My kid is going into the 4th grade this year, the STAR tests that we have to take in CA stay that she is under the average and I am really scared for her.  She is in a Kumon class, but not sure that is doing much for her.

What do I do to get her up to speed without really alieanating her?  Last year I drilled her every day after school with her homework, plus extra, plus Kumon.  I fear if I didn't help her she would still be in 1st grade!!!

I know that doesn't reflect well on her, she does catch on, but she takes time to sink in.  Just like me!  Teachers move at break neck speed and I only hear the worst for 4th grade because in CA class size doubles! 

I have told her its not going to be easy and I showed her STAR scores.  She is going to work hard, but how do I do this with her and helpfully without feeling so badly???

Help other moms!!!!

dmc 

I'm not sure how much help I'll be as my kids are younger but I am in CA too-those STAR tests are brutal!  Maybe try not to focus on them so much and instead focus on any particular areas that she struggles with . . . example, if she's good at reading but struggles with math, then maybe outside tutoring or an after school learning program could help for the math.  In my area, there are learning centers that offer private tutoring or small classes to help offset what the kids learn at school.  A friend of mine used one with great results-her daughter was really struggling with reading and caught up quick by going to a small group class after school a couple of days per week.  Plus they taught my friend some strategies that she could use to help her daughter at home.

You're right in that with the larger class size, it is harder for kids who are already struggling to get the extra help and attention they need.  Sometimes, you have to explore outside options.  And it can be hard to do it on your own if your child needs extra help; sometimes learning some creative strategies to make learning more relaxed and fun can really help.

I don't know what the Kumon class is but hopefully you will be able to find some other resources in your area to help add on to what she is learning at school.  Even a homework program could help break things down while still focusing on her classwork at the same time.

I know this might sound a bit strange, but also it could really help her if she were to do something physical, if she doesn't already.  Sports, dance, martial arts, whatever.  Many, many kids benefit in other areas if they regularly burn off energy in a physically demanding way.  There are some very interesting studies done on the brain connections and development of kids when they add regular physical activity into their routines (the kind of activity that they also have to concentrate on what they are doing-like playing a sport, doing martial arts or dance, etc).

Good luck!  It's hard and a lot of pressure on both you and her to help her keep on top of everything.  Don't worry though, she'll come through it and they definitely won't send her back to first grade!

jennylyn:

I know this might sound a bit strange, but also it could really help her if she were to do something physical, if she doesn't already.  Sports, dance, martial arts, whatever.  Many, many kids benefit in other areas if they regularly burn off energy in a physically demanding way.  There are some very interesting studies done on the brain connections and development of kids when they add regular physical activity into their routines (the kind of activity that they also have to concentrate on what they are doing-like playing a sport, doing martial arts or dance, etc).

I don't have experience with trying to work with the system but I do have twelve years of educating my own children.

One of the things I learned along the way is that people do not fit into neat little boxes when it comes to learning. We have different methods that work best for us. The challenge is finding what works for our children.

If you can examine your daughter's learning style, it will help you to determine some methods to use to present her materials to her in a way she can easily grasp. Specialised education is not something you can expect a teacher in a crowded classroom to do but it is something you can work on at home.

Don't focus on the scores. I realise that schools do but the real goal should be learning for the sake of gaining knowledge not preparing for a test. 

Brandy:

the real goal should be learning for the sake of gaining knowledge not preparing for a test. 

Excellent statement, Brandy.

 Education should only be, and always be, for the sake of gaining knowledge and preparing for adulthood, not ever for the sake of fulfilling a statistical chart. With the No Child Left Behind we will have a generation of poorly educated children who only worked to pass an annual test. Ten to 15 years from now when they are becoming adults, and they aren't prepared for adulthood, that is when the detrimental effects of NCLB will really start to be felt. Edey

Edey:

With the No Child Left Behind we will have a generation of poorly educated children who only worked to pass an annual test. Ten to 15 years from now when they are becoming adults, and they aren't prepared for adulthood, that is when the detrimental effects of NCLB will really start to be felt.

I agree with part of your assessment, but learning for the test has gone on much longer than that. We already have adult college graduates who have huge gaps in their knowledge and are decidedly deficient in good learning skills. A natural love of learning is perverted by a system that force feeds facts only to pass a test. 

Sorry for hijacking the thread!  

 Just tell the child to relax and prepare. GL

Edey:

With the No Child Left Behind we will have a generation of poorly educated children who only worked to pass an annual test. Ten to 15 years from now when they are becoming adults, and they aren't prepared for adulthood, that is when the detrimental effects of NCLB will really start to be felt

The focus on test scores predates No Child Left Behind. When I was in elementary school, I remember the teachers and officials pumping us up over scores. If we scored well in the system, there would be a school wide celebration and awards handed out. I personally felt ashamed if we didn't score well as it was made out to be an embarrassment. I remember classes would be cancled for routine test practice. By high school testing could be a week long ordeal. There was tutoring for those needing to improve their scores.

More than twenty years later, we as a nation don't seem to have gotten away from that as it's only gotten more test score focused.

I strongly agree with the physical activity.  I have a 16 yo ds that struggles with reading.  I have posted about this on this site before.  We were taking him to a reading tutor and she was helping but it was not in big strides.  The place we took him offered a martial arts class one year and we scheduled him to take this class the hour before reading tutoring and you would not believe the difference. 

When he was first starting homeschool, we started learning the ABC's and their sounds.  We were using a wall chart, after many, many, many weeks we still could not get them down.  One day I took the chart off the wall, cut the chart into strips and taped it to the floor.  I had him start jumping, starting from A to what ever letter I called out to him.  If he messed up he started at A again and jumped to the correct letter.  In less than 2 weeks he had them all down, then we began to work on their sounds. 

When we began early spelling I would have him run, jump, hop, or skip around the table before he began the next new word. 

We have found with him he needs to be slightly tired physically, before he can think clearly.  This may seem strange, but even other teachers and his tutor agree with our thinking.

I know the state defines who our children are based on their test scores, but thank God we can show them who they are based on their whole lives, and who they are in Christ. 

You guys are so awesome.  I am afraid that I had terrible teachers when I was younger and I never excelled in school and my fear is that my daughter will be hurt by it as well. 

So I think I am over compensating for my experience.  I need to slow down.

But I do see her as a bright child and she loves physical activities.  When I tought her multiplication tables she rolled around on the floor. I annoyed the heck out of me, but now I will have a different perspective on it.

4th grade and over 40 kids in a class.  OH MY GOSH.  I don't know how to keep my mind from wandering and wondering to the extent of damage these schools are doing!

I over reacted to the tests, but I will back track and try to fix it.  I just really try to instill the importance of education to her.  Maybe too much so.

Thanks again,

dmc