tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227968132024-03-13T02:53:33.043+00:00The 11 Plus Exam BlogThis blog is for parents interested in education and the 11 Plus Exam for children in the UK. We provide comment, tips and advice for parents with children studying for the 11 Plus Exam.On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.comBlogger2219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-2055692728623799762015-05-19T12:02:00.003+00:002015-05-19T12:02:33.301+00:00CEM and GL Examinations<div class="MsoNormal">
Around the time your child will be completing last minute
revision the Notting Hill Carnival will be taking place. Many books and
articles on `How to Study’ suggest that cramming
up to the last minute does not really work. There must be the occasional break
for a little self- indulgence. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jlKPCm7YDXw/VVsmJO3MtlI/AAAAAAAAAM8/8Zj1bQ0UVsk/s1600/open1011%2B009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jlKPCm7YDXw/VVsmJO3MtlI/AAAAAAAAAM8/8Zj1bQ0UVsk/s320/open1011%2B009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
Seeing a troop of armed and excited soldiers advancing is
always an exciting. The word `troop’ was often used for a group of cavalry
soldiers . Your child may drop his or her Eleven Plus book in anticipation if
this troop was on horseback!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The CEM and GL examinations are different – but elements are
remarkably similar. After all a percentage is a percentage and an `Odd One Out’
is an `Odd One Out. Some children will be writing both styles of paper. We wish
them well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And if your child should feel tired then offer the immortal words: “You
brave little trooper!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-36122778580362195722015-05-01T11:42:00.002+00:002015-05-01T11:42:39.372+00:0011+ and Dyslexia<div class="MsoNormal">
On a recent 11+ course we had the privilege of working with
a child who had been diagnosed with dyslexia. The report from the Educational
Psychologist pointed to difficulty with spelling and writing. The spatial side, however, was very strong.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We should imagine
that some dyslexic children will do well in later life in careers in the fields
of geology, biology, engineering, pharmacy and zoology. (Having re-read that
last sentence it looks as if studying subjects with an `ology’ at the end of
the word should suit at least some dyslexic students!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there is any credence in these observations then it may
seem that a number of dyslexic children should have a strong spatial side. The word
`Minecraft’ does not have an `ology’ but does require exceptional spatial
skills. In Minecraft children can build constructions within a 3D world. The
game is incredibly popular and has the ability to hold the attention of children.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When children start talking about hosting a Minecraft server
and acquiring a variety of skins then parents will be aware of the grip the
game has on their children. There are some who would argue that Minecraft does
much to stimulate the spatial areas of the brain – and thus ready children for
the demands of the complexity of subjects like chemistry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When your child next plays Minecraft, ask him or her, once the game is finished, if it is possible to interpret, and attempt to explain, this chemistry diagram?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auHKWhWfeJ0/VUNmF-pl-kI/AAAAAAAAAMs/TINs0gC8oH4/s1600/chemistry.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auHKWhWfeJ0/VUNmF-pl-kI/AAAAAAAAAMs/TINs0gC8oH4/s1600/chemistry.PNG" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
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On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-70100946420076219422015-04-27T10:32:00.001+00:002015-04-27T10:32:30.741+00:00Fairies, Witches and Non Verbal Reasoning<div class="MsoNormal">
When children become involved in endless computer games and
watch, by choice, mindless Youtube videos, then we may feel that they being
insidiously corrupted. Why can't children just play?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a game played in Gloucester, according to Opie,
many years ago – about `Fairies and Witches’. The girls seemed to be playing
games with the fairies flapping their arms and witches holding their fingers as
if they were claws. The witches seemed to come out of dens while the fairies had
a palace for safety.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`There is a witch and she catches you.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`And then?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`Takes you to her corner.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`And then?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`Stews you.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`And then?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`Eats you.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`And then?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`Throws the bones away!’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just think if your child started playing a rather strange
game.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`There is a teacher and she teaches you Non Verbal
Reasoning.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`And then?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Similarities and Analogies’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`And then?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`Series and Matrices.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`And then?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`Hidden pictures and Odd one out.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`And then?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`Reflections and Codes.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`And then?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`Series and Nets.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Will children ever be the same again?<o:p></o:p></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-18834108106213123382015-04-24T08:46:00.000+00:002015-04-24T08:46:28.679+00:00Wise Parents<div class="MsoNormal">
State funded schools from 2014 have to offer a curriculum
which is balanced and broadly based. Schools
also have the responsibility of trying to help society in general as well as
children at school.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Changes have been made to the content of the National Curriculum.
In early May of this year (2015) children in Year 2 and Year 6 will be writing
SATs tests for the last time. Working as we do in schools we have seen first-
hand the tremendous effort that teachers put into helping and encouraging their
children to do as well as possible. The very able children in Year 6 seem to
enjoy tacking Level 6 questions. These questions are not easy!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our Step Test questions have replaced the traditional Level
tests. In most cases we have found that Step Tests allow for a more defined
approach to teaching and learning. The Step Tests can be used for diagnostic as
well as attainment testing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Step 10<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can estimate any angle, giving my answer in degrees<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can identify 3d shapes from 2d representations<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can identify angles at a point on a straight line and find
the missing angle<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In time to come what-ever changes are made to the curriculum
we can draw strength from a statement by Tawney: <i>“What a wise parent would wish for their child so the State must wish
for all the children.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-11541526359951179732015-04-23T17:04:00.000+00:002015-04-23T17:04:06.259+00:00Latin Versus Long Multiplication<div class="MsoNormal">
We were chatting about children being encouraged to learn
Latin in one of our local schools. I am sure we can all remember our Latin
teachers telling us about the two different modes of presenting Latin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The `old’ or ordinary, traditional pronunciation gives each
letter the sound it has in our own language. We say, for example, `pater’ for
father and `mater’ for mother.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The new or restored pronunciation suggests that we use the
sounds made by the Romans themselves in ancient times.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can still remember the different emotions around learning the
First Declension. Our teacher told us that all the nouns of the First
Declension were feminine – except for those that designated males – as in nauta
(a sailor). We accepted, without argument, that we needed to learn all about a `table’
in the first lesson - in order to understand and appreciate Latin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Singular<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">Nom. Mensa a
table<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR">Voc. Mensa O table<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Acc. Mensam a
table<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gen. Mensae of a
table<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dat. Mensae to
or for a table<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Abl. Mensa by,
with or from a table<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You will recall that the Nominative Case denotes the subject
while the Accusative Case is to do with the object.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some children today are taught multiplication by the grid or
box method. Your children will have been told that this derives from the
distributive law. <span lang="EN">In algebra, for
example, we use <i>a</i>(<i>b</i>+<i>c</i>) being equal to <i>ab</i> + <i>ac. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN">Is the distributive
law more terrifying than the First Declension?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-71998246970996739182015-04-21T16:30:00.001+00:002015-04-21T16:30:50.915+00:00When do parents need to focus?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s time to do your homework, dear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Just a minute. I just have to finish this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You know you have to complete your homework. It won’t take
long.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Just a minute. I just have to finish this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why do I have to remind you? Why can’t you simply do the work
yourself? We have been through this before. There is a time to play and a time
to do homework.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh yes. Just a minute. I just have to finish this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Encouraging children to do extra work, in some cases, seems
to require the skills and attributes of a policy maker. Almost every parent on
earth knows that the best strategy is to move the responsibility from the
formal `parent/child’ relationship to the individual choices of the child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A further sweeping statement must follow to clarify the
intent of the previous paragraph. Parents will know that there is an inverse
relationship between the number of transactions required to encourage their
child to study and the length and depth of the dialogue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Children will often attempt to delay, divert and dissipate
the effect of any dictates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Please can I have a drink first. I am very thirsty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You have just had one. Why do you need another one?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At this stage the unwary parent may not notice that the discussion
has moved from doing homework to needing a drink. A discussion on diabetes, diet
and the need for exercise may follow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Focus Mum, Focus Dad!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-87961981882097449472015-04-20T12:10:00.003+00:002015-04-20T12:10:56.867+00:00Anxious Parents
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gesell, in 1940, wrote about the first five years of a child’s
life. He used an example of a little girl with congenital cataracts and a high
degree of myopia. This diagnosis would make any mother and father living in
2015 anxious about the life their child would live in the years ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The little girl naturally failed on tests requiring visual discrimination
– but she never had any difficulty in demonstrating her normality. It did seem
that she a rather vague social rapport with her examiner – but the feeling was
that this was caused by her inability to notice changes in facial expressions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When she was three she responded to pictures with
difficulty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dog “dog”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shoe “car”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">House “That is a garage”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Clock “That looks like a bowl”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Basket “moon”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leaf “That’s a dish”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Flag “That’s a cat”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was felt that she perfectly normal in every other way –
other than when she was confronted visually.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Naturally her parents had every right to feel anxious about
the future - but parents just have to do what they can. Gesell was writing
about a girl who would now be seventy eight. We can only wonder about the course
and direction of the girl’s life!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-88429968889408876092015-04-19T10:10:00.002+00:002015-04-19T10:10:59.753+00:00Holiday Courses
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We taught a variety of courses over the recent Easter break
in a number of locations. Some of the parents told us that their children had
really enjoyed the work and were happy. The relationship between a child being
happy and a child working in an Easter break seems, at first sight, to be
mutually exclusive. Charles de Montesquieu (1689-1755) maintained:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If we
only wanted to be happy, it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other
people, and that is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than
they are.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I wonder if we could also maintain that a child
who is very intelligent and works hard at school is happier than a child with
lower aspirations. There are many parts of a child’s life that make up the total
child. Doing well at school is important but must not be all consuming to all
concerned.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-22376781043715225592014-04-07T10:07:00.002+00:002015-04-21T16:31:59.459+00:00<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>"The time has come," the Walrus said,</i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>"To talk of many things:</i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--</i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Of cabbages--and kings--</i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And why the sea is boiling hot--</i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And whether pigs have wings."</i></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6179035f-3ba6-50a2-77a1-224ef6c2e9f5" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who would have thought fifty years ago that some children would be enjoying being entertained by an electronic device? Some adults too?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was traveling on the train this morning to Victoria and could see eleven adults on their way to work. Every single one of them had some form of electronic device. One, dressed in a sober suit with a sombre tie was playing a game involving lots of key presses. A matron in her senior years appeared to be embracing Facebook.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No one was asleep! Do phones, hand held computers and other devices stop people sleeping?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In time our intrepid eleven plus children will be probably be revising and preparing on-line as well as taking their eleven plus tests. The need for chalk and talk may drop away. The need for face to face communication may drop away. The Walrus and the Carpenter may not need to have wide ranging discussions as Facebook and Twitter will have replaced conversation.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sample eleven plus question may, however, continue to read:</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Question 1</b></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What causes the sea to boil?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a) Running out of battery life?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">b) Active volcanoes?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">c) No nagging about the eleven plus?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Question 2</b></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can pigs fly?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a) Yes if they have wings.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">b) Yes if the battery is fully charged</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">c) No if they do not pass the eleven plus.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-23087216880919668762013-06-12T09:10:00.005+00:002013-06-12T09:10:49.660+00:00Eleven Plus Challenges<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a theory, but I am not sure how much it applies to the
eleven plus, that there are Tool Makers and Tool Users.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An Eleven Plus Tool Maker may be a child who is able to use
what he or she has learnt in preparing for the eleven plus examination. The
Tool Make may go on in life to feel that it is fun and `correct’ to be academically
challenged. The challenge is not offered in the sense that the child does not
have ability – it is to do with the child wanting to meet new academic
challenges. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An Eleven Plus Tool User could be a child who attends to
eleven plus work dutifully and, we hope, willingly. The `User’ will apply an
`Eleven Plus’ knowledge of fractions in the classroom – and will, we hope, gain
lots of kudos for being clever. Will this knowledge, however, translate into a
desire to explore mathematical and other subjects and topics involving
fractions?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It may be interesting to look at what an eleven plus child
learns during the week. From the following list is it possible to say if the child
is being developed to become a maker or a user?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Learning
Activities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Tool Maker<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Tool User<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Learning from
Experts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Learning from Others<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Learning through Making<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Learning through Exploring<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Learning through Inquiry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Learning through Practising<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Learning across Settings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.0pt;" valign="top" width="205">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Learning from Assessment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
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<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205">
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<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">When our eleven
plus child walks into the grammar school on the first day, will the eleven plus
preparation, contribute towards the child approaching education as a maker or a
user? Of course we need Users but we also need the Makers to make things
happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-23121318715979424892013-06-10T19:33:00.000+00:002013-06-10T19:33:03.483+00:00Eleven Plus Appeals<div class="MsoNormal">
I tried to find a link to `Scaling of Teachers’ Marks and
Estimates’ by McIntosh, Walker and McKay. Amazon, of course, had one. In fact
Amazon had four second hand copies, this morning, marked at the princely sum of
1p each! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The article, written in 1962, described how teacher’s marks
were used to establish an order of merit within a school. When would you use this
information? Suppose your child just misses out on passing the eleven plus. You
go to your teacher at school and ask for help. Your teacher maintains that your
child should have passed and can-not think why your child did not pass. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You know that others in school did pass – so why did your
poor child fail?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your child’s teacher is not sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You then ask for the scaling of the marks in the class. You
explain that you want your child’s marks moderated by the teacher so that his
or her marks can be compared with the ranking achieved by other children in the
actual eleven plus examination. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suppose that your teacher ranks your child higher than others
who did pass – then you may have gathered some useful intelligence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a slight problem with this method – you need the
mean or the average of the others in the school who did pass. Will the school
offer this information or will you need to go cap in hand to the parents of the
successful parents? Do they actually know their child’s scores? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now it is clear that asking the school and other parents for
help may pose problems. You could even be experimenting because the appeal board
may not recognise your findings. Surely, however, the feelings of your child’s
class teacher should be considered?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A little more research may be needed before the eleven plus
boards use scaling by class teachers as a useful tool in determining the success
or otherwise of children in the `Need to Appeal’ zone. <o:p></o:p></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-84504380657573586202013-06-09T19:17:00.003+00:002013-06-09T19:17:31.074+00:00The Eleven Plus and Engineering<div class="MsoNormal">
The Stanford Scientific Aptitude Test was first published in
1929 and was constructed by Dr Zyve to bring out aptitudes essential for
success in scientific fields. The tests were designed to try to be independent
of previous knowledge and training.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The tests were constructed to expose experimental bent and
ability to think and observe accurately. The questions covered:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mathematics<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Choice of best approach to scientific problems<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Analysis of the motion of gears<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Inconsistencies in statements relating to physics and
chemistry<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Approval or disapproval of various scientific projects<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Comparison of heights and lengths of lines<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Procedures in various types of laboratory experiments<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Noting and checking the details of various geometrical
figures<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If, however, you wanted you child to go to a grammar school
specialising in engineering you may consider him or her taking the “Wiggly
Block Test”. This measures the ability to visualise in three dimensions. There
are nine pieces of wood with wavy sides. When the wood is properly fitted
together they form a rectangular block.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But how could eleven plus parents do the Wiggly Block Test
at home?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is easy – take a large slab of butter. (I am not sure if
it will work with margarine – but if it does please let all of us know.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cut the butter in nine blocks – in a wiggly manner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Re-freeze the butter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lower the temperature in the kitchen as much as possible.
Take the butter out of the freezer. Invite your prospective eleven plus
candidate to re-assemble the butter blocks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If your child can solve the problem before the butter melts
then you know your child will certainly pass the eleven plus and go onto study engineering
at university.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-85709833117963899652013-06-08T16:48:00.001+00:002013-06-08T16:48:04.072+00:00DNA and the Eleven Plus<div class="MsoNormal">
Will scientists ever find the gene within our DNA which will
determine eleven plus success? Imagine if your child could have a simple blood
test – or a swab – and you would then know if it was worth your while helping
your child towards the eleven plus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Crick and Watson, in 1953, identified the double-helix
they discovered the importance of two strands coiled around each other. When the
strands of the helix are separated each provides a template for the synthesis
of an identical strand. Each strand has the
same genetic information.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We now know that hereditary information is stored as a
specific sequence of bases. Will one day the geneticists ever seek to find the elusive
`eleven plus’ gene? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You move house to a new area – within the zone of the local
grammar school. You take on a new mortgage and commit yourself to thousands of
pounds – just so that your child can have the best possible education. As your
child moves into Year 4 you take that search on Amazon for the wonder DNA
testing kit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazon returns the results of eleven different `Eleven Plus
Testing Kits’. Do you go for the cheapest option or the best product? Does it
really matter – you are already committed to your new home and mortgage? Can
you ask other families about the reliability of the tests? Will Amazon offer a
money back guarantee? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fate and the future of the `Wonder Eleven Plus DNA
Testing Kit’ is in your hands!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-12061745698342554732013-06-07T19:22:00.001+00:002013-06-07T19:22:11.977+00:00The Eleven Plus Logic of a Big Mac.<div class="MsoNormal">
You are trying to help your eleven plus child to think
logically. You suddenly remember all your work in the sixth form when you were
studying proportional calculus. You recall your mathematics teacher discussing
tautologies. You explain to your ten
year old that one meaning of the word is that everything is true in every
possible interpretation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You are not sure that your eleven plus child is actually
listening. There is no eye contact. You wonder if spending all this time on
eleven plus work is actually going to pay off in the end. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You mean that if I say that I am hungry and feel like a Big
Mac, that it is true and I really want a Big Mac?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It is bit more complex than that, my dear. We are
discussing experiential and symbolic levels. Do you understand?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not really. Can I have a Big Mac, please?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If we were counting using actual Big Macs we would be organising
our thoughts in an experiential manner.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“O.K.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If we counted using the bits of card around the Big Mac, we
would be counting using symbolic terms.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You mean the covering of the Big Macs is symbolic – and the
real Big Mac is what we eat?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Exactly. I am proud of you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Please can we go now?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where would you like to go?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To get a Big Mac, please.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(The logic of a ten year old!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-52704066153270937322013-06-06T19:31:00.004+00:002013-06-06T19:31:58.435+00:00Is the Eleven Plus a Sound Investment?<div class="MsoNormal">
I have a book, published in 1929, which outlines `The Case
for Nursery Schools’. A person called E. Chataway bought the book in 1942. What
E. Chataway thought of the book is hard to tell.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a most interesting chapter on `Some Financial
Considerations’. If I may quote: “The actual average annual expenditure on food
for ten nursery schools is £4.00, of which £3.00 is repaid. The average cost of
school day is 3d a head of which an average of 2d is received from the parents.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eleven Plus Questions:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is encouraging your child to attend a Nursery School a sound
investment?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is 2d worth at least ten times as much today?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do children find positive good in studying for the eleven
plus?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How can you tell if all the time and effort that is put into helping a child pass the eleven plus is a sound investment?</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-46738166044032256342013-06-05T19:01:00.000+00:002013-06-05T19:01:26.480+00:00Beyoncé and the Eleven Plus<div class="MsoNormal">
If one member of the family passes the eleven plus is it likely
that others will follow suit? If we look at the Bach family we can see
prodigious musical talent. Their profession was music – and fifty-three Bachs
held posts as organists, cantors or musicians over a period of around a hundred
years. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the family was Johan Christian Bach who was the eighteenth
child and the eleventh son. He was appointed music master to Queen Charlotte. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(If there are any current eleven plus families out there
with eighteen children – we would love to hear from the eleventh child.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do children learn to cope with different types of verbal
reasoning if the instructions are set to music? Would the music of Beethoven be
better suited to coping with opposites – or should families and eleven plus
tutors use the songs of Beyoncé? Should
children learn long division with country and western songs or should the family
have to put up with the `Black Eyed Peas?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Think of the sales of guitars, pianos, and double basses as
parents buy their eleven plus teaching tools. Think of mothers and fathers settling
down after the evening meal to write little eleven plus songs. Look at the pleasure
and the excitement of working out a simple tune to:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bicycle, Biennial, Binary and Binomial<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All start with Bi.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This implies that two of something is involved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chorus<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a binomial distribution<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The random variable<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Has two possible outcomes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Biscuit, billion, billiards and bimbo<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All start with Bi<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beyoncé, however, starts with `be’ so she’s not involved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chorus<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a binomial distribution<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The random variable<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Has two possible outcomes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-63568894526783912912013-06-04T10:48:00.001+00:002013-06-04T10:48:25.761+00:00Can learning Python help with the Eleven Plus?<div class="MsoNormal">
Would working through exercises from the programming
language `Python’ help some of our eleven plus children and their parents? Some
eleven plus children may occasionally use the well-known words: “In a while!” “In
a while can mean three minutes or three hours. There may even be some who would
make the `while’ last three days! Learning elements of Python may help.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Python there is a something called a `for loop’. It is
possible to print the words, “I love work” five times with the command word `print’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
>>> print (“I love work”)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love work<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
>>> print (“I love work”)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love work<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
>>> print (“I love work”)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love work<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
>>> print (“I love work”)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love work<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
>>> print (“I love work”)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love work<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Python you can use a `for loop’ to reduce the amount of
typing and repetition. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
>>> for x in
range (0,5)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Print (“I
love work”)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love work<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love work<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love work<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love work<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love work<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The command is to start printing the words `I love work’ at 1 and stop at 5.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Think now of the time that will save the average eleven plus
family over a year!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You could start a `for loop’ from 1 to 100 for bed time,
eleven plus work, tidying the bedroom, and feeding the dog. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Think now of your child’s favourite computer urging him or
her to do a little extra work! What a coup! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-84264459782513002782013-06-03T19:07:00.000+00:002013-06-03T19:07:34.993+00:00The Eleven Plus and Eggy Bread<div class="MsoNormal">
Why are there recipes for Eggy Bread or French Toast in
cookbooks for girls and boys? We know that after parties, Christmas and any time there has
been extra catering, we may have left over bread. Of course the birds deserve
some of the left overs. We can also use them in our cooking. (The left over
bread – not the birds!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before feeding the birds,some of us will cut off the crusts and dry and brown them in
the oven. They can then be rolled fine with a rolling pin and stored in an
airtight tin for bread crumbing. The
purists among us will want to use a mixture of brown and white crusts. Why? I
have no idea!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to French toast or Eggy Bread.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 medium eggs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
75ml milk<o:p></o:p></div>
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25g butter<o:p></o:p></div>
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I tablespoon cooking oil<o:p></o:p></div>
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4 slices of bread<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Break the eggs in a shallow dish. Heat the butter and oil.
Dip the bread. Cook for two minutes – then turn the bread. Add whatever your child desires. (I have
never tried eggy bread with vanilla ice-cream.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now if you drizzle syrup over one master slice and then enjoy yourself with patterns on five slices of eggy
bread, you could be coming close to solving some elusive eleven plus questions.
You could try this at home!<o:p></o:p></div>
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On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-41567072409100310142013-06-02T16:54:00.001+00:002013-06-02T16:54:04.241+00:00Breakfast and the Eleven Plus<div class="MsoNormal">
We must surmise that many parents of eleven plus children
ensure that their offspring eat nourishing food on the day of the examination. The `good breakfast’ does seem to be highly
desirable. “Come dear, eat your breakfast, you need the fuel. You have a busy
day.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But Mum, I just don’t feel like eating now. Maybe I’ll eat
something after the exam.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just try to eat something. You know that over the years be
have tried to synchronise meals however busy or worried we are.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, Mum. You have said it before a healthy family eats
together.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We do have a few minutes. The word breakfast means to break
your fast. You have not eaten since last night.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know, I know. You have also said that most breakfast
cereals have too much sugar. I don’t want too must sugar I don’t want to be
wired.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There is just time. Would you like me to cook you a full
English breakfast? We have bacon, sausages, eggs, tomatoes and beans. I can
also do some fried bread. You like fried bread don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No thank you. I just don’t like back pudding.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well you must have something before you go to the examination.
You don’t want cereal, you don’t want toast. You don’t want eggs. What do you
want?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nothing, thank you. Can you get me an energy drink on the way
to school, please?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. I refuse. I don’t like energy drinks at the best of
time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Aw, Mum.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Please just have a little toast.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
“O.K. then. Do you think, Mum, that the Soviet cosmonaut,
Yuri Gagarin, ate breakfast before he blasted off into space?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Eat your toast.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-35215266143769925102013-06-01T17:34:00.004+00:002013-06-01T17:34:39.527+00:00Eleven Plus Changes<div class="MsoNormal">
I sometimes feel that it is a pity that eleven plus children
are not encouraged to learn a language. Would there be a huge outcry? I wonder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Exercise One<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Translate some of the following:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Germani cum Romanis
fortiter pugnarverunt. Milites audacious
resitere ac fortius incipunt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We know that pugnacious
is something to do with being ready to fight. We can probably also guess that
the German tribes and the Romans were unhappy with each other. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also know that audacious means very bold or daring. There
is also the word resitere which may have something to do with resistance. Could
milites have a connection with military?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Put an eleven plus child onto the trail – and excite the
child with the possibility of discovering and deciphering words – and then sit
back and enjoy the enthusiasm. This may be a lot more interesting than asking
for the anonyms of a series of ten words.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Example Two<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Translate some of the following:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Metode: 1 koppie gesnayde artapples. 4 koppies warm melk. 2
eetlepels botter, 1 teelepel sout, 1 eatlepel meel, a paar stukkies uie, peper
en sout. Kook alles saam.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Translating this passage may challenge some children – but
if they were helped with understanding where words come from, then new worlds
may open up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What, for example, could the word metode be? Of course, method.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`koppies warm melk’ – would this be something to do with
cups of milk?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Could we guess at `peper en sout’?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Much of the present eleven plus
seems to be a series of exercises aimed at imparting knowledge. Why can’t the eleven
plus child enjoy learning without being burdened with a large number of
explanations and cautions?<o:p></o:p></div>
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On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-90231918174505159852013-05-31T09:33:00.001+00:002013-05-31T09:33:17.369+00:00Meryl Streep and the Eleven Plus<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #555441; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Could
tapping into skills associated with Social Intelligence help with preparing
your child for the eleven plus examinations? On the day of the examination you
want your child to be gifted and unique. You want the finished article. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #555441; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Instead
of help your child concentrate on working through eleven plus papers what about
trying to build confidence in the areas of empathy, resilience, curiosity and
creativity? When you child sits down at the desk in the examination room you
want your child to feel confident and positive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #555441; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“If
you pass the eleven plus we will all go to Florida.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #555441; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“If
you pass you can have a new bicycle.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #555441; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“If
you pass we will go out for a nice meal.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #555441; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Some
parents will resonate with the idea of encouraging their children to do well
but other would prefer their child to acquire good study skills, sound
pre-examination nutrition, learn when to take rests and how to enjoy recreation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #555441; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Suppose
your child was able to enter the examination without feeling unduly anxious.
Imagine a child who was able to say, “Don’t worry, I will just do my best.
Thank you for all your support and hard-work. The examination, now, is up to
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #555441; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The
sceptics will argue, “How can we test the happiness of an eleven plus child?” A
different question could ask, “Why shouldn’t we label a child as having grammar
school potential?” The present state of the eleven plus can provide some of the
answers – but cannot hope to satisfy everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #555441; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">One
remarkably powerful element of Social Intelligence must be empathy. A question
for learned: Was Meryl Streep talking about the eleven plus when she said: “The
greatest gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-46452437911555713962013-05-30T17:20:00.005+00:002013-05-30T17:20:13.055+00:00Classifying Eleven Plus Questions<div class="MsoNormal">
How much can we rely on the observations and thoughts of
family, friends, neighbours and the school community? If children can be
broadly categorised into three main groups – then we may be able to find
potential grammar school pupils without having to test the children. The groups
could be `bright’, `average’ and `not so able’. But can children be graded in
such a manner or do we need to rely solely on tests?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some teachers may possibly argue that any classification by
non-professions must be suspect. Ask a teacher who is the brightest in the
class – and it is likely that he or she would identify at least one child. Ask
a grandmother to point out the brightest in her family and she would probably
have remarkably little difficulty in pointing out the star of the family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course we can change the classification of the children
into: `grammar school potential’, `boarder line’ and `would not be happy in an
academic environment’. This could please some of the observers – but some
parents would be very upset.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just think of the outcry – and the hurried rewriting of
eleven plus papers and books – if questions along the following lines were recommended.
Surely this is a vocabulary item? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dad, is an ox a sort of male cow?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sort of, yes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And equine means something to do with horses?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That is right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well Dad, what is an equinox?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-69996539412708140402013-05-30T17:20:00.003+00:002013-05-30T17:20:09.835+00:00Classifying Eleven Plus Questions<div class="MsoNormal">
How much can we rely on the observations and thoughts of
family, friends, neighbours and the school community? If children can be
broadly categorised into three main groups – then we may be able to find
potential grammar school pupils without having to test the children. The groups
could be `bright’, `average’ and `not so able’. But can children be graded in
such a manner or do we need to rely solely on tests?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some teachers may possibly argue that any classification by
non-professions must be suspect. Ask a teacher who is the brightest in the
class – and it is likely that he or she would identify at least one child. Ask
a grandmother to point out the brightest in her family and she would probably
have remarkably little difficulty in pointing out the star of the family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course we can change the classification of the children
into: `grammar school potential’, `boarder line’ and `would not be happy in an
academic environment’. This could please some of the observers – but some
parents would be very upset.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just think of the outcry – and the hurried rewriting of
eleven plus papers and books – if questions along the following lines were recommended.
Surely this is a vocabulary item? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dad, is an ox a sort of male cow?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sort of, yes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And equine means something to do with horses?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That is right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well Dad, what is an equinox?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-74312639863241390282013-05-29T14:13:00.003+00:002013-05-29T14:13:26.809+00:00Vocabulary and the Eleven Plus<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vocabulary plays a large part in parts of the eleven plus
examination. A wide vocabulary is considered to be one of the signs of ability.
It is difficult for most ten year old potential eleven plus candidates not to absorb
new words and ideas. Some words, however, are a little more obscure than
others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you remember the story about the seven year old?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>On Mother’s day, my seven-year old son couldn’t wait to
present me with a book of poetry he had written for me. Part of it was an
acrostic of my name – Victoria – with an adjective describing me next to each
letter.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Beside `I’ he had written “intelligent”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Next to `c’, “caring”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>And for the `o’, “outstanding”.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I was swelling with pride until I came to the final `a’.
Next to it my son has written: “able to scream”.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am fortunate to have a 1912 edition of Roget’s Thesaurus of
English words. The word `acrostic’ comes up in the section on `secrets’. Some
of the other words are: mystery, enigma,
teaser, riddle, poser, conundrum, rebus, anagram and acrostic. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we see elements
of the richness of the English language it is not hard to see why vocabulary is
rated so highly in ability tests.<o:p></o:p></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22796813.post-7278205501892607192013-05-29T14:12:00.003+00:002013-05-29T14:12:18.745+00:00PLMA and the Eleven Plus<div class="MsoNormal">
Every parent knows the rich meaning behind the letters `PLMA’.
This could be your child texting you asking for some space. The letters could
also be used when you feel that an extortionate demand is being made. You
could, of course, involve your child in an erudite discussion on the difference
between `Leave me alone’ and `Let me alone’. Parents of eleven plus children
should never miss an opportunity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leave implies going, departing.` Leave me alone’ suggests
that you want to be left alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
`Let me alone’ seems to mean stop bugging me, stop
irritating me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every good parent, however, never knows when to stop. From the
benign discussion on being left alone you could go on to discussion the role of
particularistic judgements. These, as you well know, are the judgements
according to the relationship with the person being judged or discussed. A
parent will judge his or her child by the relationships in the family. A
teacher may judge a child on the grounds of the ability to fit into an academic
school.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We know that grammar schools accept children who pass an
eleven plus examination. Children with poor social skills or the `wrong attitude’
to school and education may, sometimes, be judged as being unsatisfactory. A
teacher in a primary school may be drawn to a bright child who is precocious –
but too immature to cope with the strictures on an eleven plus examination. The
child may prefer to be left alone rather than try to conform.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When your child insists: “Just, please let me alone!” take
heart the letters `JPLMA’ does not mean that your child is judging you, or does
not want to go to grammar school, the letters may simply mean that your child
needs a bit of space.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
On-line At Etchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12968761124899206676noreply@blogger.com0