She inspired me to try out some reading tests on Big. We did this Schonell test that Tim thought he remembered from his time at school, and she scored an age of 9.6 on it.
Then we went on to do the Burt test because she insisted and she got age 8 on that one. Overall, she’s pretty pleased with herself, can’t think why 
I don’t really have any major concerns about the basics of learning - she’s pretty much cracked reading although it goes in spurts rather, and I’m sure maths is being covered whether she knows it or not. What we are wondering about is the enrichment side of it all, and also, we’re beginning to wonder whether not having her age mates about her is meaning she isn’t developing the confidence in her own abilities that she might if she were able to compare herself with other six year olds. Not that I’m altogether sure whether that is good or bad, tbh, as she is insufferably arrogant about some things already, and it might be a bit much if she was like that about everything!
So we are thinking of getting Story of the world, at least the first two books worth, and aiming for a tick the boxes on number of activities offered each week. As we’ve got this throw up in the air and any number of ppl can catch, I feel that we need to be more structured in how we approach this whole educational lark atm, and I’m hoping to sit down with Ailsa to double check what is happening at school so that we don’t clash or more importantly, leave any big gaps.
Story of the world for history, which will also to some extent incorporate geography as well, a couple of science offerings a week from our many science experiment books, languages is still something we’re pondering although I’d really like to be offering something now, and it does occur to me that all this time we spend in the car is empty time atm. Music we’re expanding into with more offerings easily accessible through the media pc - I was slightly stunned when Small sat down with a leappad with me at the Beans and we did a quiz where he had to identify the instruments by sound, and the only one he didn’t know was the accordion. How does he know what a tuba sounds and looks like??? Probably Little Einsteins or something similar. Guess playhouse disney wasn’t all bad - but we don’t have it any more.
And I’ll continue arting and crafting (rather more of the latter than the former probably). I’m trying to lead by example - one of her problems is not wanting to do anything that doesn’t happen immediately, so when we started with some crochet on holiday she gave up when she realised how long it was going to take her to finish the pattern she’d chosen, even though she’d cracked treble crochet just like that (not a particularly easy stitch to my way of thinking). At which point I picked up the elephant I was just finishing (must get a piccie if I can find her!) and asked how long that had taken me - about two/three weeks I think. Gave her something to think about anyway.
Told you I’d be back to talk about educational musings
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lol to the reading tests, I’ve just tried your one on Joe, did Joanna’s one on him the other day too - he thought it was very funny and came out with a reading age of 8 on both.
Liked reading your educational thoughts
Doesn’t Big have age mates at school? We use car time for things like audio books (ones that we all like to listen to, will have to adapt a bit as L gets older though) or listening to the radio (often leads to discussions) or ocassionally we’ve listened to German stuff. I think in the car is a good opportunity to do things you don’t fit in at home.
Tested Abbie on both as well and Josiah then peered over her shoulder and read some of the words he hadn’t read the first time :roll:! Abbie’s reading age isn’t half as impressive, 9/8.8 on the two tests - she’s never shown quite the aptitude for reading that he has - wonder if there is a maths/logic alternative test somewhere …
probably is Sarah, do let me know if you find it
Kath, there are only three of them in her class at most, and part of the time she’s on her own. The other two when they are there are 5 rising 6 rather than 6 rising 7, so no, she doesn’t really have age mates at school.
I cannot resist trying the Schonell one as well - will try tomorrow!
I’m always interested in reading other people’s HE plans although I wonder if other people carry them through or just leave them in the ‘plan’ stage as I do!
My reading age is only 15!!!
Hmm, well have to confess that I am rather dubious now about their standards - E got 7.11, and he’s not that blooming good a reader!
Still, it’s nice to know we haven’t raised a bunch of dunces
(I only did the Burt one on him.)
Oh well, Gwenny and Violet got 12.11 and 13.7 on Burt’s respectively, so I guess using Sarah’s method I can ignore all of them for a good while. Still think they’re pretty generous
SB got 6.9 on Burt [though stopped because bored, I don't think she would have gone a huge amount further, perhaps 4 or 5 at most]. I was really pleased with that. this time last yer she didn’t read at all, and now it is coming in leaps and bounds.
i guess i think the tests are largely irrelevant, except perhaps as either ascertaining the ‘right level’ of books, if you have no clue, or to follow progression.
My sister did a maths test with her son [she is so worried that home-edding SB will put her ahead tha M goes to school and then gets home-edded in the evening - rofl]
http://www.whizzeducation.com/mathswhizz/homeService/freeAssessment/
Tamsin got 8.9 on the Schonell test - same as the Burt one - so at least it’s consistent, whatever it means!
i think there is no doubt that some children of the same age are far better readers than others. i guess what i was quibbling about was giving it an age.
M got consistent results across the 2 tests too and was really happy with his results. I think sometimes he thinks he is stupid (think he might get comments at church and cubs about not going to school) and a score on paper was an independent thing to say he is actually doing very well with reading and can more than hold his own against kids older than him.
That was kind of where I was going for Big as well Kath, glad that M enjoyed it.
Given her voracious attitude towards any book that she deems suitable, no surprise that C did (ridiculously) well on both tests.
We are reading story of the world, and thoroughly enjoying it. We have all 4 volumes. I can highly recommend it.