English PACEs in all levels from 1037 may require the use of a dictionary.

There is an A.C.E. dictionary in the catalogue, but if you own a dictionary, it may be suitable provided it shows synonyms (and antonyms if applicable), and word origin (etymology). It would be helpful if the pronunciation guide used the same symbols as those used in PACEs.

Online dictionaries are useful for many of the exercises, but do not train children in looking up words in an index, and do not show guide words, which are taught in the PACEs.

TheFreeDictionary.com displays a variety of online dictionaries. At least one should show the same pronunciation guide as used in the PACEs. Of course, it does not have guide words.

Online dictionaries may be a good interim resource until you can find a suitable book dictionary, but you should obtain a book dictionary as soon as possible.

Unless you use the A.C.E. dictionary, you should expect some variations of answers in the score keys.

English III prepares students for essay writing. The course culminates in a Research Paper, which is a required activity and must be sent in for moderation along with drafts as specified in the PACEs.

PACEs 1131 and 1132 contain activities in which the student prepares outlines and drafts in various stages, plus a bibliography. Even ideas for the theme and title are written activities, which the supervisor is to check and initial.

Supervisors should make sure that the student has each activity checked and initialed, and that all work is kept and included with the final paper when the tests are sent in for moderation.

If the final paper is not included for moderation, the course may not be considered complete.

English IV prepares students for delivering a speech. The course provides creative writing opportunities and culminates in a final assessment creative writing opportunity and the delivery of a speech. These are required activities. The writing activity and written speech or notes must be sent in for moderation as specified in PACE 1144.

Supervisors should make sure that the student has each activity checked and initialed, and that these activities are sent in with the tests for moderation.

If the written activities are not included for moderation, the course may not be considered complete.

Social Studies PACEs above 1078 require the use of an atlas. Map reading skills are taught in many places in Social Studies PACEs, as well as in World Geography (1097-1108). No specific atlas is recommended, and children may use online maps if one is not available; however, using a book atlas is a valuable skill. If using online maps, you will be able to get the locations with a little effort, depending on how much you zoom in.

Australian History, like some other Social Studies and Science courses, has Reading Texts and Activity Books (also known as Activity Pacs). For all such courses, a new Reading Text comes with its Activity Pac stapled inside it.

You do not need to order separate Activity Pacs unless you already have a previously used Reading Text.

For example, ordering Australian History 1 will give you both the Reading Text and the Activity Pac inside it, along with the test.

Keys are purchased separately.

For the full two credits, you need to do all ten PACEs. For a single credit, you need the New Economics PACEs only.

Physical Science, Chemistry and Physics

Near enough is not good enough - Significant Figures are significant!

Students and supervisors should be aware that secondary science problems may involve calculations with applications of significant figures. Significant figures are taught in PACE 1109. We have a downloadable file that you can print out, with a copy of the rules given in 1109 as well as explanations and comments as they relate to (particularly) Physics. We recommend you read this carefully. For example, a calculated answer of 383 watts is more precise than the score key answer of 380 watts, but an answer of 383 watts is not correct because the precision is not warranted. It should be rounded according to the rules of significant figures. A student cannot argue that the more precise, the more correct.

Biology, Physical Science, Chemistry & Physics Laboratory Reports

There are no available resources for hands-on laboratory work. If there were, you would still have to obtain the necessary equipment, chemicals, etc. Homeschooling families should source their own laboratory opportunities if desired.

Secondary Science PACEs from Biology up to Physics all have "Laboratory Reports" built in to the PACEs. Students watch videos of experiments (available free of charge) and gain practice writing up reports.

These activities are optional. They do not form a part of the assessment for Certificate graduation.

Our feedback from many families who have graduated as A.C.E. homeschoolers is that their entry into university study or their ability to cope with laboratory work was not impeded by lack of hands-on laboratory work through A.C.E.

This course examines the Scientific and Biblical aspects of the Creation/Evolution debate. It is from a Creationist perspective.

Unfortunately, like all courses using third party texts as resources, the availability of these resources is not reliable, and SCEE no longer stocks them.

There are 4 texts required for "Bible and Science" subject which are now out of print, but may be able to buy these online from Amazon (for example).

• A Case For Creation, Wayne Frair and Percival Davis;
• Evolution: The Fossils Still Say No!, Duane T. Gish;
• Scientific Creationism (General Edition), Henry Morris, ed.
• Another book used is: "In the Beginning" by John R. Rice. A pdf version can be downloaded here.

A.C.E. resources originate in the U.S.A. Many national PACEs have been produced in Australia, so that history and geography are more relevant, and also Maths measurements and currency are those in use in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and other South Pacific countries.

Word Building and English teach pronunciation and spelling. As American resources, they can often contradict Australian or British pronunciation and spelling.

First of all, it would be good to remember that children are going to encounter “Americanisms” in so many areas, such as the Internet and media. The opportunity is there to present both spellings and show a preference for one, while teaching that other correct spellings may exist.

If you want to present British (Australian) spellings to your child, the table below shows which Word Building PACEs include words that can be discussed.

Basic Literature is often seen as a "dry" subject. Indeed, it can be if you let it, but you can also make it a challenging, rewarding experience that would enhance any learning program.

First, the Basics:

Basic Literature, like Literature and Creative Writing, looks at 6 books per year, or one book every 6 to 8 weeks. Setting goals is best done by considering the number of chapters (See our Parent Training videos, Setting Goals and Basic Literature - don't forget to log in to see them). To complete the study guide, look at the questions in the study guide, then read the set chapters or pages, and then look at the questions again as a review.

Getting more out of Basic Literature:

The Study Guides may give the impression that there are just a few pages to fill in; then comes the test.

This is usually not the case!

Don’t ignore the written activities. These are after the questions but before the test is taken. They are usually in the form of a composition, and help to consolidate writing skills developed in the English PACEs, including the use of properly constructed outlines.Look at our scope and sequence to see what writing activities are involved for each unit.

You can use our Essay Marking rubric to help assess the activity (You will need to log in to our website first, then go to: Member Area / Downloads).

Now to get the most out of Literature:

You can add a whole dimension to Basic Literature simply by having your child write a chapter summary after each chapter. Here are some good reasons why:

• Chapters are completed relatively frequently, so are still fresh in a student's memory;
• They encourage a student to review the chapter as a whole, even if the activities might not have done this. This helps with the continuity of the book;
• They show the parent that the chapter was actually read and understood;
• They can be used, if you choose, as writing exercises in which you can assess (informally) writing skills and organisation. You can even extend them to oral presentations, slide shows, drama, or whatever else you would like to include for hands-on, practical work.

The final assessment is just the test score. Any formal or informal activities, including writing tasks in the Study Guide, are at your discretion and give you a wealth of options to enhance your child's learning experience!

Literature resources are used for Literature and Creative Writing, Basic Literature, and secondary English PACEs. Don't forget to order these with the relevant PACEs.

A colour version can be viewed under A.C.E. Resources / Literature.

Click here for a black and white pdf version to download.

A.C.E. teaches writing skills. First, the fundamentals are taught:

• basic grammar
• using effective words (exact nouns and verbs, interesting adjectives and adverbs);
• changing sentence structure.

Paragraph stucture (topic sentence; supporting sentences) is introduced in Literature and Creative Writing 1054 and taught from English 1083 and 1094; then in upper secondary English.

Outlines

The paragraph and essay outline is an important tool that is developed from English 1072 to upper secondary English. Outlines are used in Basic Literature activities.

Scoring

The course, Christian World View, is based on the book, How Now Shall We Live, by Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey.

The book has the text and the study guide. The Study Guide starts on page 579 with a contents list.

For assessment purposes, SCEE has produced supplementary booklets: Study Guide Key, 12 Tests and Keys, plus sundry notes. The total price is a little less than 12 standard PACEs.

To order, there are 4 items on the webstore:

• HS01 Tests plus Glossary plus Notes
• HS02 Study Guide Key
• HS03 Test Keys
• HS04 How Now Shall We Live (which includes the study guide)

Auto Mechanics is a useful, but dated resource. SCEE has been printing it since 2017, but the original text is very old. Auto Mechanics covers the basics of nine car systems pre-computerisation. The text is divided into the systems and has a simple checkup quiz and an assessment for each, with a Final Test at the end. Being divided into 6 PACEs, however, some PACEs cover more than one system. For recording of PACE tests, please follow this assessment plan:

Keyboard Skills

The minimum requirement for Keyboard Skills that can be used for credit in a certificate is 35 words per minute (wpm) with an accuracy of 98%.

Although SCEE does not expect A.C.E. graduates to all become professional typists, it does recognise that typing is an important skill in many areas of work and in tertiary studies.

TypeQuick is a typing tutor available through SCEE. There are many good typing tutors available, including Mavis Beacon.

Online typing tutors are also readily available.

is a free, online typing tutor. It is not the only one, but easy to remember.

Duration of the test

For certificate requirements, we can only accept typing speeds for tests of 3 minutes or more.Typing.com has a range of test lengths. Please only choose a test of 3 minutes or greater.

Speed and Accuracy

The benchmark accuracy is 98%.

The raw typing speed is taken as the "score" for reporting, irrespective of the accuracy, provided the accuracy is at least 98%.

This means, for example, a speed of 51 wpm @ 96% accuracy will not be recorded. The student should try again, more carefully, to increase the accuracy.

Sending Results

When submitting typing results send a screen image that clearly shows the speed, accuracy and duration of the test. The student's name does not need to appear on the screen shot.

Grades

The accuracy is not used in calculating the grade, but used to determine whether or not the speed is accepted.Grades are awarded for speeds as follows:

If your child has already submitted a typing speed, but has not yet applied for their certificate, they can redo the typing test and resubmit the result up until they apply for the certificate.

Art

Primary Levels "1-5": Choose Art - A Biblical Art Series resource on CDs; one per level. Choose Art was developed by a supervisor experienced in the A.C.E. resources. Choose Art explores the elements of line, shape, colour, texture, form, space and pattern. Choose Art is designed for use one hour per week.

Lower Secondary Level: Basic Beginning Art 73-84* - Twelve PACEs that look at techniques using a variety of media. Includes shadow, lighting and shading, colour, shapes and angles.

Upper Secondary (Credit level subject): Basic Advanced Art 97-108*: Looks deeper at the elements introduced in Beginning Art. Includes perspective and is excellent for students wanting to consider technical drawing or architecture. Beginning Art is not required as a prerequisite, but students can get a lot starting at 97.

* Art PACEs do not have score keys. The intention is that supervisors score the work subjectively, even the tests. We have provided a marking rubric with ideas to help mark art work.

SCEE recognizes a variety of language resources for its Year 10 and Year 12 Certificates.

For younger students, not on a Certificate pathway, we recommend some online, low cost language courses such as Duolingo or Babbel. These courses are not approved for Certificate level credits.

Language courses for Certificate level students

Rosetta Stone is not connected with PACEs. SCEE accepts it without the need for approval as a language course.Rosetta Stone is available by licence for approximately $150 for one year.

1 certificate credit for Levels 1-3; 2 credits for Levels 4 and above where available.

* Students who have done Spanish or French PACEs cannot receive credit for Rosetta Stone Levels 1 or 2. Credits will be given for Levels 3 and above.

A.C.E. has its own language options, in PACE form: French, Spanish and Greek.

French

Emphasis on developing good reading skills. Upon completion, students should have an understanding of the accidence (inflection of words) of the French language and will have had several opportunities to utilize the lessons learned through practice reading.

12 PACEs + 2 Keys

1 DVD (over $50)

2 credits for Year 10 or 12

Spanish

Videos present the instructional content, and the Activity Pacs provide the drill and learning activities. Emphasis is on Spanish grammar and conversation.

12 PACEs + 4 Keys

12 pairs of videos + 1 Test video

For security reasons, supervising parents should ask us for the link to the Test video.

2 credits for Year 10 or 12

Greek

Greek I 121-132

Introductory resource in the Greek of the New Testament designed to enable the student to read from the Greek New Testament. Vocabulary, grammar and accidence (inflection of words) are the major studies, ending with an application of all grammar by translating 1 John.

12 PACEs + 2 Keys

Resource books: Greek New Testament (over $25) and Greek Handbook (over $10).

2 credits (Academic Rigour) for Year 12

Greek II 11-20 (Prerequisite: Greek I)

Intermediate resource of the New Testament Greek specializing in translation drills, grammar, and syntax reviews.

10 PACEs + 2 Keys

Resource books: Greek New Testament (over $25) and Greek Handbook (over $10).

2 credits (Academic Rigour) for Year 12

Rosetta Stone - Submitting Scores

Rosetta Stone Language Courses are made up of three to five Levels. Levels 1-3 are worth one credit each; Levels 4-5 are worth two credits each (excepting Hebrew, which is 2 credits for every level).

Each Level is divided into four Units, and each Unit is divided into four Lessons with a number of activities, plus one "Milestone" lesson.

If a completed Level is to be used for credit, send a copy of the report as proof. All lessons must be completed for credit to be given.

If sending scores for Semester Reports, send only completed Unit average scores. Show clearly the Language, Level and Unit number.Example:Subject 1: Rosetta Stone FrenchPACE Number: Level 3, Unit 2 (or L3U2)Score: 97.5% (Average of Lesson scores for that unit)

No previous knowledge of music or access to musical instruments are required. 6 PACE secondary course covers some music theory, music appreciation and study of classical music and hymns.

TWO CDs Required: 1. Music appreciation; 2. Music Self Test & Pace Test

Speech is a secondary English/Elective subject worth one credit and comprising six PACEs.

This subject teaches the skill of public speaking and performance. See the Scope and Sequence here.

To gain credit for this subject, students are required to do six PACE Tests. If for a Year 12 pathway, the tests must be sent in for moderation.

However, passing the PACE Tests is not really demonstrating mastery of the Speech subject, any more than passing a spelling test demonstrates mastery of Word Building skills. The performance activities are important for real learning. If a student has not passed the performance activities, can the supervisor be confident that the student has truly learned the speaking skills and earned their credit?

To ensure your child is truly benefiting from this subject, we strongly recommend that:

• they do any practical activities in the PACE under your supervision;
• they do the six (or at least what you consider to be an appropriate number of) rehearsals before performing the projects;
• they perform the project in front of as large an audience as you can organise;
• you evaluate their project using the Performance Judging Forms in the PACE.

Speech PACE 6 has a 50% component of the assessment made up of a performance activity, judged on much the same criteria as those used in the previous PACEs.

As we stress in your training, it is the parent/supervisor's responsibility to make sure that real learning has occurred.

Note: The instructions in the front of the PACE tell the Supervisor/Instructor to "predate" the six rehearsal charts. We believe it is sufficient to plan approximately when your child will do their rehearsals (for example, every Tuesday and Thursday, or just twice a week, or whatever suits), as in the home situation it is easier to keep track of your own child's progress.

Computer Studies 1: 1-6 - This is a Senior Secondary Elective subject worth two AR credits and comprising six PACEs. Computer Fundamentals: This course extends the student's computer knowledge and skills with a blend of theory and online practical tutorials and courses. The course covers a brief history of computers. 

Computer Studies 2: 1-6 - yet to be released

NOTE: To complete these courses, students will require access to a computer (not a smartphone or a tablet) with a monitor and printer. Online access is required for some units. We have provided a marking rubric with ideas to help mark work.