CLE math questions

[apple4]

I have done a variety of math programs (MUS, Singapore, MMM, BJ, and with our youngest 2 Right Start). I thought I had finally found a math program (RS) that I would stick with but here I am looking. RS just does not have enough review and the mental math my girls just could not grasp. I spent too much time back-tracking and redoing and now I am a little behind. I never thought that I would be looking at a traditional program like CLE but it really intrigues me. We have not taken the placement test but I am sure it would say for our girls to go back one level to the 200's. I would consider starting at 205 but I am sure I won't finish all of the 300's, which would mean each year I would start and finish in the middle of a grade level. Are any of you doing this and is it working out for you? Is it confusing starting each year? Are your kids remembering and able to apply what they learn in CLE?

 

Other questions that I have are:

This program is so much like Saxon, yet why does it feel so different? Does CLE get more advanced at the 5th-7th grade levels compared to other curriculum? What level is their Algebra? Do your kids get bored doing this curriculum when the format is the same each day? I would appreciate any thoughts that could help. Thank you so much!!!!

In Christ,

Amy

[....]

Hi, I'm not going to be able to answer all your questions...but we are using CLE Math 300 this year with the 3rd grader to supplement Singapore.

 

My kids don't mind the format, but we do a lot of CLE, so they really know what to expect with those workbooks. :glare: So, no, it doesn't bother them. My daughter actually told me that she liked CLE Math.

 

It might seem like Saxon, but it has a lot less problems and more review. CLE tries to introduce concepts in small bites and then review them throughout the lessons.

 

If you are starting in LU 205 and want to be around LU 300 - no bother. You can do a lesson a day and get through a LU quickly. In fact, the first LU in a series is basically review/testing out of previous info. You could skip 300 altogether. I would just chug along with it and you guys would catch up quickly.

 

One big thing that draws me to CLE every time :tongue_smilie: is that it's really thorough and it seems to follow the state's grade level benchmarks. I'm guessing they would do OK on standardized testing if they had to go back into the ps system. It keeps me from having to constantly check and see if I'm missing something.

[Keniki]

We have used CLE for several years now after trying Abeka, Alpha Omega, Saxon, and Rod and Staff. Saxon was an especially bad fit (the 5/4 book) for this particular child. We quickly got to the point that she was in tears as soon as she saw the book. I was scared that CLE would be too much the same, but it quickly became apparent, that while the style is the same, the scope and sequence is NOT. We have used levels 4-7 and math is now her favorite class. Their high school classes have not been revised yet, and so they are NOT the same format. I'm not sure if CLE is more advanced that others or not, but it does start introducing pre-algebra in 6th grade. It's a little heavier in 7th and 8th. They consider Algebra a high school class, but DD will be helping fieldtest their Sunrise Edition of Algebra 1 this year after finishing the 7th grade math (skipping the 8th grade). We're excited about that (and a little nervous too. ;)).

[Mom0012]

I used RS with my daughter about 3/4s through level C. At that point, I began to feel she needed more systematic written practice, so I started checking CLE out since it had been getting so many rave reviews. Another poster told me she made a smooth transition from RS C to CLE 3. Since we did not finish RS C, I took a close look at the scope and sequence for CLE 2 and decided to start her in LU 205.

 

For her, CLE has been a much better fit. She likes doing the workbook pages and she has no trouble understanding the concepts. Her standardized test scores skyrocketed after we switched to CLE. I had intended to continue with RS after just supplementing for awhile with CLE, but it was clearly such a better fit for her, we've never looked back.

 

I do sometimes miss doing the RS lessons with her and I may have her do RS Geometry because I suspect she would enjoy that, but we will see when the time comes. The only level of Saxon that I ever used was K and that was years ago, so I can't really compare the two for you.

 

Lisa

 

ETA: I think you could quickly catch up in CLE. My daughter started CLE 205 in the spring of her 1st grade year and is just getting ready to start LU 309 as a rising 3rd grader. Now, I do have my kids do math during the weeks they don't have camps or other special activities in the summer, but I also think you could accelerate by dropping the quizzes and/or tests and you can also easily skip the first Lightunit of each level if you haven't just taken a long break because it is just a review of the prior Lighunit level. The other thing is that you don't really have to "catch up". CLE moves at a faster pace than many other math curricula, so even if you are "behind", you may still be right on track. Much of what my daughter is learning in CLE 3 was just learned by my son in R&S 4.

Edited August 2, 2010 by LisaTheresa

[Mom0012]

We have used CLE for several years now after trying Abeka, Alpha Omega, Saxon, and Rod and Staff. Saxon was an especially bad fit (the 5/4 book) for this particular child. We quickly got to the point that she was in tears as soon as she saw the book. I was scared that CLE would be too much the same, but it quickly became apparent, that while the style is the same, the scope and sequence is NOT. We have used levels 4-7 and math is now her favorite class. Their high school classes have not been revised yet, and so they are NOT the same format. I'm not sure if CLE is more advanced that others or not, but it does start introducing pre-algebra in 6th grade. It's a little heavier in 7th and 8th. They consider Algebra a high school class, but DD will be helping fieldtest their Sunrise Edition of Algebra 1 this year after finishing the 7th grade math (skipping the 8th grade). We're excited about that (and a little nervous too. ;)).

 

That's exciting to hear that CLE is coming out with Algebra 1 soon. I was thinking we would switch to Saxon at that point, but I'd much rather just stick with what's working. Are they planning to do the same for Geometry and Algebra 2 and do you have any idea of what their timeline is?

 

Thanks!

Lisa

[Joyofsixreboot]

I've just started using CLE with my DS who finished through lesson 10 of RS D. I was going to use CLE as a summer supplement but my ds is finding it more enjoyable so I am strongly considering making it his main curriculum. I started him in 305 to catch him up on some concepts RS hadn't touched on yet (decimals for example). I figure he will be through to 400 just after the first of the year, I'll skip 401 and start in 402 and if he does math through the summer (and truthfully, it takes him like 15-20 minutes to do a lesson) he'll be ready for 502 next fall.

[Keniki]

That's exciting to hear that CLE is coming out with Algebra 1 soon. I was thinking we would switch to Saxon at that point, but I'd much rather just stick with what's working. Are they planning to do the same for Geometry and Algebra 2 and do you have any idea of what their timeline is?

 

Thanks!

Lisa

 

 

Unfortunately, Algebra 1 is not expected to be ready until 2013 (They had said 2012, but evidently it's been delayed because they are now saying 2013.) They do intend to do Geometry and Algebra 2, but there's not a timeline for it yet as far as I know. I'm disappointed, too, because I've thought that Saxon or TT would be my best choices for dd after CLE, but I'm not completely sold on either of them for her either.

 

Wish I could give you better news. :001_unsure:

 

ETA: It just dawned on me (not enough coffee yet?) that your daughter is considerably younger than mine. Hopefully, the highschool revisions will be ready in time for your family.

Edited August 2, 2010 by Keniki

[Mom0012]

Unfortunately, Algebra 1 is not expected to be ready until 2013 (They had said 2012, but evidently it's been delayed because they are now saying 2013.) They do intend to do Geometry and Algebra 2, but there's not a timeline for it yet as far as I know. I'm disappointed, too, because I've thought that Saxon or TT would be my best choices for dd after CLE, but I'm not completely sold on either of them for her either.

 

Wish I could give you better news. :001_unsure:

 

ETA: It just dawned on me (not enough coffee yet?) that your daughter is considerably younger than mine. Hopefully, the highschool revisions will be ready in time for your family.

 

Thanks for the info! It sounds like Algebra 1 will definitely be ready in time for my daughter but if their timeline is that long just for Algebra 1, I'm definitely not going to count on them having either of the other levels ready in time for her. (Though, I might secretly hope they pick up the pace.) Bummer!

 

Lisa

[apple4]

Thanks for so many replies. I am glad to hear that CLE is working so well. For those of you that started in the middle of a LU and finished in the middle, was it difficult to pick up where you left off in the fall? Thank you!

[blessedmom3]

I've tried MAth U see , Horizons , Singapore , Rightstart and CLE . I still use some of them with some of my kids and like them all for different reasons ( except Horizons , I hate this one ).

I too feel that there is not enough review with RS . Unless you play a lot of games which I don't have time having a baby and a toddler among the olders.

I like RS A and B but my kids do so much better with CLE and it's easier for me to use. I still use RS teaching methods (including the abacus) when I teach CLE and in the summer we do Singapore for fun. That way works great for our family. But if I would be to choose one of these programs, I would go with CLE and an abacus . It's complete .