View Single Post
  #7  
Old March 22nd 04, 09:33 PM
Circe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default More School Issues (warning: VERY long!)

Welches wrote:
Circe wrote in message
news:EyH7c.36883$Bg.7846@fed1read03...
Welches wrote:
I've just tested dh on 20 questions +/- up to #12. He's very, very
clever. And very mathematical. He could have got most places with
maths-just chose chemistry for some reason! He took 30 seconds on
these (+ got them all right). Okay, I didn't tell him he was under
time pressure, but I think that says something about the time
spent on them. Baring in mind writing, reading etc. is easy for dh, I
think 90 seconds for a 6 year old would be very good going.


Hmmm, well, I wouldn't go by what an adult could do. These kids
are just learning these facts; adults have been using
them/acquainted with them for many years. Also, adults read and
write much more quickly than children. I'm sure *I* could do it
within 30-60 seconds, but there are a *lot* of things that I could
do in 30-60 seconds that my son knows *how* to do (like write 2-3
simple sentences) that he couldn't do in twice the time in takes
me. I've had lots of practice; he hasn't.

Sorry, that came across totally opposite to what I meant:
I meant if dh took 30 seconds, I would expect it to be a very quick
(and very able too) 6 year old to manage to do it in 90 seconds.


Ah, I'm sorry. I see now. This is a case where I didn't read you "British"
enough--very "good" going has a different sense in British English than
American English!

As I mentioned, my son isn't the only one who has had trouble with
these timed tests. So it's clearly not *necessarily* "easy going"
for a 6yo. It may be for some. I'm just not sure it's reasonable
as the *only* test for this particular skill. Maybe as *one* test,
but I think there ought to be other ways for the kids to prove
competence. --


I wouldn't think speed at this age for maths was any good as a
test. A good mathematician may not have the verbal/writing ability
to get it across quickly anyway. Obviously not giving unlimited
time, but I wouldn't time pressure at age 6 to find out how good
they are at maths.


I agree. It seems very over the top. To add to the over-the-topness, they
practice these timed tests several times each day. Ugh!
--
Be well, Barbara
(Julian [6], Aurora [4], and Vernon's [2] mom)

All opinions expressed in this post are well-reasoned and insightful.
Needless to say, they are not those of my Internet Service Provider, its
other subscribers or lackeys. Anyone who says otherwise is itchin' for a
fight. -- with apologies to Michael Feldman