How To Achieve Key Stage Two SATs Success
Last year when Top Ender took her SATs I was sure I wasn't going to be one of those parents that freaked out about revision and practice Test Papers. I mean, I knew being the sort of Mum that I am, that I would encourage Top Ender as much as possible, that I would give her extra help in the areas she struggled with (Spelling mainly) and that I would take steps to help her prepare for these exams, but I wasn't going to be one of the Mums hiring a tutor, or enrolling her in a Boot Camp style tutoring session, as I had heard several parents planning in the School Playground.
My plan was to start early. To do a little each day and to not overwhelm Tops with the exams. Saying that, I knew that the three Secondary Schools that we were considering used these results to put the Children into ability sets and so I explained this to Top Ender and explained that if she were to do well now, it could help her when she got to Secondary School and of course good study habits now would ensure she didn't make the same education mistakes I did.
At the same time, I also made sure to tell her that these Exams were more about her current School and that she couldn't fail, and neither could her friends because nobody can fail a SATs exam! I also said that if she didn't do well, then it wouldn't matter because she was already on her way to leaving. I also explained that like me she might have a few years she needed to work extra hard in, but I was exactly the same and as far as I can tell it didn't do me any harm...
It was Top Ender who took it upon herself to ask me for extra help and to source materials that might help her and that's a good thing because every parent who has a child about to undertake SATs needs to ensure it is their child leading the way, not the parent forcing the Child.
So, I printed off a spelling booklet I found, which Top Ender used every day trying to help herself with her spellings. I asked her Maths questions on every car journey (but I did and still do that anyway). I asked her questions about books she was reading, trying to get down to the nub of what the Author was expressing. All little things, no pressure just helping Top Ender to practice the Skills that were going to be examined.
And then we were sent a rather marvellous DVD and activity poster to help Tops with her SATs Prep. The Jack Cherry's Remarkable Recipe for SATs Success is a method for helping children to see a positive in the SATs, encouraging the Children who use it to think calmly and use positive thinking and visualisation about the exams.
I wasn't really sure about the DVD to be honest, but Top Ender loved it. I could see that whilst I thought it a bit young for her, it was really aimed at her age group and even Big Boy paid attention to what was being explained about removing negativity.
I can't say if the DVD did anything to help Top Ender with her SATs, but I do think it helped her to relax and to know that she had this and she achieved the levels that she and I felt were good.
So for success at KS2 SATs, I'd say follow our lead.
Scrap the hours upon hours of exam prep and do things in short bursts from early in the year.
Teach them things in a way that is fun, don't stress yourself or your child out over what they don't know, they'll get it eventually and if it isn't in time for SATs? Who cares?
Have them eat a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep and exercise and ensure that they can relax and most importantly concentrate on making your child feel happy, loved and safe.
We were sent the Jack Cherry DVD to review.
My plan was to start early. To do a little each day and to not overwhelm Tops with the exams. Saying that, I knew that the three Secondary Schools that we were considering used these results to put the Children into ability sets and so I explained this to Top Ender and explained that if she were to do well now, it could help her when she got to Secondary School and of course good study habits now would ensure she didn't make the same education mistakes I did.
At the same time, I also made sure to tell her that these Exams were more about her current School and that she couldn't fail, and neither could her friends because nobody can fail a SATs exam! I also said that if she didn't do well, then it wouldn't matter because she was already on her way to leaving. I also explained that like me she might have a few years she needed to work extra hard in, but I was exactly the same and as far as I can tell it didn't do me any harm...
It was Top Ender who took it upon herself to ask me for extra help and to source materials that might help her and that's a good thing because every parent who has a child about to undertake SATs needs to ensure it is their child leading the way, not the parent forcing the Child.
So, I printed off a spelling booklet I found, which Top Ender used every day trying to help herself with her spellings. I asked her Maths questions on every car journey (but I did and still do that anyway). I asked her questions about books she was reading, trying to get down to the nub of what the Author was expressing. All little things, no pressure just helping Top Ender to practice the Skills that were going to be examined.
And then we were sent a rather marvellous DVD and activity poster to help Tops with her SATs Prep. The Jack Cherry's Remarkable Recipe for SATs Success is a method for helping children to see a positive in the SATs, encouraging the Children who use it to think calmly and use positive thinking and visualisation about the exams.
I wasn't really sure about the DVD to be honest, but Top Ender loved it. I could see that whilst I thought it a bit young for her, it was really aimed at her age group and even Big Boy paid attention to what was being explained about removing negativity.
I can't say if the DVD did anything to help Top Ender with her SATs, but I do think it helped her to relax and to know that she had this and she achieved the levels that she and I felt were good.
So for success at KS2 SATs, I'd say follow our lead.
Scrap the hours upon hours of exam prep and do things in short bursts from early in the year.
Teach them things in a way that is fun, don't stress yourself or your child out over what they don't know, they'll get it eventually and if it isn't in time for SATs? Who cares?
Have them eat a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep and exercise and ensure that they can relax and most importantly concentrate on making your child feel happy, loved and safe.
We were sent the Jack Cherry DVD to review.