Unschooling/late writers
[email protected]
**Now, I only know of one or two unschooled kids who were writing at "grade
level" when they were 7-9 or so... most seem to pick that up a lot
later,which seems to be natural to me...**
**This is exactly what I was referring to when I
brought up the subject of unschooling kids failing standardized tests.**
HUH????
Since when do kids need writing ability for most standardized tests?
Deborah in IL
level" when they were 7-9 or so... most seem to pick that up a lot
later,which seems to be natural to me...**
**This is exactly what I was referring to when I
brought up the subject of unschooling kids failing standardized tests.**
HUH????
Since when do kids need writing ability for most standardized tests?
Deborah in IL
groundhoggirl
OK. Well, let me just say, in my own defense, that here in Houston,
Texas, writing IS required on standardized tests.
But, I would like to say that with regard to reading, many unschoolers
(certainly not all), are late readers. Therefore, I think they will be
more at risk of failing standardized tests than the schooled child,
especially in the early grades. I think my boys would be at risk of
failing these tests, not that I really care.
Mimi
Texas, writing IS required on standardized tests.
But, I would like to say that with regard to reading, many unschoolers
(certainly not all), are late readers. Therefore, I think they will be
more at risk of failing standardized tests than the schooled child,
especially in the early grades. I think my boys would be at risk of
failing these tests, not that I really care.
Mimi
On Saturday, December 8, 2001, at 08:57 PM, DACunefare@... wrote:
> **Now, I only know of one or two unschooled kids who were writing at
> "grade
> level" when they were 7-9 or so... most seem to pick that up a lot
> later,which seems to be natural to me...**
>
> **This is exactly what I was referring to when I
> brought up the subject of unschooling kids failing standardized
> tests.**
>
> HUH????
>
> Since when do kids need writing ability for most standardized tests?
>
> Deborah in IL
>
>
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Elsa Haas
I used to think that standardized meant those computer-graded tests with
your choice of the four little circles to be filled in with a no. 2 pencil.
But I think it really just refers to the tests being given to a large
sample of test-takers, so that scores can be reported in terms of
percentiles. (Correct me if Im wrong.) Here in NYC, the new standardized
tests used in the public schools include writing short answers and essays.
Elsa Haas
Mimi wrote:
<> OK. Well, let me just say, in my own defense, that here in Houston,
Texas, writing IS required on standardized tests. <>
Deborah in IL had written:
<> HUH????
Since when do kids need writing ability for most standardized tests? <>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
your choice of the four little circles to be filled in with a no. 2 pencil.
But I think it really just refers to the tests being given to a large
sample of test-takers, so that scores can be reported in terms of
percentiles. (Correct me if Im wrong.) Here in NYC, the new standardized
tests used in the public schools include writing short answers and essays.
Elsa Haas
Mimi wrote:
<> OK. Well, let me just say, in my own defense, that here in Houston,
Texas, writing IS required on standardized tests. <>
Deborah in IL had written:
<> HUH????
Since when do kids need writing ability for most standardized tests? <>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
rumpleteasermom
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., groundhoggirl <groundhoggirl@h...>
wrote:
much at all then, maybe sound out a three letter word occassionally
and he could just barely write his first name. He still scored a
composite 27 - which here in Ohio is sufficient to use for the
assessment. So for the early Iowa tests, I don't think it is a given
that a poor reader will 'fail'.
On another subject about the testing . . .
. . . I think people misuse or abuse them. Some think they are a
true assessment of intelligence. (I KNOW none of YOU would think
that!) They aren't. And to make matters worse, the way the schools
use them and administer them makes them even worse. I remember in
grade school, I would always finish first or second in my class. I
always tried to be really quiet and keep turning the pages every once
in a while because I didn't want the rest of the class to know I was
done. But the other girl who was fast, used to make it very obvious
and act all condescending about it. I remember even then, thinking
that it had to make the others nervous to know she was done and they
weren't. I knew even then that some kids didn't test well, even
though they knew the material well. My mom was tutoring a boy in my
class and he would know all the stuff in my house and when we got to
school he just could not produce it. He nearly failed several
grades. He owns a furniture store now and is very successful.
My mom still tests mine every year. But they think it is fun and
kind of a game. They also know we aren't going to love them less if
they don't score well. Rachel has even learned to look at how she
scored in different areas and use that to find what she wants to
study. I don't think she picked up algebra from thin air!
Bridget
wrote:
> OK. Well, let me just say, in my own defense, that here inHouston,
> Texas, writing IS required on standardized tests.unschoolers
>
> But, I would like to say that with regard to reading, many
> (certainly not all), are late readers. Therefore, I think theywill be
> more at risk of failing standardized tests than the schooled child,of
> especially in the early grades. I think my boys would be at risk
> failing these tests, not that I really care.We gave Wyndham the 1st grade Iowa when he was 7. He could not read
>
> Mimi
>
much at all then, maybe sound out a three letter word occassionally
and he could just barely write his first name. He still scored a
composite 27 - which here in Ohio is sufficient to use for the
assessment. So for the early Iowa tests, I don't think it is a given
that a poor reader will 'fail'.
On another subject about the testing . . .
. . . I think people misuse or abuse them. Some think they are a
true assessment of intelligence. (I KNOW none of YOU would think
that!) They aren't. And to make matters worse, the way the schools
use them and administer them makes them even worse. I remember in
grade school, I would always finish first or second in my class. I
always tried to be really quiet and keep turning the pages every once
in a while because I didn't want the rest of the class to know I was
done. But the other girl who was fast, used to make it very obvious
and act all condescending about it. I remember even then, thinking
that it had to make the others nervous to know she was done and they
weren't. I knew even then that some kids didn't test well, even
though they knew the material well. My mom was tutoring a boy in my
class and he would know all the stuff in my house and when we got to
school he just could not produce it. He nearly failed several
grades. He owns a furniture store now and is very successful.
My mom still tests mine every year. But they think it is fun and
kind of a game. They also know we aren't going to love them less if
they don't score well. Rachel has even learned to look at how she
scored in different areas and use that to find what she wants to
study. I don't think she picked up algebra from thin air!
Bridget
Lynda
Back in the dark ages when I was tested to death, you had to answer four or
five questions in paragraph form. I don't think all the tests are multiple
guess.
Lynda
five questions in paragraph form. I don't think all the tests are multiple
guess.
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: groundhoggirl <groundhoggirl@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2001 7:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Unschooling/late writers
> OK. Well, let me just say, in my own defense, that here in Houston,
> Texas, writing IS required on standardized tests.
>
> But, I would like to say that with regard to reading, many unschoolers
> (certainly not all), are late readers. Therefore, I think they will be
> more at risk of failing standardized tests than the schooled child,
> especially in the early grades. I think my boys would be at risk of
> failing these tests, not that I really care.
>
> Mimi
>
>
> On Saturday, December 8, 2001, at 08:57 PM, DACunefare@... wrote:
>
> > **Now, I only know of one or two unschooled kids who were writing at
> > "grade
> > level" when they were 7-9 or so... most seem to pick that up a lot
> > later,which seems to be natural to me...**
> >
> > **This is exactly what I was referring to when I
> > brought up the subject of unschooling kids failing standardized
> > tests.**
> >
> > HUH????
> >
> > Since when do kids need writing ability for most standardized tests?
> >
> > Deborah in IL
> >
> >
> > Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> > Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
> >
> > To unsubscribe, set preferences, or read archives:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
> >
> > Another great list sponsored by Home Education Magazine!
> > http://www.home-ed-magazine.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
>
>
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> To unsubscribe, set preferences, or read archives:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
>
> Another great list sponsored by Home Education Magazine!
> http://www.home-ed-magazine.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
[email protected]
**Back in the dark ages when I was tested to death, you had to answer four or
five questions in paragraph form. I don't think all the tests are multiple
guess.**
Oh, I remember a lot of those too, but NOT at ages 7-9.
Deborah
five questions in paragraph form. I don't think all the tests are multiple
guess.**
Oh, I remember a lot of those too, but NOT at ages 7-9.
Deborah
Lynda
They started with the essay questions in 4th grade here which would have
been 9 for me.
I haven't a clue what they are doing now as we haven't done any and don't
plan on doing any. Son #3 plans on doing his general eds at the local
junior college and then transferring, so he won't need to take any tests.
Lynda
been 9 for me.
I haven't a clue what they are doing now as we haven't done any and don't
plan on doing any. Son #3 plans on doing his general eds at the local
junior college and then transferring, so he won't need to take any tests.
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: <DACunefare@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2001 10:31 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: Unschooling/late writers
> **Back in the dark ages when I was tested to death, you had to answer four
or
> five questions in paragraph form. I don't think all the tests are
multiple
> guess.**
>
> Oh, I remember a lot of those too, but NOT at ages 7-9.
>
> Deborah
>
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> To unsubscribe, set preferences, or read archives:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
>
> Another great list sponsored by Home Education Magazine!
> http://www.home-ed-magazine.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
oldpriss
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., DACunefare@a... wrote:
Writing is heavily emphasized on all portions of the test. Even in
the math section the kids not only have to answer the question
correctly but then with many of the problems,explain how they got the
answer. From what other parents have told me, not only do they have
to be able to answer those kinds of questions in an acceptable form
(not every way of getting the math answers is acceptable, I've been
told) but they have to answer them in cursive. From third grade on.
For sample test questions for the third grade look at:
http://www.sde.state.sc.us/archive/test123/sampques/g3_ques.htm
The ones that say blueprint questions are the ones that have writing
as part of the answer.
Priss
> **Back in the dark ages when I was tested to death, you had toanswer four or
> five questions in paragraph form. I don't think all the tests aremultiple
> guess.**South Carolina now tests public schooled kids with the PACT test.
>
> Oh, I remember a lot of those too, but NOT at ages 7-9.
>
> Deborah
Writing is heavily emphasized on all portions of the test. Even in
the math section the kids not only have to answer the question
correctly but then with many of the problems,explain how they got the
answer. From what other parents have told me, not only do they have
to be able to answer those kinds of questions in an acceptable form
(not every way of getting the math answers is acceptable, I've been
told) but they have to answer them in cursive. From third grade on.
For sample test questions for the third grade look at:
http://www.sde.state.sc.us/archive/test123/sampques/g3_ques.htm
The ones that say blueprint questions are the ones that have writing
as part of the answer.
Priss
Donna B
Here in CA, certain grade's tests include a written essay where they are scored on several things, one of them being level of writing. For example, if they are in 7th grade, was the writing at the 'level' of a 7th grader? I never understood how they determined what the 'level' of a 7th grader was supposed to be. Three scores are given, by administrators, and averaged out. If there are seriously differentiating scores, the child's score can really be skewed.
----- Original Message -----
From: Elsa Haas
To: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2001 9:01 PM
Subject: RE: [Unschooling-dotcom] Unschooling/late writers
I used to think that "standardized" meant those computer-graded tests with
your choice of the four little circles to be filled in with a no. 2 pencil.
But I think it really just refers to the test's being given to a large
sample of test-takers, so that scores can be reported in terms of
percentiles. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) Here in NYC, the new standardized
tests used in the public schools include writing short answers and essays.
Elsa Haas
Mimi wrote:
<> OK. Well, let me just say, in my own defense, that here in Houston,
Texas, writing IS required on standardized tests. <>
Deborah in IL had written:
<> HUH????
Since when do kids need writing ability for most standardized tests? <>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
To unsubscribe, set preferences, or read archives:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
Another great list sponsored by Home Education Magazine!
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]