I called yesterday and spoke w/the person at CLE about the placement test. She recommend that I test my son in 300-400 for 5th grade. So, I did. Yesterday he took and passed the 300 level. Today, he took the 400 level and made 67. Now, I realize that 70 and above is passing...but....is this close enough to put him in grade 5 or should I start at 4th grade (400)?? I know this is just one of those, "what would you do" scenarios....but, what would you do? :bigear: I would love to put him on grade level, but I have NO experience w/this program and I don't want to overwhelm him either. His weaknesses on the test were: punctuation- commas (specifically quotation marks, he pretty much understands everything else) sentences- fragments/run ons/diagramming (we haven't covered these yet) verbs These are the areas that he missed more than half of the problems. So, I know these are areas we will have to concentrate the most on to be successful. For those of you w/experience in grade 5, do you think my son will have a hard time keeping up or understanding this level ? Thanks in advance! Bethany

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I will definitely give him the placement test. I will look into the supplemental diagramming book as well. I appreciate this info! Thank you! Bethany

for my son. I really like the way it's laid out and I think he will respond very well to the wb and the light units. Now, for those of you that use this program, I'm stumped on where to start. I realize he needs to take a placement test, but he has never done diagramming. He's been exposed to Easy Grammar, and we did Shurley English last year. So, knowing that he has no previous experience w/this program, is there just a good solid starting point? (level 200, 300, etc) Is there a grade level that you would recommend to begin at that introduces concepts that MUST be covered to be successful with CLE OR will all concepts be repeated *enough* thru all grade levels to be understood? I guess I'm just questioning how accurate the placement test would be with a child that really doesn't have a solid grammar background. I don't want to start him off on a level that is really too young that he will be bored. It's really hard to jump from one program to another and know exactly where you would 'fit' in that program. I hope this makes sense! Thanks for your help!! Bethany

This is such a hard decision. We have a very good homeschool store here and I'm thinking of just going and looking over the R&S books. I might get a much better feel for them if I do that. :) Thanks for the insight! Bethany

in R&S they have to copy out of a Textbook? There is no workbook to do? I've been looking at it and still can't tell exactly how it works. I see that they sell a separate book w/worksheets, but it sounds like it is more for extra work. If you have to copy all of the sentences and grammar parts down on paper and THEN do the work (diagramming or whatever), my son couldn't handle it. There is NO way. He hates writing and makes far too many mistakes that it would totally frustrate him. He struggles w/ dyslexia and the writing would just be a nightmare for him. So, just to clarify- do they copy the work from a TB?? Bethany

May I ask what program you are going to after you leave CLE and what exactly you prefer about the new program? I'm just curious. I see that there is a LOT of buzz on here about mct, but I'm not really thinking that is the way to go for us. So, again, just curious with what you are leaning toward for next year! Thanks, Bethany

I had a thread going about CLE which has led me to explore R&S as well. It seems many on here use both. I see that some prefer the math in CLE and the LA in R&S. I'm more interested in the LA for both programs. Can someone tell me how they compare? I was all set on CLE and then, i started looking over R&S and it looks really tempting! I've passed over R&S many, many times in book stores. The books just never appealed to me visually. They just seemed like they would be extrememly boringggg! So, shamefully, I never picked them up to open them! :glare: Now, I am regretting that.....hmmm..."don't judge a book by its cover!" lol! Both programs look very solid. I feel that either would 'do the job'. However, it looks like R&S covers more. I'm new to both programs so I could be wrong. Could someone tell me what you think of both of these programs? What would be the benefit of one over another? This would be for a 5th, 3rd and 1st grader. I'm trying my best to do a comparison on my own, but flipping from one website to another has my head spinning. I'm having a hard time remembering which programs had certain elements! For instance, I've been reading about CLE but I can't remember if it has diagramming! I was impressed that R&S does! Anyway, i'm hopeful that someone out there has used both and can help me determine the similarities and differences so I can make an informed decision! Thanks! Bethany

You ladies are wonderful and have given me the info that I was searching for before taking the plunge. I feel a lot more comfortable about trying it out. I am so excited, and it sounds like it will be perfect for our family. Thank you soooo much!!! I can't wait to get my materials! I can't wait to post my thoughts after I receive them and try them out! Bethany

I love the responses, and it's really helpful for me to see what you all like about the program. I've noticed that many of you are not using the entire program and are also leaning toward R&S. That seems to be another highly regarded program. I will continue to read the responses and do my research! Thanks everyone! Bethany

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I have been 'eyeing' this curriculum on here for awhile now. I hadn't heard of it until I joined this board, and I have noticed that it seems to be highly regarded among many of you. I mainly have pieced curriculum. I have different things for just about every subject until this year. I just started using BJU for the first time. I never liked the thought of 'boxed' curriculum, but I am finding that as my kids get older and I have more of them that there is a great desire for simplicity. I don't mean to imply that BJU or CLE is simple, but that teaching from one program or source is just much simpler *for me*. So, this brings me here to you wonderful women. Could you pls enlighten me as to what you like about CLE? I know that might be too broad of a question. I'm sorry. I'm looking for something that is challenging, thorough, and grade level. It doesn't have to be 'advanced'. I just need a good solid curriculum that gets the job done! I am interested in their Reading, LA, math and possibly Science. I currently switched from my "pieced curriculum" to using BJU this year. If you happen to have experience w/both programs I would love a comparison. Since BJU is the only experience I have; I think it would be great to see the similarities and differences w/these two programs. I would be looking at the 6,3, and 2nd grade levels for this next school year. We are currently using: 5th grader-BJU math, Science, Reading,Spelling city, some wordly wise, journaling, HWOT, Studying the continents 3rd grader- BJU Reading, Horizon math, Spelling city, ETC, HWOT, Journaling, and studying the continents 1st grader- HOP, independent reading, HWOT, Spelling city, ETC, Horizons math, journaling, and studying the continents. Many Thanks! Bethany

My son LOVED Geronimo Stilton! You don't hear too many parents bragging about those chapter books on here- lol! But, we just let him read them b/c he loved them. I would rather he read something he really enjoys then read something for the sake of reading. I wish there were more books like this series for him to read. He's basically read them all. He did start the Diary of a Whimpy kid series which is very similar is style and technique with the little cartoon characters. However, there are only fours books w/ that series. (i think) And, he's read them all too! He also enjoys the Sunday comics! I know that's not a chapter book, but it will give him something to read that he might enjoy. My son clearly leans toward a very different type/style of reading material. I think it's hard to find.I would love to see the recommendations others offer you. I can say that after reading these series he has developed a higher appreciation for reading and will sit down and read some of the 'Classic Starts' books. He loved Sherlock Holmes! Good luck! Bethany

I never used it, but you should be able to find it on their website. Wish I could tell you more about it. I know there are many ppl on here that have used it and liked it. Bethany

Ok, so I am very confused. I thought I knew about most of the major writing programs out there! I've never heard of this one before yesterday. It peaked my curiosity, and I've been reading a little about the program. I have to say that I am very curious! I have IEW but havent embraced it fully this year. I don't know why but I just haven't. I think watching the dvd's and going thru all the papers just overwhelms me a bit. (I just had a baby 4wks ago- so it doesn't take much). Also, I don't have the TWSS dvd's; I only have the SWI A dvd's. I think I feel like something is missing. although, I've read many times that I dont need the TWSS dvd's to teach. I do question that though. :) I have a 3rd and 5th grader I would like to start in formal writing. I am most concerned about my 5th grader. How is this program different from IEW? I noticed in the various posts that many ppl are using both programs. I guess I'm just wanting to know what you like about this program? How does it differ from IEW? Which might be a better fit for a beginning writer? Thanks Ladies!! Bethany

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:001_smile: I will check out apples and pears. Thanks again Bethany

:)

I've got SWR and AAS, but i'm so tired of the constant work involved in spelling. We've been doing SWR for about 2 solid years and my son still has horrible spelling. He starts 5th grade this year. He loves the program (swr) b/c he enjoys spending the time w/me. However, I have two other children to teach (trying to use AAS w/them, but I'm finding there is NO time after the SWR and writing, and other subjects my oldest is doing) and have to cut down on the 'one on one' time at some point. Also, what I seem to be finding is that he understands the logic behind the rules for spelling, but he doesn't seem to know or understand how to apply them to his writing. The other day he spelled 'get', 'git'! He's in 5th grade!!! There are some slight LD issues, but I have complete faith that he can spell better than what I am witnessing. I think part of his problem is that I see that he struggles in many language arts areas and I don't push him or require all that much of him. Well, now, I am finding that I have a 5th grader that thinks EVERYTHING is FAR TOO HARD for him! :glare: I find that at this age/year; I would love to require more responsibility from HIM instead of ME! :glare: So, to the question at hand. How to teach spelling was mentioned on here the other day and it peaked my curiosity. So, I've been looking into it and love that it's based on the Orton-Gillingham approach. I love that it's very similar in style to what he's already been taught- spelling rules/phonograms, etc. But, i'm loving what appears to be a more independent approach to spelling. It seems less teacher intensive. Am I correct in assuming that? I appreciate any insight you ladies can give! Thanks, Bethany

I did know that it went A,B, C with the option of additional continuation courses. I just happened upon these so I bought them. I'm sure I will be purchasing the continuation courses as well. But, I thought I had the seminar dvd's that taught the course, and I don't. :confused: So, now, I'm trying to decide if I should just borrow them from a friend before I start. I gather, from what you said, it would be a good idea. I thought as much, but I just wasn't sure. I would love to start now, but we might have to wait and focus on grammar this quarter and writing next. I want to make sure I have a complete understanding before 'trying' to teach this course. Thanks for your advice! Bethany

I hate to jump in with another question, but I can't resist. I have the notebook for the IEW seminar. I do not have the videos. I DO have the student session A series and B series. Is it necessary for me to get the videos that "teach'' me how to use the course from the seminar or can I just use these student dvd's w/my son? I've been reading thru it and they recommend it. Any thoughts from IEW veterans?? Thanks! Bethany

I always like to ask before I jump into a purchase. :D

I had the same struggles this new school year with 5th grade math. I had my son in Horizons until 3rd grade. Everyone near me recommended moving into Saxon. So, I did for fourth grade. I thought that would be that. End of discussion. Oh, how I was wrong. My son and I both hated Saxon. However, we did finish the year. So, I was left wondering what to do for 5+ grades for math curriculum. Then, I stumbled on Chalkdust. :001_smile: I haven't bought the program YET. But, I will get it next week. It's very pricey- sorry, I know you said that was a concern. It's a concern here too, but my greater concern was a solid math base. I didn't want to switch around anymore. So, we've decided to space out our expenses and buy it. IT's 225 for Basic Math. I believe it's recommended for 6th grade, but if your child has been doing more advanced math skills, they should be fine. My son is by no means math gifted, but he should be ok with the concepts. They were all covered in Saxon. Well, not all, but the foundation is there. ;) I think it's worth checking out and looking at the tutorial: www.chalkdust.com HTH, Bethany

I have only had experience with Shirley English and I have been thinking of changing. I have a friend using this and just wondered what you guys thought? Thanks, Bethany

phonics/reading. So, I probably wouldnt' focus on the 'grade level' as much as the style and curriculum you think your son will respond well too. For elementary, I think Saxon will be too repetitive for your son. UNLESS, you skip ahead. Our sons have enjoyed Horizons for elementary. It's very thorough and moves quickly through the concepts- but not too quickly. 2nd grade begins incorporating multiplication. The only thing about skipping with this program is you want to really be careful with the addition/subtraction facts b/c they teach them some of the concepts your son hasn't learned yet- carrying and borrowing and adding/subtracting in larger numbers (thousands). You should be aware of that with all math programs. I guess that's the down side to skipping ahead- making sure you aren't missing any fundamental skills. I hope that's somewhat helpful!