-New- How To Place Your Student in Our Curricula

    

Hi folks!

We've been getting many questions as to placement of students. I wanted to provide you a more definitive approach to making this important decision.  I also wanted to answer certain specific questions (found in italics) I often get regarding placement.  Here it is, with each level of curricula we offer simply explained (including the intended benefits).  I ask that you please really look this over and see if it answers your questions. If it does not, then please do feel free to write me from our sites, or at our free Yahoo! Support Group (which can be joined from our sites easily), and I'll be more than happy to try to answer your questions.  (You can always write me with good news!  Any time!)  Oh, and please consider reading about each level even though you do not have a student for it, as questions are answered along the way that you may need answered.  Thanks!

1st STEP STARTER (ages 5-6, pre-literate) — First, there are four levels of curricula that we make available. The simplest as far as difficulty to read and understand the materials is 1st Step Starter which is generally for students ages 5-6. It is also for students who are pre-literate . This means that they read very little. For students who do not read yet, you really should consider starting with the reading course as well, and frankly, I think that would be a help for all students needing Starter and could be done in tandem with the rest of the curricula. Also the free spelling course for that age group should be used. These can help accelerate the development of reading skills. Free courses can be downloaded on our site from the home page (near the top - center) at any time.  Please feel free to use these not only as "free samples", but as a part of your educational approach.  That's what they're for.  The 1st Step spelling program can be found at 1st Step's home page (which you are probably on if you're reading this):  www.my1ststep.com .

In the first year of Starter (the first two semesters) the student is asked to read simple texts with the teacher's help, but as much as possible the student should be reading to the teacher with minimal assistance. We know this may not happen much at first, but the effort should always be present to wean the student and make them a self-sustaining reader, and that effort should include little or no "criticism".  Reading, especially while the student is this young, must be made to be a successful and gratifying activity, something fun, something looked forward to.  No one likes doing things in which they are continuously corrected or, worse, reprimanded.  In this respect a child is little different from you or I — except that they are more likely to trust you and respond with faith in what you say.  To tell a child that he is a "bad reader" may confirm for him that he is, indeed, a "bad reader" and act as a significant roadblock in any future effort to get them to read.

In the second year the texts become increasingly longer and more difficult.  The idea is to prepare the student for the literary demands of the next level of study.  The vast majority of the text at the Starter level is mono-syllabic (one syllable) text.  In this way, over a two year period, the student increasingly develops the ability to identify and master small words.  (We do not employ phonics, though it's pretty easy to integrate the use of phonics into our program if you like.  We use a form of Word Identification instead.)

In short, Starter is principally concerned with developing two skills in the student — early literacy and the willingness (and ability) to express their ideas, both creative and "practical".

There is no available reading test for Starter because it is for pre-literate students. One does not have to have had much earlier reading experience, though clearly the better a student reads, the better.  The final complete semester for Starter should be available in its complete form by around July 10, 2010, though several of the courses are available now. The first three semesters are available and are complete. Each semester represents approximately 20 week's worth of study (with about 2 weeks off for holidays, etc, which is about what it averages in the United States as an example.)

Starter courses in History and Science are particularly hands-on. They present and focus on ideas rather than particulars, and offer the student things to do to make those ideas comprehensible and of use. The student does begin to learn about science and history through various approaches. Each course is targeted to provide specific understandings related to the subject. The student also has a Creative Writing course each semester that is semester-long, and which is almost entirely structured to allow them to express themselves in the most creative way possible while offering simple basics about the writing of stories. And finally the student has Living Your Life courses. These important courses could be considered "life skills" courses. They teach the young student all about safety, health, and related issues at a level "real" for the age group, while developing reading skills.

Question: Does a student need to do all of the program or can we use just the parts we're interested in?   Answer: Each course is pretty much free-standing and can be done all by itself. The same can be said for a subject (such as History, or Living Your Life ). They work best, of course, in tandem as they were designed, but we have many reviews and testimonials to the fact that our courses work very well for students even if that course is all that was done.

Question: Can I start a student younger than age five if they are already reading?   Answer: You can. I just personally feel that's a bit young to start "school". If a student younger than around five reads well, I would certainly read to them and have them read to me each day. I'd experience the world with them. I don't think I'd start "school" yet, though. It’s a personal preference.

Question: Should I work on developing my child's reading skills to some extent before starting?   Answer: Yes, if you can. The better the child reads, the easier the work here will be for them. This level is intended to help develop reading skills, but it may be slow going if the student has not already started doing so by age five.

Question: Can an older student do this level if they really don't read well? Answer: Yes, that’s what it's for. This level is more tutor-intensive than the other levels because each lesson has reading as a part of it and the student is expected to need help. If I had a student who was truly reading challenged and they were significantly older, I'd still start them at 1st Step Starter.

Question: Do you provide any math?   Answer: Nope. There are many good math programs out there. We usually recommend Saxon math up to their 8/7 book. We do not recommend that book or their program after that level (such as Algebra). But it's a good program for younger students and they have a homeschool version that works well with our curricula.

Question: Do you provide P.E.?   Answer: Not in 1st Step, though we do offer a few electives for ages 9-adult in Connect The Thoughts. You’ll need to find appropriate P.E. activities for your student.

You can find out much more about Starter courses by looking over their descriptions and samples of almost every course we offer at this link: www.my1ststep.com/starter.php

 
 

1ST STEP ELEMENTARY (ages 7-8, early literate/developing literacy) — The next level up is Elementary, for ages 7-8 generally. It is also for students who have developed some reading skills and are ready to push those in preparation for more serious studies. (We call this phenomenon "developing literacy".)

As in Starter, the level of literacy required in each course increases. But the essays or articles read in Elementary grow longer and provide more information on the subjects than in Starter. The student receives diminishing reading assistance and the words used become steadily more complex. We are, however, still principally concerned with the development of literacy, and of the students willingness to express their ideas.

Question: Does a student need to have done Starter before doing Elementary?    Answer:  No, they do not. Pretty much the same subject matter is covered (with additions to what is covered, and in complexity). But they do need to be reading more than a little before doing Elementary. It is not for the student who just isn't reading yet.

To that end, there is a reading test available for Elementary. It is actually a sample lesson taken for a course, the idea being that if the student can read the lesson and do the exercises based on what was read, they can probably do this level of work. Here's the link to the reading test: www.my1ststep.com/elementary--reading-test.php

As in Starter, the student studies History and Science. But in Elementary the materials studied become more involved. More information is communicated and made use of. Creative Writing is again done each semester, and in the case of Elementary a unique approach has been used. The parts of language are taught (nouns, verbs, etc) and are each used as the springboard for creative activities. In this manner the student improves their reading skills, learns about sentence structure and language and is at all times challenged and encouraged to create. Finally, the Living Your Life courses at the Elementary level help provide the student an understanding of the world they have joined into as 7-8 year olds — and prepares the student to deal more effectively and safely with older students and the harder work to come. (By the way, I have been told by numerous parents that these courses work well for older students as well whose reading skills are not up to the next level. The courses are challenging and offer a lot of information.)

Here is a link you can use to find out more about the courses offered at this level, and even look at samples of each course. (The entire Elementary program is complete and available for two years/four semesters.): www.my1ststep.com/elementary.php

There are many articles and "FAQS" (Frequently Asked Questions) available at our site that you can read to get a firmer grasp of how the 1st Step Curricula works. Here are links: http://www.my1ststep.com/articles.php http://www.my1ststep.com/faq.php

There are also many "Success Stories" you can read to get an idea of how students, parents and teachers respond to 1st Step. Here's a link: http://www.my1ststep.com/success.php

 
 

CONNECT THE THOUGHTS (CTT) LOWER SCHOOL (ages 9-10) — The next educational level in our curricula jumps into Connect The Thoughts, and is "Lower School". It is for students ages 9-10, or for students ready for more complex studies but who may not have the literacy skills needed for Upper School. There are students not ages 9-10 who flourish on this level, some younger and some older.

It is assumed by this level that students read fairly well. Work starts with a set of study skills courses intended to prepare the student for the more difficult materials to follow. These simple courses improve all of a student's studies (including math, which we do not offer). A student starts with our free How To Do Connect The Thoughts Course. This course can be downloaded right now at this link: www.connectthethoughts.net

We strongly recommend a student do this free course before you purchase any courses! In this way you can see if Connect The Thoughts is a good "fit" for your student without any financial investment.

They next do the most popular course, Information – Right or Wrong, followed by Lower School - How To Do Research. These courses will help provide the skills needed as the student moves into more complete studies. There is a free spelling program that should be used each week, and which uses a unique approach (not phonics) as you’ll see. Thousands of people have used the spelling program successfully. There is a reading program as well which can help improve reading, and which also serves as a literature guide.

Once educational essentials are more or less mastered, the student starts studies in History, Science and Creative Writing. These are more detailed than in 1st Step Elementary. Vocabulary is carefully developed in almost every lesson plan, as we are still preparing the student for the more complex work ahead (and for life). In addition, Geography is covered in many lesson plans, and a gradual understanding of where things are in the world is steadily developed throughout Lower and Upper School.

There are also Arts electives made available. These are in the areas of music (theory and keyboard), animation (for students who like to draw and are already good at it), and acting. There are also elective courses in 11 areas of current events made available, but these should generally be reserved for Upper School as they deal with subjects that may be a bit severe for younger students (such as world hunger, human rights abuses, etc.). There are also many Creative Writing / History electives this age group can take advantage of. These explain subjects and then offer a chance for creative expression in writing regarding those subjects, and include Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, New Years, Halloween, Independence Day and a myriad of other holidays. (There's even one a student can do for their own birthday!) Finally, there are "life skills" courses such our best-selling Manner's Course that helps the student understand the best ways to treat others, and to expect to be treated by others. Many students do this one in the first semester, right after doing the educational skills or "basics". (The full two year or four semesters of Lower School and all electives are currently available.)

Question: Does a student need to have done any 1st Step before starting Lower School?    Answer: Absolutely not. The Lower School level is "free-standing". The student must be able to read well and that's it. If they know nothing about history, science, writing or you name it, they'll learn about it here, though the information provided in Upper School is again more complex and thorough (by far).

Question: Should a student do Lower School if they did do 1st Step Elementary?    Answer: Yes. The materials are more detailed (by far) than Elementary, and the reading/vocabulary/geography skills alone will be of great use. It is the next step.

Question: Is my student able to read well enough for Lower School?    Answer: Here's the link to the reading test, samples from the level. Just have your student do the lesson plan and follow the simple directions: www.connectthethoughts.net/lower--reading-test.php

Question: What should I do about Math as my student gets up to Algebra and beyond what you recommend regarding Saxon Math?    Answer: Truly, I don't have a great answer for this question, and I apologize. There are many, many math programs out there and each is unique. I'm afraid that math is such a detailed and specific subject that the method used to teach each a student beyond basic math should almost be tailored to the student. You'll need to look around and, again, I do apologize for that.

Question: Do you have a grammar course?    Answer: I do not. I do make a recommendation for one that worked well for my children if you'd like to write me through our sites or at our Yahoo Group. That said, 1st Step Elementary Creative Writing courses all teach basics of grammar, but they do not provide a thorough education in that area.

You can look at each course description plus free samples of nearly every Lower School course at: www.connectthethoughts.net/lower.php

 
 

CONNECT THE THOUGHTS (CTT) UPPER SCHOOL (ages 11-adult) — The next level of curricula is Upper School. A student who struggles to read may have some real difficulty with this, though I've personally worked with students who developed the needed skills (rapidly) as they did this level, and largely because of how the courses on this level are structured. Some students who read and think very well have started Upper School before age 11. Many adults have done these courses.

Everything stated about Lower is true of Upper School curricula. The student who has not done them in Lower School would do the free How To Do CTT Courses Course and then Information — Right Or Wrong. However, the student would then do the Upper School version of How To Do Research, far more detailed than the Lower School version and with more tools the student will need. Even if a student did the Lower School version (say two years earlier), they should do the Upper School version. They can then do Manners if they haven’t yet, and even You Or Them — Control Over Your Life, an important extension to Information — Right or Wrong which helps the student spot attempts in the world and in their study to control them with misinformation, poor information, or even duress.

Students would then proceed into Upper School History and Science. As to Creative Writing, if they have done none from Connect The Thoughs so far they would start at Creative Writing I, even if they are already writing and pretty creative. A student who has no problem coming up with ideas would in Upper School skip Creative Writing II, however, and go from Creative Writing I to Creative Writing III, and forward from there.

All the electives from Lower School can be continued in the order they're presented in Upper School. For instance, one who did Animation I in Lower School would not do it again, but instead simply continue on to whatever level of Animation is next in line from where they are and what they have completed in Animation.

Question: Can a student who has done no 1st Step of Lower School do Upper School?    Answer: Absolutely, that's how it’s built to be done. Just do as described above and start with the educational basics courses.

Question: Should a student who did Lower School start at the start of Upper?    Answer: Yes. The materials presented stretch literacy skills, develop understandings of the subject with far more information and active requirements, and are in every way more challenging than in Lower School.

Question: Will a student find themselves studying certain points in history or science again, if they studied them at lower levels?    Answer: Yes they will, but with far more information and with a greater emphasis of the student's ability to understand and use the information in their life. The student is now approaching their adult years. The challenge of Upper School reflects the challenges life will throw their way soon. Yes, there are many redundancies as to what is studied, but the amount of material (detail) presented is far greater in Upper School, so there’s a lot of "new" studies about old subjects. Your students should feel properly challenged.

Question: Could an adult use these courses?   Answer:  Absolutely, and many have. They can be used to round out an education you may feel was not adequate, or as an extension to the education you have received. There are some courses that I consider "Master’s" courses. These include all the Creative Writing VI courses, each one dealing in a specialized area of writing (for a profession) and each taking not much less than a year, most likely, to complete. History X and XI are Master's courses dealing with sociology and should not be done by anyone who has not studied history extensively (as the Upper School student has by the time he/she gets to these courses).

Here is a link you can use which provides a sample lesson as a reading test. Again, just follow the directions and you’ll have a good idea whether or not your student can read at the level required for Upper School: www.connectthethoughts.net/upper--reading-test.php

Here’s a link that you can use to read about Upper School, read about each course and see free samples: www.connectthethoughts.net/upper.php

Here are links to many articles and "FAQS" (Frequently Asked Questions) regarding Connect The Thoughts, which will provide you a far more detailed idea of what we do and our educational philosophy: www.connectthethoughts.net/articles.php , www.connectthethoughts.net/faq.php

Here is a link to "Success Stories" you can look over at your leisure to get a better idea of how students, parents and teachers respond to Connect The Thoughts. www.connectthethoughts.net/success.php

I sincerely hope you find this of use, and that it answers many of your questions. Thank you for your interest in 1st Step and Connect The Thoughts!

     Steven Horwich
     June 3, 2010
     Connect The Thoughts™
     1st Step™