Switching to BJU??

[oschool8]

Hello. I don’t know if anyone has used BJU press for language arts? We are thinking switch to their video based lessons, at least for one year, since we just had a newborn and have had a hard time keeping up with their curriculum. I am particularly concerned about my 2nd grader, who was going steady with All About Reading 3 until now. My question is, after he finishes AAR3, would BJU language arts grade 3 be appropriate or would he be needing level 2? He does not struggle with reading, but his sister caught on a lot quicker with learning to read, so I don’t have much concern with switching her. Of course, there is more to LA than reading, but that is my main concern. Has anyone else made a switch like that? Please tell me of your experience. Thank you. 

[countrymum]

Alli know is that BJUs phonics is not as thorough as AAR. You may want to consider that.... Maybe just switch older....

And cut LA for younger down to AAR, spelling and copywork for a year? Just a thought 

[AnneGG]

I looked at it at Mardel a few months ago. The BJU English text looked basic enough. I think the average 3rd grader would be fine with it. I didn’t look at the other components like spelling, handwriting and reading. Do you have a Mardel you can go to and flip through it? Sometimes BJU’s Homework’s consultants have pop up events where you can flip through things. 
 

FWIW I picked the bju readers at a yard sale and my kids loved them. They seemed on grade level to me. 

[oschool8]

18 hours ago, countrymum said:

Alli know is that BJUs phonics is not as thorough as AAR. You may want to consider that.... Maybe just switch older....

And cut LA for younger down to AAR, spelling and copywork for a year? Just a thought 

Would you say it would be too much for him to do both AAR3 and BJU Reading 2? I really have been thinking to just use the English 2, while continuing with AAR3 and possibly AAR4. But perhaps the Reading 2 would provide the reinforcement and review…

[countrymum]

I wouldn't try to add on a reading curriculum to AAR - especially if you have a newborn. You could have the child read in addition to AAR. Mine who had to work hard to learn to read read other books to me and then themselves in addition to AAR, but no workbooks or curriculum. Reading 2s readers would work for this. Also think what you want from English 2. Is it beginning grammar? Spelling? Writing? Can the child do it yet? Is his reading and writing good enough? Is there something more targeted that would be easier? My kids in lower elementary wouldn't have been able to do videos without me right there. Is that easier for you? It might be.

Sorry if this isn't helpful, I know I need to really clarify my goals for each child or I end up adding too much to their school time because I'm afraid of missing something.

ETA I had a newborn this last year.... it's alot to juggle;)

Edited May 6 by countrymum

[PeterPan]

On 5/4/2024 at 9:14 PM, oschool8 said:

We are thinking switc

We = the non-teaching parent + you?

Just teaching parent to teaching parent, I'm going to suggest that you are ok to stand your ground, slow down here. 

On 5/5/2024 at 4:23 PM, oschool8 said:

Would you say it would be too much for him to do both AAR3 and BJU Reading 2? I really have been thinking to just use the English 2, while continuing with AAR3 and possibly AAR4. But perhaps the Reading 2 would provide the reinforcement and review…

It sounds like you're hashing this out in your mind. If you want reinforcement/review, you could find other options that are less expensive and less likely to be a bad fit. Now I LIKE BJU stuff, definitely. I've used it on and off with my kids. The reading instruction is a completely different philosophy from AAR, which is probably why you're hedging. I would reinforce your gut sense that having started with AAR it makes more sense to let that be the one thing you keep going with. 

So how about some suggestions? You'll notice in my sig my kids are almost 10 years apart, so I had the oh no how do I do this thing. 🙂  BJU intentionally integrates practice (in reading, in skills, in writing, etc.) ACROSS THE CURRICULUM. So you could do their SCIENCE or their HERITAGE STUDIES, both of which are absolutely ADORABLE for these early grades, and it would give them bits of practice while not affecting your reading instruction. Grammar is something you can do every other year, no big deal. Throw a handwriting book at them. Get something simple like the How to Report on Books for their grade level (print, they do one each week, easy peasy). If it really super bugs you, get a grocery store type all in one grade leveled grammar thing to throw at them. 

Personally, I like the BJU Reading starting in about grades 6-7. In fact, shh, but I'm reading the BJU 7 to my very dyslexic high school student with language disabilities right now and it's great! It's my 2nd time using it. The early grades are stuff writing by the Press and they're sappy, maybe to your taste, maybe not. I got some National Geographic Reach grade leveled reading texts on amazon and they're WONDERFUL. You could get any reading textbook on the amazon marketplace for $5-10 total shipped. Have them read a bit each day, doing some of the activities/discussion if you want (or not). It will be enough and the world will not end. It will be that "reinforcement and review" you wanted, but it won't cost you an arm and a leg.

The BJU video/online for the science and heritage studies will be FUN and will have them reading. They'll love it and it will give you a break with no guilt. They're worth the money. The LA is just creating conflict when you actually want to teach another way, so why do it? Get the reinforcement/practice a different way and be in peace. Even as a new mom you'll probably be able to carve 15 minutes a day of peace to do your AAR since it's important and working. There's no need to change what is working.

It's easy to think that spending money solves problems, but it doesn't. They're going to run some sales midyear, so if you get into the year and realize you really wish you had, you can still order it. That gives you time to try a simpler approach and see how it goes. For comparable money, you might be able to sign them up for a live online writing class, which could be kind of fun. Or maybe you could do a writing class through a local co-op?