official.” Plus, it gave us the flexibility to switch locations if needed—whether it was at the kitchen table, on the couch, or even outside on nice days.
Finding the Right Setup
The learning environment played a huge role in her success. We tried several setups:
- In her room: Too many toys = no focus.
- In the living room: Better, but still too many distractions.
- In our bedroom: Bingo! With fewer distractions, she could focus on the lessons.
Eventually, we transitioned to using a laptop for her lessons, and that was a game-changer. She became more focused and engaged, and we could easily adjust the pace to fit her needs.
Organization Hacks That Worked
As a teacher, I know the value of organization, so I tested a few systems before landing on the one that worked best for us: the binder method.
Here’s how I set it up:
- Divide the work into quarters: This broke the curriculum into smaller, more manageable sections.
- Organize each quarter’s work into a binder: I used tabs to separate subjects and kept everything neat and accessible.
- Minimize clutter: Only the materials we needed for the current quarter stayed in the binder, which kept things simple.
This method made daily lessons so much easier. Instead of flipping through a pile of books or materials, I could grab the binder and have everything we needed right at our fingertips.
Gradual Progress for Big Wins
Building routines was a gradual process, but it paid off in a big way. We started with just one or two lessons per day, then slowly added more as she got the hang of it. By the time the new school year started, my daughter was a pro at completing a full day of K4 lessons alongside her big brother, who was starting fourth grade.
The best part? She began to love homeschooling. If we ever skipped a day, she’d ask to catch up in the evening because she didn’t want to miss out. That level of enthusiasm was a huge win for us and reminded me that learning should always be something kids look forward to, not dread.
What We Loved About Abeka K4
- Biblical Integration: Faith is woven into every subject, which was a must for us.
- Comprehensive Resources: From the video manual to the student materials, everything you need is included.
- Parent Support: The lessons are clearly laid out, with instructions printed right on the workbook pages.
- Engaging Content: My older son even commented that he wished he’d done Abeka when he was younger because of the fun songs and activities!
Lessons Learned
One major takeaway was this: the curriculum is a tool, and you are the master of that tool. Don’t feel like you have to do every single activity or problem. Adjust the lessons to fit your child’s needs, and don’t be afraid to skip or modify as necessary.
Our Final Verdict
We were so impressed with the Abeka K4 curriculum that we’ve already used it again for K5 and fifth grade, and are currently using Abeka Academy Grade 1 and Grade 6. It’s thorough, faith-centered, and adaptable—everything a busy homeschooling family could ask for.
If you’re considering Abeka or have experience with it, I’d love to hear your thoughts! What has worked for you? Let’s chat in the comments.
Thanks for stopping by, and if you found this review helpful, don’t forget to share it with a friend! 🤗
💖 Yessi
