heartofdakota.com

We are using Horizons, DS9 loves it, Mommy doesn't like the TM or much yet the instruction in the lessons. I have even purchased a handbook to help... but am doubting.

DS is math minded... and has the potential to go far in math... thus my concern of "hindering" his abilities with a program that may be "lacking"...

I have looked at CLE and BJUP. Is one more advanced than another? Does one give more indepth instruction that the other? Which TM offers better instruction for the teacher? Which offers better explanation in the student text/lesson? Does one cover a breadth of topics more that the other? What about "thinking" and logistics, how does each program do with this aspect of math? DS will be in 4th grade next year, and is currently in 4th Horizons... so he would "technically" be at 5th level...? of course I would do placement.

TIA

Tia,

I wish I could help you! I've used Bob Jones some, but I've never used CLE. I have seen samples before though. CLE is more spiral, with alot more practice problems. Each lesson contains all kinds of different problems. In the sample, Ithought CLE did a very nice job explaining different things right to the kids. This could be useful if you are going to have a busy year or going to be pregnant or something. With Bob Jones you focus on one skill at a time and it takes us about a week or a little more to get through a chapter - so you are on the same topic all week. This is helpful to me as a mother. The TM can be useful if you don't feel like you have to do everything. Otherwise, it would take alot of time each day. I don't know much about CLE's teacher's manual. I've read Bob Jones is goes slower, but to me that doesn't seem to be a big factor unless you plan on stopping math altogether if you finished a level. For me, I would get the next level and keep moving. The Bob Jones lessons contain a nice amount of practice problems. For BJ, I would consider purchasing a level above the grade your child is in. I really don't think you can go wrong. Perhaps you have a way you could look at these?

Have you considered Singapore? We switched from Horizons 2 in first grade to Singapore 2 in 2nd grade and it's much better! It is advanced and great from "mathy" kids. It really teaches them to think mathematically and doesn't overwhelm them with tons of problems. I've also used the Early Bird 1A/B which is great too.

I've used other subjects from BJU and it's SO overwhelming. You can do without the teachers guide (in some subjects) but if you need even a little bit of a guide, you have to deal with one that's meant for the classroom...lots of tweaking and an insane amount of "stuff" to deal with to make it work in a home school. It is a good program, but not considered advanced and anything...just your typical math text. They don't focus so much of learning the why of math, but mostly the how of it and some shortcuts (which are not the best things to teach according to some of the reviews on the VideoText math site -- this is where HOD might be leading to in future guides for math).

Anyway, no matter which you choose, your son won't "suffer" or be behind from your choice. I just wanted to put Singapore out there for you and give you my insight on BJU courses. Many of the top curriculums now recommend Singapore math and after using it, I can see why. There are some samples on the Singapore site if you are interested.

ETA: you won't need the parent guide for Singapore until about 5 or 6. Carrie has activites planned for K,1, and 2. And she has the assignment schedule for both the text and workbook starting in 3 which is where they switch to not doing so much hands on but using the pictoral helps in the books. And I'm totally with you on the Horizons guides...ugh! (BJU is like a busier Horizons guide if that helps any...LOL.)

I didn't say it in my earlier post, but I am going to leave off from BJ here, since we just finished the whole book, and give Singapore a try.

If you haven't looked at Singapore - give it a peek. It's solid math instruction, and it is what HOD recommends. I think your little caterpillar would like it - and if caterpillar is happy, Butterfly and Grasshopper have to be too, right? I couldn't resist - love your "names"!!! You can go to http://www.singaporemath.com and click “placement” for a free math placement test if you are interested.

In Christ,
Julie

I must second all the ladies here and say that Singapore is wonderful. Last week we covered begininng addition facts (2+3=5, 3+3=6 and so on...), this week while doing our sentence card for RME my dd added up all the cards without any hesitation or prompting, she just did it. That was a big WOOHOO moment! And math was probably the one subject I was most afraid to teach and now I know I can. Best wishes!!

Nancy