CLE LA has grammar, spelling, and handwriting in every lesson and some composition in every unit. Most of the phonics is taught in the first and second grade. From third grade on, the time for creative writing is allowed for (but I seldom assign it, and my kids have done fine with composing paragraphs, personal narratives, letters, reports, essays, newspaper stories, and what-have-you, without having to write little fiction tales). If you want to add more phonics, you could look at Rod & Staff second grade, and just get the phonics out of that - I've done that and it worked just fine as a separate course. There are three spelling lists in one unit, so three weekly tests, then one unit test that takes words from the three lists. I love CLE reading because the stories are interesting at all levels, and they don't seem "babified" in any way -- which is important for us, with an older student still working in primary levels. The stories might be about third-grade-age kids (say), but older students don't feel like they're being talked down to. Each selection is paired with a scripture memory verse that shares a theme with the story, and the lesson is age-appropriate and helps the student to apply that scripture verse to his own life. So it's kind of character curriculum at the same time as reading instruction: obey your parents, be honest in all things, be thankful, be helpful, etc. IMO, I think the math is the best thing since sliced bread!
Thanks so much! I did order a light unit of math, reading, and LA. I started with learn to read even though he can read and knows the concepts...I want to see what its about...it looked as though he may need to start somewhere in there to sharpen his blending skills a bit but I'll see what he actually needs when I get the light units. I also wanted to experiment with some other curriculum to see what fits him the best so I met a lady today that is going to let me look at her explode the code, A Reason For Handwriting, and Building Spelling Skills. I'm going to try out different things with him to see what he likes and what he picks up. No reason to waste a bunch of money if its not going to work for him. I have the resources to get a hold of a social studies book by scott foresman that they currently use in our ps. I may just do that...its pretty general and at least I know what he's learning about will be on par with what my daughter is doing. Same with science...although I'm still looking at my options there. Thanks again so much for all of your help. As much as Ive been reading about it all I feel like I want to try everything LOL
For spelling I wanted to recommend spellingcity.com. It's a great site that has games and printable sheets. You can use their lists or put in your own, and it's free, or you can pay $20 a year and get a few more activities too.
thanks so much...I could let him get his computer work in and spelling as well. I'll definitely check that out1
I have to recommend CLE for math. We love it and it's VERY affordable. My DD is doing much more now than she was in public school and several of her friends' moms have said something about how they haven't seen any of the things she's learning coming home with their kids Very student led and helps in building confidence in themselves as learners!
Also, look at Lesson Pathways for history/social studies. It's free curriculum that is well-rounded and has neat stuff. lessonpathways.com
Thanks so much for your input. I do hope its a good fit for him Thanks also for the link...I'll check out the website for history/ss!
Was able to get a look at the Explode the Code, A reason for Handwriting, and Building Spelling Skills. I'm going to try some of the lessons with ds and see how he does. The handwriting he'll be fine with...not sure about the other two. DD brings home 12 spelling words a week for spelling. I may use some of the word lists in the Building Spelling Skills book but 20 per week IMO is a bit much...maybe I'm underestimating him though. I wasn't given a teacher manual for the Explode the Code book...do I need it? Not sure what he'll think about that. Its definitely different than the phonics he does currently. Going to try it out for him over the weekend and see what he thinks. Hoping the CLE gets here soon as well. Looking forward to seeing what that is all about!
Thanks so much for the suggestion on CLP history...I just looked this up and think I could use this history for part of the year and then do the social studies the next part. I don't want to get under too much too quickly and my eyes are definitely bigger than my wallet when it comes to all this curriculum. LOL I want to try it all!
May I suggest you look at Mastering Mathmatics for math. http://www.masterypublications.com It is a complete elementary program for the cost of one year of many other programs. It combines worksheets, simple games and flashcards. I have an ADHD daughter who I pulled out of school in Nov. of her 2nd grade year and she was struggling with math. We started at the beginning of MM. She caught up quickly, completed the program at the end of 6th grade, then moved directly into Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra with no problems. It's not just good for ADHD kids. My other daughter started in K and worked through more quickly than her sister. She is now 1/2 through Algebra (in the sixth grade) and doing amazing. (She must have her dad's "math mind.") One thing that is good about MM is the pages are very plain and uncluttered making them less distracting for those kids that can be so easily distracted. You can read my full review here. Another program that is highly recommended (I have no personal experience with it) for ADHD children is Moving with Math. You might want to check that out as well. Best wishes!
