I ask because I tried it with my dc last year. At first we all liked it, and actually my dc would probably still like it, but something about it drove me crazy. I can't really put my finger on it. Anyway, I switched them all to MCP. My two oldest (5th and 6th grades) will definitely stay with MCP until they get through the 6th grade books, as I don't want to keep switching them. They will have to switch after grade 6 anyway because that's as far as MCP goes. However, I don't know if I like MCP enough to use it for my 1st grader. It doesn't seem to have enough review and moves quickly in some areas. I want to find a good fit for him NOW so we can stick with it at least through 6th grade. I think one problem I have with CLE is that it's spiral. I like spiral for all the review, but I have this hangup that it's not the best way to truly learn math.

I'd love to hear what your thoughts are on CLE math?

Thanks!

Kimberly

This post was edited on Nov 02, 2009 11:39 AM

Hi Kimberly~ When we first started CLE last year, my Dd loved it! But then, her grades kept dropping really fast and she eventually ended up hating math. She would cry and didn't even want to do it.
So, I switched and she's been so much happier and actually started to like math again.
After I did CLE today, I realized why I switched.
It just seems to me that the kids are thrown a book and just start working on their own. Just a whole bunch of stuff, that's why it's spiral. It is harder for some things as well.
For some people, it's a great choice but for mine who needs a more teach lead math, it's not the right fit.
I was just thinking it would have been easier to go to one book for her and I instead of using all these other books.
I also don't think CLE has enough of the "why" in it for us.
It's like you said, "you just can't put your finger on it".
That has been my experience with it, but like I said...a ton of people like it. Just not for us.
My main math will be BJU and I really believe in a ton of review because my Dd will forget things quickly. I do like R&S how they drill stuff, so we will keep using it on the side.
HTH, Kris

What you're looking for might be R+S and you could easily switch from MCP to that even w/ your olders. Both are mastery but R+S has a built-in review w/ every lesson! I started dd w/ it last yr for 1rst and my older boys started the yr before w/ gr 4 + 7. We had used MCP the yr before for 3 + 5. It was a very easy transition.

K

Kerby~

Deep down, I think and would probely be content using R&S full-time, but I worry so much about a few of the things that are missing that a child is suppose to know in 3rd grade for MN. I am kind of worry wart about that dumb spring test.
I also don't know how my Dd would feel about doing the problems over and over again. Altho, she loves her R&S text book for some reason. I like it because when I use it, she remembers borrowing. That is something she always forgets to do, she just flips the numbers in her mind and then subtracts them the regular way. Drives me nuts!!!
I also seem to like it because it is also a straight forward math and stuff you do for life.
Ya know.......I could do R&S full-time and supplement with BJU. What do you think?
What would you suggest for a 3rd grader?
Kris

I may even just go back to Saxon 3 with R&S 3. I started off the year with Saxon but found it was lacking something. I think it's the problems I have her do in R&S. Saxon was her favorite math and it was really easy for me to teach, and it wasn't so overwelming as CLE. Constant review but gentle too. BJU is fine but mine forgets to easy when the chapter is done.
So, if I go back to Saxon, we won't be too far behind since it is a 4 day math but we always do it as a 5 day math.
I could work!! ~Sigh~
Oh, I do hear that Saxon users do very well on the spring test!! :)
Kris

Thank you, Kris! Yes, I think I need to stop looking at CLE math and forget about all the great reviews and people who love it. It's just not a good fit for US.

I think I may give Rod & Staff a try with my ds6. My oldest used it up through 4th grade and then wanted a change, but my second dc couldn't handle it. We got through the 1st grade with it, but we had tears every day. He still (now a 5th grader) talks about how he hated Rod & Staff math. I just wrote it off as an option for my younger son because I figured it wouldn't work for him either. But they are very different kids with very different personalities, so maybe my younger son would thrive with Rod & Staff. Of course, I just sold my 1st grade R & S TM a couple months ago after hanging on to it for four years :-( Good thing they are pretty cheap, and I have another dc behind this one.

Oh, I know what you mean about feeling like Rod & Staff isn't enough. I don't have that feeling in the early grades. I think they provide a great, solid foundation in math facts and early math concepts. But I worry about it for the 6-8th grades. I've heard some say it doesn't prepare enough for algebra. However, I've heard others say their dc do fine jumping into algebra after Rod & Staff 8.

Thanks, again!

Kimberly

Hi Kimberly~ That is interesting to know about R&S in the later years. I haven't looked past 3rd so I have no clue what it's like.
Today I started back with my Saxon and then used R&S to supplement what I feel is lacking in Saxon right now. I'm giving it a whirl anyways.
I just hate math, it's a complete nightmare. Meaning, you can never find the right curriculum that has exactly what you are looking for. Ugh!
What do you do?
Kris