hi! everyone, hope everyone is doing well. starting to prepare for our hsing adventure which will take place in FALL. can anyone tell me how to figure out which grade level to teach the kids in math and LA? is there free assessment online for these subjects? my dds are currently in 2nd. grade and 4th grade in ps. any info from their current teachers is questionable so any info will be greatly appreciated. good health and happiness!
The best one I know to tell you reading, spelling, vocab, etc. (and math as well) is www.LetsGoLearn.com ... but it's not free. It's very, very cheap, though. Each test is usually $20, but you can get them for $15 by signing up (free) at the Homeschool Buyer's Co-op website and searching for deals. The test isn't intimidating. It's all done on the computer, and a talking monkey walks the child through the test. You'll get a grade level for each subtest rather than just a pass/fail, too. It starts incredibly easy and goes all the way to 12th grade. The test will stop at any time the child starts missing several questions in a row. You can plan on it taking about 30 minutes for the LA test and 30 for the math test. Results are instant.
I am going to be starting this year too. The curriculum that I am using (CLE) shows samples online, and also shows a generalization of what is covered in each LU. I decided to order all of it (for 1st grade). I have been going through it, and have been able to determine where DS should start (at about LU 106). Which, of course, means that I have 101-105 which I don't really need. I am going to hold on to them, though, and use them with my DD, when she is ready, so it won't really go to waste. I have been lucky, in that I really love DS Kindergarten teacher. She is an absolute gem! But, as my DH says, there is no way he would be able to get a teacher as great as she is every year in PS. HS'ing, here we come!
For math Saxon has a placement test. Teaching Text books has one. Horizons. Singapore Reading assessment another reading assessment Now as far as most LA goes I would just read the table of contents, or scope and sequence and guess as well as you can to where you believe they are. What are you planning on using for LA might help a bit also in helping you figure out.
CLE has a Math and an LA diagnostic test for free to print out at their website. It's not just for general levels, though - it's for placement into their curriculum. Bob Jones also has some for placement in their curriculum. So do Lifepacs and ACE, which I believe are online for free.
thank you...thank you - really appreciated. (as on another post) mostly doing deschooling then leaning more on unschooling. just planned on using library and free internet resources until we're mentally and physically settle in new state/journey. of course at that same time i'll feel better where to start if i know where they are at in math and ELA. GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS!
I'm doing a slightly "easier" Language Arts program for my soon to be 4th grader. He is an EXCELLENT reader (high school level) but his writing is dismal. I hope to supplement with higher level "free" reading books b/c the readers I got for him are well below his level. However the writing seems right on (By what I noticed he can do.) I'd rather focus on writing and grammar for a year then pushing higher reading.
I think the hardest part of placing with math/la is keeping in mind the scope and sequence that they have already been exposed to. I desperately wanted to start dd1 with MUS, but she had enough public school that I couldn't make her knowledge and gaps line up with the S&S of MUS. Even the kind sales rep told me that MUS was going to cause big headaches. So as you look to place them, try to remember scope and sequence. Hope you have great success on your hsing journey!
martablack - what do you mean by "free" reading books? i'm glad you point out excellent reading level with okay writing level, here. something i didn't think of yet. thanks! love5c - you're right. i'm having difficulties as what you're pointing out here. thanks for the reminder. good health and happiness!
My kids not only read books for assignments BUT also read in their "free" time. (I try and require a 30 min. break after lunch for them to read quietly. I got this suggestion from a mom here at the spot and it really helped. ) These can be any books they like within reason. (From the library or goodwill) My only requirement is they take a test at http://www.bookadventure.com/ when they are done. (And they be on reading level.) The books for free reading are more of the "just for fun" type. Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Dairy of a Wimpy Kid, Guardians Ga'hoole, Warriors, ect...... We also read for assignments. We go more in depth on these books. (Journal, Answer Questions, vocabulary, do projects on ect....)
There is some encyclopedia site that has a list of what kids should know in each grade, in each subject. I can't my bookmark for it right now. But that is what I used before I bought CLE.
I think the site referenced above is WorldBook. They have scope and sequence listed by grade level that you can print out to use as a checklist if you want to. Core Knowledge also has scope and sequence available.
aggie01 and fortressmom - yes. i did look into them to prepare for their next fall. but what if certain thing in a subject or certain subject they are not in the level according to their age then it will not work well, yes? since you have tried it, how was it? and what was the grade? thank you. martablack - thanks for sharing the website to test what they have read. i usually makeup my own. this is great help. i mostly let them choose their own reading material. occasionally i will ask librarian for a harder book than the only they're currently read to push them a bit in reading. as per your saying "going in depth" i have not done it consistantly. i'll try that for this summer. good health and happiness.
It is a good website. My son even read enough the last few months to earn a small game. He had to print out the form, fill it out and address the letter. (Then wait for the prize.) It was a good lesson for him.
