2 Q's: testing and calculators

[jacynamommy]

I have two questions that keep coming to mind as my kids are getting older. First, our oldest are in Rev to Rev this year (6th & 7th grade). Looking ahead into high school years, I am beginning to be concerned that they aren't learning how to study for tests and take tests over material they've learned. I am grateful tests aren't a regular deal, as I hated tests in school and never did well on them. But I also know those are important for college-bound kids. Several homeschooled kids I know (doing BJU) take tests regularly. Will this begin to happen more at the high school level HOD guides? Or is this something I need to implement on my own? My second question is about using calculators My oldest two are doing Singapore Math 5 and 6. We have not introduced calculators at all...meaning they do all their work by hand. I think that's great, as I know they can do the work! But at what point are calculators introduced/allowed/encouraged? I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere. Thanks so much for your advice and input!

[daybreaking]

I'm not sure of Carrie's recommendation, but when I taught mathematics, the students were allowed to use calculators when they started Algebra. My son is currently working through Foerster Algebra 1 and, so far, I haven't allowed him to use a calculator, as it hasn't yet seemed necessary. If he gets to the point where the problems involve huge numbers that are too cumbersome to do by hand (or when he needs to find the square root of a number or something similar), then I'll let him use one.

[StephanieU]

You can easily add in some tests if you want too. Math, grammar, and science will be the easiest. Rod and Staff sells test booklets, or you could just use the chapter reviews as tests. I know Biology in the WH guide has tests, although I don't think Carrie necessarily schedules them.

[LynnH]

There are tests scheduled in the high school guides. Some of them are scheduled as open book, but you could make them closed book if you wish. In certain subjects she doesn't schedule the tests, such as biology, but you could schedule them if you have an extra day to do that. Chemistry the tests are optional for the 5th day of the week. Government has tests, as does Spanish. Bible in the WH and US1 guide also has tests, but those are open book. I think the health tests are also open book, but again you could do them as closed book if you wish. My daughter in college does have a lot of open book tests, so there is value in learning how to do those within a certain time limit also. In the literature for WH and US1 the literary synthesis sheet certainly can serve as a test as it requires understanding and recall of the book at a pretty detailed and deep level.

[Nealewill]

As for calculators, I have heard some moms let kids used them for science. Mine has used it a few times for the science in Rev to Rev already. I personally don't plan to let my kids use calculators in high school unless absolutely necessary. Dcs goals will play huge part in this decision but I know that when I went to college to get a math degree, I was never allowed to use a calculator! Even though it seems that schools are quick to let kids use them, I personally feel like they are doing some kids a disservice.

[LynnH]

My son uses a different math but he started using a calculator more once he got to Algebra 1. In Algebra 2 and above many programs require a graphing calculator and it is very important they know how to use one for the ACT/SAT tests. I don't think you could get the test done in time unless you used a calculator.

[rumkimom]

My oldest is in college this year. Last year she took 1 online college course each semester and there the tests were open book. Those 2 courses help prepare her for this year and she is doing well so far.....maintaining a B+ average at this point. Other than that she did not have tests other than in math,

My 15 year old is in Algebra this year (TT) and they tell her to use a calculate occasionally.

[my3sons]

Oh, these types of assessments are coming - don't worry! Quizzes, tests, and worksheets are planned as students get older (though I am thankful the CM style of learning is also still kept in the balance). We have only ever done HOD and are required to standardize test in our state. Our sons have consistently tested high in virtually all areas - we do use all of HOD's recommendations and complete all of HOD's plans/activities/discussions/experiments/assignments. As far as calculators, both of my sons are using them this year (8th grader in Principles of Mathematics Book 2, and 11th grader in Foerster's Algebra II). My oldest has used a calculator every year in high school math subjects. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie