Parents of 3rd graders and older...

How do you get your kids to study for tests if they are not highly motivated (say the average kid)?

I have a 3rd grader and 5th grader. This is the 1st year that my 5th grader is feeling more pressured, overwhelmed, and under-motivated in school. She is in a gifted class and has always done well but she is in a competitive environment and seems like she wants to give up already! She seems to be avoiding studying. I have been trying to teach them test prep, skills and techniques to study (flashcards, notes, reading/saying/listening, do a little each night, don't cram the night before, etc).

But, how far do you go before they have to take control themselves?

My 3rd grader gets unit review sheets where she gets the definitions and concepts she hast to know. I make her re-read the text. Make index cards and quiz her. But, I can't keep quizzing her, she has to test herself too.

My 5th grader does not get review sheets so she has no clue what her test is on. For example, today is a 3 lesson social studies tests. She re-read the chapters, did flash cards for the chapter definitions, answered the questions in the back of each lesson and I showed her how to take notes for the most important concepts throughout the chapter (dates, people, general ideas etc). Then, she reviewed them, I quizzed her, her sister quizzes her too. But, I cannot sit there every minute of every evening leading up to the test. I have my own stuff to do. I know as they get a little older a study buddy from school will help.

So, where do you draw the line of what YOU do for your kids as far as school work and what you have to let go and let them do for themselves?

Message edited 1/21/2014 12:32:27 PM.

Parents of 3rd graders and older...

Do you think this is an issue to bring up to the teacher? If she is getting tests there should be some review beforehand.

Parents of 3rd graders and older...

I think what you are doing is great! Maybe for the next test, wean off one aspect of how you help her and tell her she has to make her own flashcards or perhaps make a list of all the things she can do to study and she can organize it herself.