SunnyDays Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 (edited) We're not *quite* to Logic stage yet, but I'm looking ahead to that point, and wanted to ask some of you who've been there and done that!! I've been posting a lot of math questions lately. We've kind of been waffling between Singapore and CLE... very different, I know, but there are different reasons that they both work well. What I think I may do for now is continue with CLE, and supplement with the Singapore IP and CWP. It probably gives him the best of both worlds! My question is about CLE Math and how far to take that. We're currently working through 400. My plan is to go through 600, I think. Now, I've searched and have seen people say anywhere from after 500-800 is a good place to start Algebra. DS is very mathy and picks up concepts quickly. I just want him to have that spiral review now to solidify his facts, and later to solidify everything else! We're also working a year ahead. Based on that, here are my questions... 1. Would CLE 600 be enough to give him a good base to enter a pre-algebra program?? Or would 500 be enough... I've actually seen some pretests for pre-algebra that he could *almost* pass now. 2. I'm not 100% positive where we'll go from here. I'm really looking at AoPS. Have any of your kids gone from CLE to AoPS?? What level did you go through to start AoPS Pre-Algebra?? 3. If for some reason we don't go AoPS (such as he doesn't like the discovery method, or if we end up planning to return him to school for high school, or whatever), then we'll probably go Saxon... again, very different, but it's a program I can plan out several years and it's been used forever. What level would you say is the latest we'd want to make the switch to Saxon if we went that route?? Or, I might of course look at different programs... I have questions there but will start another thread. We don't want to jump around, and I know that wouldn't be good. This is our first year homeschooling... we've tried a few different things this year, and I want to be able to stick to something for the rest of elementary math, then stick with one thing (as long as it makes sense) from there on out. This got long, thanks for reading!! Look forward to your thoughts... :) Edited March 28, 2012 by SunnyDays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningGlory Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 My younger son just finished the 500 level. He has thoroughly learned fractions and decimals, some ratio and proportions, and basic equations. He probably could go into a pre-algebra program now, but I am not going to do that...he is not mature enough. I'm going to stick with CLE through 700 and then go straight into algebra with him. CLE 700 is enough "pre-algebra". This son would NOT like the discovery approach of AofPS; in fact, he can barely tolerate the Life of Fred that I'm using to fill out the remainder of this year. On the other hand, my older son LOVED both AofPS and LofF. So you will have to be aware of the learning style and preference of your son as you make decisions about higher level math. Good luck with your math journey! Jetta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyDays Posted March 28, 2012 Author Share Posted March 28, 2012 Thanks, Jetta! That's one thing I'm keeping an eye on is how I think he'd learn. DS loves LOF here, and he thought the samples we tried online of AoPS Pre-Algebra were fun! So he may do well in that program and it leads me to think we should at least try it. Did your older son use CLE too? Part of what I'm wondering is, you mostly hear of students going into AoPS after Singapore or another highly conceptual program... so I'm trying to figure out if others have been successful going in from something more traditional. Thanks for your thoughts!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningGlory Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Older son used BJU Math from 2nd through the beginning of 6th (using part of BJU's pre-algebra) and then went into algebra. The BJU math was a great fit for this son...traditional with a conceptual twist and mastery-based. BJU was a disaster for 2nd son...I switched him to CLE in 3rd grade. He desperately needed the constant review. Older son used Jacobs as a spine for algebra with Life of Fred and AofPS as supplements. He spent almost 1.5 years on algebra. He knows it WELL. I know we did not use the AofPS as it is intended...discovery...but he (and I) still thoroughly enjoyed it. The word problems are fabulous. This son did NOT like LofF algebra like he did the fractions & decimals books. He thought it was too convoluted. ymmv. Not sure what algebra I will use with younger son. Probably Jacobs. I was VERY pleased with it. If your son found the AoPS interesting, I would DEFINITELY give it a try! How exciting! HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyDays Posted March 28, 2012 Author Share Posted March 28, 2012 That does help, thanks. I think we'll see how the next year or two go, but I am definitely leaning that direction. :) Would still love to hear from others who've moved kids from CLE to pre-algebra and algebra at different levels. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3byzaz Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 My son is at the end of CLE 700. It is very thorough. I think he could do Alg 1 next year, but I am going to have him do 800 and then Alg 1 which will still be 8th grade for him. I just don't want to rush it. I think there is a lot of value and allowing these kiddos to mature and not go too fast in Math - lesson learned with #1. My bf's son did 700 last year...she wasn't sure what to do next and then ended up landing in VT this year. It's been tough - it was too tough for my oldest who is very, very bright and ahead. I just think there is also value some of the real life/consumer math that is in 800 as well as more pre-alg and probably a lot of Alg 1. He loves CLE - so I want to make sure things are cemented before moving on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 My son is at the end of CLE 700. It is very thorough. I think he could do Alg 1 next year, but I am going to have him do 800 and then Alg 1 which will still be 8th grade for him. I just don't want to rush it. I think there is a lot of value and allowing these kiddos to mature and not go too fast in Math - lesson learned with #1. My bf's son did 700 last year...she wasn't sure what to do next and then ended up landing in VT this year. It's been tough - it was too tough for my oldest who is very, very bright and ahead. I just think there is also value some of the real life/consumer math that is in 800 as well as more pre-alg and probably a lot of Alg 1. He loves CLE - so I want to make sure things are cemented before moving on. I am :bigear: because I love CLE and want to use it as long as possible. Is your DS using it a year ahead or will you go faster and do both 800 and Alg 1 in 8th grade? My goal (crossing fingers) is for the girls to reach Alg 1 in 8th grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNC Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 My daughter is using Chalkdust Algebra in 8th after many years of Chalkdust. She is more than ready! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 For us, CLE-to-Saxon seems the way to go. My youngest is in CLE 700 now, and I will have her do the Saxon middle school placement test in August to see what to do next although I'm inclined to put her into Saxon Algebra 1/2 and have her take the tests until she gets below 90%. I may just have her do the whole book though. We'll see what the placement test says. Saxon Algebra 1/2 is a good transition program that builds confidence and makes Saxon Algebra 1 easy. At least that has been our experience. Not everyone agrees with this approach, so YMMV...math is a hard one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3byzaz Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 I am :bigear: because I love CLE and want to use it as long as possible. Is your DS using it a year ahead or will you go faster and do both 800 and Alg 1 in 8th grade? My goal (crossing fingers) is for the girls to reach Alg 1 in 8th grade. He is not using it a year ahead...well he wasn't...long story! He started K "early" - October baby. But, we have decided to put both our oldest back in the grade that they 'should' be in by the ps standards. We feel there is no need to rush, they will probably do better on ACT/SAT and at least not be comparing a year ahead, etc. etc...maturity is also a big reason. So...he has always been right on - he is excelling in 700 and it is tough! But, I am going to just continue him along. If we need to slow down or whatever than we will. Oldest ds just did Alg 1 in what was his 9th grade year, but will now be 8th also. So, I don't really care when they get to it - just readiness!! :) I do think that CLE will have prepared him so well for Alg that there won't be any problems. I'll just need to find a good, solid Alg 1 for him - TT was great for oldest, but this ds will have already done too much of it, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamom Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 My son is going into 7th and is just finishing CLE6. He doesn't need all the review, so I plan on switching this year. I have looked around quite a bit and figure he *could* go into Algebra, but I want a spiral program. I'm looking at Lial's. However I am going to put him into prealgebra just to reinforce some things this year, give him another year from a different curr. approach and then Albegra for 8th grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.