Homeschooling for the 1st time!

[herbsgirl]

I was homeschooled  4th- 12th grade, now Im getting ready to homeschool my kids!

I will have 3 students

My 8 year old son who will be going into 4th grade (hes a year ahead)

My 7 year old daughter who will be going into 3rd grade (also a year ahead. She did 1st and 2nd grade this school yr)

My soon to be 5 year old son will be going into K4

I have saved my money for Abeka Academy!  They are used to doing the Abeka, in a Private school setting, so I am hoping it will be no problem to go right into Abeka Academy accredited program. 

The teacher at the private school tested my children using the CAT test. My son who is currently almost done with 3rd grade, at 8 years old tested in the grade equivilent of 8th to 9th grade.   Is that normal?

My daughter 7 years who is finishing 2nd grade tested close to 4th grade, in one area or more.

It just sounds so structured to have them set down and watch the dvds, and be very organized. 

I am just plain excited about homeschooling my kids with the Abeka, anyone use it before?? My kids are used to being  challenged academiclly.

[MomtoDandJ]

I've never used Abeka, but just wanted to say "hi" and wish you good luck!  3 students sounds like a lot to start with, but you're so organized it sounds like you'll be fine! :)

[umsami]

I've never used Abeka, but I know a lot of Moms here who like it.  I'd post something looking for Abeka users in your title--might bring out more Abeka users. :)

As for placement tests, from what I found out about the CAT, it says that it's an achievement test which is often used as a placement test. (Assuming this is the same test.) There's also a chart there which shows corresponding levels with the CAT to grade.  http://www.christianlibertypress.com/servicesFAQPaperCAT.htm

Honestly, I have no experience with them.  You could ask for the recommendations of the person who administered the test.  You could also do some additional testing on your own.  Singapore math as well as the other curricula have placement tests--as do Sonlight, Calvert, and a host of others.  I'd be wary of taking a child from a 4th grade curriculum to an 8th or 9th grade curriculum.  There would be so much they would miss.  I'd be more likely to test for math and reading level--and then try to coordinate based on that... although knowing that just because a child can read and comprehend at a high school level, doesn't mean s/he would not get something out of lower level text.

I do know that Sonlight is good for multiple kids--as you can often use the same Core, but then just customize the math, etc.  Not sure if you've looked at that.