Fourth Grade Curriculum Choices 2018-2019

This year our homeschool had some major curriculum changes. For the last few years, our curriculum was heavily concentrated in Christian Light and BJU. We used Christian Light Publications for Language Arts, Reading, Math, and Bible. We used Bob Jones for Science and Heritage Studies (History). We also used various of other fun items such as Usborne books, typing without tears, and other online activities and supplemental workbooks.

This year though, I could feel God pulling me in a much different direction. One that I was uncertain of and couldn’t fully understand. I felt a pull to primarily use a curriculum that has a plethora of negative reviews. Some say it isn’t adequate. However, here and there I would find a few articles and reviews that would give redeeming reviews. Most of these reviews were from those that continued all the way through and saw positive results even into the college years. Additionally, most of the positive reviews came from those that were conservative christians.

In reality, Noah had started to lose his enthusiasm for school. He felt the Christian Light was long, tedious, and dry. Even though he was learning at the moment, I realized he wasn’t really retaining the information. As for the BJU distance learning for Science and Heritage Studies, he was losing focusing during the videos and zoning out. Finally, in the end, we aborted the videos and sat together and read and discussed the information. He enjoyed it, and seemed to retain a bit more.

One thing I have noticed during our homeschool years, Noah learns when his development is at the place for him to move forward. So, I’ve learned not to stress on the fact if he seems to not be retaining or really grasping the info. History for us has revealed that Noah will have that ah-ha moment eventually and then take off like a rocket in that area. That’s one of the beauty’s in homeschool.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

So, you may be wondering what is this curriculum that I was hesitant to tackle. Well then…that would be: Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.). While I agree after briefly reviewing the curriculum I could see it was greatly less in-depth than all other curriculums that we have completed. However, the gentleness of the scope and sequence that eventually builds to greater difficulty was refreshing. Noah has thrived and built great confidence this year in school.

I have realized that Noah greatly thrives in retaining information when it is presented to him in a story format…somewhat “Charlotte Mason-ish,” but more so in tiny booklets labeled PACES. The information in A.C.E. is presented in a story format to relay the areas of learning or; therefore, this has worked really well. I may possibly do a more in-depth review in the future on each subject of A.C.E. that we use.

Before I list all the curriculum that we are or will be using this school year, I’d like to say that if you feel the Holy Spirit leading you in a direction in your homeschool, please be obedient. If I would have only listened to all the negative reviews then I would be missing out on the blessing that God had for Noah and myself. While we might not fully understand the direction He is asking us to go, I fully trust Him and know that it can only bring blessings and goodness.