Search Results for: blog preparing for standardized tests

The Most Talked About Homeschooling Blogs in 2007

This is my annual list of the most talked about blogs in 2007. We love comments, and the more the better! If you have been wanting to peruse the homeschooling blog but weren’t sure where to start. . .this is the place to be! My Top 5 Math Curriculum Picks In Defense of Teaching Creation Too Much Information Homeschooling or Housekeeping? Why We Are Not Testing Our Gifted Son Reason #2 Why Tax Credits Are Wrong for Homeschoolers You Call That Homeschooling? The National Lunch Association Takes Aim at Those Who Dare to Eat at Home It Has Been a … Continue reading →

Standardized Tests: My Thoughts Continued

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Yesterday I began my thoughts on standardized testing. I discussed how I feel that the test results affect the teachers more than the students. I feel that standardized tests on some scale are not bad. Teachers should be accountable for what their students learn. Standardized test are somewhat accurate when determining how well a teacher is relaying information to students. However, the tests should not be the sole evaluation. When it comes to TVASS and achievement scores, teachers will have ‘off’ years when the results are lower. However, the few teachers that I know of that repeatedly receive inadequate scores … Continue reading →

Homeschool blog week in review: Feb 17 – Feb 23 2007

Last week on the families.com homeschooling blog, we covered several topics. We talked about schedules, chores, curriculum, standardized tests, and touch subjects. Here is the week in review for Feb 17 – Feb 23. Feb 17 On Saturday Feb 17, I found myself homeschooling my daughter and told you a little about why I chose to teach on a Saturday. Feb 18 To read the posts from the following week, Feb 10-16, please see last weeks’ review. Feb 19 On February 19, a shared a bit of information about how we balance homeschooling and chores in two parts. Part one … Continue reading →

Preparing for Standardized Tests

I was asked the following question on a previous blog post: I know that the (standardized) testing always test beyond what the standard level of education is, but what do I do to prepare her for this test. When I taught High School, we always set aside 2 weeks to prepare students. Is there something out there I can get to prepare her for these mastery tests? Many states require standardized testing for homeschoolers. Some parents and children look forward to showing off how much they know. Some treat it as a necessary evil. Others freak out and worry that … Continue reading →

Have Some Mountain Dew Before a Test?

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How do you feel about standardized testing? Chances are you aren’t an incredibly big fan of it. Children tend to strongly dislike taking standardized tests because it is stressful, confusing, frustrating, and very different from how their typical school day goes. Perhaps this is why a school in Florida found a controversial way to motivate students to take their standardized tests. Someone at Creel Elementary School in Florida came up with an unusual way to get students excited about taking the FCAT. The FCAT stands for “Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test”. A grandmother who learned about it contacted the local media. … Continue reading →

Using Test Generators

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When I was teaching eighth grade math I struggled with preparing for standardized tests. There are few materials out there that allow for students to practice with multiple choice math tests. In addition it would be hard for me to find practice tests that covered the skills that my students needed to focus on. I tried creating my own worksheets. However for this subject area, they were very tiresome and time consuming to create. Coming up with your own math questions (mostly Pre-Algebra) and four multiple choice answers for each question took time. I also found that computers often do … Continue reading →

Homeschool Question: Ideas for an Independent 13 year old

Problem: A recent question in the homeschool forum asks for ideas for a boxed curriculum or other independent learning system for an independent 13 year old. Particulars in this situation is that mom is pregnant, the 13 year old is beyond the mothers level of math knowledge, and up until now, the mom has been preparing the curriculum. The 13 year old is also considering a special high school program and so he needs to be prepared to possibly enter high school in a year. A follow up question revealed that the son has a math tutor. Mom also wants … Continue reading →

Tips for the College Bound Homeschooler

Nextstudent.com is a website dedicated to helping students pay for college. They are primarily a student loan lender. As the homeschooler count in the U.S. tips one million, they are turning their marketing efforts to homeschoolers. If you have a student looking forward to college, you may want to visit the nextstudent.com website. Meanwhile, they took the time to survey colleges about what homeschoolers should do to prepare for college admissions. There will be homeschoolers who do not agree with this approach. There will also be homeschoolers who have gotten into college without taking these steps. Still, here are some … Continue reading →

Television Test Prep

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Most school staff members and teachers will claim that students watch too much television. However, one middle school claims that television is the way to test preparation and learning. After the 2007 test scores showed William Wirt Middles School falling short both in English and math, the school decided a new review and test prep study was needed. Each Thursday, the school shows a one hour prerecorded lesson to its students. The teachers at the school alternate teaching the lesson. The lesson is televised to all classes and students in the school. This way the teachers can be assured that … Continue reading →

An Argument Against Homeschooling

In The Article Homeschooling: The Bad and the Ugly, Greg Laden lays out what he believes are the problems with homeschooling. In fact, he feels homeschooling is so bad, in fact, that he says, “If I had to choose right now, I would prefer to eliminate home schooling completely rather than let it continue with these problems.” Although in his defense, he says that if these problems can be addressed openly and honestly, then maybe homeschooling can be saved. Here are the problems he presents: Homeschooling cheats the system. In this case, he equates homeschooling to private school. When people … Continue reading →