Here's a great hint that will help your child during a standardized test. Though this year's tests are still a good way off, this strategy requires a bit of practice. So, take notes! When taking a test, each child is given at least one piece of plain paper for scrap. The paper is most often unlined. Students should, just as they begin to take the test, fold that paper in half, in half again, and in half again. For a reading test, children can use it as a place holder while they are reading. They can also jot down relevant points on one section of the folded paper. They'll use the notes … [Read more...]

If your child brings home a test with a lower grade than you would like, take some time to review the test. First of all, find out what sort of mistakes were made. Did your child simply not have a grasp of the material? Were the wrong things studied? Were the mistakes careless? Were there transposing errors - especially in math - where numbers were reversed? If the test was multiple choice, did your child get the right answer on the scratch sheet, but circled or bubbled the wrong answer? Then find out which type of answers are hardest for your child. Multiple choice often require your child … [Read more...]

One half of the students at Booker Elementary School went to the soccer game. 1/3 of the students wore blue. ½ of the students who wore blue were boys. Forty boys wore blue. How many students were in the school? A. 120 B. 240 C. 480 D. 560 Please hurry and solve this problem, because you have 37 more like it, and only 90 minutes to finish them all….And you're in the third grade. (This is a variation of an actual problem on a standardized test for 3rd graders.) This is the second in a three part series about preparing your child for the end of year exams. Whatever … [Read more...]

John is in the fourth grade, and his school has announced the dates for the end of the year standardized testing. Given that John struggles academically, how should his parents approach this event? A. Hope for the best. B. Pressure John to pay attention and study. C. Tell John just to do his best. D. Ensure John is prepared emotionally and academically.   Most parents have a lot to say about the validity and necessity of standardized tests. Your viewpoint on the subject will not change the fact that your child will soon face the rigors of the dreaded end of year exam. … [Read more...]