Can someone compare BJU math With CLE math for me....?

[Kate in VA]

I am getting confused here and wanted to see if anyone could compare BJU math with CLE math?
Thank you:)

[OhElizabeth]

You can see samples of both online I think. BJU puts up a whole chapter of each level at www.bjup.com For CLE, try googling and see what you find. They'll send you a sample unit for free, and they're only like $2.45 after that.

BJU--mastery with optional spiral materials, full color, fun themes in each level and activities (codes, coloring, etc.) at the lower levels, focus on manipulatives, meant to be taught on side 1 though dc can do some independently, focus on conceptual understanding, very similar to RightStart if you're coming from that

CLE (which we also tried in our transition)--black and white, inexpensive, meant to be done by the student alone, heavy spiral approach, engaging approach to drill with positive reinforcement (chart your progress and how many you got each day in the time period, watch it grow), interesting tidbits and themes

Each program has people who like it, and as you see, they're pretty much totally different. We liked each, but for different reasons. CLE is so charming, positive, and pleasant. BJU has the color my strongly visual learner craves and the conceptual focus I wanted. BJU takes more effort from me and I have to make sure we use the other components (their drill materials, spiral review book, etc.) to have a complete lesson, whereas with CLE it's all laid out in one long daily assignment. And this is small, but it was actually the Stretch Your Mind challenging application workbook from BJU that correlates to the lessons that made me move toward BJU. That was an element that was important to me and I could get all the components (spiral review, daily drill, conceptual lesson, challenging application problems) in one place with correlated lessons. Each program is fine though and has people it's going to work really well for. I recommended CLE to a local friend this year and it's working out fabulously for her dc. Just get whatever seems right for your dc. It's more important to stick with a math curriculum and do it than it is to find the perfect math curriculum.