Hi, I am in my 2nd year homeschooling my 4th grader and my 1st year with my 1st and 3rd graders. I have been looking at CLE LA, Math, Reading, and SS for next year. I am wondering if it keeps up with the state or national standards. I have been using TT4 for Math for both my 3rd and 4th graders and MUS for my 1st grader. I have been doing an assessment (FCAT prep) from our local district and feel they are behind in Math. Just realized TT is behind. I was already considering CLE for LA and reading but now wonder if I should switch math as well. We are thinking of trying it over the summer to see if it is a fit for us. I just really need to know if it is ahead, average, or below grade level. Thanks for any feedback. Currently they are doing: 4th grade DD: Writing strands, Easy Grammar, Harcourt LA, Spectrum Vocab, Spectrum Word Study and Phonics, TT4, RFH, MOH 3rd grade DD: Writing Strands 3, Easy Grammar, Harcourt LA, Spectrum Vocab, Spectrum Phonics, SWS, TT4, MOH, RFH 1st Grade DD: Harcourt LA and spelling skills, 100 EZ lessons, RFH, SWS, Spectrum phonics, MUS
There are free placement tests on the CLE website. I'm not too familiar with all the curriculum yet to tell you if it is ahead or behind, but I *think* it is a bit ahead.
We have been using CLE for 2 years for my 1st, 2nd and 6th grader. Although my charter school would prefer I use a California public school curriculum, I have held to my guns with CLE. They consistently score in the proficient categories for their grade level. In fact my son scored in the 87th percentile for language arts (and he is working 6 light units behind) so at the end of fifth grade he finished light unit 505. I think there are more "fun" things we could be doing, but this is a very solid choice. We just try to add in activities to break up the workbook work
Thank you mama2four. My children prefer workbooks. They are the type that likes to see what they have to do for the day. Everytime I start looking at other things they ask for the workbooks. My biggest concern is the need for them to be on grade level for the ps. It is good to hear that your son scored so well being 5 units behind. Isn't that about a half of year?? Another thing I noticed is that reading 5 only has 5 units. Would that be a full year? Are you using all the subjects? I am considering Reading, LA, Math, and SS not sure about science yet and we do our own Bible. I am just afraid too much of one thing will burn them out. But I think I can eliminate a few of the books we are currently doing if I switch. Sorry for all the questions I am just really trying to think this through. Unfortunately CLE is not attending our local curriculum fair so I can look through myself. Again thanks for the imput...
I am using the math with my 4th grader right now. She has come leaps and bounds in math just since we started home school at Christmas with it. Don't really know if it's ahead or behind, but she is doing many of the same things she was doing in PS if that helps.
I've been using CLE for 11 years now, currently schooling Other People's Kids. When the kids are enrolled with me, I usually find that they are about a grade behind where CLE is for the grade they completed at ps. That is, usually a kid coming to me for fifth grade will need to be in CLE's 400 level in at least one subject, usually math. But that's not a big deal. I have had quite a few students working in (for example) CLE 400 while in the "fifth" grade, but when they took the fifth grade annual achievement test (I usually use Stanford), they score at least average if not a tad (or sometimes a lot) higher. I really prefer the CLE reading, math, and LA, although I may use a variety of things for science and social studies: Rod & Staff, Lifepacs, even ACE sometimes [so not my favorite!], or depending on the kid maybe units off the internet or ...??? From fourth grade on up, the reading/literature is designed for only 5 units, in order to leave room for other reading, another subject, or other projects, whatever. Some people do it all in first semester, then do another one-semester reading course in the second semester, OR alternate a unit of CLE with a novel unit, through the year. Or if they find themselves "a grade behind" for one reason or another, they might do two levels in one year and "catch up". It is soooo convenient to have the grammar/composition, spelling, and penmanship included in every lesson and not have to have three or four separate courses going on. I should point out, though, that from third grade on up, each LA unit is shortened by 2 days in order to make time to spend with writing assignments of your own. They suggest using the small book On Teaching Writing, but IMO using Writing Strands would work just fine. Most of the time I use neither, but work in writing assignments in connection with science and/or social studies.
Hi! Yes, the reading at the fifth grade level is only five lightunits so we were "on schedule" with reading. We are also using math and language arts. I also like their social studies but am choosing to use story of the world with lots of historical novels thrown in. This way his writing assignments generally go along with whatever he is studying in history. I am considering something more formal next year such as sonlight but that is still up in the air. Science is where I have heard mixed reviews? We used it for a time and thought it was ok for the younger levels. We currently are enrolled in an online science course that my 6th grader loves. It is also important for my guys to have things a little mixed up. I will say the math is also very strong. My son is continually tested and those testing him are always surprised that he knows the material?? Good luck! and I love reading your posts Lindina, they are very helpful
Thank you again for all of your input. I think I am going to give CLE a try over the summer using math and then in the fall go from there as far as the other subjects. Mama2four, what kind of science is yours enrolled in online? Lindina, I love reading your posts as well. Thank you for all of the insight.
Sorry for the late reply jemx5, we use a local charter and they have a once a week online class/lab. It mixes things up a bit for my middle school student. I think math is my favorite CLE subject good luck!
