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sewcrazy
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| Posted: Sept 19 2007 at 8:03pm | IP Logged
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My oldest decided to go to a Catholic boys high school for his freshman year. He (and I) is really struggling with test taking. It is a skill i failed to teach him, and I don't know how to now. He is all honors classes and advanced placed for many, so the bar is very high. He is getting a D average on the tests. Thankfully his homework scores are all A's. He just can't seem to memorize all the details they expect him to on a daily basis. And he can't figure out what he needs to be committing to memory on each assignment.
Homeschooling we never took tests, or memorized lists of facts. I just didn't find that neccessary. Now I am regretting it. I feel so bad for him. Every night he struggles with hours of work and study, and then he bombs the quizes the next day.
Any ideas would be great. I hate seeing him in despair.
LeeAnn
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Willa
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| Posted: Sept 19 2007 at 10:06pm | IP Logged
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There's some test taking and study skills help here
What kind of tests are they? Can he ask the teachers what they are looking for, or can you help him look over past tests and see what they want?
If it is a lot of details to memorize, can he try index flashcards?
I think the SSQR formula is very helpful. Explanation here
Hope that helps a bit... also, emotions are very important. I know it's easier said than done, but a relaxed test taker has an easier time than a worried one.
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AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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LisaR
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| Posted: Sept 19 2007 at 10:36pm | IP Logged
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ds tested high enough to be in honors for his freshman year this year but we opted to have him in all "regular" classes as he has never been in a school setting/testing regularly in his life. we know other homeschoolers here who did that, and slowly added honors by end of soph year.
it IS an adjustment....
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
Thomas 11
Dominic 8
Maria Gianna 5
Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
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sewcrazy
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| Posted: Sept 21 2007 at 9:11pm | IP Logged
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Thank you both very much for the encouragement.
I have finally realized(yes I am a bit slow) that I am still going to have to be hands on with him for now. I very actively helped him study for 2 of his test this week and he got 100% on both, plus extra credit.
With this school, adding honors isn't an option. You have to be on the honors track from the beginning to get preferential scheduling. It is almost impossible to switch tracks.
he does very well on the essay tests, it is the scan-tron tests he bombs. Too many little details to memorize. We started making charts for the facts for each class. Another problem he is having is with his Theology class. It is a straight lecture course. The only books used are the Bible and the CCC. He just can't figure out what is important to take notes on, and can't keep up with the lecture. he wants to participate in the conversation, not be taking notes on it. So I made his a 2 page chart for each class lecture. One lists "dates", 'people", "places" and "events". The other is for words and their meanings/translations. That seems to be helping. He can just jot them down as he hears them.
Sigh. This is far more work than I anticipated. Add 2 hours of drive time a day for me, and I am starting to really dislike this plan.  We hopefully are getting transportation arranged for him some of the time starting in 2 weeks. Maybe then my attitude will improve.
Thank you,
LeeAnn
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Barbara C.
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| Posted: Sept 22 2007 at 8:34am | IP Logged
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Just try to think of this as another learning experience for you and him. And be thankful that you are dealing with this now and not during his first year of college. And it gives you new ideas of what to work on with any other children you have.
Good luck to both of you!!
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LisaR
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| Posted: Sept 22 2007 at 8:47am | IP Logged
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Barbara C. wrote:
Just try to think of this as another learning experience for you and him. And be thankful that you are dealing with this now and not during his first year of college. And it gives you new ideas of what to work on with any other children you have.
Good luck to both of you!!
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this is why I AM glad our ds is in Catholic High School for now. I suppose the oldest is always the "test" for us as parents, right? We learn as we go!!
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
Thomas 11
Dominic 8
Maria Gianna 5
Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
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c_rob
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 4:07am | IP Logged
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Dear LeeAnn,
If he wishes to participate in class discussion, but feels he must take notes on everything, could he use a small tape recorder? You could then listen to a few of them and help him guage what is relevant and what is not.
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Christine, in Australia
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mary theresa
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| Posted: Oct 13 2007 at 12:58pm | IP Logged
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Things that helped me with test taking in college:
Read your notes onto a tape then listen to it. Somehow, the combo of reading them out loud and then listening to yourself on tape helps the info stick in your head.
Also, every night go over your notes from that day (or type them up) when they are fresh in your mind. Underline or star what you remember the teacher to have emphasized.
Another thing that sometimes helps is to RELAX during class. Focus on the teacher and engage your mind. Stop taking notes for a bit. Really THINK about what the teacher is saying and form your own thoughts from the information. (This is HARD when you hate the subject or it's boring!  ) If you are interested in what is being taught and engage your mind on it instead of stressing about what notes to take sometimes you remember things better -- because you LIKED it!
I know that it is hard! I was hs-ed and test taking/picking out what is important from the class is hard. And each teacher has a different style. I had one teacher that it was next to impossible to figure out what was important and what was his ramblings -- that was because he never seemed to plan his lectures. But he was an awesome teacher!
Another teacher I had was incredibly clear and precise, and on realy imp. stuff told you what to take down word-for-word. He had notes that he used for the same classes for years. He was a great teacher too.
It's just style.
Anyways, I hope that helps your son! it will get easier!
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Mary Theresa
mother to 3 little girls --March '06, Dec '07 and Jan '10
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sewcrazy
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| Posted: Oct 15 2007 at 5:35pm | IP Logged
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Things are beginning to improve. He finally realized that I did know what I was taking about when it came to note taking, we implemented some of the suggestions given here and we sent him to a weekend seminar on study skills.
Thank you for all your advice and suggestions, they really helped!
LeeAnn
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: We need help
