I recently gave Jeannie a reading placement test I ordered from Curriculum Associates. It had three sections- read the words, find the one that doesn't belong, and comprehending passages. Her dominant score placed her at 5th grade level, and her non dominant score was 6th grade. The test instructions said go with the dominant score, and the test worked out exactly as they said it should. She started to faulter in one section, getting just so many correct, then even fewer in the next section, and that's where you stop. She was strong until she got to the sections she couldn't do. I was all set to use a 5th grade program, but a friend said someone told her I can't just skip 3rd and 4th grade reading programs, for many reasons. I'm short on time and can't go into it all, but what would you do, especially since Jeannie did so well, comprehended and had no trouble until that 6th grade level?
Why can't you skip? I don't see why you would be forced to go over things she obviously already knows just to get to where she needs to be. Sounds like a waste of time to me. What is your dd like 7? Come on! What a great job she has done placing 5th grade! I would go to whatever level my child was at.
I think your friend is thinking you can't just skip the grammar and things that are usually included in a reading program.. or that would by my interpretation anyway. Maybe they are thinking phonics.. I have no clue.. personally we drop phonics as soon as the kids can sound out words. I know many go for years studing phonics, it's just not for us. I know.. not much help, sorry.
I have to agree with Sommer, I think they mean the phonics, grammar. Reading I would skip and let her go at her own pace. Wow, Becky you are doing a super job with her. See, you are the best thing for you dd. Way to go.
Go with the 5th grade Reading, she is reading at that level, why hold her back? Let her read all levels of library books in between but for her program hey!
If she's ready for 5th grade from an instructional level, go for it. If you start and its too hard, you can always save it and do other reading and come back to it. My middle DD didn't do a formal reading program last year (2nd grade). She read books and did a phonics workbook but not a formal curric. This year she'll be doing BJU Reading 4. I looked at 3rd grade and the workbook was just too easy (IMO) even though I own the hardback books because I got them super cheap. So I purchased the 4th grade book and student book and we'll use them and I'll save 3rd grade for my son.
I agree with everyone else here so far My son was the same way in math - and we skipped a grade - no biggie and he didn't "miss" anything. He would have been bored if we stayed with the same old stuff he already understood! What's the challenge in that ? I think reading ahead is a huge thing. I was personally the same way and was reading a lot more advanced books (like 12th grade level in the 5th grade type thing) and had to still "stick with the program" and I would finish the entire book they had to read for the quarter in 1 night and not know what to do the rest of the time.
Here's how it is- The teacher friend said Jeannie might not be able to comprehend questions on that higher level, and there are other things she might miss as well. Plus, the content will be at a higher level. On that test, she did in fact comprehend questions on the 5th grade level. I was completely 'by-the-book' with the scoring- I did it exactly as they directed, and she scored the way she did. She started being unable to understand the questions midway into the 6th grade section, and that's where we stopped it, as they direct. I have confidence in Jeannie, plus we're going to use RAZ again this year. I believe between RAZ and Saxon phonics, my girl got a great reading foundation. RAZ is a terrific site, everybody.
BTW- I posed this question at atoz, and they also advised going no higher than 5th, plus adding in more challenging books.
Yep, that's the one. I have the TE/Answers for the workbook. I hadn't planned to use the big TE (partly because its so pricey and partly because I don't know how formally we'll do things). DD8 doesn't really like to read but does well when she applies herself. I mostly got it so that I know that she's progressing and to set a better reading schedule for her. It was too easy last year to let time slip by and realize she hadn't read as much as I would have liked. She has some vision issues so that was part of it too. Those are much better so we're gonna try this route. Rhonda
I would probably also agree....more because of content versus level. Middle school books just contain things that might be too mature for a younger child (even if they can read them, kwim?) I have that with my oldest. She's 10 but can read lots higher.....not that I always want her too....so we try for variety rather than higher range sometimes. She's a historical fiction reader so Sonlight has helped broaden her horizons plus the Dear America/Royal Diaries series. Rhonda
Thanks Becky for mentioning where you got your assessment. I just ordered one from them. I've done some online quick ones but I'd like to do my DD10. She uses Sonlight so I know she's above grade level and she didn't miss any questions on her 4th grade CAT test but I'd like to know exactly where she sits comprehension wise. I'm pretty sure it's 7/8th grade but it'd be nice to have a better picture (just for me....we'll keep sending it the CAT test to VA for the "grade" she'd be based on her age). At her old school, they did computerized reading & math tests every few months and it was always nice to know the progression. I miss those STAR tests (but way to pricey for a homeschool). Rhonda C.
It seems that what you have done so far has worked. If she is doing well in other aspects of language like spelling, grammar and writing as well then proceed with what ever comes next in your understanding of things regardless of what "grade" that is. If there are gaps in other areas of language, then proceed with reading and remediate the other areas as needed. As long as she is understanding what she is reading it cannon hurt her to read more challenging material that has appropriate content.
Sounds like she's doing great! I also agree. . .do whatever level she's at for her understanding, not the "grade level based on age."
I agree with everyone... I don't think it will do anyone anygood to stick with a grade level because of her age...after all that is a main benifit in hs... to do what you can at your own pace?! I also second the "reminder" that level sometimes gets you into trouble with content. Not that big a deal with an 8 yo at a 5th grade level... but as she improves and is a 11 yo at an adult level... it can get challenging. I had to be very vigilant in that with my eldest. on another note: my eldest took a history challenge test...for college credit, and she said her main essay question was on the French/Indian war... which she had not EVER had in school... all of her answer was based on a fiction historical novel... (I myself knew it had something to do with the French... Canada, and the Cajuns....and thats about all) (She passed)
Yep, we call them levels, not grades. Don't put your dd back because of level--keep her where she comprehends, yet can be challeneged to continue to excel! There are many ways to broaden reading byt reading books that you approve of. We don't follow any reading program once they learn to read. They tell me what the book's about, or write a book report. That way I can tell if they're comprehending. They read a LOT so they're not missing our on reading just because they're not doing a set reading program. My kids are not exactly on "grade level" for many subjects. They're either ahead or behind. But since we call them levels, then it's just a level they're at to get what they need to learn. Has nothing to do with grade. When they're done with that level, they move on to the next level......
I ordered the test from Curriculum Associates (I think it's the same one that Becky used). I gave it to DD10 today just to see. She's the one I couldn't really gauge as well on her "level". She's using Sonlight so it wasn't crucial since it's not a graded curriculum. Anyway, she's starting 5th grade but her levels were 8+ grade on word recognition (it only goes to 8th but she would have gone higher because it wasn't hard for her), 6th grade on vocabulary recognition, and 8th grade on reading comprehension of passages (it had a 9th grade one and she didn't get the req'd 80% on it). Thanks again Becky for mentioning it. I'm not using it on the other two kids. I have a good handle on where they are.....just hadn't had anything tangible for DD10 since leaving her other school. The yearly CAT test just doesn't give the same feedback, imho. Rhonda C.