Rhea Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Hi, I'm sorry my first post (I think this is my first) is a plea for help. I always find such great information here but am not so successful at WTM implementation and so have been quiet. My children (2nd, 6th, and 8th) do science together. Last year we had a great time with science, doing some physical science stuff and some chemistry stuff. Both were more like 5th/6th grade level. This year my 8th grade daughter has to take a science test with the public school system. (They also do math, reading, and writing testing every year but this is the first for Science.) I knew going into this year that this test was coming. I asked our adviser to recommend a text or something that would cover the 8th grade standards, the only suggestions she had were what we'd been using. I got a copy of the standards and the test and there is lots of stuff on there my daughter doesn't know, or it is phrased differently than we're used to. (Specifically a question on food chains, only now it's called something else... a map? Anywho...) To make things worse, I can't explain how this happened, but I was focused on "I have to get material that will cover this stuff" and at the same time busy with everything else, and so we've done even less science this year than last!!! It's like I froze up. The test is in April. My daughter is a great reader and learns quickly. Does anyone have any suggestions for what I might get? I look at the standards printout and am at a bit of a loss as far as equating it to curriculum. Of course there are textbooks made that cover the standards of all 50 states as they want to be able to sell their books to any school district, but I need something she can actually get through. Or get through most of. I thought Singapore Math science looked good, but I can't tell if it covers typical 8th grade standards for the US. Does anyone know? Also, So You Want To Learn Science from Galore Park looks good, but again, I've no idea if it will cover US standards. Perhaps there is something else? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Rhea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julieofsardis Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 My dd went to PS this year for 8th grade and is making A's in science. We were hit and miss at best, but last year we did do quite a bit of work on lab reports. She says that is what they spend a lot of time doing. I had the best luck just putting middle school science lab report template in a search engine. There is a wealth of info available online. I also think that as far as standardized testing goes, reading comprehension and the ability to understand graphs and charts are pretty important. A good resource would be some of the Prentice Hall Science Explorer books. They have a section at the end of each chapter that relates to standardized testing. Otherwise, I think it's a little late to be cramming a lot of science facts into her. You might be surprised at what she knows just from life experiences. I know I'm always amazed at both my kids where this is concerned. I wouldn't stress a lot about this. Just do the best you can with the time you have left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhea Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 Thank you both. First, I wanted to say that I wouldn't cram facts down her. :) What I want to do is hand her materials for self study. She is very motivated. Last year was our first year doing this and she excelled on the tests. She does not want to get a satisfactory or below satisfactory. (Okay, those aren't the real words they use but it's the best I can do this late at night.) Christina, nothing bad will happen. We were independent for years. We only went with a public school charter because our local school district decided only students enrolled in their schools or their charter could play sports. The daughter in question plays on our local school's basketball and volleyball teams. So nothing bad will happen. I just feel like I failed her because I didn't find materials soon enough, or ask these questions at this forum earlier, etc, etc, etc. She's worried she's behind her peers in science. I am only doing this because of my kids love of sports. Otherwise I would so not be with a charter school. I don't like worrying about covering specific things at specific times. Okay, I think I heard you ask, "Why worry about the tests if nothing bad will happen?" My only answer is, it is very hard to NOT want to make sure you cover what will be on the tests. Not much of an excuse. :tongue_smilie: Rhea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Other Alaskans are on the board. Maybe you should put your state in the title of your post and you could get specific info. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMindy Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 If the Alaska test is like the WA test, I'd recommend the books "Show what you know on the WASL" (or whatever the Alaska equivalent is) The focus on the science section tends to be using the scientific method, asking questions, setting up experiments,reporting on data, drawing conclusions, etc. rather than specific facts. Also, I bet if you were to search your state's dept. of education they would have lots of links that would tell you specifically what topics are covered on the test. I know that WA has tons of info and resource to help prepare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julieofsardis Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 I didn't mean to imply you would cram the info down your dd. I was just saying that I didn't think that would be an effective strategy. Sorry if that was offensive. I'm sure you're a great teacher! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhea Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 I didn't mean to imply you would cram the info down your dd. I was just saying that I didn't think that would be an effective strategy. Sorry if that was offensive. I'm sure you're a great teacher! Oh no! I didn't read it as offensive at all. I completely understand your concern. I had just finally gotten up my courage to post about it and then thought I wasn't clear enough. Science is my weakness and having the oldest dependent on me is not cutting it. I need to switch her over to independent study, which I think will work really well since she is so motivated to learn it. I really dislike these tests, or maybe what I dislike is how they influence me, because I end up feeling like I need to cover what is on them and I know that last year without that pressure (or perceived pressure) we had a great time with science and my kids learned a lot. Rhea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhea Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 Also, I bet if you were to search your state's dept. of education they would have lots of links that would tell you specifically what topics are covered on the test. I know that WA has tons of info and resource to help prepare. Hmm... I have a print out of the standards that is from the State's online thing. I didn't see any resource suggestions but I may have missed them. I'll look again. Thank you. Rhea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhea Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 If the Alaska test is like the WA test, I'd recommend the books "Show what you know on the WASL" The WASL is great. I haven't yet found one for AK, and if I don't I'm going to order the WASL one for her. I think it will go a long way towards showing her where she's strong and where she needs to focus. Thank you SO much. Rhea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveswife Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 How about the Spectrum Science 8 Test Practice or Spectrum Science 8 workbook? I believe the Spectrum workbooks are based on nationally-normed standards, thus using the terminology your daughter will need to know for the exam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 If you have a short time, I would consider a very basic workbook that would cover most of your bases. I'm not an expert but I remember looking at the Spectrum Test Prep Book for the grade level test my dd took last year and some key vocabulary (food web?) were were in the prep book did indeed show up on the test. I remember going through the Rainbow Resource catalog and seeing a couple titles that might fit the bill. Is there a Steck Vaughn science workbook for the 8th grade level, or does McGraw-Hill publish a Spectrum Science workbook for 8th grade? We use Harcourt Science for my dd in 8th grade. She's using the sixth grade level. It was very cheap used on Amazon.com, and it has plenty in it to give her a good foundation in general science before high school. She likes it and the pictures are great. So, there's another option for you! There's an 8th grade version, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Another option to consider is signing up for an independent study course. Of course it would be more expensive than just finding a book that you could use. Here is one that I am aware of. It's offered by BYU Independent Study. I'm sure there must be others out there, if you're interested in going that route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhea Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Thank you All. I went with Show What You Know 8th for test familiarity, it's great explanations, and so we could easily see where she needs to work. I got two books for learning - Science By The Grade, Grade 8 which looks to cover the same subjects as the standards, and Harcourt 6 (couldn't find a copy of 8). I think this has turned into a great situation and I really can't thank you all enough for your help. Rhea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 This link was posted by Pongo in another thread earilier this year. If you use Harcourt, you might find it helpful. It's a multimedia, interactive site to supplement the book. http://www.harcourtschool.com/menus/science2009/wooden_desk_na.html Kolbe Academy publishes a very inexpensive answer key for the Harcourt book, the version with the tiger specifically--but, it might work with another version as well. They also have course plans (5 and 6 cover Harcourt 6) with tests in case you are interested, but these would be an added and probably unnecessary expense for you. Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lildebsks56 Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 ok schools here teach to the test because there numbers and ratings are down ..anyway even thoughwe are out & starting hschooling I plan on seeing what they are covering & doing some tests to keep her her up to spped in case so you coud do that but that being said my dd never tests well & the world does not fall apart we just d id our best but I think for making her feel a winner i would jst cover some things in a fun way if i could know what they cover & make her feel more confident.. hoe that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhea Posted January 8, 2009 Author Share Posted January 8, 2009 Thank you for that link NJKelli! lildebsks56 - I think that is a great idea. I feel so much better having those materials on their way here. My daughter wants to attend a private school her Junior & Senior years, so this has really got me thinking in advance. I think I'm going to go with an online Science class for her 9 & 10th grade years. I know my weakness, and science is it. It's the first to not get covered. And wow, just acknowledging that and having a plan (the start of a plan anyhow) is a huge weight removed. Rhea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.