Social Studies?

[JudoMom]

On ds8's ITBS results, Social Studies was his lowest score (um, well other than listening).

 

What are some things I can do to help shore him up in this area? I'm not opposed to workbooks if they have a purpose, and he still enjoys them for the most part.

[Hoggirl]

We took the "full battery" of the ITBS the first two years we tested, but we are no longer required to take that section. As a 3rd grader (first year we were required to test) this was also my ds's worst score. He did much better as a 4th grader, but, honestly, I think it is a hit or miss situation. I think the topics are completely random especially for the younger grades. I get the idea that they are about citizenship, your community, etc. Nothing truly history related for those young grades. Also, maybe some questions about holidays like Kwanza??? Really random stuff, just all over the place.

 

I actually have a funny story about my ds's 3rd grade ITBS testing. He came out of the testing site so excited about something. "Mom, Mom," said he, "I got to use my Latin to figure out the answer to a test question I didn't know." "Really? What was it?" I inquired. "The question asked where you would find suburbs and since "sub" means 'under/underneath' in Latin, I chose the answer that said, 'Under the ground!'" Poor little guy! Believe me he was really frustrated when the VERY next week he had urbs/urbis in his vocabulary!!!! We still joke about that. All that to say, that, while I very much like my ds to score well on standardized tests (b/c it is the ONLY validation I can offer my in-laws!!!), I really don't sweat either the social studies OR science sections too much. If you are a WTMinder in your approach, what you do just doesn't jive with the sequencing in the public schools.

 

I am not trying to tell you NOT to pursue this, but for me, I decided not to worry about it. Easy for me to say, since we didn't test those SS or Science this year anyway!

 

I do always use the Scoring High test prep. books from Rainbow Resource. These are test-specific so I get the ones that prepare for the ITBS. HOWEVER, for some reason there are no Social Studies questions in there!

 

Probably not much help here.

[Ellie]

I would't worry about that score, especially not for an 8yo. It only means that you taught different things during the year than is common in most public schools, which is what TWTM does, yes?

 

If his English and math scores are good, I'd just move on.

[Testimony]

I had put a thread up about how my one son did well and the other son did not do well in the IOWAs. Well, I realize that Social Studies was a weakness for both my sons. My older son used more logic so, he scored higher, but it was his lowest score. My older son asked me what was Kwanzaa, too. I'm Black American and never taught my sons about Kwanzaa. :smilielol5::smilielol5:

 

I would not worry about it.

 

Blessings in your homeschooling journey!

 

Sincerely,

Karen

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony

[shalom22]

If you do want to pursue the Social Studies route, check out Christian Light Education's SS. (If you don't mind christian content.) It has a text book (My son made me keep it because he likes so much) and comes with 10 lightunits.

 

http://www.clp.org

 

click on the tab for curriculum information and look at either 3rd or 4th grade page, scroll down to bottom to see SS.

 

This is a very good curriculum, I have used the Reading and LA before.