SIMPLY CLASSICAL
Classical Education for Students with Special Needs
HOW TO GET STARTED
Take a Readiness Assessment
Readiness assessments are placement tests designed to help you place your student in the Simply Classical Curriculum sequence. These tests evaluate development based on a range of categories from language and cognition to fine-motor skills and more.
When testing by Category (i.e. Language or Arithmetic): If your student scores “Yes” and “Emerging” for approximately 80% of the total items in a single category, he is ready for that level.
When testing by Level (i.e. Level 4): If your student scores “Yes” or “Emerging” for approximately 80% in all categories for that level, you may teach the entire level for that child.
NOTE: The category of reading is one exception to these rules, from Level 1 through Levels 11-12. If the main question scores, “No,” teach the prior level in reading. For example: “Knows most uppercase/lowercase letters.” “No.” Move to the prior level to solidify these letters.
Readiness Assessments
Download and/or print the Readiness Level Assessment(s) below. This will help you identify your child’s current skill level.
Not Yet Reading:
Level A Readiness Assessment
Level B Readiness Assessment
Level C Readiness Assessment
Learning to Read:
Level 1 Readiness Assessment
Level 2 Readiness Assessment
Level 3 Readiness Assessment
Reading Chapter Books:
Level 4 Readiness Assessment
Levels 5-6 Readiness Assessment
Levels 7-8 Readiness Assessment
Levels 9-10 Readiness Assessment
Levels 11-12 Readiness Assessment
Customize Your Curriculum
Once you have taken a readiness assessment and have determined your student’s skill level, simply select the curriculum package corresponding to that level. All levels are fully customizable so you can move up in a stronger subject area or down in a subject area when necessary.
Dive in to Simply Classical
Read Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child by Cheryl Swope. The book offers an accessible description of classical education and its implementation with students with significant learning challenges.
Connect with other parents on the Simply Classical forum. Our free online forum for all things Simply Classical allows anyone in the MP community to ask or answer questions, seek advice, and offer encouragement.
Have Further Questions?
View the Simply Classical FAQs below for more information on student placement, curriculum design, and additional resources.
Send us an email at sales@memoriapress.com or give us a call at (502) 966-9115 to talk to one of our expert customer service representatives. We are more than happy to assist you on your Simply Classical journey.
SIMPLY CLASSICAL PLACEMENT FAQ
For whom is the Simply Classical Curriculum designed?
Parents of children in these categories have expressed appreciation for the progress and success of their children learning from the Simply Classical Curriculum:
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders
• Auditory Processing Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Cerebral Palsy
• Developmental Coordination Disorder
• Down Syndrome
• Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia
• Dyslexia
• Epilepsy
• Executive Function Disorder
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD/FAE)
• Global Developmental Delay
• Hearing Disorders
• Intellectual Disability
• Language Disorders
• Memory Weaknesses
• Mental Illness of Childhood or Adolescence
(Depressive Disorders, Mood Disorders,
Bipolar Disorder)
• Minimally Verbal and Nonverbal
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Reactive Attachment Disorder
• Seizure Disorders
• Sensory Integration Disorder, Sensory
Processing Disorder
• Social Communication Disorder
• Specific Learning Disorder
• Speech Disorders
• Vision Disorders
• Visual Processing Disorder
How will I know if a level will be too easy?
If your child scores “Yes” in 100% of the Readiness Skills across all categories, give the assessment for the next higher level.
How do I know when a level is “just right”?
By taking our Readiness Assessments.
When testing by Category (i.e. Language or Fine-Motor Skills): If your student scores “Yes” and “Emerging” for approximately 80% of the total items in a single category, he is ready for that level.
When testing by Level (i.e. Level 4): If your student scores “Yes” or “Emerging” for approximately 80% in all categories for that level, you may teach the entire level for that child.
NOTE: The category of reading is one exception to these rules, from Level 1 through Levels 11-12. If the main question scores, “No,” teach the prior level in reading. For example: “Knows most uppercase/lowercase letters.” “No.” Move to the prior level to solidify these letters.
How will I know if a level will be too difficult?
If your child scores “No” in more than 20% of the Readiness Skills across most categories, administer the skills assessment from previous levels, until you find a level for which he appears ready. When he scores “Yes” or “Emerging” in approximately 80% of the readiness skills, teach the level.
My child scores well, but I would like to begin with a lower level.
If you know that your student has gaps in his learning, needs to build confidence, or requires a significantly slower pace, feel free to begin with a lower level. You may wish to increase the pace and then advance him more quickly to the next level when possible.
What if my child does not score 80% at any level?
If he does not yet score 80% even in Level A, begin Level A. When you order Level A, you will receive a list of “Skills to Develop” with suggested activities for each category. Incorporate these activities into your daily schedule.
What if he is weak in only one category?
If he is weak in only one category, you might consider beginning the higher level with concurrent work in his weaker areas. You can adapt for his weaker areas, even as you teach him in his areas of strength. See the assessment and modification chapters in Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child for detailed suggestions. A consultation with a specialist might be helpful to evaluate specific concerns. For example, an occupational therapist (OT) may assist with fine-motor or sensory concerns, a physical therapist (PT) for gross-motor or coordination delays, or a speech and language pathologist (SLP) for speech and language difficulties.
What if he demonstrates clear strengths?
If you notice especially strong skills in a given category, you can provide enrichment activities in these areas to further nurture your child’s abilities and talents. When you order your package, you will find “Skills to Develop” for each level. Emphasize the enjoyable enrichment activities for the corresponding area of your student’s strengths.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources:
Simply Classical Scope & Sequence and Tips for Transitioning to MP Classical Core
Recommendations for Simply Classical Students after Levels 11 & 12
Check out webinars from Cheryl Swope:
Simply Classical: What and When
Contact Cheryl Swope for Private Consultation:
Cheryl Swope: [email protected]
The Creator of the Simply Classical Program
With a master’s degree in special education, Cheryl holds lifetime K-12 state teaching certifications in learning disabilities and behavior disorders. Cheryl and her husband adopted boy/girl twins and homeschooled the children through high school. Both twins have autism, learning disabilities, and schizophrenia. Now young adults, their enduring love of literature, history, and Latin inspire Cheryl to share the hopeful message that a classical Christian education offers benefits to any child.
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