The A Beka middle school and high school curriculum offers excellent, rigorous science courses with complete scope and sequence using a traditional school textbook approach. However, due to its content presentation and lab activities designed for the classroom, it’s challenging for homeschool settings. It is best suited for students with a strong interest in science and parent teachers with a science background. It is designed to be taught and not self-learned by the student. The lessons and labs, especially grades 9-12, are complex and require significant teacher preparation time. Grades 9-12 (Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) are harder to teach and more time-consuming than grades 7-8. This curriculum presents a Christian creationist worldview.
Review of A Beka Book® Science Curriculum – Grades 7-12 | |
Curriculum Components Recommended | Student Text, Teacher Edition, Activity Book, Teacher Activity Book, Tests, Test Key |
Curriculum Cost (per Grade) | $105 for grades 7-8
$170 for grades 9-12 |
Hands-on Activities Cost (per Grade) | $80-390 depending on grade |
Strengths |
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Weaknesses |
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Learning Environment | |
Homeschool Suitability | ★★★ |
Classroom Suitability | ★★★★★ |
New Science Teacher Suitability | ★★ |
Learning Evaluation Tools | ★★★★★ |
Includes Student Tests | Yes |
Worldview | Creationist |
Student Appeal | |
Student Readability | ★★★★ |
Engaging Visual Content | ★★★★★ |
Independent Study Suitability | ★★ |
Suitability for Students Not Interested in Science | ★★★ |
Reading Level | Grade Appropriate |
Science Content Quality | |
Scope and Sequence | ★★★★★ |
Depth of Science Content | ★★★★★ |
Age-appropriate Science Content | ★★★★★ |
Hands-on Science Learning | |
Comprehensive Hands-on Learning | ★★★★★ |
Activities Develop Science Skills | ★★★★ |
Activities Develop Critical Thinking | ★★★★ |
Ease of Completing Experiments | ★★★ |
Activity/Lab Prep Time | 30-60 minutes |
Star Rating: 5-Very Good, 4-Good, 3-Fair, 2-Poor, 1-Very Poor
A Beka®, A Beka Book®, and A Beka Academy® are registered trademarks of Pensacola Christian College, Inc. (PCC). Home Science Tools is not affiliated with A Beka Book, A Beka Academy or Pensacola Christian College, Inc. (PCC).