Help with timed tests for DS6???

[elemusing]

My DS6 has just started timed math tests at school. He has to complete 32 single digit addtion problems in 2 minutes. He is doing awful! He gets all his answers correct but only completes about half of them.

We drill with flashcards ,etc. But he isn't getting any faster. I even made him some of the same tests at home, and I time him, but no increase in speed.

Any ideas on how to improve his speed?

TIA,
Angie

 

[lap3]

I PM'd you something to try. Let me know if this helps. I have a few other suggestions that may help alleviate the stress that is associated with test taking...

 

[elemusing]

Thanks for the suggestions, lap!!!!

Any other people out there have ideas?

Thanks!
Angie

 

[elgerber]

Sorry, I can't help. Both of my kids are gifted, but neither of them have ever been able to complete those darn tests! Luckily, for the most part, their teachers have seen they have the ability, so they don't stress too much about it.

Good luck to you!!

 

[elemusing]

Funny- my ds is also being tested for giftedness right now. Maybe it has something to do with them wanting to make sure they do it correctly and "perfectly." hmmm.

Oh well, I am going to try to suggestions from lap, but anyone else with suggestions, please suggest away!

Thanks!

 

[DisneyBug1995]

Not much help, my DD had a hard time with the timed test too. She had to answer 20 questions in 1 minute. We did flash cards every night and she also had a turbo twist that I had her do 5 minutes every day. Those things helped, but she still didn't get where they wanted her to be by the end of 2nd grade. We finally just told her that it didn't matter how fast she was at math the important thing is that she knows how to do the math problems. I feel your frustration. Just keep practicing, they want the kids to memorize the problems.

 

[Gupsmom]

The kids in my 7 yr old's class have to do 100 addition facts (up to 9+9) in 5 minutes. Since it's been brought up, I'll add that my son is also in gifted programming. I have mixed feelings about the test...

PROS:

-For a bright child this provided a challenge...something to work at and achieve (and acknowledgement when it was achieved)

-I believe kids need to have basic rote math skills

CONS:

-My son put a lot of pressure on himself to be in the first group of kids inducted into the 100 club. I had to keep telling him to just do his best and I was proud of him regardless.

-Since he was in the first group inducted into the 100 club, the challenge is now gone for the rest of the year. What do the ones that have passed the test do now.


As for your question....is you child improving each time? If you verbally ask the math facts does he know them without having to figure it out? Is it just a matter of not being able to write them fast enough? If he is improving and knows the facts (and no writing issues) then I wouldn't be concerned. Maybe you can just get him to relax a little about it and understand that he needs to try and go fast (which is another debate. Is speed important?. IMO..for the most part, No...only in that speed indicates a kid really KNOWS the facts w/o figuring them out each time)

Jess