Hi Everyone, You have been so helpful in the past I thought I would post again. We recently pulled our three children 10/7/& 5 out of public school and are using a local charter. The curriculum leaves alot to be desired so we are switching to CLE after christmas break. I am starting my 5th grader and 1st grader at the beginning of each of their current grades but do not know where to start my kinder guy. He knows his alphabet and sounds but that is about it. One reason we pulled him was his ps was concerned in October he was falling too far behind and wasnt reading yet (this was a good school with a 10 great schools rating but he wasnt keeping pace). Do I start him in the Learning to Read program or their kinder readiness program? If anyone has used these and is familiar with placement, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you
Just wanted to wish you luck at your new adventure. I just started my 5yr old on Hooked On Phonics less than 2 weeks ago (My previous choice wasn't working well) and it's done wonders! Not sure where your little guy is at, as far as what they considered "falling behind" but it's worth looking into. Again, good luck to your family.
"falling behind" at only 5 years old???! That's crazy! He's a child, and should be allowed to be one! Sure, to the K readiness stuff, it certainly won't hurt him! There should be no time table for learning to read! Synapses and things in the brain connect at different ages, in boys it's often later than girls for some reason. My oldest read early, but my 2nd was 7 before it clicked and he was able to read. Some are older than that. PLEASE don't push him to READ right now if he's not ready (not that you are)! If pushed, kids often begin to hate that very thing you are wanting them to learn, so become even more resistant! Go at his pace, it will click, and pretty soon noone will be able to tell if your son read at age 3 or 10! It won't matter! My suggestion is get the K readiness program, and read a LOT to him! When he gets it on his own, it's such a joy! Allow it to be a FUN journey! Best wishes, this is such a great time!
Hello (again!) I think I answered your question on another forum somewhere? The first five units of Learning to Read are all letter sounds and short vowel CVC words. They do introduce sight words, but in a way related to the phonics-words. For example, the first one is /d/, and the sight word is do. Unit 6 starts with long a (cake, bake, make, etc.) and the others move along from there. If your K'er "has" his alphabet and sounds, I wouldn't see that there's anything wrong with doing maybe the first five units in K, then doing the rest of it next year in first grade. I very much like the ABC Readiness series, and I am using it along with Learning to Read for a 6yo first-grader this year. The thing is, to take your time. Let your child's speed dictate how much you do in a day. At the beginning of the year, we often did only half a lesson because the student couldn't tolerate a whole lesson a day. Now, though, he's able to do a whole lesson in LtR AND one in math, in the same day - most days. Some days, though, just getting him through one lesson of one or the other is tough. I'm doing this little guy's "science" and "social studies" and Bible by reading a short story, then having him color a picture that goes with it. We're currently on "birds" and "our state" - I checked out a ton of books from the library about each of those, and we read some and color pictures, and for him that's plenty right now. I was planning on starting real CLE science and social studies and Bible in January, but we may or may not get to any or all of those. Every day is a play by ear.
Thank you all very much. Lindina, yes I also posted on a cle board. I appreciate the responses - abc readiness it is with maybe learning to read later on this year. I am very excited to be trying something new
I was there myself (one of the million reasons we decided to start hs'ing). So good luck and take it easy. He's only in Kindergarten! I would work on reading but most of all HAVE FUN! I wish I would have done that when we started instead of worrying about making him do a set curriculum! It would have been so much easier! Best of luck and welcome!
I would probely use CLE's Learning to read program and then in 1st, start the 100's when he finishes the LTR stuff. I wouldn't worry to much, your catching it early if it even is a problem. My 1st child had a tougher time catching on to reading and took off in 2nd grade but now at 16 she is in Honor classes and very smart. They all eventually get it and they all have a weak area somewhere, whether it's reading or math. CLE is very good, we use it and love it. Don't let the number on the front worry you if they get behind. Don't rush them, let them master it and then go on. Good luck and enjoy!
thanks again. We are finishing up our lesson plans with the charter. Can't wait to move on. I love this board and am just so thankful I found it
Are you going to stay with your charter or move on? I'm not familiar with CLE but I wish you luck in your endeavor!
I dont think i'm going to stay with the charter. It is almost impossible to get the work they want us to do each day completed. We school until three in the afternoon and dont usually finish. Hoping cle will be more user friendly
