4Real Forums: Poor test results

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Living and Loving Numbers
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Topic: Poor test results

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Natalia
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Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Louisiana
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Posted: Aug 10 2005 at 3:50pm \| IP Logged

My ds (8) scored really low on his standardized test this year. I am really surprised since he always showed a good understanding of math concepts. But his attitude towards math has always been bad. He says he hates it. This ds is a gifted son that doesn't like anything that might seem like work. I knew his attitude toward math was bad but I never thought that he would test so poorly.
We have been using Singapore Math and I don't want to change programs but I would like to spend some time doing some fun things that involve math so that his attitude would change. I have to add that I am NOT mathematically inclined so doing math things is always a stretch for me.
Do any of you ladies have an idea? I was looking at some of the suggestions for living books on Macbeth's site but I don't know how to implement a living book. Do you read it straight through? What do you do? (I know that is a silly question

)
Also, at coop somebody mentioned of a program that helps the kids memorize the multiplication tables really quick. But I can't remember the name to look it up. This mom said that it was great and not very expensive and that she got it through the internet. Any ideas what could it be?

Thanks,

Natalia

Leonie
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Joined: Jan 28 2005
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Posted: Aug 10 2005 at 7:27pm \| IP Logged

Natalia,

I wouldn't worry too much about the test scores - so much depends on extraneous issues. Has he done tests and timed tests before? Is he used to the format? Was he more tired or more distracted that day? What other things have been going on in his life? All these, and more

impact on test scores and thus make test scores an unreliable measure, particularly at the young age of eight.

Hown to use living maths books? Use them as you use any living book - read together, strew them around for his casual perusal ( I had Maths Curse on the coffee table for awhile and it was often picked up and read). Do follow up activities and rabbit trails - maybe your whole current theme or rabbit trail could be living maths. By reading about and playing with maths, you may be able to make maths more fun and you will study all other subject areas, too - they are all inter-related.

One thing we are looking at doing right now is making a small skateboard ramp. Lots of maths there - and science and technology.

Leonie in Sydney

mary
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Joined: Feb 17 2005
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Posted: Aug 10 2005 at 8:46pm \| IP Logged

we use these programs in addition to singapore.
calculadder - timed tests of math problems
mathfactsnow! - a download of math questions
Rainbow rock - sonlight's math computer game
sonlights math songs
and as many manipulatives as I can incorporate.

hth

momwise
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Joined: March 28 2005
Location: Colorado
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Posted: Aug 25 2005 at 10:19pm \| IP Logged

Hi Natalia,

I definitely wouldn't worry about test scores right now. In Colorado we're required to start testing in the third grade, otherwise I wouldn't even do it.

My 9 yo ds has always loved cooking, so that's one way we work on math. Like Leonie's family, we read the living math books and discuss or delve into the topic a little further with manipulatives.

Another way to drill for multiplication is with Wrap-ups. They're available from Usborne books.

In addition to the great ideas already posted we play store, measure things around the house (ds wanted to move his bedroom furniture around so dh and I had him measure the room and the furniture to determine where things would fit. Dh thought the bed wouldn't go where ds wanted it and ds measured it and found out it would!), play cards, watch Cyberchase on PBS, calculate prices in the store (lots of opportunities to multiply) and so on.

One thing I know my children need more review on in math is time and the calendar. Our friend who administers the tests said most homeschoolers need more work in the types of exersizes found in map skill workbooks. I have no idea if that's universal or just in our area??

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Donna
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Joined: Feb 25 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
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Posted: Aug 26 2005 at 6:09am \| IP Logged

Natalia,
I purchased CapJaxMathFax several years ago for skill building. All of my kids love it. I have them play for 20 minutes a day and within a short time their confidence level has soared.

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MacBeth
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Joined: Jan 27 2005
Location: New York
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Posted: Aug 26 2005 at 7:37am \| IP Logged

Donna wrote:

Natalia,
I purchased CapJaxMathFax several years ago for skill building. All of my kids love it. I have them play for 20 minutes a day and within a short time their confidence level has soared.

We bought that too, Donna, and it really helped for drill...it was so simple anyone could play it.

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MacBeth in NY
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