I think I need to reconsider the Abeka Language Arts program I’m using.
Abeka is OK. They are fundamentalist Christian types. I don’t mind if the kids are learning the calendar in Math and for December, they talk about the birth of Christ and show Nativity scenes. It’s nice.
This is the first year that my curriculum calls for Abeka in Science. I don’t mind that it says “God gave us eyes to see…etc.” It’s nice.
I decided to also use their Language Arts, on the recommendation of my very good friend and fellow homeschooler, whose oldest daughter is in the 6th grade. This friend is a devout Catholic and a former schoolteacher. I trust her judgment. I need a grammar program outside of what my curriculum offers, because I fear the standardized tests that are required by the state. My kids must pass! Grammar is a big component of these tests.
Today, Fritz will learn that the months of the year and the days of the week are always capitalized. He has already learned that the word “I” is capitalized. He will practice on sentences like: I was saved on the first Friday in July. And: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Hmmm….maybe I’ll go browse over at Seton later.
Reit This Way 
Ummm…when do the kids learn that Hell is capitalized? Probably in the sentence, “Repent all sinners for Hell awaits those who are not saved!” I think that I would capitalize the word “Creepy” for them.
And then after we learn about NAMES and RELIGIONS, we can work on sentences like: Martin Luther was right, and all Catholics are sinners.I have to admit, I admire these types. I mean, how comforting to know the day you were saved. Of course, if it were such a done deal like that, I’d be tempted to start a business marketing halos and harps. I mean, why hide the obvious?
Oh God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest my sin of making fun of Protestants, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the fires of Hell, but most of all because I know You love them too, and it’s not nice to make fun of Your children, wrong though they may be. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess this sin, to do penance (is the Apostles Creed good enough?), and to amend my life. Amen.
In addition to Seton, Catholic Heritage Curricula has a new grammar program called Language of God that you might want to check out.
Thank, Mom of Boys. It looks good. I just may switch.
For what it’s worth, I am really happy with the K12 Curriculum, especially language arts (grammar, composition, vocab, analogies and test readiness). It is a secular curriculum but sometimes references God and the Bible in pleasant ways. There are no land mines, it matches the state testing standards and, for 3rd grade anyway, works just perfectly for us so far. The lessons are digestable, well-presented, and not too much for my reluctant student. The composition part I am particularly impressed with.I liked how History covered the spread of Catholicism in the Middle Ages. Could have been more church centered, but there was enough there that I could work with.I supplement the overall curriculum with Seton religion. My two cents!
Thanks, Suzanne. I checked out K-12 way back when I first looked at curriculums. Good stuff there, too.I confronted my friend about Abeka, and she laughed. Neither of us are truly concerned about exposing our kids to Protestant culture (in fact, the one criticism I have of the Seton program is that it seems to completely shut out all mention of any other religions…). I’m really hemming and hawing on this one and may just sit tight with what I’ve already purchased for this year and switch next year. I hate to waste money, and I could easily cross off the obnoxious sentences. Yesterday, Fritz had to write an interrogative sentence about a book in the Bible (all books of the Bible are capitalized, you know). His blank stare would make him stand out at an Awana meeting, that’s for sure. What good Protestant boy hasn’t memorized the books of the Bible by Third Grade?