Exams

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Posted by: Liz | 2012/05/23

Q. Exams

Hi to all the mommies.

I''m not a regular on this forum, but I need some advise please.
My girl is in grade 4 this year. It is such a HUGE step going from gr.3 to gr.4. It''s getting harder and harder each day. Between all the homework and tests, she does sport and dancing as well (which she loves). Exams are starting soon, and it is always a stressful time for both me and her. How do I keep her motivated and positive? She loves sport and dancing, but hates the schoolwork. How do I get her more interested in it? Any advise?

I was thinking of getting her some sort of a supplement to help her cope with the stress and fatigue and concentration.
Can you recommend any? I''ve heard about Bio-Strath. Is it good?

Thank you so much
Liz

user comments

Posted by: BMJ | 2012/05/23

Liz, I have a grade 4 as well and I was starting to stress trying to remeber when they wrote what class test, orals. posters, exams etc, etc....

So, in the beginning of the term I got a list of all the dates and whats of all those from the class teacher and I made a calender - including the routine tests etc. Then I worked out what the minimum is that he has to do to be ready and prepared for all of it. For example if he had an oral on Friday of 15 sentences, he would write 8 sentences on Monday, 7 on Tuesday, learn them off by heart on Wednesday and on Thursday he just has to ''present'' to me once. It has made a huge difference because there is only a little to do every day (some days more), but come hell or high water, it must be done on the day it is scheduled for. And he has gone from about 80% everage to 95% - if I take his average marks. Not only does he feel in control of his homework, but i have no nasty surprises. I make sure that he has no homework for Fridays - he gets it absolutely off. He is a great sportsman and enjoys anything outdoors, so homework is a discipline. It was such a pain before, but it is better now. He gets home, relaxes for 30min and then homework before anything else. The other thing I do when he has a test is that he learns first then I question him, if I see he struggles I teach the same stuff to him again. So we learn ''together''.

Reply to BMJ

Posted by: Maria | 2012/05/23

My daughter is in grade 4 as well, it is indeed a huge jump. The school gave us a detailed revision program which helps a lot, as revision is their homework and therefore they don''t fight you as much about having to do it.

You need to try your best to be calm and relaxed, if you get worked up she will get upset and then her brain can''t work. Try to work some humour into it... I will ask my daughter funny story sums, or what kind of sentence is " Larry poured water on his teacher''s head!"

We use the time driving to school for mental maths.

Set goals and rewards... e.g. as soon as you know all the 11 and 12 times tables you can put on some music and dance for 20 minutes, or we will walk to the cafe and get an ice cream. If necessary you may have to set goals that she has to reach before she can go to dance class or sports practice. Then stick to that , otherwise she will know you''re not serious.

Good luck!

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Posted by: andy | 2012/05/23

hi liz, please don''t give her any supplements she is way to young to start taking supplements, by he time she reaches puberty she is gonna think she needs a pill for everything.
you need to decide which is most important for your girl, academics, sport or dancing. maybe you can cut on the dancing lessons to give her more time for schoolwork.

Reply to andy