Science | Reading | Spelling | Handwriting
1. How do Levels A-H in A Reason For Science® correspond to grade levels?
In general, Level A = grade 1; Level B = grade 2; Level C = grade 3; Level D = grade 4; Level E = grade 5; Level F = grade 6; Level G = grade 7; Level H = grade 8. However, Levels A & B are designed to be interchangeable during the earliest years of formal science instruction. Levels C-
2. Is there a Scope & Sequence available for A Reason For Science®?
Yes! We have compiled a Scope & Sequence outlining the Topic/Focus and Objective for every weekly lesson in all eight levels. The PDF file is available for download here.
3. Is A Reason For Science® a complete curriculum? Can it be used as a supplement?
A Reason For Science® is designed to be a comprehensive, stand-alone curriculum. Unlike some other programs, the goal is not for your child to simply memorize formulas and facts, but instead to help them truly master key scientific concepts through lessons built on engaging, weekly hands-on activities.
4. What is the Materials Kit?
The Materials Kit for each grade level is a sturdy, plastic case containing most of the essential supplies for each level's weekly hands-on activities. (Some common or perishable items—for example, a flower, an egg, or tap water—are not provided.) The contents of each kit will supply a team of up to 5 children for a full year of experiments.
We offer a Materials Kit for every level of our Science program. Without the correct materials, it may not be possible to complete the weekly activity that accompanies each lesson. We provide a complete Materials List for each level of the Science program (see our Downloads page). While we provide this list for your reference, some chemicals and other specialized items required for experiments are not readily available in the general market, or may only be purchased in bulk. By providing convenient access to the supplies necessary for weekly activities, the Materials Kit enables parents to focus on more important aspects of lesson preparation, while allowing young learners to complete experiments that clearly demonstrate key scientific concepts.
Together, the Teacher Guidebook and Materials Kit make it easy to teach the lessons in this subject, even for those with little or no science background.
5. Can I buy just Student Worktexts?
To successfully complete lessons in the A Reason For Science® Student Worktexts, you must have the Teacher Guidebook. Although Student Worktexts can be purchased separately, it simply is not possible to provide effective instruction without the corresponding Teacher Guidebook.
6. Can I purchase a single Student Worktext and make copies for multiple children or a co-op class?
A Reason For Science® Student Worktexts are designed to be consumable, meaning that students write on the pages of the book. As a copyrighted text, it is illegal to make and distribute copies of the lessons.
7. Is the A Reason For Science® Teacher Guidebook essential?
Absolutely! The Teacher Guidebook contains crucial instructions for using the Student Worktext. In the Teacher Guidebook, you'll find detailed lesson plans (with scripted teaching notes), weekly assessment masters, answer keys, extension activities, suggested resources, and much more. Regardless of the level, it is simply not possible to complete assignments in the A Reason For Science® Student Worktexts without a Teacher Guidebook.
1. How many books are there and how many will I need?
Currently, there are 95 Leveled Readers in this series, and we plan to publish more! Every one of the 95 books is based on stories and/or values taken from the Bible.
The number of books you need depends on how you use the series. As the centerpiece of a reading program, you could use all these books (and others). For supplemental reading practice, we offer various packages to best meet your needs. To choose the right options for your situation, visit our Reading page or call 800.447.4332.
2. How are levels determined for the Leveled Readers?
A Reason For Reading® uses the most commonly referenced leveling system in reading instruction today, following guidelines established through decades of research and classroom experience. If you are familiar with a different leveling system (DRA, Lexile, etc.), detailed correlation charts such as this one are readily available online to use as a cross-
3. How do I know which Reading Levels I need to be using?
In very general terms, “Emergent” Levels (A, B, C) are designed for beginning readers, comparable to the reading ability of an average Kindergarten student. “Transitional” Levels (D, E, F, G, H) are designed for intermediate readers, or roughly 1st grade. “Fluent” Levels (I, J, K, L, M) are designed for Early Fluent readers, roughly 2nd grade.
However, it is essential to keep in mind that every child is different! It’s not uncommon to find Fluent readers in Kindergarten, or Emergent readers in higher grades. The A Reason For Reading® Parent Resource Guide can help you determine your child’s reading level.
4. What is the difference between the A Reason For Reading® Scripture series and the Values series?
Books in the Scripture series—those with purple-edged covers—are based on Bible stories or characters like Daniel, Esther, Joseph, and Peter. This series also includes parables like the Ten Lepers. The back cover contains the specific Scripture reference.
The Values series—with blue-edged covers—is based on general Scripture themes like angels, prayer, and guidance. It also includes Christian values themes like sharing, and stories about contemporary children and various challenges they face. The back cover of these titles also references a related Scripture verse. 
1. How do Levels A-F of A Reason for Spelling® correspond to grade levels?
In general, the Level A Student Worktext is used in grade 1; Level B in grade 2; Level C in grade 3; Level D in grade 4; Level E in grade 5; Level F in grade 6.
However, we believe one of the great strengths of home education is the ability to tailor each child's learning to his specific needs. Before assigning a Worktext, we highly recommend that you administer our simple, 20-question placement test(s) to help you assess your child's readiness and pick the right level. PDF files of all six tests are available on our Downloads page.
2. Is the A Reason for Spelling® Teacher Guidebook really necessary?
The Teacher Guidebook is absolutely crucial! In addition to the weekly “Values Theme Story” on which the pretest and all following weekly activity pages and answers are based, the Teacher Guidebook contains detailed lesson plans, multi-sensory learning activities, numerous helps for student spelling “challenges” and much more. It is impossible to use a Student Worktext without the matching Teacher Guidebook.
3. Does the A Reason for Spelling® curriculum follow spelling rules?
American English is a complex language containing numerous irregularities, and there are exceptions to almost every spelling “rule.” Research, however, indicates there are some generalizations that are valuable in teaching children to spell. Rather than "rules" for spelling, we emphasize these generalizations throughout the curriculum. (For more information, see page XI in any of the A Reason for Spelling® Teacher Guidebooks.)
4. Is this a phonics-
Phonics can be helpful when learning basic words that follow simple rules. For this reason, in the lower grade Worktexts (Levels A and B), A Reason For Spelling® offers a robust (but optional) phonics section with age-appropriate phonics instruction. However, because American English is not phonetic, a phonics-based approach can also be confusing when decoding more difficult words, so other learning strategies are outlined in the A Reason For Spelling® Teacher Guidebooks for Level C and above.
5. Do the A Reason For Spelling® Student Worktexts have a glossary?
Teacher Guidebooks show how to help students create their own "glossary” in a spiral notebook as questions arise about specific words. This not only encourages developing dictionary skills, but is a more effective way to help children learn the meanings of words.
6. Can I purchase a single Student Worktext and make copies for multiple children or a co-op class?
A Reason For Spelling® Student Worktexts are designed to be consumable, meaning that students write on the pages of the book. As a copyrighted text, it is illegal to make and distribute copies of the lessons.
7. How do the A Reason For Spelling® Scripture verses correlate with A Reason For Handwriting®?
Each week’s A Reason For Spelling® lesson begins with a 6-
1. How do Levels K-F of A Reason For Handwriting® correspond to grade levels?
In general, the Level K Student Worktext is used in Kindergarten; Level A in grade 1; Level B in grade 2; Transition in grades 2 or 3 (see question #4); Level C in grade 3; Level D in grade 4; Level E in grade 5; Level F in grade 6. However, Levels C–F all teach Cursive and can easily be adapted to accommodate individual student needs or multi-
2. Why do both Levels A & B feature Manuscript handwriting?
Most students need two full years to completely master Manuscript before transitioning into Cursive. From computer screens to street signs to school textbooks, we all live in a “Manuscript world,” so true proficiency is essential for life.
3. What style of penmanship is taught?
The traditional Palmer method is reflected throughout A Reason For Handwriting®. We do not teach a style like D’Nealian or Getty/Dubay, because mastering Manuscript is so important to learning. Shortcuts to Cursive handwriting often create challenges for students; research has established that teaching one style of text for reading, while using a completely different style for handwriting, can lead to significant learning problems.
4. When should we use the Transition Worktext?
You may choose to use the Transition Worktext in whatever year your children transition from Manuscript to Cursive – ideally grade 2 or 3.
The Transition worktext allows for a mid-year shift from manuscript to cursive handwriting. Your child will review manuscript for the first semester, then transition to learning and practicing cursive letters in the second half of the year.
Contents of the Transition student worktext include:
- 10 daily practice lessons (2 weeks total) reviewing manuscript letter formation,
- 16 weekly lessons in manuscript,
- 45 practice daily lessons (9 weeks total) introducing cursive letter formation,
- 9 weekly lessons in cursive,
- Border Sheets (one side manuscript, one side cursive) for use with the weekly lessons.
When the Transition Worktext is used in grade 2, it should be substituted for the second full year (Level B) of Manuscript instruction and followed with Cursive Worktext C the following year. If the Transition Worktext is used in grade 3 instead, eliminate Cursive Worktext C, then use Cursive D for grade 4.
5. How valuable is the A Reason For Handwriting® Teacher Guidebook?
The Comprehensive Teacher Guidebook contains specific instructions for using all levels of this K-
6. What Bible version is used in A Reason For Handwriting®?
Since A Reason For Handwriting® was created to teach penmanship skills based on Scripture verses instead of secular content, it was essential to use simple, age-appropriate, easy-
We strongly encourage you and your child to spend time comparing the weekly practice verses from The Living Bible with the translation your church or family uses for in-
7. Does A Reason For Handwriting® correlate with A Reason For Spelling®?
With the exception of the Transition Worktext, practice verses used in the weekly Handwriting lesson for each level are the same verses on which the Monday morning Spelling “Values Theme Story” is based.
In Handwriting, your children will practice, memorize, decorate, and share the Verse of the Week. Then, in Spelling, they'll discover the practical, real-life application of the “Value” inherent in that verse. This helps your young ones understand the Bible's relevance to the situations and struggles of daily life.
8. Can I purchase a single Student Worktext and make copies for multiple children or a co-op class?
A Reason For Handwriting® Student Worktexts are designed to be consumable, meaning that students write on the pages of the book. As a copyrighted text, it is illegal to make and distribute copies of the lessons.
9. Can I make copies of the Border Sheets in the back of the Student Worktext, to use for extra practice?
As part of the Handwriting Student Worktexts, Border Sheets are copyrighted. We do offer inexpensive packs of 50 Border Sheets, available in Manuscript and Cursive, and ask that you do not reproduce the Border Sheets from the Student Worktext. In addition, we frequently offer free Border Sheet downloads to our newsletter subscribers.
