The nice thing about test prep between the ages of 4 and 6 is that the same skills are used every few years until your child is finished with graduate school.
I'm gearing up for another round of tests with another group of 3 and 4 year olds. Chicago changed the start date for the programs that started in 1st grade (ours) to K; therefore test prep is officially defined as 'the sooner the better'. At least one of the kids I'm helping this year is in the suburbs. The suburbs tend to start later, like 2nd or 4th grade, and keep seats open for a child to join at his or her own pace. Chicago is more brutal.
For those of you who define test prep as 'do a lot of practice questions on a website' let me tell you what you are up against.
I would love to do an experiment to see just how important vocabulary is to the test. I need one group of volunteers to study vocabulary; this group will not be allowed to do any practice questions or see a practice test. I need another group to do practice tests and not study vocabulary. I'm not sure any of my readers would sign up for this study, but fortunately I know a lot of people who don't prepare properly and show me their results and answer my questionnaire about practice methods. There are a lot of people in these 2 groups and the vocabulary group fairs much better.
Before we dive into reading, I want the child exposed to all math related vocabulary through 2nd grade. I'll take some 3rd grade words as long as they apply to generic topics like order or physical attributes. This not only addresses two-thirds of the test but is a good way to learn math.
During the reading process (age 4), there are only 2 constraints on vocabulary: I prefer short words that can be spelled using phonics rules and I exclude words that are only used at scrabble competition. I am tempted to publish a list of words entitled '100 words you need to know for the test', but the word list I put in the Pre-K Phonics book is better for brain development, is more ethical, and makes the other list irrelevant.
The normal rules of academic coaching apply to vocabulary. If the child actually memorizes the word 'trapezoid' and can spot the difference between trapezoid and quadrilateral, he will probably forget it 2 weeks later. Words like tall and wider will stick even at a young age. If a child forgets a word, it goes back on the Word Board. If a word is on the Word Board for 2 months, so be it.
During Kindergarten, we plow through Vocabulary Workshop. During first grade, it's Wordly Wise and Vocabulary Workshop since most school programs use Wordly Wise. By 1st or 2nd grade, the child is 2 years ahead and vocabulary work becomes efficient and effortless (depending on the day). By the end of 2nd grade, the brain is developed in this area and ready for different challenges. There's no point in going ahead 3 years before 4th grade, so we don't.
Most school districts test in either in pre-K or K. Obviously, the program I outlined above cannot be completed in pre-K. We just keep up the 'test prep' until MAP or ITBS scores are where they need to be by 2nd or 3rd grade, and then we're finished with vocabulary. Where they need to be is 99%. Test prep means more than just getting into the right program. It means staying there, thriving, and maintain the same competitive advantage in skills until your child says 'you were right about the GRE' and you can retire.
By 2nd or 3rd grade the child memorizes new words on sight. It's cool to watch. It helps with all academic subjects, as you can imagine.
Starting in middle school, our super powers in vocabulary are needed each year.
One year we faced a difficult high school Chemistry course (in 7th grade, of course). I bought an AP Chemistry book from a used book site and we spent 6 weeks memorizing vocabulary. Quality parent-child time. It paid off.
Then we took the SAT 9 months later. I'll provide details in my other blog over the next few years because a) we're doing it again with the 2nd child and b) we're going to crush it this time because I know what I'm doing now.
The last hurdle to high school entrance is on December 1. This exam isn't the hardest of the two required exams, but why take changes. Vocabulary is a topic. I think we can adequately prepare in about 4 hours. I'm about to search for 'vocabulary word list freshman year of high school' or 'top vocabulary for the PSAT'.
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