Time After Time..... Math?

  Do any of you remember taking timed math tests when you were a young child?  Joe and I do not.
They start them with timed addition and subtraction in 1st grade!  By 2nd grade, Evie had mastered the 40 problems in under the 2 minutes that was required.   That following summer vacation is when we noticed her first tics.  If you'd like to re-visit that moment, it's here --->
  

Enter third grade.  New tics, sports, tics causing lack of focus, some OCD and guess what?  The timed math tests are now multiplication.    So I chalked the timed test failures to not wanting to study multiplication.

Fourth grade.  The timed math tests are insane now.  All that's required is to complete 25 problems in under 1 minute.  She's struggling in a bad way.  I mean really struggling.. Remember 2nd grade when she could solve 40 ADDITION in 2 minutes?  (that's 20 in a minute for those not wanting to use their math skills at the moment)  :)  Now she only gets like 11 finished in a minute.  ADDITION!  Same goes for subtraction.

Something is wrong here.  First of all, let me say that I despise and highly disagree with timed tests.  It's stressful and causes anxiety.  It teaches you to have to do everything fast.  If you know the answer, you know it.. why does it have to be a freaking race?  So I did some research today and found some interesting articles on what math professors at prestigious colleges think about timed math tests in general.   If you get time, please please read this article...
 Timed Tests and the Development of Math Anxiety
The passages that stood out were, "Timed tests have been given to young children in school districts in the United States with the best intentions, but with negative consequences for many years. "  And....
"recent research conducted with children in 1st and 2nd grade, found that levels of math anxiety did not correlate with grade level, reading level, or parental income. For the most capable students, the research confirms, stress impedes the functioning of their working memory and reduces achievement. Research conducted at Stanford revealed that math anxiety changes the structure and workings of the brain."

I also got to thinking about how Evie's recent diagnosis includes Attention Deficit Disorder and wondered  what experts had to say about timed tests and ADD.   Again, just what I suspected..   Here's the passage that stuck out to me as 100% accurate,  " If a student is given a worksheet with 100 math problems, they are immediately overwhelmed by all 100 problems. When a child has ADHD, their mind tries to process all of the information at once and they convince themselves that this is an impossible task. This is why teachers and parents often find themselves frustrated because it seems as though the student is not trying."  

So I decided to test this theory and gave Evie a blank sheet of paper to cover all of the rows except the row that she was working on.  The objective was to keep her focused on the task in front of her and to not have the other problems distracting her.   I also told her that she was NOT being timed, not to stress but to just work through one problem at a time.  I immediately saw the strain leave her forehead, the tension in her hands loosen and heard the sigh of relief.  She then worked through it in a timely manner.. I secretly used a stop watch and noticed she was on problem 17 at the 1 minute mark, so there was certainly an improvement.    

I emailed her teacher and told her about this and am hoping that Evie can be accommodated in some way.  I don't want her to hate math because of anxiety.  That just seems so pointless!  

I know that some of my blog readers are teachers.  I'd be interested in hearing your opinions, thoughts and problem solving solutions that have worked for your students.  What gives with these timed tests?  Do you agree with their intended purpose or outcome?  

I'm in the mindset that as long as Evie knows the material, I could care less if they give her a poor grade on the timed stuff.. and if we need a doctor's note to make the situation work for us, I'll be on that phone first thing Monday morning!  :)

Update on Evan Wevan

Hey all!
It's been a while since I have posted an update on Evan's development. He's been doing speech and developmental therapy for about 4 months now and is really catching up!!!
He is about 30 months old (2 1/2 years)
On receptive language, he is right there with the 2 1/2 and 3 year olds.. that's understanding functions of objects, points to pictures when names, follows 2 step commands, understands big vs. little, in, out etc.
As far as colors, letters, shapes and numbers, he is meeting standards of 3 1/2 - 4 year olds. (Those are his PASSION)

On Speech, he is with the 3 year olds, uses all of the beginning and ending sounds pretty intelligibly.

On Expressive Language, he's more at the 24 months area... he names pictures and usues one word to desribe or ask for something.
he calls himself and others by their name, but is not using 1st person pronouns (me, mine, I) (although he sometimes says, "I'm sad"... he doesn't answer simple questions, not attempting to relate experiences, not using 2 word negative phrases such as "no want" or "no go", not using plurals by adding s, not speaking 3-4 word utterances..
Those are all typical of 2 to 2 1/2 years old. So he's getting VERY close to being on target..
So it's pretty obvious that expressive language is the area that we are working on.
In all other areas he really seems ahead so we are less worried than we were 4 months ago when he couldn't even recognize or tell us what a "ball" was. Amazing what 4 months can do!

He goes to a speech/language therapist now on Mondays as well at Carle Therapy so I'll continue to keep you posted!

My little man

I just can't get enough of my little guy! Now that Evie is back in school full time, I get to do alot of stuff with Evan. His personality rocks! Literally! He drums on EVERYTHING! (great gift idea for anyone who is wondering)
He is learning alot now that he has less distractions.
I had him sorting colored paper for me into little bins the other night. He did it with NO direction whatsoever! It was simply awesome! Also, another milestone... he never asks for what he wants by name.. he just hops around and screams.. the other night we had candy apples.. as a rule, Evan hates apples.. but on this night, since they were candied, he LOVED them.. he pointed to the counter and said, "apple!" repeatedly and so clear! I was almost in tears!
Anyway, I feel like he is catching up quickly and his first therapy visit went well. Dina seems like a caring lady that Evan took to immediatly. I'll keep ya posted!

Until next time, here are some quick pics of the little man!

Just a little help....

Hey all!
Some of you already know this little info but I'm ready to share it with my blog readers... Evan is now 26 months old and at his 24 month old check up, his doctor recommended that he get some extra help through Early Intevention. By standards, he should be using 50 words and making two to three words together to ask for what he wants. Evan is certainly not doing this. He sure seems like a smart, witty boy... but he could use some help with understanding commands and speaking.
He's had several evaluations now from a few therapists including cognitive, speech and physical movement. The overall concensus is that physically, he's right up to par with his peers, meaning he and run, jump, climb, etc... with the exception of his right foot turning in a bit when he walks and runs. An orthotic therapist will be examining him in the next couple of weeks to determine if a corrective insert in his shoe might help. As far as understanding what we say to him, and being able to voice his wants, he's with the 18 month olds. So that's where he's going to get some extra help to catch him up. He's had his hearing checked and has a clean bill of health there, including no fluid being in the ears.
His first therapy visit will be Thursday, October 1st and will commence each Thursday until further noted. His therapist has been doing speech and cognitive developmental therapy for 18 years and we feel, based on her credentials that she will be a good fit for him. I am super excited to see how he progresses!

So we've been trying to get a head start with everything...we've been working with him on counting to 10, which he does flawlessly, singing his ABC'S which he does fairly decent with and he's in a class called, "Wiggles and Giggles" every Friday morning (he's had 3 classes so far) and Joe and I both attend with him. He's doing fantastic imitating what the other children are doing, and it is a class with only 2 year olds so we can compare his development a little... now before you say it.. I know that all kids develop differently and I have taken this into account... he just needs a "boost". :o)

I'll keep you posted on Evan's progress!