Tuesday, May 31, 2011

No Relief from the Exam Blues












I thought, today, when my daughter went out the door that I would feel relief that it's the last day of her exams. I didn't. I was left realising that she really wasn't/isn't confident in quite a few subjects. We did some last minute revision this morning, and it became alarmingly clear to me that this stuff should be crystal clear to her before she goes back to school in September and goes into year 4.

So have spent 3 hours, yes 3, printing out worksheets to do through the summer in preparation for the next year.

Am I the only one who seems to be obsessing over this subject? Of course, if she ends up getting As in all subjects - it's a trip to the Dr for me. LOL...

Found a fab website for worksheets of every subject http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/
and a little helpful advice on establishing good study habits [link] and here http://www.homeworkheaven.com/.

21 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 31, 2011

    3 hours for year 4?
    you're going to burn her out (and you go crazy) before she takes SOMETHING IMPORTANT - like her IGCSEs
    kim, i went to harvard and you know what i did between grades 3 and 4?
    can't remember actually, it sure the hell wasn't worksheets...
    chill out - take a gap summer, there momma....
    max

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  2. AnonymousMay 31, 2011

    Forth graders should not worry about tests and spending hours in front of books. Public schools gave kids a week off to study!



    EB

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  3. Hi Max, LOL.. my own fault was using both sides of the paper and didn't trust printer or me to change the settings. Problem is, also, we'll be late back from holidays and she'll miss a chunk (10 days) of school. The worksheets are for the whole summer - I wasn't expecting her to finish them today :O)

    But I will go have some chamomile tea LOL and chill a bit ;O)

    What did you study at Harvard? Do you do tutoring LOL.. Joking! Thanx for the comment.

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  4. Hi EB, honest she didn't study for 3 hours I printed out some worksheets for the summer hols that's all :OD I've heard some schools give time off, ours doesn't.

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  5. Truly, she doesn't worry...I do :O(

    Things have changed since we were kids :O(

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  6. AnonymousMay 31, 2011

    I think it's fine to have the kids do some worksheets over the summer. Otherwise, they forget a lot during these months. Obviously, you're not talking about chaining her to a desk the whole summer...

    By the way, I did a baking class with your daughter, and she was very sweet, masha'Allah. we made chocolate chip cookies. :)

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  7. AnonymousMay 31, 2011

    kim, stop worrying, u and i need to go to muscat and hear opera
    google 'helicopter parent' and 'lawnmower parent'
    and 'tiger mom'

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  8. AnonymousMay 31, 2011

    Wana guess which problem takes the lead in my disagreements with the mrs?

    She worries like you and I tell her take it easy and let them have fun. like we remember anything from our school years, or like that degree really means something.

    Things have changed since "I" was a kid, as for you, they changed a lot :) (don't know how to do evil face)

    EB

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  9. AnonymousMay 31, 2011

    By the way, my objection was that public and private school kids have to worry about tests. There development should be monitored through out the year, which will eliminate end of the year testing.

    The education system is not that great universally. How Harvard graduate confused 3 hour printing with 3 hours teaching is all the proof you need :)

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  10. Dear Anonymous Baking Class Buddy, I think so too. That is; no chains, a worksheet or two a week is a good thing and that my daughter's a sweety :OD
    We loved the cookies.
    Thanks for your kind comment and for popping by.

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  11. Dear Anon with the google advice, OMG I've never heard of those expressions before. They're brilliant, may have to do a post about those LOL. Okay point taken.

    Thanks hon :OD

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  12. Dear EB, we have a great summer planned so I'm tempering the helicopter parenting (my new word of the week, you'll have to google it til I do a post on it) with lotsa fun!

    Yes, gone are the days of getting on your bike and being out of the house all day, alone. Apple scrumping in the neighbour's garden. Sliding down hills on bits of cardboard. Making mud pies. Going blackberry picking and falling in the stinging nettles.

    Now our kid's are living in a different era. The environment here doesn't allow for a kid to be out playing in the heat or dust for 5 minutes.

    As a parent I'm constantly aware of the dangers lurking, the food they eat, the need to educate her well. If you are not on top (helicoptering) then 'they' would eat crisps and sweets all day, watch TV or be on a playstation 24/7, be obese and unhealthy.

    Okay I'm stopping the coffee and chilling LOL..

    EB, thanks for being such an interesting and frequent commenter makes this blogging lark so much more fun.

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  13. Hi Max, LOL you did make me laugh. Funnily enough my kid does better on exams than her term assessments. Haa! Wonder why?

    Would just love her to go to a university in the UK, get a good degree and be happy in whatever career she chooses. Although Harvard would just be a dream come true. Hasn't featured in my dreams yet but it probably will tonight.. LOL.

    Thanks for the comments will be popping by soon for donuts and a kiss ;o)

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  14. AnonymousJune 01, 2011

    you're right, Kuwait agrees with you. Harvard isn't a good school - i can't find a job in kuwait.
    KU and KISR rejected me outright because my undergraduate GPA is below their minimum, go figure. Civil Service and Manpower couldn't find me a job either. MOE says I'm too old to teach.
    so i sit in a bookstore most the day.
    no, i wasn't not confused, you smart ass. i knew it was 3 hours printing/prepping for teaching.
    Am grooming a fine young man for HLS. Kim, here's always Summer School http://www.summer.harvard.edu/

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  15. Dear Max, are you kidding me?

    That's unbelievable. Harvard, my darling, is the best (along with Oxford and Cambridge, of course). Most likely they want Kuwaitis. What hogwash! What do you teach?

    Oops.. did I come across as a smart ass sorry didn't mean too. It's difficult sometimes to write stuff that doesn't have double entendres. The face-to-face stuff removes that misunderstanding, so we have to meet soon LOL..

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  16. Max, will keep the Harvard summer camp for when she's a bit older. LMAO.. it might be a little OTT to pack her off at 8 years old :OD But thanks for the info will keep that in mind.

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  17. Max, love the word 'grooming' sounds much nicer than 'helicopter mum' which is probably what I am.

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  18. AnonymousJune 01, 2011

    'barber mom'?

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  19. Not heard that one before and neither has Google 'cause I tried. Is it like Sweeny Todd mum?

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  20. AnonymousJune 01, 2011

    you'll be the first....

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  21. ?? Confused. Not that it takes a lot to confuse me ;O)

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Always great to hear from you :O)