What level of CLE Language Arts?

[5sweeties]

Hi!

I am looking at changing from Rod and Staff to CLE Language Arts in the fall. I am trying to get a grasp of what levels of CLE I might expect my girls to need. I looked online at the samples, but I'm still wondering what may be considered "normal."

I have a 9yo, who will be 10 in the fall. She is currently doing R&S 3, rather than 4, because she was in public school until the middle of last year, and we had to back up a bit. I'm wondering if she'll probably need CLE 3, 4, or 5?

Then, I have a 7yo, who will be 8 by then. She is doing R&S at 2nd grade level, and it is too easy for her, for the most part. She really already, somehow knows everything already! Do you think I'll need CLE 2 or 3 for her?

I guess I'm just trying to figure out if it is normal to have to go back a year with CLE, or if we can continue on to the next grade level, or if it is easier, and we would maybe need to skip a grade? I looked at the online photos of the pages on the yahoo group, and it looks like is a normal to rigorous program?

Just wondering how the grade levels stack up to Rod and Staff?

TIA

[Ellie]

I would have your dc take CLE's placement test.

[Donna A.]

For CLE, you need to have your kids take the diagnostic tests because CLE is different than R&S in that CLE is "spiral". Meaning, some concepts are introduced at one time and then reviewed again at a later time, whereas with R&S, you typically "master" one concept before going on to another.

And yes, it's normal to have to go "back" a level (or even two, depending on what you came from) when switching into CLE. Don't worry about the number on the cover. They all catch up to the same place eventually. And it's important to note that CLE isn't "behind" R&S... they're just different in how they're laid out. CLE is very thorough, as is R&S.

[SnowWhite]

CLE diagnostic (placement) tests are only $2, and the instructor's manual is also only $2. They are a little hard to find on the CLE website, but here is a direct link. I hope it works for you.

http://www.clp.org/cgi-bin/shop.cgi?C=page&F=search&id=7634713635&title=Search+Results&zfield=all&start=1&set=20&zkeyword=diagnostic

[5sweeties]

THanks so much! I ordered the tests!

:)

[BizyPenguin]

Just take the diagnostic placement tests and place your kids where they test. It is not uncommon for them to place a level or two below the "grade" they're in, but it's not a big deal. My 5th grader in using the 400 series in math and lang arts and it's a perfect fit! I reviewed CLE on my blog if you're interested.