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Hi ladies,
I am beginning to get worried about my just turned 9 year old son who will have to take the 3rd grade standardized test at the end of this school year for the first time (state law requires this). I am teaching him and his 7 3/4 year old sister together using Beyond. We started with Bigger and it was too much writing for them. They both LOVE LOVE LOVE Beyond. I have added science (because I love it so much) and we also do extra maps/geography stuff and some additional Bible study. I looked at a "practice test book" that I found at the book store and I am concerned about my son having enough Language arts knowledge/experience to do well on the test. Does anyone have an opinion or advice about whether or not I should add more language arts to Beyond? or maybe I should add DITHOR? In the past month my son has begun reading completely independently whereas before he was using the emerging readers. I guess perhaps things are going SO smoothly it makes me wonder if we are doing enough

Thank You,
Kristen

I would suggest you get a hold of an old test. Usually with some digging you can find them posted on your states education page. Print out the PDF's Then you should familiarize your kids with the format. My DD couldn't even fill out the Name sheet with out a huge amount of help.

Then look at the problems and what they are covering. I know TX required my child to know rhombus, Quadrilateral, all they various types of prisms triangular, rectangular. Many many latin words Oy!

The tests here in TX are written to trick the kids. A teddy bear represents 5 teddy bears how many teddy bears are in column 1. 5 teddy bears are in column one... but it represents 25 teddy bears. the answer is 25 bears but 5 bears is the first option... These types of questions really mess with my kids head. My head even!

I think you would be better off teaching them take the tests than add new material. Narration is totally covering what you need for reading comprehension. You might be surprised at the math sophistication expected of a 9 year old.

Kristen,

I am so glad that you have found a good fit for your kiddos with Beyond! It sounds like it is going well. Since you do have a 9 year old using Beyond, you are right in thinking that you will need to up the language arts requirements for that child to make sure you are covering what will be tested on the standardized tests. This can be easily taken care of by adding Rod and Staff grammar, either level 2 or 3, depending on how much grammar your 9 year old has had.

You will also want to add Drawn into the Heart of Reading 3 times a week now that your child can read at a more independent level. Reading strategies and comprehension are a big portion of the standardized tests. Last, you will want to make sure that you are at the correct level of spelling instruction for your child. So, I would recommend using the dictation passages from the Bigger Hearts guide, since you already own it. If you have other questions, ask away. We are glad to help!

Blessings,
Carrie