CLE users -- diagnostic tests

[5wolfcubs]

If you've used Christian Light Education, did you have your kid(s) take the diagnostic tests for math & language and then place accordingly? Or just order at their age/grade level? And were you happy w/ your choice?
Oh, and if you used CLE and didn't like it, can you share why?
Thank you!

[GVA]

We use CLE Math and Reading, and my youngest is shortly going to start CLE Language Arts.

I studied the Scope-and-Sequence, which is available for free in the files of the CLE Yahoo Group.

For my older one, I actually put him back a grade in math because there were things he was missing and frankly we were struggling with a confidence issue in math. I went to timed math for him (45 minute/day) and crossed out some of the review problems until he was consistently getting new material. Then we went to one lesson a day. He'll be caught up "grade-wise" this fall, but I looked at the state public school standards, and he's actually a grade ahead there. I also put him a grade back in reading even though he reads at an adult level recreationally because I wanted him to become a more careful reader on required material. That's worked out well.

My younger one dove right into grade level reading and math, and has done fine. The reading is also easy for her, but she needed to become a more careful reader as well, and that has helped with that. She's going to finish A Beka Grammar 3 shortly, and I'm going to move her over the CLE Language Arts 3 soon. It looks to be just slightly more advanced than A Beka 3, but she hasn't retained as much as I had hoped from A Beka, so we'll start there.

HTH!

[MIch elle]

Ds used R&S math 1-4 then we switched to CLE math 5 w/o taking the placement test. He just finished Lightunit 504 and it's going well (90's on all quizzes & tests). Yes, it probably takes more of my time to teach him some things that's he's not been taught before in math, but that's easier than going back a year and trying to get "caught" up in math.

He uses R&S English 5.

[Lizzie in Ma]

We began at grade level for 1st and 6th in Language Arts, Reading, and Math.
Rod and Staff was just making me nuts after 4 years of it and dd was frustrated as all get out.
I panicked a bit when the CLE math arrived, there was a fair amount of topics we had never covered. I called the company and they were fabulous. We used the first LightUnit, which reviews the previous year, to teach the things she had not seen before and then moved on with no problems.
I was actually going to use R&S for 1-4 for my younger (since I already had it) but when I saw how rigorous CLE was, I decided to just start with it.
The Language Arts combines spelling, penmanship and grammar so we got rid of two other texts and that was lovely to streamline.
I am not thrilled with the reading but it is very good and I intend to use it until 7th when I can make the move to Lightening Lit.

[5wolfcubs]

Thanks for your responses. I'm feeling so indecisive right now... :) I think my middle two would be write on track grade wise, or at least able to jump in at grade level. But I'm guessing my oldest would test lower, possibly a lot lower. Having an older one behind a young one, using the same curriculum, hasn't been a good thing around here. :rolleyes:

[Chels~]

If you've used Christian Light Education, did you have your kid(s) take the diagnostic tests for math & language and then place accordingly? Or just order at their age/grade level? And were you happy w/ your choice?
Oh, and if you used CLE and didn't like it, can you share why?
Thank you!

I bought the diagnostic tests, but after looking at them I knew where my kids would place. They are on the advanced side of academics in my opinion. My Dd does great with them, but my we have had to take it really slow with my DS.

[BizyPenguin]

I highly recommend the diagnostic test. If I hadn't used it, I would have placed my ds in the 500 series, but he tested one level below. He would totally have struggled with the program if I had placed him in the 500 series. Now, he's really doing well with it. I wrote a review for CLE Math last week on my new blog (see link below) and I plan on reviewing CLE Lang Arts tomorrow, so be sure to check my blog for my review. I can not say enough good things about CLE!

[5wolfcubs]

Thanks for the link, Stacy! You've got a great blog started! I look forward to today's review of CLE...

[Rhonda in TX]

DS placed into 4th grade math, even though he's in 5th grade, so that's where I put him. DD barely placed into 4th grade math, so I put her halfway through 3rd grade. That worked well.

They placed on grade level for CLE Language.

I love CLE math, but am going a different direction with grammar, so we won't continue to use CLE Language. There's nothing wrong with the program. I just didn't want so much of my day taken up with grammar. (It only took 30 minutes a day, but I'd rather not have to do grammar daily.) We are going to start using Junior Analytical Grammar next year.

[BizyPenguin]

Lee,
My CLE Language Arts review is up on my blog now. Hope it helps!

[5wolfcubs]

Thank you, Stacy! Love the quote from today, too! I thought I'd left several comments on your blog, but I guess I didn't do it properly because every post says No comments. Anyway, I wanted you to know that you've written a lot of great posts and I look forward to reading more of your writings!
Lee

[BizyPenguin]

Thank you for your kind words. You're right. No comments have shown up no my blog thus far. Perhaps that feature has a glitch. It's all so new to me. Later on I'll do a test to see if the comments are working. I'm just starting to get hits on my blog, so I don't expect many comments right away. I'm going to check out your blog later when I've got more time. Have a great day!

[Penny]

I've been watching CLE posts for several days, and I am somewhat frustrated trying to find sample pages for each grade.

Where did you check this out before buying? I'm using R&S for a somewhat slow math child and I'd like to see what we're missing.

Thank you for sharing your experiences!!

Penny

[Tami]

I looked at the scope and sequence for math and ended up placing a year "behind" grade level. For one, dd's math facts were not down cold. Secondly, I wanted dd's skills to be rock solid and mastered and for dd to experience successs with math.

CLE Math is quite advanced, and I would place without regard to "grade" level. I think average and struggling math students do best at a year behind grade. There is plenty of meat, and *I* am learning things I never knew before.

My dd loves doing CLE math independently. She actually likes math now - I think because she is getting enough repetition and pracitice to get confident.

I have a scope and sequence at my blog, in case you need it. If you go with CLE, make sure you get the math chart that goes with the program. IT will enable your child to look up things easily without getting frustrated. Love, love, love CLE Math!

[5wolfcubs]

Penny, if you join the Yahoo group christianlightfamilies (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christianlightfamilies/) you can see samples in the photos section.

Tami, thank you for answering! I'm pretty sure you're the one who first mentioned CLE to me. Also, I wanted to view the S&S for CLE you have linked at your blog, but I'm not approved to view (as 5wolfcubs), can you share with me? :) Thank you!

[Tami]

Penny, if you join the Yahoo group christianlightfamilies (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christianlightfamilies/) you can see samples in the photos section.

Tami, thank you for answering! I'm pretty sure you're the one who first mentioned CLE to me. Also, I wanted to view the S&S for CLE you have linked at your blog, but I'm not approved to view (as 5wolfcubs), can you share with me? :) Thank you!


Hi Lee,

Thanks for letting me know! :confused: I fixed the settings, so you should be able to view it. Let me know if you have any problems seeing it.