I'm looking (or am thinking about it) for a new/different/awesome curriculum for Language. We've been going thru CLE for the last 5 years. She would be going into 7th grade. I think personally that the diagramming is getting pretty intense and we'd like a break. The wonderful thing about CLE is that they totally understand the whole concept; so am I making a mistake to change this. They aren't struggling in this. Just thought that it would be nice to change for a year or so. Advice would be greatly appreciated. Don't be afraid to tell me I'm wrong, because I'd rather you tell me straight out what you think, than make a mistake.
You like the way the program is, and the kids aren't struggling with it. Why change? If you think there are too many sentences to diagram, pick a few to skip.
Maybe I should rephrase the struggling part. My 3 are doing schoolwork from 8 in the morning to 8 at night. Trust me they're not slow learners, but their minds are not in their schoolwork; so we're trying to make it more enjoyable for next year and eliminate some workload. With CLE you can hardly eliminate anything because everything is basically a different concept. For now most of their subjects are CLE, with Science and Health(we're required to, and it hardly takes any time) in Abeka. For next year we're changing Science to Apologia (yes, I know it requires a lot more time, but we did it before and they loved it). Geography to Trail Guide to US Geography. Reading is going to be eliminated because all 3 love reading and they would have a book in their hands if they could; and we have it basically in all the other subjects. Math we will stay with CLE because I love the way they introduce concepts; except for the 7th grader, she will probably go with TT, because a friend offered it to me after she is done with it. And that leaves Language???????
For my part, I'd keep the reading, LA, and math, and swap out the science and history. But that's just me.
Thanks Lindina for the advice, I understand why on the math and language but why would you keep reading? We are still buying the readers because we love the stories.
I would just eliminate some of the work all together. There is no reason that you have to do diagramming at all. I know that some people won't agree. I also think that if it is needed to understand a particular grammatical aspect then bring it out. Many people have perfectly understood grammar without it. I would just advice you not to be tied down to all the "requirements" a curriculum lists.
The CLE reading, in the upper grades, teaches the literary analysis stuff that I never got until high school. Oh, we did plot, characters, setting, just lightly in junior high, but Latin roots, poetry (meter, foot, etc.) (including some on Hebrew poetry that I never got in public school), figures of speech, propaganda (or types of arguments), recognizing symbolism, all that sort of stuff I didn't get until high school. I just think the CLE reading/literature is so rich I don't want any of my students to miss anything. I agree, you can get some of that from just reading the stories, but by no means would I think to discuss all that without the instruction that's in the lightunits. And it's all right there, and - cohesive - in a way that I just can't see getting by just reading/discussing even with novel study guides. Study guides for various novels are written by various people, and one may not contain all the elements that another would, so I'm grateful that someone has pulled it all together in one place for me. And the seventh and eighth grade reading has "writing opportunities" suggested in the TM that I would overlook for sure unless I had the TM suggesting it to me. So I, for one, plan to get as much of the CLE reading in as I can get into my students. Since 4th and up are built for only half a year, that leaves plenty of time for the fun and casual reading, too!
Thanks Lindina, for getting back to me. I will consider what you said, and maybe for one of the following years get back into the lightunits. We (dh and I) agreed we need a year of more fun/less stress. Not to say we're being negligent; just more relaxing. For the most part I think that our [homeschooled] children are very smart. I've just been TOO concerned about what everyone else thinks and putting too much pressure on our children because I was afraid of what people were thinking.
More power to ya, kiddo! I'm all for whatever works! Another good thing about it is, if you do decide to go back to lightunits for reading in another year, and just want to, a student could conceivably do two levels in one year (since 4th and up are only built for half a year anyway).
I'm also confused if you like CLE and your kids aren't struggling in it, why change? If you do really want to change to transfer to a new curriculum, you can check out this pogram beestar. My daughter has been using it. The ELA program is full of vivid pictures and interesting stories, very helpful for kids. DD enjoys it a lot... Lisa
Yvonne, I should have made myself more clear. They are just doing their work ALL day long. So the thing is maybe it's not CLE. They just doddle and I'm about pulling my hair out to get their tails in gear. I'm tired of doing school from 8:30 to 6:00, sometimes later. They are very smart, or so I thought until my son informs me that it's too nice of a day out and he just can't keep his mind on his schoolwork. But when he put his mind to it he zooms thru it. If he was smart he's know the sooner you finish the faster you can go outside. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. So what to do. Maybe I should start another post about what to do with doodlers????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Sometimes I have found that using a timer can be effective. Give them 45 minutes to do the work, and when the timer goes off, change subjects. Then penalize them for whatever's not done by making it "homework" to be done on their own time. That works for some kids but not so much for others. Then when they've had a "class period" for each subject, YOU go outside and do something they would think was fun (because YOUR school day is over), while they have to do their homework. OR let them out when the bell rings, but at the time they usually do what they want (tv, video games, telephone, etc.) they have to finish their homework.
Thanks so much for all the advice but that would mean that they NEVER get outside. And I wouldn't get any peace. Feel like this is hopeless. I even have a ticket thing going on for a motivational thing. They get so many for getting done by 3:00. That's not asking for much. Right??????? Each ticket it worth 15 cents. But that doesn't seem to help but half the time.
If the language is getting tedious and you would rather go to another lesson that is on track, check with bju? the lessons are distinct and to the point... little reading little writing little filling in the blanks, I am considering Language arts with them next year myself> We have Life Paks this year and though I have loved them for years I too am ready to mix it up more than we have. We enjoyed our English4 5 6 in BJU so I am going to try the Spelling and Grammar, and probably English Lit. I believe they have these in the 7 th grade levels too? check cbd.com ?
okay One other idea, take the work outside???? I am reading page 3 now btw. When my kids get spring fever ( what your kids have) I have always gone off the beat and path, we took our school work all over the place. Out side, to a park, etc, do a few lessons then break, take a day off just to play outside, do a bit of unschooling for a day or two... It would be easy enough to shake things up if your kids are getting doodly. Mine does that too, I have told him before if he messes up the page so that I can't read it he will have to re do it. But alas he is creative, so he now does his doodles to go with the lessons lo,at least I know he has the concepts! The pictures go right alone.
I've thought about taking them outside, but figured they won't get anything done at ALL!!!!!!!!!! We really do like CLE, just thought if we would go to something else it might help, but alas I'm not so sure.
It may surprise you the change ... the outside, may help. sometimes my kids just needed a break though, and so did I. From reading your posts it sounds like you need it. I would just let them know there are so many hours in the day for school I ALmost always stop them at 3, if something is not done, then they have to get the next day... it can add up and they get a clue, but at least you know at 3 you are done being teacher for the day. IS there dad available to do "home work" at night after dinner? That is one option I did with one of my kids, only a couple times.
He actually works here from home. If he has a slow day and sees that they need help he will help out.
