Plan the day. A Beka sets up a 170-day course schedule that parents must follow in order for their child to get credit for school work, but it allows parents some leeway when structuring the day. Typically, classwork takes three hours, but parents can go longer or shorter depending on the student.
Start with writing skills. The A Beka program focuses heavily on writing. For younger children, that starts with the basics of learning letters from A to Z ,and for middle-school students, it focuses on composition. Look for ways to expand the coursework by adding arts and crafts projects to help with basic letters and words.
Focus on math next. The A Beka program normally has a math component that starts with the simple tracing of numbers for young children to the basics of pre-algebra for older students.
Use videos as needed. If a parent doesn't feel comfortable teaching a particular subject, he or she can use a video program that is taught by an expert. These videos will coincide with workbooks given to the student to help them understand the material. Parents still must monitor this work.
Add breaks. While classwork is structured for three works, some parents will allow children quiet or reading time where they can get a pause in the teaching.
Get ready to grade. Parents need to review all quizzes, tests and papers. The best time to do this is when you send the children out to play or after they go to bed. While not required, it is best to not have them nearby while grading. Parents periodically send in the course work to the A Beka offices to check for compliance.