This all gives new life and meaning to “teaching to the test.” My S loved tests and found them fun—whether they were paper based or computer based. He was a very good test taker. His sister didn’t like tests nearly as much but was also pretty good at it.
I would worry if the child had test anxiety, especially so young—who needs that! Of course that’s bad and will not measure anything about what a person does or doesn’t understand.
I’m relieved our kids had a more carefree preschool and childhood. They were very prolific readers despite NO flash cards or other special things to coach them.
We do a fun interactive app with the grandkids called caribu. It has books to read, games to play, coloring, mazes, you name it. It has small screens so we can see them and vice versa. Tonight the 3.5 yo grandson picked a book called “my first words” and read every darned one of them!! And no, he has not seen this book before. He usually choose hot wheels or thomas the tank engine.
But it is part of life. When they/their parents get here on CC, people will be telling them to become NMF, and for that you have to be a good test taker. Does it make them smarter than another student? No, but they have a skill (test taking) that is measurable and that some colleges really value. If they don’t end up being a great test taker, there will be lots of colleges where they will do fine, or even shine, but it may not be Stanford or Cal Tech and it may not come with a big scholarship like some NMF get.
I did tutoring for 4th and 5th grade math students. It was a canned program so they had to take the tests on a computer every 4 weeks or so, but the work we did together was with worksheets and manipulatives, and the kids loved working (drawing) on white boards, but the tests were still on computers. What I discovered was that math wasn’t the problem, reading was. They couldn’t READ the questions, so didn’t know what math to apply. Many were Spanish speakers, but they couldn’t read in Spanish either. We just kept working through the lessons and preparing for the onine tests as best we could. One boy who could read Spanish tested out of the program when given the test in Spanish. They could all fill out the multiplication charts (loved the ‘game’), they loved the little disks they used for some of the math, but in the end they had to do the word problems online.
The 5th graders did have to take the state NCLB tests in math and other subjects. Yes, their main classroom teachers worked with them on those too. Because it was covid, the school realized that the 5th graders had never taken the tests at lower grades, so their scores weren’t the best because they hadn’t had the practice.
The school also stressed that they were to do their best and not compare scores (scores aren’t released until the summer when the 5th graders had graduated to middle school anyway). I think training them not to stress over the tests is part of the preparation.
I went to a university lab school in 5th and 6th grade. We took the Iowa Basic tests all the time. We all got to the point where we didn’t have to read the questions, just answer them We were all geniuses, as our scores soared.
I wondered about not having the ‘practice’ with certain standardized tests (best answer of four given) which is ACT. Saw public school kids get their ACT score up to needed scholarship level on the 2nd time. A neighbor boy got a perfect score on his second ACT try - he got a full scholarship (including housing) from Vanderbilt.
DDs did get ‘caught up’ enough with ACT practice testing, tutoring, class, to get excellent in state college scholarships (ACT/SAT + 3.5+ GPA).
Creativity is valued some at HS IMHO, but often in college with certain majors. DH is a very creative ECE, and some of creativity is solving problems in unique ways - which has helped him be the highest paid senior principal engineer at his contract electronics engineering company (globally big, but not big compared to some other companies) - his salary was not what would be senior level pay at other firms. He had left the company for a better opportunity when the company wouldn’t let him advance outside of test engineering; he secured a job as new product development manager. When they were moving the company out of state, he went to work for a small company where he also was in sales. But a job came up at original company, and they created a job title to match his pay requirement (match what he was earning). Over his last years before retirement, a global president kept DH off the layoff list because he was valuable in his work output. On long car trips, I learn about all his talents in various situations (I had worked for the company for less than 2 years but knew a lot about the people and the work).
Today I brought GD1 back home. Before we left she still asked if she could stay longer. I said, “don’t you want to see your momma and daddy?” She said, “I see them all the time”. I would have kept her if my schedule wasn’t so full tomorrow.
GD1 doesn’t read or recognize numbers yet. D1 is not concerned, so I am not. GD1 is in pre K at a private school. No testing that I am aware of.
GS2 is going to start 4K program at the new school Oct 1. He is interested in tracing the alphabet. I am doing some early reading with him as I had done with older children.
Two things I have used (this is fun for them to put the card on the wooden spot and spin the letters; they learn the vowels and how they work in simple words.
This set of small, short paperback books (each is only 8 pages, and the pictures with repetitive early words) I used with older two Gkids and now using it with GS2 (age 4).
First Little Readers Parent Pack: Guided Reading Level A: 25 Irresistible Books That Are Just the Right Level for Beginning Readers
I then move forward with simple books which have repeat words. We have a number of them that I search out in their kids books to go over with the pre-reader/early reader. GS1 (age 6) we are in ‘ready to read’ levels - one and two. Key is gaining familiarity with early words. The more they learn outside of school, the easier it will be to have ‘successes’ during school.
Being strong in math and reading helps build on that over the years.
I know testing is part of life. I don’t think starting it in first grade is conducive to SATs. It certainly wasn’t necessary when her parents and grandparents were in school. Just adds an unwarranted stress ahead of time. And you’re talking to the wrong family if you think we’re concerned about prepping for big stakes tests later. We were a firm no prep, one and done family when my kids were young. And they did exceptionally well. Don’t see GD’s family approaching it differently. I’ve never been a fan of “this negative thing is a part of life” as a reason to perpetuate it.
Here (public schools) if you don’t want your kids to take standardized tests, you can opt out. Schools usually provide an alternate activity for those who opt out which might be something very fun like an extra gym class or a movie. Kind of depends on how many kids, what grades, even the weather to know what the activity will be.
DD1/SIL are providing the best education for their children considering all aspects. Their children are happy kids who love school, love sports, love learning, love socializing with their peers, love their family. The older two just started a keyboard class after school one day a week, and are eager for extra intermittent piano lessons by Nana during my visit. Very introductory. I see where they gain neuro-pathways with figuring out which finger on which hand and the tactile aspects along with the memory patterns of some of the early eight measure tunes. The older three are in soccer, and it is enough with the sport in their schedule with practice (older two on Tues/Thur, younger one on Thurs) and a game on Saturday and a game on Sunday. When dad returns, he carries most of the soccer responsibilities, except with games at different locations and a ‘split’ on getting to those locations. I took 2 Gkids to games on Saturday while mom took GS2 and had the baby and 2 YO with her (the 2 YO was a hand-full on running across the field and mom having to chase her down), and took GS1 to a later game on Sunday.
I just scored a Barbie Dream House, complete with dolls & accessories, at the resale shop for $60. It’s in mint condition. GD is going to be so excited!
The Dream House is a hit. We played in it for 3 & a half hours today! I’ve never been into playing with Barbies & was glad D wasn’t, either. But hey, I’m a grandma … if it makes GD happy, it makes me happy.
Inspired by the post about the dream house, I rummaged a bit and found the basket with little kid’s Barbies and lion kings! Yay. LMM will get them in a year or so when she is 3.
One thing D1 asked if she could have for baby girl (due in 20 days!) is the Brio Train set. We said of course she can have it. H is glad since it is in a large bin on a shelf in the garage.
I took so long to clear out a lot of the books and toys and now I’m glad. It’s so fun sharing them with the grandkids. We have the brio train glued on a large piece of plywood under our guest bedroom bed.
Youngest just came down with Hand,foot and mouth disease. That means that his brother also can’t go to school meaning my daughter can’t go to work. I want to drop off some things to help pass the time. Ages 1 and 3 1/2 if anyone has anything that they think they would enjoy. Thanks
My S loved tests and found them fun—whether they were paper based or computer based. He was a very good test taker. His sister didn’t like tests nearly as much but was also pretty good at it.
And no, he has not seen this book before. He usually choose hot wheels or thomas the tank engine.