Answers to the most commonly asked questions about ABC Jesus Loves Me and the Our Out-of-Sync Life blog. Click on the linked questions to read a more detailed answer.
- ABC Jesus Loves Me Curriculum
- ABC Jesus Loves Me Curriculum in Book Form & Purchasing Licenses
- Starting the ABCJLM Curriculum
- Our Out-of-Sync Life
ABC Jesus Loves Me Curriculum
- Are the same supplies needed for every child?
As long as you are using the curriculum with only a few children, you only need one set of books, tactile letters, games, etc. But, it is important for every child to have his own space - including a chair and writing surface that accommodates his little size. Also, make sure to have plenty of paper, pencils, colors, play dough, etc to allow each child the opportunity to learn while sharing items. Each child will need his own set of worksheets and craft printables. - Which curriculum do I choose?
1st - Figure out how many years the has before Kindergarten. A child who has only one year needs to be doing the 4 Year Curriculum or 5 Year Curriculum if possible so that they are prepared.
2nd - Use the Objective Pre and Post Test to figure out what the child already knows.
3rd - Use the Curriculum Chart Guide to help you decide. - What if I have two preschool-aged chidren who need two different curriculum?
It is easiest to combine activities for Bible, songs, Books of the Week, and verses. Split learning for academic concepts and writing. - How do I hold school with more than one kiddo?
Begin by combining activities that can be done together. Then start the one child on an independent activity while you focus on the other child. If babies or toddlers are part of the equation, use nap or room time to do the academic learning. As much as possible, make the learning part of your day instead of dictating your day. This will allow all ages to participate. - What do I need to do the curriculum with twins?
The curriculum book contains lesson plans for you, as the teacher. There is nothing in this book directly used by the child. So only one curriculum book is needed. I highly suggest that you purchase a workbook and an ABCJLM Bible Coloring Book for each child. - Which version of the Bible is the curriculum based upon?
There is not a set version that I use although NIV is the most common. I chose the version that I felt best conveyed the meaning for a preschool child. Typical versions are NIV, Living Bible, and New King James. - When do I cover each objective?
The Weekly Lesson Plans divide the curriculum into 36 week-long segments. Since the curriculum are set up to be studied 3-4 times a week, it is up to you to decide how each week will look. Planning this will depend on your schedule and your child's attention span. Click on the links below to view examples for each curriculum. Tweak these ideas to work in your home!Also view the Daily Schedule Example to see an hour-by-hour plan.
- How do I write a lesson plan?
The great thing about ABCJLM is that I have already created the lesson plans. So, unless you have a desire to do more planning, the majority of work is done for you. Depending on your personality and the amount of time you can spend on the preparation, I have created a blog post providing you with some ideas of how to get started. Click to read How to Write a Lesson Plan... - Do I have to have the "Book of the Week" to use the ABCJLM curriculum?
Unlike other preschool curriculum available on the web, the ABCJLM lesson plans do not center around a book. While there is a revolving theme in each week's activities, nothing hinges on one activity or another. Thus, there is absolutely nothing in the ABCJLM curriculum that you must to have or that you are obligated to teach. You may pick and choose what areas you want to focus. Even I don't do all of the ideas in the curriculum. Some children will thrive on the additional activities while others need one or two ideas to grasp the concept. While I highly suggest that you introduce your child to each of the books used in the curriculum I understand that not everyone will choose to do this. - What if my library doesn't have the books that are recommended in the curriculum?
As with all of the objectives and suggestions in the ABCJLM curriculum, all books are optional and provided to introduce your child to several authors and reinforce concepts learned. If acquiring these books is not an option for you, take the list to your librarian and see if she can purchase them for the library. Also ask about library loan systems. Do a search for the book titles on You Tube. Almost all of the books are available in video form with a person narrating the story as the illustrations float in and out. While I highly suggest that you own all of the "Book of the Week" books, consider the rest of the books optional. - What supplies do I need to use the ABCJLM Curriculum?
Remember that all suggested items are strictly suggested. Any item can be omitted or substituted. Each of the curriculum contain Supply Lists to help you prepare for the year. I have explained this question further in the post, "What Do We Need to Use the ABCJLM Curriculum?". - How do I get my child to "do" school?
In the "How Do I Get My Child to Do School" post, I have shared several ideas to make school time happen. - I am unable to view and print the worksheets.
Be sure to upgrade Adobe Reader as this is typically the cause of the problem. Also trying switching web browsers (Firefox, IE). - Why can't I download every lesson plan and worksheet from one place?
In their entirety the ABCJLM curriculum and supplemental materials are 100% free for family use. Because we provide it for free, we have to handle our website differently than a curriculum that is purchased for hundreds of dollars. Besides the thousands of hours that I have spent creating the website and curriculum, there are also fees that we pay to provide the Preschool Bible Curriculum and supplemental materials for free. Thus we have to think in terms of webpage management in order to make sure that families can continue to use the curriculum for free. - Why doesn't ABCJLM charge families to use the curriculum?
Many have asked us why we don't charge families to use the ABCJLM curriculum and supplemental materials. And many feel like we are missing out on a huge monetary opportunity. The answer is simple. We feel led by God to provide for free the curriculum to families who may not otherwise be able to provide their children with something like this. The only reason why we offer the Curriculum and Workbooks in book form to order is because so many begged us to. They didn't want to have to spend the money or time it takes to print the 250-440 pages themselves.
ABCJLM Curriculum in Book Form
- What is included in each book?
Find a complete list here. - Why order if the curriculum is free online?
Upon ABCJLM users' request, the curriculum and worksheets are available to order in book form. Ordering saves you the cost and the hours of time it takes to print off each curriculum's lesson plans and worksheets. The curriculum is now available for your Kindle or a Kindle app as well! Read more... - Shipping
Upon entering the Paypal website, you may choose either Media Mail or Priority Mail to ship your order. Please understand that Media Mail is the slowest form of mailing and it may take up to 28 days for your package to be delivered. If you would prefer your book(s) sooner, please choose the Prioirty Mail option. Pictured below is an example of what you will see once you enter Paypal. - International Orders
All International Orders are shipped Priority Mail. Shipping rate is based upon the total weight of books ordered and is added before the order is finalized. After placing your order in the cart, you will enter the Paypal website. Here you can choose your shipping options and see the cost. It is not my goal to make a profit off of shipping. If I find that your total shipping cost is significantly less than what I estimated, I will refund you. If there is a dependable shipping method to you that is less expensive, please let me know and I will adjust the shipping charge accordingly. - Physical and Email Address Importance
Please make sure that Paypal has your current address and not an old one. Also, please use an email address that you regularly check. This is the only form of communication that I have with you. - Incorrect Addresses
If I receive an order back due to a wrong address, you will be charged a minimum of $5 to reship. - What is the Return Policy?
Any cancelled or returned order will receive a $10 restocking fee per book. Orders may not be cancelled once shipped and are only able to be returned if in perfect condition and within 30 days of the order date. No License may be returned or refunded. - What is the mailing time on an order?
Media Mail is the slowest of all mail. It may take up to 28 business days to receive your package. Please choose Priority mail if you are wanting the books quickly. - My child has difficulty working in books or with pages that have been torn out of books. Can I purchase the pages unbound?
Each book is bound by hand and can very easily be unbound. Simply bend one of the ends straight and roll the binding off. - Are worksheets included in the Curriculum books?
There are no worksheets included in the Curriculum in Book Form. Worksheets are available in separate books. - I have not received my order.
All orders are shipped within seven business days. If you chose Media Mail, it may take an additional 28 business days for delivery. If you choose Priority Mail, you may track the package using the email you received from the USPS. - What communication will I receive from ABCJLM after an order?
Upon receiving your order, an email will be sent to you informing you of the shipping date.
Starting the ABCJLM Curriculum
- Do I need to wait until my child turns two to begin using the 2 Year Curriculum?
This is a question that is asked a lot on our Facebook Group. In short, it is never too early to begin teaching your child about Jesus. As far as the academic side, it depends on your child. I have two kiddos who could have begun the curriculum before age two and two that weren't ready at age two! I suggest that you begin pulling out various aspects of the curriculum (reading, Bible, songs, fingerplays, etc.) now and see how it goes with the academic objectives. Take it at your child's pace and in very small chunks. - What is the difference between the 4 Year and 5 Year Curriculum?
The 4 Year Curriculum is geared toward those children who will be entering Kindergarten the next year. It consists of the Fruits of the Spirit and character traits which are supported through Bible characters, memory verses, and songs. Academically, 4-year-olds learn how to write their letters, numbers, name, phone number, address as well as learning about the seasons, senses, and tying a shoe to name a few. Also basic math such as shapes, colors, spatial concepts, sorting, opposites, sequencing, and patterns are learned. Gross and motor skill activities along with visual perception activities are also a part of this curriculum.
The 5 Year Curriculum focuses on words, higher level thinking, and longer books. All objectives are a step higher than the 4 Year Curriculum. It is assumed that the child knows the basic preschool "stuff" - colors, shapes, letters. In the 5 Year Curriculum, the child learns about the "whys" and "hows" instead of memorizing "what." I have taken the majority of the objectives from the first semester of Kindergarten. The Bible portion focuses more on heart issues than simply memorizing stories about famous Bible characters. We look at "who" God is and "what" the Bible is. There is a long portion about the "Be" Attitudes and what is looks like to live like Christ. - If the 4 Year Curriculum is for children going into Kindergarten, why the 5 Year Pre-KCurriculum?
The 5 Year Curriculum is a PreK program for children who are older or more advanced. The 5 Year Curriculum Bible themes focus on the meaning behind the Scripture instead of simply memorizing Bible stories. The child will learn what the Bible is, who God is, ways that God desires to help us, and how we need to live. The 5 Year Curriculum focuses on writing the letters and identifying the letters in words. Each week contains a sight word taken from the "Fry Instant Word" list. According to Dr. Edward B. Fry, 25 of the 28 words introduced in the curriculum make up 1/3 of all items published. Academically, the child is introduced to many early elementary concepts - coins, clock, addition, weather, and so much more. Gross and motor skill activities along with visual perception activities are also a part of this curriculum. - Planning
Including learning into daily activities... - Overview
Ideas when preparing... - Beginning the Curriculum Mid-year
One of the most asked questions that I receive is the one asking about starting the ABCJLM curriculum in the middle of the year. All four curriculum are created to be flexible. Although they are designed to start in August and finish in May, this is simply to match up the holidays with activities in the curriculum. The basic curriculum does not change. Read more... - My 2-year-old already knows all of the colors, shapes, numbers, and letters. Which curriculum do I begin?
The ABCJLM Curriculum are so much more than the memorization of academic concepts. Bible, fine motor skills, social skills are just a few of the other topics covered in the curriculum. I can not encourage you enough to move past the "drill and kill" form of learning and make learning part of the day.
Our Out-of-Sync Life
- What is the blog?
The OurOutofSyncLife blog is all about us sharing our life with you (I Thes 2:8). The good, the bad, and the ugly all to encourage you and glorify God.
"God has blessed us with four beautiful children - one with Auditory & Sensory Processing Disorders, a very Strong-Willed princess, an ADHD and Spirited Little Man, and a determined toddler. Join us as we grow in our relationship with our Savior and as we learn to train up our children to love the Lord and others. Explore how we incorporate the ABC Jesus Loves Me curriculum into our daily lives and also read honest product reviews." - Why the name?
- Free Ebook - "A Quiet Time, Worth the Time"
Still not finding the answers to your questions?
- Ask the ABCJLM Group on Facebook - A place to discuss and ask questions about the ABCJLM curriculum, the Bible, parenthood as well as preschool activities.
ABC Jesus Loves Me Forum - A g
