As we wander towards the end of our homeschool year I'll be reviewing some of the materials we've used this year. I will start with CLE Math, otherwise known as Christian Light Education Math or Sunrise Mathematics, further information can be found here www.clp.org.
We tend not to use a lot of formal math in the early years here but as the kids get older that is changing. Last year I stumbled upon CLE's sunrise math when I was looking for something short and independent for Colin, my whirlwind child! He likes to know what must be done and then just do it when he's ready not wait for help. The CLE math was such a good fit for him that this year I tried it for Hayley and Tristan too. Trevor was working on pre-algebra topics with different materials so he didn't use the CLE. The levels we used this year were 3rd, 4th and 6th grade.
The first thing we like about CLE's sunrise math is that the lessons are a mix of topics. In one lesson you might find a real mix of math problems such as a multiplication table for the 3's some subtraction with regrouping, naming the points on a line, matching congruent shapes, a couple word problems, fractions or decimals problems and a speed drill of basic addition facts. If you or your child likes to work on just one topic until it's mastered this is not the math curriculum for you. If your child gets bored with a lot of repetition this one may be a good fit.
The next thing we like is that most of each days lesson can be done independently. The kids don't have to wait for me. There is usually a couple new things in each lesson (fully explained t the child right there in the lightunit) and then the rest is called " we remember", basically review. Then in the back of the book there is a short speed drill of one of the basic operations for each day. I usually go over the new material and then the kids complete the rest of the lesson alone. One of my children, Colin, likes to be timed for the speed drill so he usually gets me to time him when he gets to that point. (Hayley and Tristan prefer not to be timed, which is fine too, make the curriculum work for you don't be it's slave!).
The third thing we like is the small size of the workbooks. Ten workbooks make up a years work so one book only holds about 17 lessons. It's a very manageable size.
Lastly the cost is great, about $3.00 per light unit (workbook) and you can buy them a little at a time.
The thing we don't like as much is that the lessons seem a little long. They are used in classrooms as well so might be meant to take a certain amount of time. I prefer to keep math time to about 20 -30 minutes a day until high school. I must admit that I cross out some things almost every day so that the kids don't get overloaded. For instance if there is a 3 times table and then also a row of multiplying by 3's I will cross out one or the other section. If there is something I know the kids have totally mastered I often cross it out. If one of the kids is getting bogged down I ask to look at their light unit and see if it's gotten too repetitive and then I might skip them ahead a couple lessons.
In other words this seems to be a good fit for us, just a little long.
Colin and Hayley both plan to continue using math light units next year, Tristan on the other hand has mentioned that he'd prefer math on the computer so he probably won't use this math again or maybe just use it every so often.
One tip I would have is to try a single light unit if you're interested in this math. The "01 light unit of each set is a review of the prior years math (except for first grade) so you may want to try the '02 light unit 202, 302....
Another tip would be to try the placement test on CLE's website as apparently this curriculum has quite a different scope and sequence than many others. Your child may place higher or lower than you would expect but it's best to put them where they need to be not worry about the grade level.
Last tip would be that if you're buying used make sure you get Sunrise edition. Apparently CLE used alpha omega life pacs years ago and the scope and sequence is very different now. If it doesn't say Sunrise than you're getting an older product that doesn't have a lot of the same benefits that makes people like Sunrise math.
1 comment:
Great review, Jodi!
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